06 Apex - What's the difference between the RTX, ER an GT?

[02xtreme]

I'm looking at jumping the DOO ship and know nothing about these sleds.

What are the differences betweeen the 3 models ? Do they all have e/s and reverse? Do all have rebuildable shocks? I've heard they have electronic suspension adjustability?

Anything to look for when buying?

Thanks for any info.

 

[RTXgary]

The big difference is in the front suspension.

All three have rear mono-shock
ER & RTX have 46mm KYB with a 20 click remote adjustment on the left side of tunnel.
GT have a 46mm electronic compression with a thumb control on the handle bar.

Front
ER 40mm HPG, aluminum
RTX FOX floats
GT 40mm HPG, Piggyback clickers

I believe all are rebuildable

 

[RTXgary]

All have electric start. Reverse is an option that most people got.

 

[Apex18]

The ER is like the base Apex, with ER standing for electric start and reverse. It has the basic shocks. Jump onto the RTX and reverse on this model was optional, but 90% of people bought it i'd say, and the front shocks are upgraded to fox floats, and the paint scheme is a little bit nicer too. Jump on the GT and it is the top of the line sled. Has the nicest paint sceme (black and chrome for 2006), has clicker front shocks up front which are great, unlimited adjustment, and electronic shock adjustment in the back. All 3 have the same back suspenion, just the ER and RTX is the turn by hand dial on the side, and the GT has the ohlins electronic adjustable through the handle bars. All 3 are great sleds, depends what you like the best.

 

[Thewhitedogg]

The ER is the base version. The RTX is set up for rough trail riding, and the GT is the groomed trail.

They all have rebuildable shocks. The 07 RTX and newer has a different rear suspension than the ER and GT. The ER & GT have a mono shock, with the GT compression being adjustable electronicly from the handlebar. The ER is adjustable via a dial on the tunnel. The RTX has a dual shock, I believe its call the pro action ck??

All have electric start, the GT and ER have reverse and the RTX has reverse as an option (should be standard IMO).

Try to demo these sleds so you can get a feel for each ones differences. I was a AC faithful for many years, jumped ship 2 years ago and could not be happier.

 

[02xtreme]

Thanks everyone. Knew I could get a quick answer.

I'm coming off a REV and not sure if I'll like the ride or not? Anyone else come from a REV to an Apex or Attack?

 

[Bowhunter]

The riding position and the motor is much superior IMO on the apex, the rev corners better, but you can fix the cornering on the apex with skis and a heavier stablizer bar.

 

[ReX]

To clarify, as some have already mentioned, the 07/08 RTX uses the ProActive CK suspension - not the Monoshock suspension.

Having ridden with REVs and now REV-XPs for years and swapped back and forth many times, IMO the handling is essentially on par between the REV and the Apex. Both need a little fine tuning and both respond well to this tuning (limiter straps, ride height, etc.).

The motor and basic drivetrain on the Apex is incredible - smooth, responsive, clean running, doesn't stink, etc.

Where the Apex fails when compared to the REV is the rear suspension and bump capability.

With the Apex, the monoshock is a very smooth riding suspension that soaks up the bumps well - up to a point. In stock form this suspension is incredibly easy to bottom out compared to a REV. Everyone I know installs the "big boy" spring and this helps, but still the shock damping is inadequate for the stronger spring. If you revalve the shock (it is rebuildable), you'll find that the pivot arms (front especially) are prone to cracking. Even stock they crack, but with a revalved shock they crack quickly if you ride hard. If you are a very aggressive rider, you will likely destroy the monoshock suspension very quickly.

The 07/08 Apex RTX (Rough Trail Xtreme)'s ProActive CK is a lot closer to the REVs suspension as far as design. The ProActive CK is much more durable than the Monoshock, but ride wise, the shock valving is very poor from Yamaha. It tends to provide a harsh ride on smaller bumps, bounce uncontrollably over big bumps and bottom out easily. In 2008, Yamaha revalved the rear skid so it is probably better than the 07. Although it is stronger than the Monoshock, if you try to ride an RTX as hard as a REV MXZ can be ridden for high miles, the front and rear pivot arms will still eventually break.

Essentially, if you are a rider who likes to take it easy over bumps then the Monoshock skid is the ideal skid for you and you will love the sled. If you are a rider who like to push your REVs hard, you'd be better off with the RTX, but you probably won't be all that happy with the suspension without a shock revalve to make it perform closer to the MXZ. Many of us also have had unacceptable track ratcheting with this skid (but not everyone does). The most robust solution to the ratcheting it to install Skidoo anti-ratchet drive sprockets.

Regardless of the rough trail limitations, Yamaha's motors and the rest of the sled are truly top notch (except for the marginal skis). The Apex is an extremely comfortable sled ergonomics wise. Once you've experienced high mileage days without the vibration and smell of a 2-stroke, it becomes much easier to deal with the suspension short comings.

 

[Wartsnuff]

Ageed

took me a year to dial in my suspension on my RTX

had the fox floats revalved dual comp/dual rebound. absolutly amazing.

the ck skid i have the clicked set to the most comp available, still put on antibottoming snubbers.

plan to have the 4 stack valving done to the rear skid..

but it runs the bumps good now. impressivly even

cheers
Warts

 

[Randy J Beyer]

Whatever you choose you will never look back ! Motor is like no other ! Prices on their parts suck !
Good thing you dont need alot of them !