Before you stud (and ride) your 2011 Apex...

[Kaz]

I'm so damn confused on this topic. I was just at my dealer and asked specifically about this post. He said there was no bulletin received from yamaha. He got on he phone with the dealer in Caribou ME and asked if they have had any issues with studding these things. He was told no. He told me he has been studding tracks for 20 years. He also told me that he would definately not go longer that 1,325 studs, and looked the Apex on the floor there. He thought there should be no issues but he was going to read on this web site and educate himself.

KAZ who posted about the bulletin is in Canada and I assume his dealer is.
My information came from a US dealer

Yammie Canada sends out their own bulletins.

Yammie USA is a totally separate company and may not be on this yet.

Chris Reid from Yamaha Canada gave us a heads up on this on this site and The YMCA Blog a while back [November 26 or earlier].

I'm waiting for a solution to come from TOM or one of his people [us]. The solution will not come directly from Yamaha. However they are aware and working on it,[in Canada anyhow] and if they come up with a cure I am sure it will find its way on to this site in an indirect manner.

Mine is studded with 1.325's and I will run my track in Spec and not be too worried. I will not be doing any hard braking.

The 2011 Apex that set the 24 world record last spring was studded with 1.325's and made 2,000 miles studded without wrecking anything. There were a few tick marks like Tom's photos [probably from hard braking like Tom said] but nothing debilitating.

It is a bit of a pain but nothing like most other manufacturers first year sleds.
Think 2008 800 XP, Fusion, FST Etc, Etc.

I think it's kind of ironic this whole stud issue and the timing of CR stud survey. Wonder what the motives were behind that, gets you thinking maybe these marketing types are assessing the potential damage, maybe the cost to replace the tracks with an ice attack, maybe, maybe not.

Anyhow, hopefully this is just a minor nuisance, and the best solution to remedy the problem come forward soon.

Someone needs to do a Hilter video on this topic, I need my morning laugh.
Kaz

 

[dhkr123]

It is a bit of a pain but nothing like most other manufacturers first year sleds.
Think 2008 800 XP, Fusion, FST Etc, Etc.

FIRST year?
You might want to check that again... its a 9th year sled (fuel injection and BNG do not a new model make...).

 

[dhkr123]

Kaz: solution is simple: don't add steel. Like in a car, drive only as fast as the conditions permit. Steel in the track gives people the confidence to go faster than conditions permit, creating a very dangerous situation for themselves and other people around.

 

[aceltx09]

I had a dealer stud my brand new 09 sled when I bought it last year. The picks ended up chewing up and damaging the heat exchanger, neither yamaha nor the dealer would do anything about it. They said my rear chock failed and allowed it to travel down to far and still wouldn't do anything. After learning about my sled, I don't think there was any problem with the shock. Just need strong suspension with rear heat exchanger. I really don't trustthe dealers anyways, Yamha has them trained when they know they have an issue. Took my sled to 2 different dealers and both said exact same thing about hand warmers "oh they work they just take awhile to warm up" ya right get on my sled when its 0f and tell me they work. YAMAHEATERS this year.

 

[freedom sled]

First year with the EXUP. They changed how the tunnel protectors are mounted. I was at the dealer where I bought my 2011 and layed on the floor next to a 2011 and a 2009. The 2009 the tunnel supports are mounted direct to the tunnel and will not move up like on the 2011. The dealer in going to mount some type of support under the C shaped bracket to give it support and add 1/8 inch to the bottom of the tunnel protectors. He will also look at the possibility of adding a 3/4 X 3/4 inch support right dowm the middle of the track. I hope I get the sled back this week as I plan to ride next weekend.

 

[homeplaya]

I just rode 350km of trail over the weekend with 1.325 studs
And didn't have any issues!
Hopefully there will be none!!!

 

[donkickit]

I would be reluctant to trust anything Yamaha says about studding your apex. If you read any manual all sled manuf. say they don't recommend studding. But let's face it, studding is superior for traction, braking and general safety. Yamaha also said that 2006-2008 rtx stands for rough trail sled. So, it should not bottom out but guess what. It's far from a rough trail sled, unless u get the shocks redone. My rtx has plenty of scrapes from the studs and I only run 1.325.

 

[dhkr123]

But let's face it, studding is superior for traction, braking and general safety.

No, driving a snowmobile on... get this... SNOW... is superior for traction, and driving within YOUR and YOUR EQUIPMENT'S MEANS is superior for braking and general safety. There is NO SUCH THING as dangerous equipment -- only dangerous drivers who operate that equipment beyond their ability to control. If you can't keep it under control around a blind corner with an oncoming sled ON YOUR SIDE of the trail, you're driving too fast, and that is ALL there is to it.

 

[YammyRX1]

But let's face it, studding is superior for traction, braking and general safety.

No, driving a snowmobile on... get this... SNOW... is superior for traction, and driving within YOUR and YOUR EQUIPMENT'S MEANS is superior for braking and general safety. There is NO SUCH THING as dangerous equipment -- only dangerous drivers who operate that equipment beyond their ability to control. If you can't keep it under control around a blind corner with an oncoming sled ON YOUR SIDE of the trail, you're driving too fast, and that is ALL there is to it.

If your arguement has merit you don't need all the capital letters and sarcasm, otherwise it just sounds like you're talking down to everyone. I think of studs like snow tires, they improve handling and make your machine more predictable. The equipment might not be dangerous but you can't expect to go through life without any surprises and when I have to stop in a hurry for whatever reason I'll take the studs.

 

[raginyamaha]

But let's face it, studding is superior for traction, braking and general safety.

No, driving a snowmobile on... get this... SNOW... is superior for traction, and driving within YOUR and YOUR EQUIPMENT'S MEANS is superior for braking and general safety. There is NO SUCH THING as dangerous equipment -- only dangerous drivers who operate that equipment beyond their ability to control. If you can't keep it under control around a blind corner with an oncoming sled ON YOUR SIDE of the trail, you're driving too fast, and that is ALL there is to it.

If your arguement has merit you don't need all the capital letters and sarcasm, otherwise it just sounds like you're talking down to everyone. I think of studs like snow tires, they improve handling and make your machine more predictable. The equipment might not be dangerous but you can't expect to go through life without any surprises and when I have to stop in a hurry for whatever reason I'll take the studs.

U can control what u do but its worrying about the wanna be snowcross racers on trails is why i have studs in case i have to stop or avoid one of those wackos i can stay in control while trying to avoid them. - been hit twice by someone crossing into my side of the trail.