Just ran 2011 Apex SE .....will be buying leftover RTX

[gas n go]

First of all, I am not attempting to discredit anyone else's posts and can only offer my persception.

As arranged my buddy was true to his word and I got to have the SE to myself for a half hour prior to the demo rides, as I found out later this was much to the reps dismay as they are hand assembled demo units, yada yada yada and have to survive several demo miles. -9c or 12f loose snow on ditches and groomed trail. EPS makes steering lighter and certainly less twitchy, however the overall feel was not any lighter .... mind you these things are not set up to transfer weight, they aren't clutched and I have no idea what they are running for gears. I'm sorry but it felt like getting on a Vector with the front limiters pulled in (nothing wrong with Vectors) after riding mine. The rear skid is beautiful, didn't bottom it once. As for the skis .......no darting or pushing, I don't know how much the EPS was accountable for the less darting. Buddy arrived with GT that my RTX pulls hard on, he felt the same as me after riding the SE, took my sled immediately after riding SE and also felt the SE was short on the performance end. We talked to my dealer buddy about running them head to head and he was concerned the rep would freak so we backed off on that Idea. Let another dealer guy take mine for a rip and he couldn't get over how strong it was, especially after running the demo units over and over. The only way we could run them head to head was for one of the guys to take the SE on the demo ride and for me to pull up along side and do a few roll ons. I've got my speedo set to mphs' ........ first roll on from about 30 mph I pulled away with ease, next two from about 50 mph I again kept pulling away all the way to about 100 mph when I would have to stop for the demo rider I was advancing on.

I love the new tech but have to consider that after laying out the big dollars, I would have to start tuning to get back to where I'm at. My '06 has been really good to me however I'm not happy with the monoshock for the riding I do. I will likely buy a leftover RTX ...add rail extensions ... then a Yamacharger once the warranty is over and still have a few bucks leftover as opposed to buying new.

 

[jds1000]

First of all, I am not attempting to discredit anyone else's posts and can only offer my persception.

As arranged my buddy was true to his word and I got to have the SE to myself for a half hour prior to the demo rides, as I found out later this was much to the reps dismay as they are hand assembled demo units, yada yada yada and have to survive several demo miles. -9c or 12f loose snow on ditches and groomed trail. EPS makes steering lighter and certainly less twitchy, however the overall feel was not any lighter .... mind you these things are not set up to transfer weight, they aren't clutched and I have no idea what they are running for gears. I'm sorry but it felt like getting on a Vector with the front limiters pulled in (nothing wrong with Vectors) after riding mine. The rear skid is beautiful, didn't bottom it once. As for the skis .......no darting or pushing, I don't know how much the EPS was accountable for the less darting. Buddy arrived with GT that my RTX pulls hard on, he felt the same as me after riding the SE, took my sled immediately after riding SE and also felt the SE was short on the performance end. We talked to my dealer buddy about running them head to head and he was concerned the rep would freak so we backed off on that Idea. Let another dealer guy take mine for a rip and he couldn't get over how strong it was, especially after running the demo units over and over. The only way we could run them head to head was for one of the guys to take the SE on the demo ride and for me to pull up along side and do a few roll ons. I've got my speedo set to mphs' ........ first roll on from about 30 mph I pulled away with ease, next two from about 50 mph I again kept pulling away all the way to about 100 mph when I would have to stop for the demo rider I was advancing on.

I love the new tech but have to consider that after laying out the big dollars, I would have to start tuning to get back to where I'm at. My '06 has been really good to me however I'm not happy with the monoshock for the riding I do. I will likely buy a leftover RTX ...add rail extensions ... then a Yamacharger once the warranty is over and still have a few bucks leftover as opposed to buying new.

I couldn't agree more. I don't know what sleds these guys are riding that makes them go WOW? I'm trying to be very impartial and I was expecting great things from riding the new Yamahas but I just don't see it. I will stick to my first impressions and once again say that the power steering on the Apex is a very expensive gimmick. I felt when I rode the new Apex the only real difference I felt was the taller seat. Just like my 06 Apex it handled the bumps awesome. It didn't feel faster. It was just as loud and darted all over the trail unless you rode the one with dual carbides. The sled still felt 100 lbs heavier than my 1200 Doo. My wife hated it just like she hates my Apex and preferes her 08 Nytro over the new Apex and the 2010 Nytro XTX she rode at the demo. I think she likes her Nytro over the XTX because of the Pilot skis I put on it. They make both the Apex and Nytro feel like they have power steering without the high price tag. After riding the new Yamahas it very apparent that Yamaha has no intentions of making any big investments in their snowmobile R&D especially with the dwindling market share and return on their investment. Last years big breakthrough were idler wheels with replaceable bearings and handwarmers that actually get warm. This year it POWERSTEERING!

 

[yamahahaha]

im surprised... but at the same time im not

 

[jds1000]

I guess the new Apex wouldn't be such a big disappointment if it were a few hundred bucks more than last years sled. Last years Apex was 11399 US and this years is 13999 US. Thats a 2600 dollar increase in one year!!! I don't know what the heck they are thinking? Our used sleds value are going down the toilet and Yamaha comes out with a snowmobile that cost as much as a new compact car!! How do they think we will be able to afford these sleds??

 

[schmeg]

The lack of acceleration can be accounted for no setup, no transfer, no studs etc. The one common denominator I've been reading in all the posts is people saying the limiters are pulled up, and track blows out easily, which it would. Some of you guys are comparing this to your own sleds with clutching setups, suspensions dialed in etc. Kinda apples and oranges, and don't forget these are pre-production machines. I'm not trying to defend them, but to be fair, both sleds ought to have the same state of tune in order to compare.

 

[Dano]

From my seat time, it was clear the new Apex had more jam down low, but didn't get to see the legs stretched out due to conditions at the time. The new Apex is not new enough to compromise performance or speed. You either have more power or you don't and we do know it doesn't make less from improvements, which should be around 5% more power. The refinements give it more torque and possibly a few more HP. That being said and all being equal in setup, I'll bet anyday the new 2011 will out perform the model it replaces. It doesn't take much in setup to excel in one department which usual compromises another. I did notice from my demo ride that the sled was not set up to my liking, but the sled did indeed have what it takes for me to set up the way I like with very minimal cost.
I have to agree that pricing of the new Apex leaves allot to be desired and the incentives for snowchecks doesn't exactly spring out the check book with confidence.
On a side note, I also demoed a new etech 800X yesterday, which was also a great ride and a reminder what the competition has to offer. Little things that you gain with the doo are also followed by reminders of the good that we grew to take for granted on yamies.
For now I think yamaha has to look at the pricing and the option of "sell less for more" or "sell more for less".

Dan

 

[sk-rx1]

Also rode the new sleds yesterday. I did like them, but wasn't overly impressed. The worst part was conditions that were mostly ice, not a good condition to gage much. I did not see much difference in the motor, although traction was not good. Darting was still there, but not too bad. Yamaha was promoting dual carbides on one sled. Because of a little mixup I did not get much time on the SE or XTX. Much to my surpirse I really thought the SE took the bumos beter than the others, maybe it happened to be set for my weight. Previuos reprts were not too impressive. I wanted to like the XTX, it had better transfer, but the one there had some vibration fromt he track. I didn't get enough time to really learn about handling/ride. The rep thpought something may have been wrong to causen the slight vibratopn. Do all XTX's have track vibration due to the really big track? Overall I liked them, but as hard as I try I cannot justify the price, big dollars plus my 08 GT, and I lose the ohlins.

 

[gas n go]

As per my original post ....... one must realize that these 2011s' aren't set up, clutched, geared, etc. so over and above enduring the brain damage from one's spouse for making the purchase ........one must also tolerate the additional harrasment for the time spent tuning and the associated cost.
All kidding aside I was really disappointed last year ....... as I was ready to purchase and there wasn't enough change. Then this year I read multiple posts about turbo-like performance and ofcourse pricing .......so I then justify the expense by making the realization that you have to pay to play .... period. I then ride the 2011....... love the ride , settle for the fact that cosmetically there are only suttle changes, then experience the less than turbo-like performance. In stock form the 2011 Apex is the automotive equivalent of the Cadillac DTS with a Northstar V8, which many will appreciate, unfortunately many of us want Corvettes.

 

[BOUNTYHUNTER]

As arranged my buddy was true to his word and I got to have the SE to myself for a half hour prior to the demo rides

Whereabouts were the Demo Rides Held?

It sounded like Yamaha wasn't coming here this year as to keep cost down as they dropped quite a few spots they normally hit. I was really looking forward to seeing and test riding the new sleds

 

[Eh Pex]

As arranged my buddy was true to his word and I got to have the SE to myself for a half hour prior to the demo rides

Whereabouts were the Demo Rides Held?

It sounded like Yamaha wasn't coming here this year as to keep cost down as they dropped quite a few spots they normally hit. I was really looking forward to seeing and test riding the new sleds

They were held yesterday(Friday) @the 59'er near Birdshill Park...from 10:00-4:00....Hey,Gas...I sent you a PM...Dan.

 

[BOUNTYHUNTER]

G D S B

Sure wish I would have known about that sooner....I guess that's what I get for working 14-16 hour days

TK's

 

[noodles]

As per my original post ....... one must realize that these 2011s' aren't set up, clutched, geared, etc. so over and above enduring the brain damage from one's spouse for making the purchase ........one must also tolerate the additional harrasment for the time spent tuning and the associated cost.
All kidding aside I was really disappointed last year ....... as I was ready to purchase and there wasn't enough change. Then this year I read multiple posts about turbo-like performance and ofcourse pricing .......so I then justify the expense by making the realization that you have to pay to play .... period. I then ride the 2011....... love the ride , settle for the fact that cosmetically there are only suttle changes, then experience the less than turbo-like performance. In stock form the 2011 Apex is the automotive equivalent of the Cadillac DTS with a Northstar V8, which many will appreciate, unfortunately many of us want Corvettes.

They already made that sled in previous years it was called A Viper.LOL

 

[lakercr]

G D S B

Sure wish I would have known about that sooner....I guess that's what I get for working 14-16 hour days

TK's

You can still ride them until 4:00 today if you go to the Petrocan @ Perimeter Highway/McGillivary Blvd.

Failing that, and If you really want to ride them this week-end, head to Yorkton, Sask. tomorrow...!

 

[BOUNTYHUNTER]

TK's Jim.....I guess I better pack a lunch

 

[70superbee]

I also was not that impressed with the 2011 apex.We had loose snow on the trail and it darted the whole time.IMO it is no better than my 06 attak was when it was new.The eps is cool zero effort to turn the bars.It still has the drone at trail speed.It seems to pull better down low than my sled but not much.The 128" is ok but should be a 136".They did not have a 144"apex to ride so I rode the xtx nytro.That sled is pretty cool.It did not dart,has good low end and it is quite no drone no loud exhaust.I was more impressed with that sled than the apex.
I used to run the 144"polaris switchback so that may be why I liked the nytro.Looks like I will run my attak for a long time yet.
Rich