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ARCTIC RIDER LOOKING FOR SOME ADVICE!

I

Inuvikrider

Newbie
Joined
Oct 3, 2009
Messages
4
I'm looking at buying the Apex but not sure if I should go for the long track edition or just the reg. I live in northern Canada, Inuvik to be exact which is about 300miles north of the Arctic Cir. We consistently get -30 to -55F . The snow rarely melts so it can be come fairly hard packed, although with a fresh snow of a foot or two takes a few weeks to become this way. We have no groomed trails but lots of rough rugged trails made by locals or trappers. Looking for any suggestions. Not stuck on the Apex but not overly interested in the Nytro since most reviews state it’s a very cold machine with little wind protection. Although, I'm not stuck on the Apex I would like a 4-stroke.
 

I have an Apex short track and from what you describe for conditions you ride in, I would go with the long track.
The 136 smooths out the rough stuff better and has better flotation for cross country. I love the short track but I ride groomed hardpack 95% of the time.
Either Apex is good in deep snow.
The hand warmers suck. There are a couple of solutions posted here on TY that will fix that problem.
If you weigh much over 190#, you will need to up-size the spring on a monoshock suspension.
Other than that, my experience with riding an Apex for 3 years has been fantastic with no mechanical issues.
 
To be honest the Apex and the Attack - LTX (136) are still a bit cold for long rides you'll want to get a tall windshield due to the rider forward.

Also I was in Yellowstone once last year and 2 times the year before with 5 Yami's in the group. We had a lot of trouble starting them and 2 batteries froze solid at -35 F. Heated trailers and battery tenders are a good Idea.

These sleds are awesome and I have had 4 - rx's, 2 - Apex's and 1 Attack. But I would not call them great ungroomed trail sleds. The weight and angle of attack of the track can lead to a bit of a work out digging them out. I have ridden into places out west that no one thought I could but I also spent 2 days getting back my attack last year and had to walk out about 4 miles to get a rescue team with winches in the next day.
 
I agree with Yamahadog.... You will also need to run FULL synthetic oil to help with the Cold starts in any 4 stroke.

I would get the XTX and just get the bigger windshield and deflectors. It will be just as warm, once you get the bigger windshield on. It will work way better off trail. It's lighter, making it easier to move around and it actually floats. I think you will have alot more fun, then if you were to go Apex or Attack.

The Attack and Apex IMO, only work well in Groomed trail applications.
 
I also would get the xtx with a big windshield and wind deflectors. You will get great floatation and a verry aggresive sled for the bad trails that people make. I agree with Sledfreak the Attack and Appex are for groomed trails. As for the cold weather I would imagine they make a cold weather battery but a battery tender would still be a good idea. But it all comes down to you and your ryding style. The Nytro will not dissapoint you in power they are decevinghly fast and verry tourqy. I staRTED MY Nytro in - 20 with no issues but i have a low windshield and the ride is verry cold. p.s. get the gytr piggyback shocks no matter what sled you choose. good luck!
 
Thank you

I appreciate the quick replies and I will keep researching. You had a great point about flotation as that’s something I didn't even think about. As for the battery, I know that there are 4 strokes in town so I will ask them if they have had any trouble or if they switched the battery for something more extreme cold weather. Keep the posts coming as this information is very helpful.

Thanks again,
 
You should have a look through "Yellowknife's" log here: http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... highlight=

The ridind and weather are probably as close to what you experience as anyone else here. It may be a good idea to PM him any questions you may have after you read/view his log. Get some drinks, it's 18 pages long and full of pictures and videos.

Oh ya, he's riding a Nytro MTX and Phazer MTX...
 
-55 F is EXTREME on battery tech but I can't imagine pulling over a 2s either at those temps. Nytro XTX is you best bet for flotation & rough trails with big windshield. Apex long or short track are groomed trail sleds & heavy. Maybe a Vector LTX GT & install the the Venture GT windshield for wind protection a bit lighter than Apex. Venture GT would also be a good sled to carry all your back up supplies but really heavy sled. A Doo Renegade X 137 track 4tek should also be considered.
 
Four strokes in Inuvik, no prob said bob !!! I'm from Inuvik and own a four stroke. Purchased a 2008 Phazer RTX in the fall of 08, currently the Badest Phazer in town IMHO.Lots of Mods. She currently has 4500 kms with no mechanical issues. I was out on the land one time at minus 32 C and I had drained my battery from trying so long to start my machine. I always carry booster cables in my back-pack. Every cabin or destination is prone to have a small generator or 12 volt car battery that you could use to power a water circulator or boost from the battery. In my case I had a battery charger so I just hooked her up for 20 mins. and got her going. I have a few friends who own apex's (both short & long) and thay like them for their power but all of them say that they are way to heavy. My 2 cents would be a Vector or a Vector LTX. Both a little bit lighter than the apex. Nytro xtx. No matter what sled, a set of C&A Pro skis, maybe even the 7 1/4" wide ones for a little more floatation. But your decision to go for a four stoke is a good move.
 
For your conditions I would consider the XTX or 1200 Renegade. These two machines would give you a very good balance of floatation, performance, rough trail ride comfort and reliability. I know from personal experience the 1200 starts no problem sitting outside at -35c and the handwarmers are very hot even at -30c. Even from a maintanance standpoint, all you have to do is change the oil once per year and they run on REGULAR unleaded, permium can be hard to find in some places.
 
Inuvikrider said:
I'm looking at buying the Apex but not sure if I should go for the long track edition or just the reg. I live in northern Canada, Inuvik to be exact which is about 300miles north of the Arctic Cir. We consistently get -30 to -55F . The snow rarely melts so it can be come fairly hard packed, although with a fresh snow of a foot or two takes a few weeks to become this way. We have no groomed trails but lots of rough rugged trails made by locals or trappers. Looking for any suggestions. Not stuck on the Apex but not overly interested in the Nytro since most reviews state it’s a very cold machine with little wind protection. Although, I'm not stuck on the Apex I would like a 4-stroke.
Click to expand...


Inuvikrider,

Welcome to the TY site! :Rockon:
You have found the BEST place to find out ANYTHING you will ever want to know about Yamahas.

As far as a new sled...you can not beat the fit and finish AND most importantly the reliability of a Yamaha. I am on my 5th and I can not imagine riding anything else. Good luck with whatever you decide to ride. One thing is for sure...you will not be disappointed in the quality of a Yamaha.

For some of the cold starting issues mentioned in this thread, there have been things mentioned like coolant heaters, battery chargers, jumper cables etc..There is also another alternative in case there is no power to plug into.

Since rolling out the SledStart system this fall, one of the many features that many riders in the extreme climates are taking advantage of is the ability to program your sled to start at whatever desired temperature you would like down to -40. This system will automatically run a 5, 10, or 15 minute run cycle and then shut itself down. Once the engine reaches the programmed temperature again the cycle repeats itself. If the temperature mode is activated it will always run the sled any time the sled hits your programmed temperature. There is also a timer mode that will simply run the sled in 1, 2,or 3 hour increments for the 5, 10, or 15 minute run cycle. That program is for one 24 hour cycle and then will expire. The system can be run in Fahrenheit or Celsius mode as well. Any time the sled is running on remote start it also has brake and tach sensing so nobody can mess with the sled. The ignition will be cut and the 2 way LCD remote will always notify you of when the sled has started and/or shut off.

Many of these have already shipped to the extreme north were there have been starting issues, so if you know anyone who has had issues in extreme cold you can send them to www.sledstart.com and there is all kinds of info and videos on the system. The best part is that it is fully plug and play using factory connectors with no cutting and no splicing at all. It can also be used in conjunction with Rockmiester's Hot Hands controller @ www.yamaheater.com.

This means when you remote start your sled not only are you keeping heat in the motor and motor compartment at all times but when you hop on to ride your grips are HOT...and not just luke warm. The Yamaheater REALLY WORKS! ;)!
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... &start=495

SD
 
wow, a little overkill for a sled. It might be okay if you used your sled as a mode of transportaion everyday like a vehical and command start.
 
Jeremy said:
wow, a little overkill for a sled. It might be okay if you used your sled as a mode of transportaion everyday like a vehical and command start.
Click to expand...

To some maybe....but all the mods you have listed (and I have plenty too) may be overkill to some as well. Guess it's all in what you want for your sled.
All I know if there are guys that will have sleds that will start if they keep heat in the motor where as maybe before they wouldn't. Talked to a guy a few days back and his magic number was -29 and she would not start. It will this year I told him.... :Rockon:

SD
 
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