I finally got to ride the new Yamahas at the dealer demo, at least a few of them. Snow conditions in Central Minnesota are spotty at best, so we stayed on the lake. There was about a 1/4 mile of really rutted out trail through the cattails that had some pretty good whoops and moguls to test the suspensions. They also had some current model year Yamahas to compare with.
The Genesis 150 Fuel Injected engine.
Absolutely awesome. The throttle response is better than a 2 stroke. Instant response, quick revving, and incredible accelleration. SMOOOOOOOOTH is putting it lightly. You pin the throttle at 80, and the sled pulls hard up past 120 on the dream meter. I saw 124 on one of the Apexes I rode, and it still had some left. I did not fully appreciate the FI's throttle response until I got on a 2005 RX-1. Night and day difference. The machines have a slightly different sound too, the FI motor sound tougher. This is the best engine in any snowmobile I have ever driven , bar none!
Rider forward position.
The seating postion is more like a Fusion or a Crossfire than a REV, and that is GOOD. You can sit and cruise with a more normal and comfortable riding position, yet easily scoot up when you are coming into a corner hard, and easily stand when you see a big hit coming. The plus, you don't feel it when it does. The Monoshock is incredible at absorbing the hits. Cornering is much flatter on these sleds and they feel more stable in the rough with your body farther forward. The REV makes you feel like your going to go over the bars, the Yamahas feel gives you more confidence. I envy the Cat guys that have gotten to enjoy riding with hooked handlebars, what a difference they make to the feel and how you ride the sled. Again, you don't realize how much better the sled rides, feels, and handles until you get on a 2005's, which are still great riding and handling sleds. The 2006's are soooooooo much better!
Which sled was my favorite?
It was a toss up between the APEX RTX and the ATTAK. The APEX felt more agile and you could really corner aggressively with it, but the ATTAK was a little better in the bumps. When I say better, I don't mean ride quality better, just more stable with less disruption to the sled. The FOX floats on the RTX are great though, there was less feedback through the bars and the felt bottomless. We did not get a chance to change the settings on the front Fox Floats, and I don't know here the were at for air pressure, but they worked great. These new sleds with the new ergos really change the feel of the whole machine. They feel lighter, roomier, more agile, more stable, easier to throw around, have more power, handle the bumps with ease, more confident, and have as good if not better than 2 stroke throttle response. These sleds are so easy to adjust to changing conditions it is unreal. Especially the APEX GT. The electronic shock adjustablity is by far one of the coolest features ever put on a snowmobile. We were told you can purchase the Olins electronic shock, and the simply plug it into any APEX or ATTAK sled. The plug is on every sled, and when you plug it in, the PCM will recognize it and enable the controls on the dash and the handwarmer adustment control! COOL!
Overall Yamaha has made impressive improvements in performace, ride, handling, and confidence inspired control of the new sleds. You can jump on these sleds and keep up with, or lead the pack, depending on your ability of course. Yamaha is at the front of the pack in my opinion with these new sleds. I can't believe the difference in just 1 year. My Vector is for sale, my new sled will likely be an ATTAK. I can hardly wait!
The Genesis 150 Fuel Injected engine.
Absolutely awesome. The throttle response is better than a 2 stroke. Instant response, quick revving, and incredible accelleration. SMOOOOOOOOTH is putting it lightly. You pin the throttle at 80, and the sled pulls hard up past 120 on the dream meter. I saw 124 on one of the Apexes I rode, and it still had some left. I did not fully appreciate the FI's throttle response until I got on a 2005 RX-1. Night and day difference. The machines have a slightly different sound too, the FI motor sound tougher. This is the best engine in any snowmobile I have ever driven , bar none!
Rider forward position.
The seating postion is more like a Fusion or a Crossfire than a REV, and that is GOOD. You can sit and cruise with a more normal and comfortable riding position, yet easily scoot up when you are coming into a corner hard, and easily stand when you see a big hit coming. The plus, you don't feel it when it does. The Monoshock is incredible at absorbing the hits. Cornering is much flatter on these sleds and they feel more stable in the rough with your body farther forward. The REV makes you feel like your going to go over the bars, the Yamahas feel gives you more confidence. I envy the Cat guys that have gotten to enjoy riding with hooked handlebars, what a difference they make to the feel and how you ride the sled. Again, you don't realize how much better the sled rides, feels, and handles until you get on a 2005's, which are still great riding and handling sleds. The 2006's are soooooooo much better!
Which sled was my favorite?
It was a toss up between the APEX RTX and the ATTAK. The APEX felt more agile and you could really corner aggressively with it, but the ATTAK was a little better in the bumps. When I say better, I don't mean ride quality better, just more stable with less disruption to the sled. The FOX floats on the RTX are great though, there was less feedback through the bars and the felt bottomless. We did not get a chance to change the settings on the front Fox Floats, and I don't know here the were at for air pressure, but they worked great. These new sleds with the new ergos really change the feel of the whole machine. They feel lighter, roomier, more agile, more stable, easier to throw around, have more power, handle the bumps with ease, more confident, and have as good if not better than 2 stroke throttle response. These sleds are so easy to adjust to changing conditions it is unreal. Especially the APEX GT. The electronic shock adjustablity is by far one of the coolest features ever put on a snowmobile. We were told you can purchase the Olins electronic shock, and the simply plug it into any APEX or ATTAK sled. The plug is on every sled, and when you plug it in, the PCM will recognize it and enable the controls on the dash and the handwarmer adustment control! COOL!
Overall Yamaha has made impressive improvements in performace, ride, handling, and confidence inspired control of the new sleds. You can jump on these sleds and keep up with, or lead the pack, depending on your ability of course. Yamaha is at the front of the pack in my opinion with these new sleds. I can't believe the difference in just 1 year. My Vector is for sale, my new sled will likely be an ATTAK. I can hardly wait!
kenlacy
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Just another "objective" dealer reporting 
Just messin with ya Drift! I am sure they are a blast!
Just messin with ya Drift! I am sure they are a blast!
RTX Meirda
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Nice post!
SledderSteve
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Right on Drifter, nicely written!
I want to take this opportunity to say "Yeah, what he said."
I want to take this opportunity to say "Yeah, what he said."
Mighty
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Excellent report. An Attak for me too
Now what color :?
Now what color :?
JDKRXW
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
kenlacy said:Just another "objective" dealer reporting
I was thinking this guy had never driven a sled before he tested these sleds;
-"Rev makes you feel you feel like you're going over the handlbars".....lmao
byoffcr
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Drifter nice report. I dont agree on the REV. over the handle bar thing at all since I put a lot of miles on one last winter. Its nice that every one can express what they feel about the news sleds. I like my 05 RX1ers better than any sled I have ever ridden and it sounds like the 06 is even better. Hope after testing tomorrow I can agree with every one. Drifter thanks for all the help and good service you have given me this season. Great dealing with all of you.
kenlacy
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JDKRXW said:kenlacy said:Just another "objective" dealer reporting
I was thinking this guy had never driven a sled before he tested these sleds;
-"Rev makes you feel you feel like you're going over the handlbars".....lmao
JD - he is actually my dealer - and no - he doesn't know how to ride
welterracer
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Great post..
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I just want Yamaha to keep the Suspension Set up as we rode on the new Chassis...
Hmmm, the last time I looked at my hood, it had no holes or damage on it, how does yours look Ken?
Let's ride, I'll lead though... JDKRXW, I was refering to the extreme rider forward of the REV. If you have never ridden one and jump on one for the first time, that is excactly the feeling you get. Have you ever ridden one? After you get used to the feeling it is OK. However, after a day of hard riding on the REV, you have no knee caps left, no rings left, and no oil left, and no money left. Why would anyone put themselves throught that when the can ride the best...Yamaha.
kenlacy
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drifter said:Hmmm, the last time I looked at my hood, it had no holes or damage on it, how does yours look Ken?
It's a beauty mark! At least it came from keepin in front of a snowcross racer on an F-7 (one that blew a corner before I did, mine just had a downed tree in the wrong place
Ride? This winter sucks - 4 weeks of actual rideable snow here all winter. Heading to the UP next weekend I believe though.
