Apex vs Viper???

[actionjack]

X2
Had a viper also briefly.
And I really did have my smile back when I traded it for another new apex and have it the throttle.
The fit and finish is absolutely horrible on viper.

I'm afraid I am going to feel the same but I have to give a Viper a try. The seating position feels very good to me. The lighter weight appeals to me and I'm hoping to enjoy deeper snow more.

 

[UP Michigan rider]

What is the weight of the Apex with the XTX track? What is the weight of the Viper? Just curious as I actually have no idea. Is there a website that lists the weight of other snowmobiles?

 

[Apex1958]

I'm afraid I am going to feel the same but I have to give a Viper a try. The seating position feels very good to me. The lighter weight appeals to me and I'm hoping to enjoy deeper snow more.

Sorry my Apex went through the deep snow a lot better than my Viper LTX and the Apex was a 121" track. This is lake running 12" of snow the Apex was a lot more fun where the Viper was not so happy.

 

[4StrokeAddict]

My family own both and I ride both. The apex has many fine qualities but deep snow handling isn't one of them.

 

[Byam]

Sorry my Apex went through the deep snow a lot better than my Viper LTX and the Apex was a 121" track. This is lake running 12" of snow the Apex was a lot more fun where the Viper was not so happy.

Are you serious or its a joke???

 

[4StrokeAddict]

Are you serious or its a joke???

That was my first thought. Drink the coolaid. Come on guys, both machines are great machines. Both have certain areas they excel in. It all depends on what you are looking for and how you ride. Compare stock to stock or acknowledge mods. This sight is the best because the information is really good and partison opinions are minimized. Understand ride experience is subjective, but some of these posts are rediculous. People love to rip on the viper. If its so bad, why is Yamaha seeing the most success they've seen in many years? Not saying the apex is a bad sled. Its quality and engine are far superior. But to say its better in deep snow is a joke. Keep it real. Go ride one and make your decision. My viper has some mods, but I'm happy to let someone openminded try it.

 

[whitedust1]

Are you serious or its a joke???

Must be and old 121 as well...lol...luv my Apex Xtx and 144 floated better than 137 Attak but both are not happy sleds in powder. Viper has to be better in soft stuff never mind any close comparo to a 121 old Apex. I rode a 2008 121 Apex in loose soft LES in Hancock and the sled was all over the trail just no hook up to track straight. Apex good groomed trail sled but fish out of water in powder.

 

[Sasquatch]

Its simple! Of course Viper guys say Viper is best and Apex guys say Apex is best. You bought it you back it right? My only complaints about my Apex where it beat me up in small chop Star kit got rid of that. It was hard on sliders, Dupont fixed that and than some. It darted with the stock carbides and after trying Curves and Simmons ski's I added Snowtrackers to the stockers and was amazed at how they work. Thing about that was I had to knit pick to come up with those! Of all the sleds I have ever bought this is the best out of the box I've ever had. Just the snowtrackers alone made it the best trail sled built. I ride trails, I love trails, I live for trails. The little bit I do off trail the 144 works quite well.

So Apex yes! The Catamaha? No!

 

[greatwhite89]

Never heard "Catahama" yet lol

Sent from my XT1055 using Tapatalk

 

[Sasquatch]

Are you serious or its a joke???

I have seen the Viper in deep snow and was not impressed! The huge shoulders behind the ski's kinda act like a large snowplow and tend to stop the Viper! Keep the power on and the front up and like all sleds life is good.

 

[icebreaker]

Well, for me I have rode many sleds its all in what you do with it. I like high speed trail and I dont like fixing little issues all the time. Thats why my apex xtx works for me!

 

[IH8CROWS]

I had an 11xtx. Went to viper.
Loved the seating position and that's about it. Fit and finish is horrible in my opinion. And the lack of power. Spoiled from apex I guess.
Traded it for a 15xtx and my smile is back.

 

[UP Michigan rider]

I have gone through a lot of untouched old logging roads, seriously deep snow, and never once got stuck. (see my avatar for example although not that deep in that pic) The few times that I did get stuck I was riding through huge wind blown powder drifts in the middle of a field (no roads). I got unstuck no problem (tilt your whole sled up sideways onto its side if you can and clear) I'm not going to lie though, it goes through the grassland field deep snow like a freight train if going slow. However that engine's raw power makes you think you can push and plow your way through any deep snow and actually with that engine, you really can! Get some speed up, you can float no problem and its a blast. I love riding in untouched deep snow / logging roads. The Apex blasts right through everything. (just don't go slow!) This video is not me but tons of examples on youtube

 

[actionjack]

Thats either an MTX or another model extended. XTXs are pretty capable in deeper snow but I am sure the weight and track angle advantage goes to the Viper for deep snow.

 

[DT]

(lots of tight winding, wooded trails)...we are getting older, and speed isn't my top priority

To the original post. Regarding trail riding- I have an 06 Attak with a lot of extras including a full Hygear Pro-suspension set-up. It will suck up 3 footers at 70 mph and never flinch and still maintain a compliant ride. Even with its unbelievable suspension, it will NEVER keep up with my Viper thru the woods. The Attak is heavy and there's a limit to how fast it can be thrown around; it's physics, that's a fact, anyone that says otherwise is selling something, most likely their ego For the long rail road beds and big sweepers Attak is my machine. The power, acceleration and sound (as you know) is nothing short of music. BUT, for everything else, the Viper fits the bill. It's ergos, weight and it's active rear suspension is easier to ride overall and at the end of the day, is less stress on a body.

People talk about "quality" of the Viper. Really?, I've replaced a lot of parts on my Attak; Y-pipes, repaired a bulk-head that wore out because of cheap OEM bushings, cracked W-arms, cracked rails, many hyfax, more bogie wheels than I can count. I don't consider any of the stuff I had to replace a "quality design".

Bottom line for me is, along as a sled's motor stays together, I can deal with the "other" stuff. Both the Attak and Viper have Yamaha engines so in my opinion, they're both great machines!