2011 Yamaha Apex Initial Review

[Murse]

I have had an opportunity to put on 24km's on my new to me Apex this past few days and I would like to share my thoughts on this sled. I know it is not a brand new sled and I know many of you have done review of new Apex's as they have come out. My words here are going to reflect to the guys that are in the same boat I was with an older stile Apex on the fence about pulling the trigger on a 2011-newer Apex. All I can say is O>M>G this power steering is the bees knees its been said on TY many times but I have to say what a comfortable difference and I have not even done a long distance haul yet! The suspension is stock and plush! I can't believe the travel I feel just ripping around in the fields. I was looking at revalves and new shocks before riding and I am sure glad I did not order anything because this stock suspension is plush and so far feels like it will be head over heals better than my older Apex even after the 65-0$ I spend on a revamped Monoshock. The sled is quieter sounds more refined and I notice more intake noise at idle. The handling appears sharper with Semi aggressive snowtrackers installed I get slight ski lift but with a little body lean the sled rips a corner and stays planted. Now I know I can adjust this to my riding style but I kinda like the increase body effort because this will assure I don't get lazy on the long haul days. The only part that I am unsure of is the power. Although yes this 1000cc 4stroke rips just as much as my 06 I can't tell if it has more torque or more power. I am keeping an open mind as of course I have only ridden 24km's in not ideal conditions. I can certainly lift the skis on every bump but I don't know if that is power related or suspension related or both. More mileage to come I will have a better idea. Either way I am super happy on this purchase. I am so excited for the first 300km ride of the season. This is the finest sled I have ever owned and will certainly be a blast to ride for the next 3 years. Thanks to everyone on TY to teach me what to look for this is an invaluable site with many resources. I will be adjusting the EXUP just to make sure. BTW the new site format rocks! I lost this page and when I returned the write up was still here!!!!

 

[chris189]

Thank you Murse for a great write up. Maybe in another 10 years I'll be able to afford me some power steering. LOL!

 

[Murse]

It truly is awesome. I was going down some 4 Wheeler tasks hitting ruts and the bars didn't move. Only when I turned them.

 

[Murse]

Trails*

 

[s fortuna]

Got my 11 . Have not rode it yet . Just got shocks back from hygear, service, revalve, upgrade , should be out sunday , changing out bearings . So it's ready , has 5800 on it

 

[Sasquatch]

I have the XTX and came for a 05 RX Warrior with a ZX2 and all I can say is the Last generation Apex is unbelievably refined. Having rode a old style Apex for a short distance I knew it was a step up from the RX but it was not anything to wow me away from my RX as I had done the Apex seat and raised the bars with a tilt forward. After 18,000 miles on the RX I wanted power steering as my Shoulders and elbows bothered me after a long ride and where getting worse. So I opted for a leftover 2011 that was two years old in a crate.

The sled has been flawless and with the addition of a star kit along with the snowtrackers and duponts I think it will be as close to perfect as a trail sled can get. 110 on the GPS with the speedo reading 115 on a trail with my fat arse on its back impressed the he$$ out of me for a long track. I know there will be those that say hey thats slow but in all the years of riding I was always 5 to 8mph slower then the other guy with the same sled. Drawback of being me with a Sasquatch frame.

 

[kviper]

I have found my 12 Apex speedo is with in 1-2 MPH of radar. You would need to be near 130 on a pre 11 anything to do 115 MPH actuall. The SnowTracker's are awesome! Just don't over steer when experiencing push because when they get ahold of some hard stuff they will bite and can flip you! If it is pushing it does you no good to turn the bar's any farther any way.

 

[Murse]

We've been blessed with some good amounts of early snow fall and some local trails have started to open u. I took the sled out for a few days testing the new suit and playing with settings. I am out breaking trail and having a blast which is something I would have dreaded doing with my old Apex. The power steering makes a huge difference! The sled goes straight and where I want ti to go! No darting no tracking or twichy handlebars in rough spots or anything I absolutely love it! The suspension is so plsuh the trail was getting rough and with a few clicks to harden it bam she was comfortable again with very little bottoming. I had a chance to give the throttle a good squeeze and wow this sled certainly has more juice than the 06. I am really pumped for groomed trail testing and some competing against my doo buddies. I fee like this sled floats better as well it goes where I want it to in the ditches and deep snow and the handlbar rise works great when standing to maneover and break trail. I am so comfortable on thsi machine it is truly a work of art.

 

[Murse]

 

[Murse]

 

[Murse]

The new jacket and bibs work and look awesome too!

 

[Murse]

This sled rips! Had a chance to ride groomed trails they were quite rough but I tested the suspension well and played with the set up. What a huge improvement from my old machine. The power is ridiculous and send to be better in fuel then the 06. I was getting better mileage than a 14etec. I hit 102 mph on fresh groomed trail with barely any traction which I thought was quite good considering the conditions. She was still climbing but I ran out of room. The machine sounds insane I love it seriously should have gotten a 2011 a long time ago. Eps made a huge difference yesterday and I am not sore at all today.

 

[kviper]

And your speedo is very close to actual compared to older Apex's!

 

[titanrcr]

Glad your enjoying that new ride, it's the Lexus of snowmobiling!

Don't forget you will need to adjust those exup cables before next season.

 

[Murse]

I'll keep that in mind the dealer adjusted it before I bought it but I'll be sure to check it again. Do they go out that frequently?