82SRX500
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Well, here is the report. This past Friday and Saturday my wife and I put on 200 miles on the 11' Apexes. Here is my report.
Conditions: mostly groomed trails around St. Germain, Boulder Junction, Mercer and Hurley, WI. Trails were not very hard packed at all. Pretty much groomed powder so not able to really get any significant grip in the corners. Running last seasons 8 inch Stud Boy Shaper bars up front. The rear: each sled has 152 Stud Boy 1.325 studs up the middle. Each sled has a 13mm sway bar installed. Stock skis and everything else is still stock.
The biggest issue I had at about 190 miles is that I realized the sleds came from my dealer with the transfer rods set all the way to MAX!!!! This is just nutz! What that means is there is basically zero for ski pressure. I even asked my wife why she was riding so conservatively and she said the sled just won't turn and the ski keeps popping up. I figured it was more to do with the soft snow, first ride and the rebound setting I had on the Ohlin's I have installed on both up front. So, like a good husband after day one, I cranked the rebound up two more notches to elimate some body sway, then cranked it up one more notch for three total. Eliminated some of the sway in the front while killing my nice soft ride I had. Still pushing. So, after my friends SKi Doo Rev decided to abruptly stop running with 10 miles to go to get to the trailer, I took the break time to check the transfer rod. I assumed like most buyers would assume, that the transfer would be set dead center of MIN/MAX. To my horror I found both sleds set all the way to MAX. I compared the jmeasurement to my friends 07 Apex GT and found his set at center. So adjusted both sleds to Center for MIN/MAX. Yes, the sled now rails on the corners like it should. Backed off the rebound as well. So my 200 mile assessment is not as good as it should be.
The power was amazing. The sled just pulls amazing. I would like to add a good clutch kit to harness the power even more but will wait till the shops have them fully dialed in. The Apex 30 mph tone deafening drone is gone. The engine braking is still there, which I was used to but the jerk you over the handlebar braking is gone now which is nice. The power steering is awesome. I have to say when you have it you really do not feel it or realize it until you drive someone elses sled that does not have it. We found that we were taking the corners as fast as we used to but had to remember to still lean into the corner because you used to have to use your arms and lean at the same time on non-powersteering Apexes. Now you really do not use much body and arms the sled is turning so you have to remember to push the lean in the corner but the sled is turning for you. Really cool learning curve which I think will make me that much faster in the corners when I get it as second nature.
Handlebar warmers work. Temps were about 13-19 degrees. I had the hands on full hot most of the time. My gloves were wet at lunch so they are working. I still would say they are not burn your glove hot like the old SRX and Vipers but a huge huge improvement and I would say they are officially fixed.
Didn't ride at night so don't know if the headlight is going to be shining owls in the trees still or if they have improved on that. I put star brite bulbs in again.
I took a flash light and checked under the track and tunnel. I did not see any scratch marks which was a relief. However, I am going to shim the tunnel protecters with the 5mm spacers to get some more clearance. Still makes me worried. I rode the sled like normal and didn't see scratches.
The 128 track is awesome. If you are used to a 121 you will like the 128. I could feel the flatter feeling on stutter bumps. The difference is not much but when you are always used to a 121 you can feel the bridging of bumps on the 128 compared to the 121.
The front Ohlin's are awesome as usual! The trunk in the rear is pretty tiny. All the talk on the preseason sleds of a huge trunk is a joke. You will be lucky to get your hat and a bottle of water in it. Maybe a candy bar. For me, it will be a 32mm socket, a 17 mm and a 14mm socket with ratchet in the trunk in order to keep the track tight every ride so I don't chew up my tunnel.
All in all, the sled is awesome. Wind protection you can feel is better with the new design. I would like to see some alternate windshields be made available. The stock design is a bit too tame for us.
Next ride is hopefully Christmas day after getting the tunnel protectors shimmed.
Jon
Conditions: mostly groomed trails around St. Germain, Boulder Junction, Mercer and Hurley, WI. Trails were not very hard packed at all. Pretty much groomed powder so not able to really get any significant grip in the corners. Running last seasons 8 inch Stud Boy Shaper bars up front. The rear: each sled has 152 Stud Boy 1.325 studs up the middle. Each sled has a 13mm sway bar installed. Stock skis and everything else is still stock.
The biggest issue I had at about 190 miles is that I realized the sleds came from my dealer with the transfer rods set all the way to MAX!!!! This is just nutz! What that means is there is basically zero for ski pressure. I even asked my wife why she was riding so conservatively and she said the sled just won't turn and the ski keeps popping up. I figured it was more to do with the soft snow, first ride and the rebound setting I had on the Ohlin's I have installed on both up front. So, like a good husband after day one, I cranked the rebound up two more notches to elimate some body sway, then cranked it up one more notch for three total. Eliminated some of the sway in the front while killing my nice soft ride I had. Still pushing. So, after my friends SKi Doo Rev decided to abruptly stop running with 10 miles to go to get to the trailer, I took the break time to check the transfer rod. I assumed like most buyers would assume, that the transfer would be set dead center of MIN/MAX. To my horror I found both sleds set all the way to MAX. I compared the jmeasurement to my friends 07 Apex GT and found his set at center. So adjusted both sleds to Center for MIN/MAX. Yes, the sled now rails on the corners like it should. Backed off the rebound as well. So my 200 mile assessment is not as good as it should be.
The power was amazing. The sled just pulls amazing. I would like to add a good clutch kit to harness the power even more but will wait till the shops have them fully dialed in. The Apex 30 mph tone deafening drone is gone. The engine braking is still there, which I was used to but the jerk you over the handlebar braking is gone now which is nice. The power steering is awesome. I have to say when you have it you really do not feel it or realize it until you drive someone elses sled that does not have it. We found that we were taking the corners as fast as we used to but had to remember to still lean into the corner because you used to have to use your arms and lean at the same time on non-powersteering Apexes. Now you really do not use much body and arms the sled is turning so you have to remember to push the lean in the corner but the sled is turning for you. Really cool learning curve which I think will make me that much faster in the corners when I get it as second nature.
Handlebar warmers work. Temps were about 13-19 degrees. I had the hands on full hot most of the time. My gloves were wet at lunch so they are working. I still would say they are not burn your glove hot like the old SRX and Vipers but a huge huge improvement and I would say they are officially fixed.
Didn't ride at night so don't know if the headlight is going to be shining owls in the trees still or if they have improved on that. I put star brite bulbs in again.
I took a flash light and checked under the track and tunnel. I did not see any scratch marks which was a relief. However, I am going to shim the tunnel protecters with the 5mm spacers to get some more clearance. Still makes me worried. I rode the sled like normal and didn't see scratches.
The 128 track is awesome. If you are used to a 121 you will like the 128. I could feel the flatter feeling on stutter bumps. The difference is not much but when you are always used to a 121 you can feel the bridging of bumps on the 128 compared to the 121.
The front Ohlin's are awesome as usual! The trunk in the rear is pretty tiny. All the talk on the preseason sleds of a huge trunk is a joke. You will be lucky to get your hat and a bottle of water in it. Maybe a candy bar. For me, it will be a 32mm socket, a 17 mm and a 14mm socket with ratchet in the trunk in order to keep the track tight every ride so I don't chew up my tunnel.
All in all, the sled is awesome. Wind protection you can feel is better with the new design. I would like to see some alternate windshields be made available. The stock design is a bit too tame for us.
Next ride is hopefully Christmas day after getting the tunnel protectors shimmed.
Jon
Attachments
ecopter
TY 4 Stroke Guru
Thanks for the report. So, how was your hyfax wear?
jf
jf
82SRX500
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ecopter said:
The brief look at the Hyfax showed no issue on the 11's. There was plenty of snow for lube.
My past two Apex's 06 and 08 both ran about 2000 miles on a set of Hyfax. They got low in the rear by the rear center wheels but just sit there and don't wear much after a certain point.
ecopter
TY 4 Stroke Guru
I really think most of the cases are of over reaction. A hyfax is an even strip of plastic which allows an uneven surface track to ride over it. There's going to be uneven wear since there's different pressure points acting on the hyfax at any given point. It's supposed to wear in at those specific points. There's no way the hyfax will stay even throughout its run on any machine regardless of manufacturer.
Even though the conditions were a bit soft on the trails, did you experience any darting?
jf
Even though the conditions were a bit soft on the trails, did you experience any darting?
jf
Terminator
Expert
Nice write-up 82srx500, sounds like a lot of improvements by Yamaha for the 2011's. I just can't justify the extra coin for these machines, guess I'll keep on riding my 07 RTX.
I'm envious, 2 new apexes . . . . sweet!
I'm envious, 2 new apexes . . . . sweet!
82SRX500
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Terminator said:
Ride the 07 out. I am sure there will be some carry overs and guys are always selling used sleds. Pick up an 11 used or discounted in 12. The 06-10 Apex's are awesome rides.
rindtj
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Nice review, heading up to Mercer tomorrow, hopefully it isn't too busy and the trails are still good.
Sleds look awesome...
Sleds look awesome...
SledFreak
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The setmax transfer is funny actually.. It seems Yamaha is startly to follow ski-doo's setup, which is basically, lets show how good it can go in a straight line and let the customer adjust it from there... This way they can show the skis dangling in the air, just like all the 800R's that you see out. Can't steer worth a crap, but sure looks cool.
snowbiscuit
Expert
To reduce push, pull your limiter strap up one hole maybe two. I am one up on SE and transfer in the middle with improved cornering. Floats at 45psi in front and 13mm bar on the way
SledFreak
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I can't believe you guys need a 13mm swaybar on the New Apex, since the 2011 has a different front end and has said to corner alot flatter, with less ski-lift. A 13mm gives a very harsh ride on the front end without some shock valving changes..... Putting that on without giving the sled a chance and trying to dial in with what the sled comes seems a little pre-mature.snowbiscuit said:
Also changing the shocks for Ohlins and adding a 13mm swaybar is way pre-mature. Yamaha changed alot and took an extra year (since it was supposed to be released in 2010) and worked hard on the valving of this sled.
With all the front end changes and different shock calibration changes I think people are wasting money changing it up this fast. Start adjusting and go from there. Maybe even try a 12mm sway bar first....
ITHAPPENS
Expert
Since you are running the Shaper Bars, how is the darting issue? Standard wear bars are a joke! Darting all over just as bad as previous generation skiis. Power seems impressive so far but still not broken in. Not studded yet but I think 102 down the middle will be in the near future for safety...Thanks for the report and Merry Christmas!
82SRX500
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ITHAPPENS said:
I have been pleased with the shaper bars. My favorite has been Bergstrom Triple points. Spendy but they last the longest. The Shaper Bars are probably second for longevity and quality. As far as darting goes, this is a topic that really does not bother me. On hard pack snow with carbides it is just a fact of life. It can be improved on no doubt and it is all personal preference. I really did not notice much for darting at all but the snow was a bit soft on the trails so not a good test. Balancing/shimming the skis, and Bergstrom ski savers helped alot on my 06's, I just shimmed the 08's. For aggressive riding on Groomed trails in the Midwest the stock skis have always been just fine for me.
