2015 APEX SE - First Ride

[Wildyami]

Last weekend, I took my new 2015 APEX SE out for its first ride in Northern Wisconsin and Michigan's U.P. 685 miles on her in three days. I am 48 years old and approximately 185 pounds. Here are my first impressions:

Engine - Strong, smooth pull and you better have the ski's pointed in the right direction when you pin the throttle. Very smooth power and I love the extended power band. Negatives - the engine/exhaust is loud as my ears are still ringing. I will wear ear plugs going forward. At 450 miles, I saw 101 mph top speed on the speedometer on a packed trail. This was very disapointing since I thought I would at least see 110 or something close. GPS would cetainly be less. I hope she loosens up for more top end.

Front suspension - I adjusted the air shocks back to the factory recommended spec pressure. I absolutely love the Fox shocks. The first day I rode this machine in Michigan's U.P., I could have easily gone over 300 miles. I rode it like my grandma during its crucial break-in. The first day ride was 275 miles!

Rear Suspension - I adjusted the air shock back to the factory recommended spec pressure. I felt the 185 PSI spec was too much. The manual states to adjust it up or down 5 PSI until it feels comfortable. I will adjust down for my next trip. It handled stutter bumps very well and tackled big bumps like a snow cross racer.

Fit/Finish/Build Quality - Absolutely outstanding! I added the xenon headlamp option and it is an absolute must. The headlights are so bright, they outshine anyone's standard lights in front of you. A friend of mine who has purchased over 20 Ski-Doos commented on how much better the fit and finish of the APEX was over his new Ski-Doos. I had multiple people on the trail stop me and ask about the sled. The number one question was, "What is that weird shock on the back of the machine?" The sled experienced no problems in its first 685 miles and it is now ready for its first oil change. BTW, I have been snowmobiling for over 35 years and this is my fourth new Yamaha sled. My last sled was a 99' SRX 700 and she is still with me as a backup. I hope this review provides some insight. Any comments or questions are welcome.

 

[Sasquatch]

I thought my 2011 was quiet but I'm old and going deaf, ear plugs are a good idea on any sled. Not to preach but when the hearing is gone its gone. At 450 miles the engine is still tight give it another 1,000! Between 1,000 and 1,500 its broke in. Mine hits 110 gps and reads about 114 give or take speedos are way more accurate on the 11 ups than before. They say the XTX's are faster however but I'm a very large man and I have the largest windshield made on my sled all things that work against top speed! You'll be happy when its broken in.

I run HID's from Rockmiester and love them nothing like having good lights. IMHO the 2011 up Apex is the closest to perfect sled on the snow, course I bought one so Im biased!

 

[MrSled]

You will not see 110 on the speedo on the trail... the speedo is very accurate. Maybe on a XTX... but not on a SE or shorty....If anyone has then I have 2 slow #*$&@ Apex a 2011 and a 2013.

 

[Soldier'spapa]

Welcome and enjoy the new ride! I do!!

I see 100 mph on the trail with mine. Plenty fast for me...

 

[Murse]

I've seen 114 MPH on speedo on 2 inches snow covered road more like a runway. On groomed trail so far I've seen just under 110MPH on speedo. They run very well. All kinds of power don't worry I'm sure it will break in and get there.

 

[Cummins6.7pwr]

I love my '11 XTX! I have just over 3000 miles on it. I have reached 113 mph on GPS with the speedo reading 116. This was up by Lake of the Clouds in the U.P. As far as break in goes...I rode it like I stole it! I wouldn't pin it for long stretches, but still rode it hard! I never noticed it being too loud but my ear to ear grin might have gotten in the way...

 

[snowbeast]

As soon as I get back on board of my xtx and have my gps w/me I will fill everyone in on its potential,and I will not stud it this year,so all my speeds will have to come on hard groomed trail or hard run lake,no bare ice runs this year,and all my 06 and 07 apex shoeties have surpassed 110 gps on groomed trails,i hope this 15 xtx can too.

 

[Sasquatch]

As far as the loud goes what I have noticed is some helmets seem to trap the sound inside them more then others. My BVS2 is not to loud but my one old cat helmet is way louder when I ride my Yami's. This is backed up by ridding my sled down my road without a helmet. Sled is way quieter without my BVS2 which is the queitest helmet I have. Helmets seem to capture the sound inside them and amplify it somehow. May be why some always talk of the drone more then others as well.

 

[Sasquatch]

As soon as I get back on board of my xtx and have my gps w/me I will fill everyone in on its potential,and I will not stud it this year,so all my speeds will have to come on hard groomed trail or hard run lake,no bare ice runs this year,and all my 06 and 07 apex shoeties have surpassed 110 gps on groomed trails,i hope this 15 xtx can too.

Bare ice is not real world speed but on bare ice your flying! I have gotten 110 gps repeatedly last season with 6,000 plus miles on the odo on hardpack snow ie Groomed trail across a mile + stretch of lake. Speedo was hitting 113 114 when I let off because the shore was coming up real fast. I weigh in at over 300pds and am 6'5" tall with the largest windshield Yamaha makes for the sled. You will beat that I'm sure!

I tuck behind the windshield the best I can but I'm still looking over the top and I can feel the wind on my shoulders and arms. Why I say this is wind resistance is huge at that speed and I'm like trying to fly a garage door face on in a windstorm. We where winding up across a lake for bragging rights when my buddy crossed in front of me, I straightened up and instantly lost over 10mph before I applied the brake gently and veered from the path don't want lockup at that speed. Yes I chastized him for it but what was happening was I left after they all did and was closing fast left side of the stakes he didn't realize I was there, Guess he thought his Polaris turbo was fast.

Now there is a guy who posts here that just bought a 2007 I think it is Apex shorty. I'm pretty sure he is faster then me! But reality is if it hits 100mph your hauling the mail without a doubt!

 

[Millinocket Rocket]

I hit 113 on the speedo, 109 gps last season on a nice flat hard packed trail....that's MOVIN!

 

[MrSled]

Yes... ice and hard packed roads is not the same...I can do 117 on the ice on Radar. I am talking normal consistent trail speeds with snow... 100 or 101 is about it.

 

[sx7001]

Lots of fast sleds on the web!!! My old 03 Rx is still the fastest " box stock top end Genesis" I've had to date. That 1 inch nipple track rolled some good #'s.

 

[MrSled]

Lots of fast sleds on the web!!!

Right... give some poor guy false hope... same thing with the Vipers....

 

[Sasquatch]

Yes... ice and hard packed roads is not the same...I can do 117 on the ice on Radar. I am talking normal consistent trail speeds with snow... 100 or 101 is about it.

So your sayin you bought a slow sled?

I've heard it on here from many that the XTX is fast, go figure! Must be the angle of attack on that 144 giving less drag then the shorty. Hitting 110 on a trail is one of the reasons I really don't care that most think the Apex needs more power to keep with the competitions big HP numbers. The damn thing is a rocket, a big fat heavy underpowered rocket with a incredible bulk riding on its back. The guy that has a 2007 Apex shorty that is faster or as fast as mine is one of the guys I run with. If I get the jump on him I can keep him behind but if he gets the jump on me I can reel him in a bit but as top end comes up he begins to creep away.

 

[Sasquatch]

Right... give some poor guy false hope... same thing with the Vipers....

Yep and one of the reasons I say if it hits the ton its bloody fast!