vmaxx05stud
Pro
well get to take my first ride tomorrow after all this work of taking it apart and complete service of it. so we'll see if i hate it or like it. any last minute suggestions on what to expect. 
MCApex44
TY 4 Stroke Guru
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If this is your first ride out on the Apex...a last minute suggestion would be to mentally prep yourself for the engine braking (eventually, you will learn to feather the throttle when slowing down rather than using the brake--and you will probably love it like most do). Dont just let the throttle snap back when letting off the gas. I will compare it to your street bike as if you down shifted from 3rd gear to 2nd and you let out the clutch.
Not sure if this is your first sled but I would assume you rode before. Expect the Apex to feel a bit heavier up front than what you have been used to. But--overall the extra weight is distributed well and it isnt a problem at all. When I first rode my Apex it was the first ride of the season after a long summer and the prior season i was on a 05' F7. Therefore, the switch wasnt a big deal cause it wasnt like I was used to the ride of a lighter sled for hundreds of miles and then overnight had to adjust to the Apex. That said...you will still have a learning curve on the Apex but you should get the feel within a few rides/couple of hundred miles or so. I remember it took me about 300 miles to really feel comfortable on the Apex. It was like a "light went on" and boom...I was rockin and rollin. For me...the Apex has a different feel to it than what I was used to (ex. Arctic Cat's ZR900 and F7's). I will tell you what...I remember getting back on the F7 for the first time after about 500 miles on the Apex and hated it. The F7 felt like I was riding a aluminum can, sitting on the ground with my knees in my chest (still a fun/fast sled though..lol).
If you still have the stock (4") carbides on you might experience some darting and the sled will push in the corners. My first ride I had already put on 8" woodys doolys which took care of any darting. If your sled isnt picked/studded...the Apex has alot of power and you will definatly have some track spin.
Play with dial on the tunnel to adjust your rear suspension. Find out what feels "right" for your riding style and weight. If I remember right I typically have mine around 15-19 clicks and I am 250lbs. Since I am 250lb's...before I even rode it for the first time I had the 6.5 Big Boy Spring installed. If you notice the sled bottoming out at all...crank up that dial. A note on the Apex...small changes to the dial adjustment and/or front suspension go a long way (make changes/adjustments in small doses and then put some miles on. I think I waited too long to "tinker" with the set-up and missed out on the pure joy of the Apex for a few hundred miles...lol. Also, remember to "lean" into the turns. You sit higher/more forward on the Apex. When getting into a corner/turn...get your body weight on the inside of the seat. I think it helps alot on the Apex to distribute "your" weight as well. I have a buddy that rides a Rev and he just doesnt get it. He has put his sled on its side practically every time out.
Other than that...you will learn alot out on your first ride. Be patient...the Apex is a GREAT sled and I am sure you will love it. IMO...the Apex just took a little bit of time in the saddle to get used to it.
Have a great season on your Apex. Let us know how it went.
Not sure if this is your first sled but I would assume you rode before. Expect the Apex to feel a bit heavier up front than what you have been used to. But--overall the extra weight is distributed well and it isnt a problem at all. When I first rode my Apex it was the first ride of the season after a long summer and the prior season i was on a 05' F7. Therefore, the switch wasnt a big deal cause it wasnt like I was used to the ride of a lighter sled for hundreds of miles and then overnight had to adjust to the Apex. That said...you will still have a learning curve on the Apex but you should get the feel within a few rides/couple of hundred miles or so. I remember it took me about 300 miles to really feel comfortable on the Apex. It was like a "light went on" and boom...I was rockin and rollin. For me...the Apex has a different feel to it than what I was used to (ex. Arctic Cat's ZR900 and F7's). I will tell you what...I remember getting back on the F7 for the first time after about 500 miles on the Apex and hated it. The F7 felt like I was riding a aluminum can, sitting on the ground with my knees in my chest (still a fun/fast sled though..lol).
If you still have the stock (4") carbides on you might experience some darting and the sled will push in the corners. My first ride I had already put on 8" woodys doolys which took care of any darting. If your sled isnt picked/studded...the Apex has alot of power and you will definatly have some track spin.
Play with dial on the tunnel to adjust your rear suspension. Find out what feels "right" for your riding style and weight. If I remember right I typically have mine around 15-19 clicks and I am 250lbs. Since I am 250lb's...before I even rode it for the first time I had the 6.5 Big Boy Spring installed. If you notice the sled bottoming out at all...crank up that dial. A note on the Apex...small changes to the dial adjustment and/or front suspension go a long way (make changes/adjustments in small doses and then put some miles on. I think I waited too long to "tinker" with the set-up and missed out on the pure joy of the Apex for a few hundred miles...lol. Also, remember to "lean" into the turns. You sit higher/more forward on the Apex. When getting into a corner/turn...get your body weight on the inside of the seat. I think it helps alot on the Apex to distribute "your" weight as well. I have a buddy that rides a Rev and he just doesnt get it. He has put his sled on its side practically every time out.
Other than that...you will learn alot out on your first ride. Be patient...the Apex is a GREAT sled and I am sure you will love it. IMO...the Apex just took a little bit of time in the saddle to get used to it.
Have a great season on your Apex. Let us know how it went.
