04 Viper S to an Apex ?

[duwem]

Got an offer to buy my 04 viper S. I really like that sled, but have always wondered about switching over to the 4 stroke side. It has treated me well and performs great.

I put 500-750 miles on in a year, groomed Wisconsin trails.

Kind of leaning towards a 2008 Apex GT 4oth with its unique looks and Ohlins like the Viper S has. Would consider a GT (121") or LTX GT (136") Trails vary from tight corners in the woods to big open farm fields. I know they Apex got some upgrades in the 2010/11 time frame but the prices of those used sleds are more than I want to spend for the limited use I get.

Any thoughts/ recommendations?

 

[Carbide]

I am on my second Apex. I have put on over 5,000 miles on them over the last 3 seasons.
I just put on 450 miles on my XTX 144" this last weekend in northern Minnesota.
Love the Apex!

 

[biffdotorg]

For all those that cry about how Yamaha could never make a good suspension, there are tons of us that loved the move from the trailing arm Yamahas. Are there better, sure, are they yamaha, no. I came from an SRX, and the suspension upgrades were worth it. And the power is amazing.

There is good power in the old triples, but the linear power and torque of the Apex is money! Plenty of knowledge here on what to do to each and every model year. Read up on those while making your purchase.

if you can find a 2011+ machine, do it. Cherries show up on a regular basis at bargain basement prices. Especially between now and summer. The 2011 up add so many nice things. I have said it before, they should have been renamed.

Good luck

 

[kinger]

Do it! You will never ride a 2S again. Apex is superior in every way. Go with a 06-10 if you are a power junky and want to add a turbo or supercharger someday. Find a 11+ if your a stock only type of guy and just want to enjoy the sled with no mods. 2018 is the best stock apex ever made. Ironically you can start with any year apex and add upgrades from later years to it. Like the YRSS shock system on the 2018 anniversary only sled, I will be adding it to my 06. I came from a viper too.

 

[maim]

any apex will be a good ride. put some hours in on a sx venture this season and i apreciate my 16 apex more when i get back on it.

 

[steiner]

Came from a slightly modded 02 Viper. Seat riser, Apex bars, ported engine an stretched to 136. As much as a trail hot rod it was the switch to my current Attak was a good decision.
I miss the sound of the triple but that's about it.

 

[duwem]

Any love or hate for the 2008 40th Anniversary Edition?

 

[RobX-1]

I still love my 08 LTX which just now turned over 17,000 miles. Sort of cool to have a 40th Anniv and 50th Anniv Apex's in the stable. Have over 6500 miles on the 18 XTX. As for the 08, I swapped out the skis for USI X2 Triple Threat skis and have had the shocks rebuilt but never had any issues with the cable leading to the electronic Ohlins breaking; only a bad solenoid in the rear Ohlin shock. I also had the exhaust/header gaskets and their clamps go bad which ended up cracking one of the titanium headers but since I knew I was keeping the sled, just replaced with SS headers. Big thing there is to check those gaskets and clamps before they cause damage. Always repacked and replaced bearing when needed and did replace idler wheels with larger ones for improved hyfax whear. Haven't had any issue with cracked W arms or cracked rails like some have reported. Since you want to stay in the 06-10 model year to keep cost down, that means you will have to forgo EPS that was offered in the 11 and up models. But fret not as I would highly recommend checking into Travis' (hibshman25 TY member or Barn of Parts) MPS or Mechanic Power Steering kit as the kit does in fact work. Coming off my 18 with EPS, the 08 with Travi's MPS is pretty darn close and the beauty with his kit is that it offers three different settings for how much you want to reduce steering effort. This might be a way to have your cake and eat it to with saving money on an older model Apex and adding the MPS. Just a thought but yes, I still love my 08 Apex enough to continue to upgrade it with products that work.

 

[duwem]

Thanks for the details on the steering thing, sounds like it is a great compromise for not buying an ESP sled.

 

[White & Nerdy]

Since I am kind of in the same boat, I figured I'd ask in this thread rather than start a new one. I currently have an srx and a viper, and while I love them, I just am not comfortable on them anymore. It's partly because of the suspension (especially on the SRX), but I am also 6'4" and just feel cramped. I have never even sat on a newer sled, so I'm wondering, any tall guys on Apexes? How does it compare to the older sleds for room?

 

[biffdotorg]

Since I am kind of in the same boat, I figured I'd ask in this thread rather than start a new one. I currently have an srx and a viper, and while I love them, I just am not comfortable on them anymore. It's partly because of the suspension (especially on the SRX), but I am also 6'4" and just feel cramped. I have never even sat on a newer sled, so I'm wondering, any tall guys on Apexes? How does it compare to the older sleds for room?

As said before, came from an SRX. I'm 6'2" and it was a big improvement. Not as much as what you may have found on a Procross chassis viper/winder, but better than the old SX sleds. The best addition to an Apex for tall guys, is the WRP/Seat Concepts seat upgrade, and a 2.5" riser. Changes the ergos so much, that I have no desire to replace my Apex at all.

Stand with ease, go from sit to stand with ease, and comfortable for hundreds of miles. 690 miles last week in Michigan, 266 in one day. You feel it, but its no comparison to the old sleds.

So if you run into an older apex and the seat feels well broke in, budget for the seat upgrade. Hell do it no matter the year, it's worth it. And a Powermadd 2.5" Pivot Riser is under $80 and will keep the handlebars and riser looking stock, but allow you to stand easier. The reason I say 2.5", is that is about the limit with stock cables. Otherwise budget for longer cables if you want to go taller, as well as handguards. Your windshield my not give you the protection at that height.

 

[kinger]

6'1" here and I had to swap out a GT seat for a RTX/MTX seat as they are firmer and didn't let me sink in as far. Also get the bars up and forward with a pivot risor so you can stand comfortably. That was all I needed for the ergos to fit my height. Its nice having knees in my chest anymore.

 

[2006Apexed]

I have a thread on the Apex General Talk forum here titled "new to me 2006 Apex RTX" It documents my mods, fixes and upgrades to an Apex I bought just over a month ago with 14000 miles. This is my one sled and I'm looking for a primo ride. Updates are Team Fast M20 Airwave complete rear skid, rebuilt and upgraded Fox Floats with dual chambers added up front, Ulmers clutch kit, Rox pivot risers, and the Seat Concepts +2" seat kit. The front sway bar was way worn out both in bushings and links. My last upgrade for this year is the addition of Snowtrackers on the front skid. Total cost for this build including sled is around $6500. It may sound steep, but now I have a premium sled suspension tuned for me, with comfort/egos for long trips, and did i mention, she goes like a raped ape.

 

[ClutchMaster]

Keep the old Viper if it’s in good shape. Buy a used Polaris M10, rebuild the shocks and you’ll have a super handling sled.
If you want the most reliable sled and are willing to Sacrifice some handling go Apex.

 

[duwem]

Ya it’s in good shape but a Viper S fan made me a good offer for it so....I’m considering letting it go.