Frostbite
TY 4 Stroke God
I was thinking the other day how different the RX-1 Mountain would have initially gone over if it had a 162 x 16" Maverick track from the factory.
The reputation the sled got as a powder slug may have never happened.
Look at the Apex mountain. It's not much lighter (if any) than the RX-1M and I think it's the Maverick track that has made it a contender more than anything else.
Imagine if the Apex had come with the same 151" track that was stock on the RX-1M? The other brands would still be laughing.
What do you think?
Frostbite
The reputation the sled got as a powder slug may have never happened.
Look at the Apex mountain. It's not much lighter (if any) than the RX-1M and I think it's the Maverick track that has made it a contender more than anything else.
Imagine if the Apex had come with the same 151" track that was stock on the RX-1M? The other brands would still be laughing.
What do you think?
Frostbite
Southfork Sooner
Pro
I think the Maverick would have helped, but the pitch of the engine also makes a difference in the weight distribution, helping the tip over factor.
tmk50
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Southfork Sooner said:
pitch of the engine?? WTH is that?
IMO the 2003 mountain sled was an afterthought on the part of the engineers, they put all of their dollars where they knew they would sell the most sleds - the east/midwest trail riders. We got higher bars, a slap on tunnel extension that didn't even move the rear coolant crossover to the back of the sled, a track that was at least 8 inches too short, and a skid that does not transfer weight.
I agree with the track improvement notion, even a 159x15 and wider skis would have made the 03s and 04s a better sled.
Southfork Sooner
Pro
Many many people, including the dealer and several Apex riders have told me the engine is a little further back to help the weight distribution. I think the dealer also told me it's pitched up a little more than the RX1.
tmk50
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
The handling difference has more to do with moving the handlebars forward, and changing the rider position.
The engine placement is basically the same as the RX1, the engine is 7 lbs lighter on the Apex - I do not believe that the angle of the engine changed between the deltabox and deltabox II chassis, if it did the weight reduction would have a greater impact on handling than moving the engine forward or backward a few degrees.
IMO the angle of the engine has nothing to do with the ride improvement between the rx1 and the apex.
The engine placement is basically the same as the RX1, the engine is 7 lbs lighter on the Apex - I do not believe that the angle of the engine changed between the deltabox and deltabox II chassis, if it did the weight reduction would have a greater impact on handling than moving the engine forward or backward a few degrees.
IMO the angle of the engine has nothing to do with the ride improvement between the rx1 and the apex.
doo_man
Expert
Well we will know in April, Apex tunnel, Apex skid and 162" maverick track going on my 03 - we will see then!
Rx1M5
VIP Member
I think the rider forward movement has more to do with the handling differences than anything. Even with the Maverick an 03 with the bars not moved is going to feel nose heavy. You are just way to far back from the center of effort with a stock RX. I moved my bars forward 6" to basically where the Apex bars are and I really like it. The footwells on the Apex and RX are in the same place. I've looked every chance I get and I don't think there is a lot of difference between the delta box 1 and 2. Basically what you are paying for with the Apex is having all the mods done from the factory a few improvements weight and geometry wise and the biggy Fuel Injection. With some work you can make an RX pretty close to the Apex but it won't have the injection or better motor properties.
Trxster
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
I tell ya I've done most those mods and I rode an Apex Mt for a few minutes in the powder and trail and I liked mine better. I guess the advantage is that with the RX you loose 70 lbs while doing the mods where as the Apex is heavy. Wouldn't mind efi though.
Rt
Rt
SoCoRX1
TY 4 Stroke Guru
I agree totally Trxster. I feel mine will run with an Apex because it's so much lighter.
Feetsbig
Pro
I put a 16x162x2.3 lug on my RX last year,best thing I did to it,other than turbo of course
Frostbite
TY 4 Stroke God
I agree that the riding position on the Apex makes WAY more difference in the way the sled handles than any changes to the tilt of the engine.
Bascially I think a RX-1M (non turboed) set up with a 162" Maverick track would compete very closely to a Moutain Apex.
Simply put, I feel the effectiveness of the Maverick track made the changes from the RX-1M to the Apex appear more revolutionary than they really were in reality.
In my mind an Apex Mountain is basically a RX-1 with a rider forward ergos, fuel injection and a big honkin track. Other than that there's alot more similarities than differences between the two sleds.
Frostbite
Bascially I think a RX-1M (non turboed) set up with a 162" Maverick track would compete very closely to a Moutain Apex.
Simply put, I feel the effectiveness of the Maverick track made the changes from the RX-1M to the Apex appear more revolutionary than they really were in reality.
In my mind an Apex Mountain is basically a RX-1 with a rider forward ergos, fuel injection and a big honkin track. Other than that there's alot more similarities than differences between the two sleds.
Frostbite
powder muncher
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
You got that right, Just a updated RX1 with EFI forward mounted bars and a long track. My old RX1 Mod ( motor is stock) with the 151 track will go anywhere with the apex and is even easier to handle, but it has the rider forward and the holz skid is in a league of its own when it comes to working the snow and getting traction. 
Southfork Sooner
Pro
The Ekholm skid sure is nice 
treewhacker
Expert
I still need to upgrade to a 162" skid and track. Anyone know of any good deals out there?
powder muncher
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
If you are looking for deals go with a 159 track there are lots available and the 2.53 drivers last much longer than the 3 inch as well as they run smoother. Check with Hartman he had a big special on for the 159 tracks this spring. What you loose in floatation you will gain in trackspeed.
Besides the maverick tracks are less than perfect.
Besides the maverick tracks are less than perfect.
