Help! Need opinion for novice which sled Nytro/Apex

[peclark]

Hi, I am trying to decide between a 2012 Nytro or 2012 Apex. I am 46 and have a bad back and not a real aggresssive rider. I got a 2000 Venture few years ago and ride ditches and local lake in north Iowa and my girlfriend and I do few trips a year to Wis/MN for groomed trails. Recently we went to Wisconsin and I rented a 2009 Vector which I loved...easy steering and no darting. It is the only sled I have ridden other than Venture and from reading forums I ordered some sno trackers for the Venture. I want to get another sled for me and my girlfriend will ride Venture until we can upgrade that later on. I was looking at 2012's Vector/Apex but my local sled mechanic suggested looking at a nytro which is what his wife drives and said she loves it. He felt with bad back that nytro be better riding position. I am looking at a Nytro that is stock with simmons III skis. I have read hundreds of posts on Nytro handling and mods like steering relocator but just a little scared from reading some of the posts. In my 4 years in sledding now, I very rarely ever drive over 60 so my guess is that the handling issues with the Nytro is maybe not an issue for mild ditch/trail riding? I mentioned I loved steering of the 2009 Vector I rented and concerned the Nytro will be too heavy steering compared to a EPS Apex? I found a 2012 Nytro for $6500 with 1500 miles whereas similar Apex are around $8500. Thanks for help.

 

[peclark]

I forgot to add that I am it is the XTX's I am looking at.

 

[DGZRT]

With a bad back, and looking for light steering and better seating position. I would look for a hold over Viper and just change the rear suspension front shock spring to a dual rate and put Snowtrackers on the Tuner Ski's and call it good ! If your willing to spend 8500 for an Apex then you should be able to find a left over Viper in the same range!

 

[olivia317]

Apex EPS is really nice, but there are several reasons to love a Nytro/Viper. Rider forward seating gives you the ability to carry your body weight with your legs, just like a dirt bike. When you hit that big bump at 60 and your spine tries to poke through the top of your helmet, you can very quickly pick your butt up, it's like having two more shocks. This is a huge benefit you discover once you get used to the new riding position. Another unexpected benefit is the ability to ride standing up. Even for us old guys. If only for a little while, it feels really good during a longer run. Actually added a bar riser to mine this year because I find myself standing more often. Whooped out trails are not an issue. When set up right, a Nytro can run with the best of them. They are, however, a lot windier with no windshield. Need a good jacket.

 

[peclark]

Thanks, I have sat on both at dealer and can see the seating advantage of the Nytro. Just saw on another thread that vector without EPS turns lot easier than a Nytro. I am not real strong and weight about 175 so the EPS is attractive as well. I see some guys with Apex have put on WRP seats and steering riser which gets knees bit lower than hips.

 

[pedros83]

If your only trail cruising at like 60km and want something thats easy to steer and good handling. I think a vector is your best bet. Nytro loves to be driven hard. It can be setup to ride plush with some revalving and star kit. But stock its pretty harsh. So depends if you just want buy and ride in stock form.I have a 2010 xtx and love it with the suspension mods. But i also ride pretty hard.

 

[pedros83]

Or a viper if its in your price range

 

[livewire_101proof]

My opinion is nytros and vipers both are great sleds when set up right. They are alot lighter and alot more nimble, and they do shine the harder u run them, on the other hand, if ur not really aggressive there is no comparison, the ride of the monoshock rear suspension is alot better for crusing. I can only compare the 136 versions on the attack, dunno of any shorty's running mono

 

[peclark]

Thanks! My mechanic's wife has a nytro and loves it and he has had Apex and now a Viper. He
seems to think I might like the nytro better for our ditch riding. In north Iowa we are pretty much limited to ditches...they are sometimes groomed, but frequently very bumpy. Hopefully though with a 2nd sled my girlfriend and I will take few more trips every season to north Mn/Wis for trails.

 

[pedros83]

Well rough ditches definately suit a nytros habits. Very comfortable to stand up and power through the rough stuff.

 

[peclark]

Well you guys have me interested in looking at 2014 Vipers now. It sounds like the ride is better than the Nytro but not the quality control of fit, etc. of a true yamaha.

 

[peclark]

Thanks for help. I decided to get a new 2014 Viper LTX (non SE). I didn't really want red color but can't pass up $750o price.

 

[DGZRT]

Thanks for help. I decided to get a new 2014 Viper LTX (non SE). I didn't really want red color but can't pass up $750o price.

Enjoy !!! Let us know what you think after you ride it !

 

[Big_Phil]

Thanks for help. I decided to get a new 2014 Viper LTX (non SE). I didn't really want red color but can't pass up $750o price.

Smart choice. I love my nytro, and it handles good. But you need to be an aggressive drive to get the most out of it. The viper has a more complacent ride, better wind protection and easier steering, easier to drive fast.