2006 Apex RTX reliability issues

[redrx1rkt]

Hello all, been awhile since I posted....

My 2006 Apex RTX has given me more trouble than all of the Yamahas I have owned, combined! If I didn't like everything else about the sled so much, I probably would've traded it in by now.

Here's what I've had to deal with over the past four seasons:

Blown exhaust gaskets (8 total)

Idler wheels falling off (have lost every single one at least once, many two or three times)

Rear axle wheels falling off

Hole in titanium exhaust pipe (after one of the many gaskets blew, the pipe became loose and rubbed against another pipe, causing a wear hole)

Chronic reverse issue (been okay nearly every time this year, but has popped itself out of reverse on numerous occasions over the years, slamming into forward at various speeds)

Broken suspension remote adjust cable for MonoShock (twice - $97 for a new cable!!!)

Love the sled, but this is ridiculous! I've owned two other Yamaha sleds - a 2002 SXR and a 2004 RX-1 - and neither had anything go wrong, except a speedometer cable needle bearing on the RX-1 at 6000 miles.

I've owned two WaveRunners, an ATV and dirtbike, all from Yamaha. Few or no problems with any of them!

This is very un-Yamaha like.
Did I get a lemon? Is anyone else experiencing so many problems with their Apex? Any suggestions/advice???

 

[stevewithOCD]

I've had similar probs, but many of my friends haven't had one issue. One friend has the EXACT riding miles as me with not ONE problem & he weighs 100 lbs. more than me. I'v caused some problems myself, but i think dealer prep, or lack of, has caused other issues. I just fixed my reverse dimensions & realized it's been wrong since day 1 after 3 dealers have touched it...

 

[Dano]

The exhaust gaskets should only be done once if repaired properly. Grinding down the clamps make a tighter hold on exhaust doughnuts, which seem to hold better in place.
Idler wheels often blow out when a bearing goes bad. Replacing bearings before the wheel blows out will save wheels. I’m willing to bet your rear bearing went bad when you lost a rear wheel.
The reverse level just needs adjustment in the linkage to prevent out of gear issues.
I do agree the mono shock cable adjuster can be an issue though.

Dan

 

[Yamaholic22]

You CANT replace the bearings in the factory idler wheels on these sleds. The wheels are complete junk. Bearings don't last. Rubber delaminates. Wheels warp. They are complete junk. Did I say that already?

 

[Dano]

You CANT replace the bearings in the factory idler wheels on these sleds. The wheels are complete junk. Bearings don't last. Rubber delaminates. Wheels warp. They are complete junk. Did I say that already?

Have to agree with that. The dealers "should" be replacing them with different wheels though. The replacements have bearings that can be replaced.

 

[niko]

8 blown gaskets?? something here doesnt seem right for a start.
Who did the repairs?

 

[RTX Meirda]

I have done more maintanence than usual too....but I love that sled.

I even like it more than my SRX.

 

[06RTXRider]

I've had the same thoughts on my RTX, I beat it hard so i will take 50% of the blame, for me it's been the track rubbing the shock, all the track clips falling off, rear wheels, front and rear pivot arms, tranfer rod coming apart, tabs breaking off the radiator, every suspension bushing, exhaust donuts, and i think that about covers it. I love the motor but it seems like my diesel pickup, the motor will run for 300k but the truck will only do 150k.

By the way my apex just turned 5000k, motor is fantastic, ride is good. I can't go back to a 2-smoke and nytro is just a little shy on power up top. Feb. 10th may be my day?

 

[redrx1rkt]

Hey guys -

Did I mention that I lost two more idler wheels (closest to the front of the track) on a 140 mile ride today?? That's what pissed me off so much, because I had lost three others (including the rear axle wheel) just 700 miles ago!!!

The dealer who does my work is quite reputable. The guy who works on my sled is a 20 year vet who has always done everything right for every sled I've owned since 2001...so I am thinking he is not the issue. Perhaps it is the wheels themselves? He replaced the rear axle wheels with aftermarkets 700 miles ago, but not sure if the new idler wheels are Yamaha or aftermarket. Is there a brand I should order and have them put on? Dennis Kirk?

The blown exhaust gaskets MAY be my fault, same thing with the titanium pipe a couple of years ago. Each time this happened, it was after riding with a passenger for a little while. When I mentioned that at the dealer, they thought maybe this caused the chassis to flex too much, especially on bumps, and pushed the flexibility of the exhaust system past its limits. Any thoughts on that?

The broken suspension adjustment cable was the victim of ice, according to the dealer.

 

[Mercer5]

Don't feel bad, I am right in the middle of replacing all small idlers with Yamaha ACCESSORIES OUT OF THE CATALOG, the only color available is red, all other on backorder, I lost 2 of my rear axle wheels on last ride, I am repalcing those with Kimpex aluminum ones with replacable 6204 bearings, shock cable is bad design but functional , no problems there.

Belt exploded just as speedo hit 100 and blew the bottom shroud off!!
Coolant was wrong from the factory.

I would feel shocked going into a YAmaha dealer and paying retail for the wheels, the rears are about $100 each, smaller ones in the $50-60 range, but the top 178mm wheel is only $25ish, can you imagine the bill with labor !!!! OUCH.

Fortunayely I do love the ride and performance and nothing beats the mileage and clean burning 4-stroke.

Theres no doubt Yamaha skimped on a few things or their supplier gave them a bill of goods ont he wheels. Have you dealer chekc out the selection from PArts Unlimited or Bell, you can save and repalce with wheels with replacable bearings.

I do still love my 2000 SRX !!!!

 

[redrx1rkt]

Well, I guess there's some relief in that I am not only one suffering from these issues.

It is disappointing that a company with such a reputation for reliability has chronic issues with such things as idler wheels and exhaust donuts, problems which could be engineered away, one would think.

I will call the dealer tomorrow and ask what options I have. If it means ordering wheels myself that will last and have the dealer put them on, fine. By the way, how hard is it to install idler wheels? My mechanical know-how is pretty limited...oil changes and replacing brake pads on a car is about as far as I go.

 

[Mercer5]

All you need is a 14mm socket and wrench and you can do all your smaller wheels in under an hour, its really easy and you can't install them wrong.
The axle wheels are easier if you take the skid frame out which isn't hard either it just takes a bit of knowhow.

 

[AttakDog]

My 05 RX1 and 06 Attak have had all these same issues plus more. I love the sleds but the maintenance is a pain. I don't even want to list all the things I have done, sometimes more than once. I do ride them hard though and they both have over 8,000 miles and I still love the motor. At least Yamaha seems to update the problem areas in the later model years, like the exhaust supports and rear suspension front arm reinforcement. And they gave me 4 titanium Y pipes and all gaskets with no YES coverage at 5,000 miles.