Info on changes through out the years.

[brmurph]

Can someone help me with the following questions? I live in Texas now (not many snowmobile dealers to get information from and haven't owned a sled since my 1972 sl338's. Looking to buy one soon but have a few questions.

What year did the following change?
1. Hood no longer opens back to front on hinges (seems they all have panels you can pull off now instead)?

2. Sitting up high in the seat instead of so close to the ground (I just rode a 2002 or 03 RX1 and was surprised it sat as low to the ground as our early 70's Yamaha's which at 46 years old is a back killer for me). Also did the higher sitting position start when they changed to rider forward riding (I am a little confused on this).

Thanks!

 

[thor452]

the last sled to do what you are asking was the RX-1 when you get into the apex fx nytro and newer you get the up right seated poss and the panel type hoods with yamaha.

 

[maim]

the base model rs venture still has a hindged hood but all the others went to removable panels around 2006. the more rider forward seating started on the apex/attack witch is the deltabox 2 platform if memory serves. you can put an apex seat on an rx chassis to make it more rider forward.

 

[biffdotorg]

I think many will agree as well, that the Apex may be more rider forward than an SRX, or slightly more than an RX1, but is still nowhere near as rider forward as a Doo REV or REV XP.

I think many hardcore trail riders don't have issues with the fact that it is a bit of a hybrid Rider Forward position. Although most of us also agree that we have loved the additional 2" in seat when it came with the Apex changes in 2011+ models.

It's an evolution for sure. The "panel" nature of sledding rather than "hoods" has changed with most brands as these sleds become more and more compact and mass more centralized. Just like motorcycles, keeping mass centralized and low improves handling. This also doesn't allow for hoods as engines are buried in, if not part of the frame. All you can do at that time is put access panels on them.

Keep the questions coming, good luck!

 

[brmurph]

So if I want a sled that sits up higher do I have to get something newer then 2005 models or are there some before that (like maybe 2 ups) that sit up higher? I guess another way of asking is do all Pre 05 sleds sit low and anything newer then 05 sit up higher? Or is it much more complicated then that .

Thanks again.

 

[pat the rat]

The rider forward first came out in 2003 but it was skidoo that introduced it,anything yamaha is 2006 and up and 2009 and up for the 2 up venture