Is it worth to upgrade to a newer sled?

[hereismylife]

Right now have a 09 Apex

Wondering if it is worth upgrading to a viper or sidewinder is worth the trouble.

I know the power is a little more. Turbo..ECT ECT

Maybe handling is better

What is your opinion?

Thanks Joe

 

[20/80]

Having troubles with your Apex? or you just want to move into the rider forward chassis, what I have been told is the pro cross is the best riding and handling chassis ever to be produced on planet earth, the 4 strokes offered in the Viper and Winder are Yamaha and are one of the best engines out there, not sure what the Viper gets for mileage or the Winder but your thumb control will play a big role, if your looking for power the Winder hands down, also lots of upgrades done to the 16 Apex and Vector, the Vector xtx is a nice trail sled with power steering new engine upgrade more power and very good on fuel, the 16 Apex xtx and up has some nice upgrades also and the engine you already know what you will get, a bit more power with EXUP exhaust and the edition of power steering.

 

[geez150]

Yes hands down worth it. I have a 05 rage, had a 09 Nytro, had a 12 Apex xtx and have a 2017 Arctic Cat ZR9K with the 998 turbo is a great combination. Has all the Yamaha goodness in the engine department and you can actually ride this think and not be beat to hell like Yamahs's of old. This machine is NOT as problematic as some of the frequent posters make them out to be. My only complaint on mine is the fuel mileage, seems like 10-12 MPG is all I'm ever going to get out of this sled and has been that way since mile one ore mile 3600, stock or modded. If you don't need the power I'd say save the money and get a good deal on a leftover Viper or ZR7K. But if you like the power it reminds me of my old Apex, power from throttle tip in all the way to max rpm, only it has more!

 

[Wannaviper]

It was a no brainer for me. The Pro Cross chassis provides the ride comfort and handling that I was missing on my Vector. When I ride my wife's Vector around the yard, I can't wait to get back on my Viper or Sidewinder.

 

[Teamblue4]

Not worth it (IMO) I bought a 2019 Sidewinder, Not comfortable, handles and rides like a train and your always hitting your knees on the panels, and has been to the dealer 3 times for break downs in 1220 miles. So I went back to riding my 2012 Apex XTX and the Sidewinder sits in the trailer for a spare.

 

[MrSled]

Not worth it (IMO) I bought a 2019 Sidewinder, Not comfortable, handles and rides like a train and your always hitting your knees on the panels, and has been to the dealer 3 times for break downs in 1220 miles. So I went back to riding my 2012 Apex XTX and the Sidewinder sits in the trailer for a spare.

IMO what a waste of a great sled!!

 

[RAMSOMAIR]

Not worth it (IMO) I bought a 2019 Sidewinder, Not comfortable, handles and rides like a train and your always hitting your knees on the panels, and has been to the dealer 3 times for break downs in 1220 miles. So I went back to riding my 2012 Apex XTX and the Sidewinder sits in the trailer for a spare.

If its just sitting there, I'll give $500........final offer lol!

 

[thor452]

upgrade to an 11 or newer apex and you will be surprised how much more the sled is. then upgrade to the sidewinder and see how awesome it is if you don't do it in the right order you will never feel the awesomeness of the 2011 and up apex...

 

[Wannaviper]

Not worth it (IMO) I bought a 2019 Sidewinder, Not comfortable, handles and rides like a train and your always hitting your knees on the panels, and has been to the dealer 3 times for break downs in 1220 miles. So I went back to riding my 2012 Apex XTX and the Sidewinder sits in the trailer for a spare.

Sorry about your experience with the Sidewinder; unfortunately, there are going to be sleds that have more problems than others...maybe just the wrong day on the assembly line. I suspect that even Japanese assembly lines had some problems back in the day of the all Japan Yamaha's. My Sidewinder is over 2,000 miles, and it has never been back to the dealer except for scheduled maintenance. I had it throw a code once, briefly, on a 200+ mile day when the temperatures never got above -10 F. The sled cleared the code itself once it got warmed up enough under the hood, and I have had no issues since.

I agree the Pro Cross handles like a train, but from a different perspective...it handles like it is "on rails," and is quite frankly the sweetest handling sled I have ever owned. My knees are constantly against the panels, and I have thought about getting the knee pads, but honestly I have never had a sore knee. Where I am on the sled seems to be a function of just how aggressively I am riding at the time. What I have noticed most about the rides is that the rider forward position all but eliminated those hard strikes that just shoot up your spine when you bottom out your suspension. I have done it many times on my old Polaris sleds, and my Vector. I am no orthopedic doctor, but I think that the Pro Cross chassis puts you in a much safer riding stance and body position, and you just don't get those same hard hits.

I am glad you love your Apex, and you are not alone. The Apex is legendary, but IMO, the Viper/Sidewinder was a necessary part of the evolutionary process for Yamaha, and I can't think of another sled on snow that I would want to ride more than my Sidewinder.

 

[WinderFab]

This year I’m making the switch to a sidewinder, I’ve been on a apex from 2007 to 2012 then a nytro for a few seasons then jump on a eps apex till last year and it’s time for the sidewinder era..
I enjoyed the apex but if your a high mile guy with week long trips the apex takes it toll on your body, at least for me it did even with the wrap seat..
I’m looking forward to jumping on a sidewinder and not looking back..

 

[geez150]

I did the WRP seat on my 2012 Apex XTX and it made a huge impact. But there truly is no replacement for a true rider forward snowmobile.

 

[74Nitro]

This year I’m making the switch to a sidewinder, I’ve been on a apex from 2007 to 2012 then a nytro for a few seasons then jump on a eps apex till last year and it’s time for the sidewinder era..
I enjoyed the apex but if your a high mile guy with week long trips the apex takes it toll on your body, at least for me it did even with the wrap seat..
I’m looking forward to jumping on a sidewinder and not looking back..

Do you ride Timmins area in March? I'm just wondering if we met you fueling up at Shining Tree in March of 18

 

[mikextx]

Depends on if you get any snow where your at.

 

[Yamajon1]

I was not sure if I made a good decision the first year I had my Viper. It took me most of the first year I owned it to learn how to ride it. After 40 years on conventional sleds the higher and forward riding position took some time to get used to. But now that I am I could never go back. I feel so much better after a long day and I’m ready to go the next.

 

[WinderFab]

Do you ride Timmins area in March? I'm just wondering if we met you fueling up at Shining Tree in March of 18

I do but that wasn’t me, was in Quebec last March the week of 16th..