Apex riders

[Bulbous]

Would you consider the apex easy to ride slow? I’m shopping for a sled for my mother to use (and me occasionally). She has used a skidoo 500ss which she likes because of its low power and light weight which is the total opposite of an apex I know, I just assume it being a four cylinder that the torque and and fast acceleration wouldn’t be there like a lightweight twin. She rarely exceeds 50kph on the trail. I also want something that is extremely low maintenance for her to not have to worry about.

 

[Macheater]

My first question would be, why get away from the Doo? Sounds like an ideal machine for the person riding it. My wife rides a 600 Etec Adrenaline and absolutely loves it!

To answer your question, IMO the Apex would not be the ideal sled to replace the Doo. Depending on which generation you would consider also plays into the discussion. The second gens with their power steering are less tiring to steer and ride. And most models have better suspension then first gens. The weight difference between the Apex and the Doo is rather obvious.

With regards to reliability, Apex's are generally good in that respect. With a few exceptions; things like a-arm bushings, exhaust donuts, and ground block issues are things to consider.

If you can find a good used one that has low miles and has been well maintained, that would be the best scenario should you choose an Apex as a replacement. But, the final thing to consider is that the fleet of Apex's is aging, with the last year being 2018. That makes the very newest one's now 8 yrs old. And with Yammi now out of the sled biz, replacement parts and their availability becomes a concern.

I think the Apex was and still is a good sled. But they are not for everyone. Personally I'd go in a different direction if I were you.

 

[Macheater]

My first question would be, why get away from the Doo? Sounds like an ideal machine for the person riding it. My wife rides a 600 Etec Adrenaline and absolutely loves it!

To answer your question, IMO the Apex would not be the ideal sled to replace the Doo. Depending on which generation you would consider also plays into the discussion. The second gens with their power steering are less tiring to steer and ride. And most models have better suspension then first gens. The weight difference between the Apex and the Doo is rather obvious.

With regards to reliability, Apex's are generally good in that respect. With a few exceptions; things like a-arm bushings, exhaust donuts, and ground block issues are things to consider.

If you can find a good used one that has low miles and has been well maintained, that would be the best scenario should you choose an Apex as a replacement. But, the final thing to consider is that the fleet of Apex's is aging, with the last year being 2018. That makes the very newest one's now 8 yrs old. And with Yammi now out of the sled biz, replacement parts and their availability becomes a concern.

I think the Apex was and still is a good sled. But they are not for everyone. Personally I'd go in a different direction if I were you.

I should also add that my wife has ridden my Apex on several occasions and absolutely does NOT like it. The weight and harder steering, along with the power she finds intimidating.

 

[MrSled]

An EPS Apex or Vector would be a excellent slow speed trail sled.

 

[hydraulic yam]

I'm new to my 2013 apex and have ordered a soft start primary spring hoping to
tame it a lot at low speed . I have gotten better with the throttle but it engages
currently about 3800 . quickly goes to 5000 and if you let up it just as quickly
goes back to idle. Great for making piles of snow in the yard and back trails of
which most of mine are tight and idling along at 20k can be nightmarish.
BUT golly will it GO. Went for a memorial ride in bush area with kids in 20,s
up to me going for 70. About 35 of us.. It is a lot of sled and once it gets a ski
off the hard trail , it will dive there quick. Still turns easier and shorter than my
VK540II .. but not as smooth.
It took some nasty unseen drifting very well. It had been bought for another
persons wife that had shoulder surgery and the power steer helped but
when I got it , I moved the handle bar adjust an 1" closer to me and
there was no tugging going over the bumps and have had some
very comfortable rides .. But it wants to go fast and hard to manhandle it
Ron
It was the best looking sled there.. my opinion

 

[kinger]

Absolutely NOT, the apex is the hardest snowmobile to ever ride that's why the haters hate it. Its meant to scream at high RPM but then the suspension bottoms out, so it takes some mods to set it up to ride fast AND be smooth, then its chefs kiss.

My Dad rode a vector for years and loved it. When he got out and sold his I talked him in on one last trip with my daughter I let him borrow killa bee my daughters 600 ski doo and he loved that, so easy to steer, not fast from a dig (ie smooth) but can keep up on the lake, it was perfect.

Keep what you got (ski doo) or look for EPS vector

 

[MrSled]

Absolutely NOT, the apex is the hardest snowmobile to ever ride that's why the haters hate it. Its meant to scream at high RPM but then the suspension bottoms out, so it takes some mods to set it up to ride fast AND be smooth, then its chefs kiss.

My Dad rode a vector for years and loved it. When he got out and sold his I talked him in on one last trip with my daughter I let him borrow killa bee my daughters 600 ski doo and he loved that, so easy to steer, not fast from a dig (ie smooth) but can keep up on the lake, it was perfect.

Keep what you got (ski doo) or look for EPS vector

Come on now. Old Apex hell ya I get what your saying. EPS I completely disagree!! To each his own.

 

[hydraulic yam]

Just laughing ... how old is a "mother".. Could be a sharp 40 year old ! Not my wife
at "my age" taking the slowest lap possible around the field on my Apex. I will try her again
if my soft start spring ever comes ,, seem to stop in Jamaica NY and still not showing
on CDN side .

 

[hydraulic yam]

Noticed Swedish.. 60 there is like 40 hear . Get her an Apex with power steering,
a softer than stock primary , folding shovel and a cell phone . She will be good !
My spring has made it all the way to Canada Post and might show by Tues night.!
Curious to see if it has been opened and checked for Tariff.
Ron

 

[twyztid]

IMO an Apex... even a 2011+ with power steering... is the wrong sled for slow riding. At 50 kph (31 mph), that is the one of the worst areas for the sound of the exhaust. I think she would get tired of listening to it at that speed. If you area really wanting to buy a Yamaha, a 2012-2015 Vector LTX (136" Mono2 Skid) would be the best for her. It has power steering and feels a lot lighter in the front end than an Apex. The Mono2 skid in that year range Vector will also ride better than the 2016+ SingleShot skid (at least that is what I have read). I am basing my comments on the fact that we have a 2012 Apex XTX and a 2012 Vector LTX. My fiancé loves the Vector.

 

[TrueBlue]

IMO an Apex... even a 2011+ with power steering... is the wrong sled for slow riding. At 50 kph (31 mph), that is the one of the worst areas for the sound of the exhaust. I think she would get tired of listening to it at that speed. If you area really wanting to buy a Yamaha, a 2012-2015 Vector LTX (136" Mono2 Skid) would be the best for her. It has power steering and feels a lot lighter in the front end than an Apex. The Mono2 skid in that year range Vector will also ride better than the 2016+ SingleShot skid (at least that is what I have read). I am basing my comments on the fact that we have a 2012 Apex XTX and a 2012 Vector LTX. My fiancé loves the Vector.

I have a very nice 2018 Vector with a coil/over shock for sale, last of the real Yamaha's

 

[hydraulic yam]

After two weeks in the post system, i got my Barn of parts soft start spring.!
Just backing out of garage was very civilized , Forward was just as nice.
Starts moving away before hitting that magic 3800 and the instant 5000 rpm.
Will allow you to slow down with out that instant halt when clutch disengaged
before at 3800.. and 18kph.
The performance above 3800 is still the same .. But didn't leave any heaps of
turned up snow just trying to be calm.
As said above , still a lot of sled to handle.
Ron

 

[slowride06er]

Go with a vector with EPS. I gather she is not going to use the big end of a apex. For measure I have two apex's one Ive had since 2009. Apexs are not for everyone and the only reason I dont own a sidewinder I feel the apex is a bit easier to maintain.

 

[provfisherman]

If you can find a 2016 or newer Vector (yeah I know the singleshot,) but with a coil over instead of the air shock, it is a different animal. But the best part for your situation is the YCCT (chip controlled throttle) where you can select from three engine power modes. In the ECO mode the engine is de-tuned to act more like the 80 hp Phazer engine, it has smoother throttle response, less acceleration, and limited maximum speed. But when you want it, you simply change modes and you get the full engine experience. Power steering is also very nice.