1st new apex and not happy

[Meadowbrook]

I just bought a new 09 Apex ER. Just went to Northern Maine to enjoy some great trail ridding with my new sled. Here is my take on the sled. I have been snowmobiling for over forty years and have owned every major brand. The Apex has a great motor and build quality. After riding 500 miles of good trails, the hyfax are completely worn out and one of the wheels is completely brooken. I am very surprised that after building this sled for five years, Yamaha just does not get it right nor do they want to. This is the way I see it, The clossed windows in the track do not let enought snow in to lubricate the slidders and the lack of track clips increase the friction of the track. You can really feel the resistance in the drive train and I am taking in consideration the breaking effect of the clutches. The other problem they did not address is the wheels are too small to provide adequate track support to reduce wear, and the wheels are of terrible quality. The other sore spot on the sled is the skis. They are not up to the task to provide crisp handling. I have installed a set of pro shappers and it makes a real difference, but the sled needs A out side keal and runner to not only provide improved cornering but to help the sled from tipping. Offset powder skis would be a great improvement.
If a first time buyer and user of this sled can realize the problems with this sled, then why dosent Yamaha see the light?

 

[Blue Oval]

Obviously didn't do your homework and check into this forum first. Many tips and knowledge here B-4 you rode could have possibly helped you?? IMHO

 

[06apexrtx]

just like every other malor brand, they all have little quirks for sure. as mentioned above do a little research on these fixes for the problems and you'll love the sled. assuming it's under warranty, so just take it back to the dealer. imo

 

[Meadowbrook]

I really appreciate all the shared information on this site. I will definitely use the valuable information everyone provides to help correct the problems. I am just saying I am surprised that for what this sled costs, Yamaha dosent correct the problems that are known with it and the dealer does not disclose until you find out after the sale. Why should the consumer have to correct the inerrant problems that that make the sled flawed? Am I alone or do other people feel this way?

 

[Mister Twister]

I hear what your saying I have owned a sled from all of the big 4. Each one had issues. I would put a Yamaha motor in a Polaris chassis with Arctic cat torque sensing link with Skippy Doo skis.... Ha Ha Ha....

 

[zeke]

SLIDES

i installed the slp anti wear pads. 6 polaris wheels and drilled the hyfax and have no wear so far in 250 miles. and that was on not very good snow conditions. i really think this combination works well.
also the my track is fairly loose.

ANDREW

 

[thephast1]

I agree 100%. Love the motor but they seem like they turn a deaf ear to some of the problems on the sleds. Why is it that the users of this forum have built a way better sled than Yamaha? If you buy an apex you have to automatically ditch the skis and remedy the hyfax problem, and that's if you get a 2010 apex, don't get me started on an '06.

Thinking of jumping ships for my next sled, but I don't think I can give up the reliability just yet.

 

[Meadowbrook]

It is really too bad that they got 90% of the sled so right but wont go the extra mile after five years to correct the other issues. Maybe if more people voiced their concern, they might listen if they realize it could result in improved sales numbers. This is truly an amazing sled, If you or I were building it, I believe we would take the pride in making it the best sled possible.
Can you tell me if the Pilot skis will bolt up ? or do you need to modify them?
Thanks Everyone for the feedback!

 

[Mister Twister]

They say they bolt right up there are threads at the top of this section in frequently asked section on pilot skis. I bought a set yesterday on Craigslist for $170 bucks now I need to get the ski doo 506151233 Ski Stoppers and I plan on having them on by next weekend.

 

[Pureadrenaline]

The pilots will work fine and I have heard plenty of good reviews about them. I personally just bought a set of Slydog Race skis with the 6" shaper bars and love them, it's a whole new sled. I just need to work on getting more traction and do something about this POS Ohlins rear shock(I thought I paid more $ for a good reason).

 

[SharkAttak]

135mm wheels, slp antiwear pads, narrower hyfax, after you install the new wheels the hyfax are going to wear real fast and then stop, after that you should not have a problem with the hyfax

 

[Budweiser]

I don't understand the big deal on hyfax wear. They wear to a certain point and stop. 4645 miles on mine last year. Original track. Now I have the Ice Ripper, fully clipped and every window open and the hyfax wears to a certain point....and stops.

 

[SharkAttak]

I don't understand the big deal on hyfax wear. They wear to a certain point and stop. 4645 miles on mine last year. Original track. Now I have the Ice Ripper, fully clipped and every window open and the hyfax wears to a certain point....and stops.

stock 130mm wheels?

 

[BETHEVIPER]

The issue with the slides is a two fold problem. First is the wheels, install larger wheels. The second is the wheel mount. They are light but for the lb they save, they are not worth it. Install the old style mounts that can not slide. You can even install them so you dont need the bigger front wheels. The stock mounts are held on with one bolt that is long and can stretch. Once it stretches the least little bit, now the mount can slide up, making the wheel useless even if it did touch to start with. I have seen sleds at the dealership on the floor that you can spin the idler wheels. They don't even touch on some when new. If you loosen a mount, you will see how much you can move it around and still tighten it. Sometimes, they get tightened on the high side. You can tighten them on the low side but as soon as they take a good hit, they will slide back up. Just remount with old parts, use the stock wheels, mount them low before drilling the lower bolts and install polaris wheels on the inside idlers. You can also mount another rear outside wheel off the rear sissor bolt on the outside.
Yamaha sleds have had crapy wheels and crapy skis for a decade and if your a Yamageek like most of us, you just treat it like you would if your supermodel girlfriend has a wart. You fix the wart, you don't get another girlfriend.

 

[SLEDSTART]

I still think the Hyfax issues is a non issue. They wear to a point and stop. If you can slip a 10mm wrench over them at any point on them, then change them. I used to change mine like crazy and then realized they would stop wearing right below the wear line and there good for many miles. The 5.35 Poo wheels are a bonus but other than that just ride the thing1 Make sure the track is in spec and your good to go.
Warning...You do a long hard pull on ICE trails with no fluff you will burn them, but a moderate pull and let off...there fine. 2200 miles on my bone stock skid right from the dealer. And that's a lot of IL. riding in crap conditions!