Just my 2 cents on the 2011 big dogs.

[dirkdiggler]

After riding the 2011 apex, 2011 Etec 800, 2011 Polaris 800, 2011 crossfire 800 and the 2011 Z1 turbo. By far the fastest one is the Z1 simply because you can do very little to it and make the sled a rocket. That begin said if you took an apex optimized the clutching, gearing, traction, fuel curve, and air flow my guess is it would run ahead of a Z1 with the same mods. Once you start using a hyjacker, after market muffler, and Larger intercooler all bets are off. The ability to increase the power to almost 300 hp on the Z1 with those three mods makes it unbeatable by any stock optimized sled out there.

The strongest 800 I road was the cat. Man that sled has some pull. the next fastest is the Etec. then the Polaris. in fairness to the Polaris it's my buddies and it's a 144 assault. It's a lot of track to sling compaird to the shorties I've ridden.

I raced another 800 etec with the Russians apex yesterday. It was an XRS800 and I put 2 to 3 on him.

 

[Mad Russian]

I wich i did not ride my friends x fire 800 ho. I love that sled it fits my riding style so much better then my xtx. It feels light but at the same time its crazy fast . And im the one who got him to buy the sled. Too late now. But if i was to go back in time thats the sled i would have gotten.

 

[dirkdiggler]

Cat is coming out with a new Chassis.

Other problem with that sled is it's a 2 stroke

 

[journeyman]

Too bad most of the Cat's are so ugly. IMO they have had graphics for years that appeal to the 16 year old crowd.......you know the ones with all the buying power. Also if they could improve their finishing touches on their sleds, I could see buying one perhaps. I'd have to say Polaris has done their part in this department but Cat has a ways to go. It seems Cat's motors have been not only strong, but recently alot more reliable. Any word if they are going to stay with Suzuki?

 

[kinger]

Thanks for the review of all of them. You rate the Apex dead last?

A Z1 might be in my future if I total my Sc apex.

 

[Mad Russian]

I dont think he is rating the apex last . I think its just all the other manufactors made big improvments and yamaha kind of stayd the same other then the power steering. But yamaha still got one thing going for them that is themost important to me RELAIBILATY! I like my 2011 apex xtx but its really not much better then my 2007 attak.

 

[yamahahaapex]

i beg to differ russian, do you like dealing with (like i did) broken suspension components (even though our trails are like glass). all things aside there have been many improvements since 07 and the 11 doesnt fix them all, as "fixes" were made in the prior years as well. So i do agree its not much better but ill take all the "fixes" that have been made and keep on riding

 

[Mad Russian]

Dont get me wrong im glad i got the sled that i did. But i already had to install bigger size boggie wheels $300,new skis $400, and now i talked to ulmer racing and the told me the sled in stock form is runing soooooo lean that im giving up lots of hp. So there is another $400. Oh and stock cluthing sucked, had black marks all over my sheves from slipping so much, so thers another $300. And as far as the sespension components go i agree 100% with you i broke them all on my 2007 attak and bunch of other stuff. So yes the new model is better but how much? I paid 8400 for my attak brand new. And the xtx 12100. So do you see my greef. For 4000 more i expected not to have to go and buy the extras. Im not talking down just being honest.

 

[**sj**]

Dont get me wrong im glad i got the sled that i did. But i already had to install bigger size boggie wheels $300,new skis $400, and now i talked to ulmer racing and the told me the sled in stock form is runing soooooo lean that im giving up lots of hp. So there is another $400. Oh and stock cluthing sucked, had black marks all over my sheves from slipping so much, so thers another $300. And as far as the sespension components go i agree 100% with you i broke them all on my 2007 attak and bunch of other stuff. So yes the new model is better but how much? I paid 8400 for my attak brand new. And the xtx 12100. So do you see my greef. For 4000 more i expected not to have to go and buy the extras. Im not talking down just being honest.

He's right...and he's owned a lot of different sleds lately ...like me...

is it better...sure...is it mostly dependable...absolutely...blue will never leave you in the woods...but that said ....the other camps dont anymore either...dont buy this sled expecting to line it up and race....its a high speed cruiser...sure its quick...and the cruising mid range ...top end is sweet...just the little things ya got to do to get that extra pop and handle on the edge...

Id say they all need something...some less now though than blue ...along with the same dependability...well other than the etec motor...lol

 

[sleddingfarmer]

Cat is coming out with a new Chassis.

Other problem with that sled is it's a 2 stroke

But aren't they talking a DI 2 stroke with a crank that sits in oil? Or something along those lines?

So, basically an etec without Iso flex grease crank bearings. I hope so at least.

I don't have much faith in the longevity of my etec, I won't buy mexican, and I don't want a yammie 4 stroke...so its either a 1200 4tec or new cat for my next sled IF they do something big...

 

[bottlerocket]

The strongest 800 I road was the cat. Man that sled has some pull. the next fastest is the Etec. then the Polaris. in fairness to the Polaris it's my buddies and it's a 144 assault. It's a lot of track to sling compaird to the shorties I've ridden.

Jason did you ride the assult around the lake or on the trails? Seems like a good trail sled...

 

[**sj**]

lake ridden...it went very well...good for powerlines and deep wide trails...and seemed very light...might do well general trail riding.....just not point and shoot corner to corner in my opinion as it had big weight transfer ...(watching it go) ...

 

[bottlerocket]

The assult is not coupled i believe ~ so it pushes like a dump truck Steve?

 

[**sj**]

dont know...

I can say it had surprising go....for a guy like yourself who breaks trail..you'd like it..for a 2 stroke...the cat 2 stroke DI sounds intriguing tho...