iahacker
VIP Member
Like the heading says...got the first ride today on my new Apex XTX. 40 miles of ditch banging. Never touched any adjustments from when I picked it up at the dealer just to see what it does.
Coming from an SRX, it took a little getting used to. It definitly sits higher than previous Apexs. Didn't feel tippy at all in fact never once felt like it was going over.
Riding was in heavy wet snow and lots of it. Went from West Bend Iowa to Emmetsburg and back.
Noticed a little darting at first running lower speeds. Once I got used to it a little and picked up the pace, no darting at all. Handled very well. The EPS takes all the ski jolts away from hitting bumps or ruts. It's not super easy to steer but, you can tell it is easier. You feel in control of the handle bars and that they won't get ripped out of your hands by hitting a rut or snow clod etc... Was cruising 50-60 mph down the ditch once I got used to it and nearly back to the truck. It goes where you want it to with ease once the pace is picked up.
The ride was much better than I anticipated. The front shocks seem to work really well, better than I expected. I'm not sure the Ohlins are much better than these. (we've got Ohlins on two other sleds)
The rear skid worked well also. I'm 175 lbs and left the spring at the middle setting and haven't touched the shock adjuster yet. Maybe a little stiff for my weight but, I'm sure it can be dialed back and made smoother for my taste. Jumped off some dirve ways and it soaks it up well-- Both ends. Never experience any kick back out of the suspension either. Plenty of travel. For right out of the box I'm very happy with it.
Glad I was on an XTX sled today. Had I been on a short track sled or even a 136 I would have been stuck several times. Backed it off the trailer, zero miles on it, went around the truck in the ditch to turn around and nearly got stuck right there beside the truck. Once moving a little faster it floats really well.
Could tell the engine is a little tight. Still has some serious snort mid range as advertised. Where it could get bite, no trouble at all pulling front end up. Definately more torque than previous Apexs. Never twisted it over 8,500. Had it up to about 80mph and is very stable and strait tracking. In general, I'm pretty impressed with the power. Once it loosens up, it will get better and better.
Sled didn't feel heavy at all to me. was able to menuver it well and get it to go where I wanted with little trouble.
Handle bar and thumb warmers work very well. Were too hot and had to turn them down to minimums.
Really like the new seat foam. Is kind of springy and makes good ride compfort.
Wind sheild worked well too. Could hear the wind going over my helmet but, didn't blow on face sheild at all. Was kind of cool. On the SRX it's kind of hard to hold your head up strait because of the wind off the hood.
Only two things I didn't like:
1.) The right side cover around the reverse lever sticks out from the gas tank cowl. It kept poking my right shin. I don't think it is put together correctly or the cover on mine is a defect. Will have to look at it or call the dealer about it because it ain't guna' fly like it is.
2.) It still has the annoying resonance sound from the exhaust at certain speeds/RPMs just like all the rest of the Apexs. A little faster speed and it goes away and sounds great.
Other than these two thing, this is a great sled. I don't know what more you could ask for. Can't wait to get more seat time in better snow conditions.
Coming from an SRX, it took a little getting used to. It definitly sits higher than previous Apexs. Didn't feel tippy at all in fact never once felt like it was going over.
Riding was in heavy wet snow and lots of it. Went from West Bend Iowa to Emmetsburg and back.
Noticed a little darting at first running lower speeds. Once I got used to it a little and picked up the pace, no darting at all. Handled very well. The EPS takes all the ski jolts away from hitting bumps or ruts. It's not super easy to steer but, you can tell it is easier. You feel in control of the handle bars and that they won't get ripped out of your hands by hitting a rut or snow clod etc... Was cruising 50-60 mph down the ditch once I got used to it and nearly back to the truck. It goes where you want it to with ease once the pace is picked up.
The ride was much better than I anticipated. The front shocks seem to work really well, better than I expected. I'm not sure the Ohlins are much better than these. (we've got Ohlins on two other sleds)
The rear skid worked well also. I'm 175 lbs and left the spring at the middle setting and haven't touched the shock adjuster yet. Maybe a little stiff for my weight but, I'm sure it can be dialed back and made smoother for my taste. Jumped off some dirve ways and it soaks it up well-- Both ends. Never experience any kick back out of the suspension either. Plenty of travel. For right out of the box I'm very happy with it.
Glad I was on an XTX sled today. Had I been on a short track sled or even a 136 I would have been stuck several times. Backed it off the trailer, zero miles on it, went around the truck in the ditch to turn around and nearly got stuck right there beside the truck. Once moving a little faster it floats really well.
Could tell the engine is a little tight. Still has some serious snort mid range as advertised. Where it could get bite, no trouble at all pulling front end up. Definately more torque than previous Apexs. Never twisted it over 8,500. Had it up to about 80mph and is very stable and strait tracking. In general, I'm pretty impressed with the power. Once it loosens up, it will get better and better.
Sled didn't feel heavy at all to me. was able to menuver it well and get it to go where I wanted with little trouble.
Handle bar and thumb warmers work very well. Were too hot and had to turn them down to minimums.
Really like the new seat foam. Is kind of springy and makes good ride compfort.
Wind sheild worked well too. Could hear the wind going over my helmet but, didn't blow on face sheild at all. Was kind of cool. On the SRX it's kind of hard to hold your head up strait because of the wind off the hood.
Only two things I didn't like:
1.) The right side cover around the reverse lever sticks out from the gas tank cowl. It kept poking my right shin. I don't think it is put together correctly or the cover on mine is a defect. Will have to look at it or call the dealer about it because it ain't guna' fly like it is.
2.) It still has the annoying resonance sound from the exhaust at certain speeds/RPMs just like all the rest of the Apexs. A little faster speed and it goes away and sounds great.
Other than these two thing, this is a great sled. I don't know what more you could ask for. Can't wait to get more seat time in better snow conditions.
Nice write up. Can't wait to try mine.
ITHAPPENS
Expert
Just the beginning of a great season I hope. Snow can't come soon enough! Still raking leaves here. I noticed the same thing on my SE about the right side panel. Take it off and re-install, you may have to press hard @ the fuel tank cover pivot, mine snapped in this area and now fits flush. Haven't removed since. I have had several assembly issues (dealer PDI problems) with mine, hope you have better luck. How about some Pics?
ecopter
TY 4 Stroke Guru
The flange of the removable panel that encompasses the reverse area needs to sit "inside" or overlap the non-removable reverse panel. If it sits outside of it, it will cause the corner you're referring to flare out.
jf
jf
You lucky ,,still no snow here 
Nice writeup,, can you post a pic of your panel ? I'm curious how compares to mine.
Nice writeup,, can you post a pic of your panel ? I'm curious how compares to mine.
freedom sled
Newbie
I pick mine up tomorrw, can't wait. Of course need snow but great to start hearing about 2011 Apex's from some one that paid the money!
iahacker
VIP Member
aceltx09
Expert
small detail, but i love how the flap is so far out, I hate looking at my slked with a chewed up flap. I have gone through 3 last year
RacinJason15
Expert
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you have snow in iowa right now!!??
+1 on the flap ! I still think it looks too short to have a 144" track. Looking at it next to my Renegade it looks smaller . Strange but true lol
iahacker
VIP Member
snow
Only a few counties in NW iowa got 14" last Saturday. Drove 95 miles to get there. The weather forcaster completely missed it. Imagine that
I noticed too that the XTX's don't look that long. I put an XTX skid in a 2008 Apex for another guy and it is really no longer than an Attak.
Check it out in the 4 stroke sled garage. It's a 40th Ann. Apex.
Hey FrostyNutz, I really like the red. I didn't like the looks of these in the promo pictures in the spring, but when I saw one in person they are really sharp. I asked the dealer to get mine in blue and maybe should have stayed with red. Oh well, too late now and I do like to blue.
Only a few counties in NW iowa got 14" last Saturday. Drove 95 miles to get there. The weather forcaster completely missed it. Imagine that
I noticed too that the XTX's don't look that long. I put an XTX skid in a 2008 Apex for another guy and it is really no longer than an Attak.
Check it out in the 4 stroke sled garage. It's a 40th Ann. Apex.
Hey FrostyNutz, I really like the red. I didn't like the looks of these in the promo pictures in the spring, but when I saw one in person they are really sharp. I asked the dealer to get mine in blue and maybe should have stayed with red. Oh well, too late now and I do like to blue.
Thanks ,,, I felt the same way when I saw it in a mag. In person the paint looks much deeper. I love the red but didn't like the decals very much so they gave me the optional decal kit. I'm installing it today 
Yay or Nay ?
Yay or Nay ?
iahacker
VIP Member
Yay
Looks really good.
How about a picture of the whole hood with optional graphics?
Looks really good.
How about a picture of the whole hood with optional graphics?
kinger
VIP Member
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iahacker I heard they are grooming over by Boji already from last weekends snow! I want to run over just to see!
I got sidetracked and didn't get it finished . I'll try to finish it up in the next couple days and post a pic. The glue they use on the hood decals is not from this planet !! I used a heat gun then Goo Gone , Acetone, Gas, WD-40 ,,I tried it all . I ended up rolling it off with my thumbs . I need a better solution to get this crap off and not kill the paint. I was ready to hit it with the sandblaster and repaint the fker LOL .
Decal kit does not fit like it should ! The pointed edges will have to be trimmed on the black side panels and it's not as wide as the originals in places. I do like it but not entirely happy with the fit.
Decal kit does not fit like it should ! The pointed edges will have to be trimmed on the black side panels and it's not as wide as the originals in places. I do like it but not entirely happy with the fit.
