Is the new Viper worth a try ?... honest opinions please

[cannondale27]

Its not exactly the same. Feels totally different. Balance is not there. Feels like a big boat. Fast one though if you get a good one.

 

[w8tn4snow]

Thanks folks , im a bit more relieved now . Was starting to panic since my Apex is gone and was beginning to wonder if I jumped the gun . I am thinking the 15 LTX SE is where im headed because I read somewhere the shocks are revalved softer and the throttle bodies are heated . Must be there were freezing issues .
So is it safe to assume the fox floats are not as good as the DX shocks ?
Everyone seems to be leaning towards the DX for a better ride , but aren't the floats more adjustable ?
Also out of the box they seem to need more carbide even with out studding . I am going to stud eventually but probably not this season. Also what combo of carbides are recommended for an unstudded sled for mostly rough trail ? I ride mostly twisty wooded trails with a small amount of decent groomed trail. I have not spent a ton of time on here reading like I should so any advice is appreciated.

 

[yamahaguy]

We love our sleds. No regets. Huge fun factor if you're in the powder !!! We ride the backcountry and the viper is the best sled I have drove to date.

 

[klondike22]

I traded my 09 Apex and have the LTX DX...I like it waaaaay more than the Apex! I am 220....it handles great without any changes- smooth- quick- all I can ask for right now! Noisy clutch though.

 

[1tp]

We have a '14 LTX-LE and a '15 RTX-LE. I would lean towards the RTX models. RTX handles much better in my opinion while the ride quality is about the same. Not really sure about off trail or powder performance differences though. GREAT SLEDS!!

 

[Nytro40th]

Why not just buy a ZR/XF 9000 Cat. Exact same sled as the Viper with way more power. This sled is closer in performance to the Apex and will break 85mph!
For the money, I dont know why anybody in their right mind chooses the Viper over the 9000. $12-13k for a viper or $14-15k for the Cat with 180hp, hmmmm. By the time you put a turbo on the Viper its another $4k so now you have a $17-18k sled that still isn't as fast as the Cat or Apex, hmmm!
Ya, ya.....the Cat will blow a couple belts.......

I will add to what Calltrex stated, expensive injection oil, motor rebuilds, burn downs, and premium fuel sounds more expensive in the long run.

 

[northof50]

Thanks folks , im a bit more relieved now . Was starting to panic since my Apex is gone and was beginning to wonder if I jumped the gun . I am thinking the 15 LTX SE is where im headed because I read somewhere the shocks are revalved softer and the throttle bodies are heated . Must be there were freezing issues .
So is it safe to assume the fox floats are not as good as the DX shocks ?
Everyone seems to be leaning towards the DX for a better ride , but aren't the floats more adjustable ?
Also out of the box they seem to need more carbide even with out studding . I am going to stud eventually but probably not this season. Also what combo of carbides are recommended for an unstudded sled for mostly rough trail ? I ride mostly twisty wooded trails with a small amount of decent groomed trail. I have not spent a ton of time on here reading like I should so any advice is appreciated.

My 14 LTX I am running hpg shocks. I have no issues with them. I am not a fox float fan, in the temps. I ride in
They seem to leak.
I am running the 6 inch round bars for now,when they were out, I will try a set of slim Jims.
Non studded track. I am 240 dressed and it rides like a dream!
Good luck!

 

[happytrails]

I have an 14 LTX SE with 1600 miles so far. came off of a 2006 Apex with 9000 miles. over all the sled is good. still do not have the handling like i want it. this is my first longer track sled. i don't know if anybody else notices this, but the front end seems to stick alot better when the gas tank get below half a tank. over all would be a good choice.

 

[w8tn4snow]

Well I mulled it over and decided to go with the LTX DX my local dealer has a 15 in stock and im picking it up wednesday , I really like the looks of the SE in blue but don't want the hassle of the float shocks. Going with the black model , the red just doesn't do it for me in the looks department . My Apex was black as black can be and so Is the black DX . And besides a heated seat sounds sweet , never had that before in a sled and I sure appreciate it in my cars and trucks . Going to add some 6" carbides to the center and put the 4" stockers to the outside . I appreciate all the feedback and im sure ill be on here looking for set up tips and studding advice soon . Thanks again guys

 

[RTX]

I just sold my 06 Apex after years of tweaking to get to steer and handle and ride in a bearable fashion . I kept it for 7 years because the engine was seriously addicting , honestly I cant imagine ill ever be as pleased with any other engine . Yamaha absolutely NAILED IT with that one , but the suspension was a joke. I just finally said enough . So here I am reading post after post about the new Viper , I was sold on the LTX SE by the looks of it but the more I read it sounds like the same old issues with this sled. I really want someone to honestly say Is the new Viper a POS or does it just need minor readjustments to be a really good all around performer . I don't want to spends hundreds of $ rebuilding and revalving shocks , new skis' , clutch kits and everything else . I understand its not the lake racer the Apex was , but im reading these Vipers are tapping out at 85 to 93 mph . I can settle for the lower top speeds as long as this sled actually handles and doesn't make me feel like I wrestled a bear for 8 hours after 100 mile ride. Any honest opinions out there would be appreciated.

I was in the exact situation as you.
06 apex rtx handles awesome, motor is the best in the biz. Suspension is it's biggest downfall.
I bought a 14 viper rtx thinking i could handle the drop in power.
I really needed better suspension. the apex motor was addicting but the suspension was exhausting me on bumpy trails.
First ride on the viper and i just could not get past the power issue and to be honest Im still struggling a little with my decision.
Ive dumped some money into studs, a skidplate,and clutching and it has helped a lot.
Is the viper a great trail sled? Yup. Absolutely. Once setup properly it handles great and pulls hard to 70 or so..
It takes the bumps fantastic and the riding position is second to none.
I weigh 230 dressed and while the rear suspension is a little stiff, it is what i expected. I bought a rough trail sled not a cruiser.
My biggest issue is that some of the trails in my area can be cruised at 70-80 with ease for miles at a time. Big wide open straightaways that when groomed, you can just rip down them.
For me, 70-80 is cruising speed on the apex. Its easy and takes very little effort. My buddys stock nytro and stock doo 1200 also seem to cruise this speed easily
From my experience, 70-80 on my viper is pretty much running it at or near the top end. (When stock)
And to be honest, Im not wild about pushing this sled as hard as i have to,to do what i used to do on the apex with ease.

While you say you can handle the lower top speed i would think from your statement that you are addicted to the apex motor . I can only assume you will be disappointed as i was.
proper clutching makes a huge difference.
I have run the stock skis with no adjustments to the sled. Totally stock. They were ok
I installed simmonsflexi skis and while i loved them on my apex i hate them on the viper.
Many different suspension changes and i just cant get them to work.
I am currently running pilot 6.9 and am pretty happy with them. I will also be trying usi tripple threats later this year.
Overall i think you can get the cat skis to work, i just wanted the best ski out of the skis i currently own.

If you can actually forget the apex motor and focus on the good aspects of the viper you might learn to love the sled.
Like i said. Im still strugling with my decision but with each ride i am liking the viper more and more and even though i kept my apex as a spare sled i am hoping over time i will learn to forget about the apex.

Try to remember no sled will do it all. You really have to focus on what is important to you. If you ride the twisties and corner to corner blasts are your thing, the viper is an incredible sled for it.
If you run at prolonged high speeds maybe consider the turbo viper versions.
At the very least prepare yourself for a clutch kit.

Good luck with your choice

 

[drumz11]

I will add to what Calltrex stated, expensive injection oil, motor rebuilds, burn downs, and premium fuel sounds more expensive in the long run.

Injection oil and burn downs on a cat 9000? You have your models confused.
It's a turbo 4-stroke.

 

[Nytro40th]

I am talking 2 stroke.

 

[Mattyflem0111]

I went from an 06 apex rtx to the 15 viper ltx. Long story short... I would never go back. Ride,power and options you have with the viper. It's lighter and you can definitely feel it. I raced an apex and everytime I pulled on him. 100% worth sacrificing a few mph.

 

[Nytro40th]

I see now he was comparing the cat 4 stroke and yam 4 stroke. Comparing the Suzuki to the yam motor is like Honda civic to a Nissan gtr. lol

 

[Blue Leader]

unless you're a lake racer, the viper ride and handling is FAR better than other Yamaha sled to date!!!! Best trail sled! However the build quality, fit and finish is FAR worse than any other Yamaha to date!!!!