Keep running an Attak with 17,000 miles or buy new???

[TRUE BLUE SINCE 1980]

Do like ding said, I am not bashing doo , cause they seem like they would be fun to ride BUT, I had a Doo/ Yamaha Dealer tell me you need to trade a doo every 2 or 3 years , and you can't keep them as long as a Yamaha.
He was riding a doo over a yamaha .....
With the miles you put on you better keep the" work horse"

 

[ruffrider]

That's a tough call. You're probably not going to have much luck selling a sled with 17k miles or get much for a trade-in price. But my dad went from an 07 Attak to a 11 GSX SE 1200 this year and he couldn't be any happier. He had lots of issues with the Attak (bushings, bearings, donuts, y pipe, hyfax wear, overheating, broken tunnel/susp. bolt, and handling issues) in only 6,000 miles. So far nothing in 2k miles on the 1200. Not to mention the 1200 rides smoother, handles better, and is lighter. I haven't ridden the new Apexes yet but they improved in the wrong areas IMO. If they dropped 50 lbs and designed a new suspension they'd be great but until then the 1200 Doo will continue to steal Apex owners left and right.

 

[Budweiser]

Yeah, I've heard great things about the 4-tec. I'm not really worried about it blowing up as its a 4-stroke. I am worried about the cost!!! I've had all the issues everyone else has on my Yamaha and I am still very confident riding it alone. And I believe all sleds have their issues. The 4-tec's have them too.

I was offered $2000.00 for my sled and the guy said he would part it out. His words, "No one wants to pay much for a sled with that many miles." Which I understand as I wouldn't either. But I don't want to keep it because then it would sit on my trailer and rot away! And its too much sled for a novice to ride.

Smart thing for me to do is keep it and ride another season....but I'm not that smart so.......

Decisions, decisions!!!!!!!

 

[berge75]

Run it, there's guy's out there with 40,000 on them.

 

[SLEDMONSTER]

ride

i take it you have never drove a 2011 apex mot to say your 06 is bad but there is alot of differnces between the two i would stroungly advise you to try a 2011 with the power steering its amazing sled is smooth and pulls like a rocket i have 2000 miles on mine and cant say enough about how much i like it good luck

 

[kinger]

If you completely dissassembled the sled except for the motor, replaced all bearings, bushings, look over every wire, rivet, etc and reassemble you would have a new sled for probably less then $1000 in maint. Take the engine to a competant builder and adjust the valve lash and check it over then install you probably wouldn't have $500-1000 in engine work.

Reinstall buy a new display with less then 1000 miles and you have a new sled for $2k LOL

I like the 4tec's but I dont think they are any more dependable then yours especially as you will have a learning curve while your working on the Doo as to what you need to have on hand, etc which you already know plus you could probably do the maint on the apex in about 2 hours vs longer on the doo till you get used to it.

I would 'rehab' the entire sled and then you will be even more confident when you hit the trails next year because everything was personally inspected by you and you know its good.

 

[pwa]

I replace or clean out the drive bearings every year. I've never replaced the clutch side jackshaft bearing. I do clean it out and pump fresh grease into it though every year.

What do you mean by rivets on the chaincase? I replaced the chain last year as preventative maintenance, old one was still in spec. My 06 never leaks gear oil. On high speed runs I can smell it, but its never down.

Our Yamaha's also have the fuel pump relay problem I keep a spare with me at all times...although I've never had a problem with the original.

Battery is original. But its charged with an Optimate charger. Started this year at -28f with no problem.

This sled is definitely no lemon! That's why its hard to justify a new sled!

If I had put down so much love in my snowmobile I would keep it for sure. That machine would last an eternity. Things that cost in my country is shockers and track. So I would figure out how much money I would have to spend on the machine in relation to what a newer would cost. Warranty does not guarantee that you have a trouble free weekend but it helps when you have it at the repair shop.

So look after maintenance which cost money and figure out if its better to sell the old one and get a newer or the maintenance price.

 

[pwa]

If you completely dissassembled the sled except for the motor, replaced all bearings, bushings, look over every wire, rivet, etc and reassemble you would have a new sled for probably less then $1000 in maint. Take the engine to a competant builder and adjust the valve lash and check it over then install you probably wouldn't have $500-1000 in engine work.

Reinstall buy a new display with less then 1000 miles and you have a new sled for $2k LOL

I like the 4tec's but I dont think they are any more dependable then yours especially as you will have a learning curve while your working on the Doo as to what you need to have on hand, etc which you already know plus you could probably do the maint on the apex in about 2 hours vs longer on the doo till you get used to it.

I would 'rehab' the entire sled and then you will be even more confident when you hit the trails next year because everything was personally inspected by you and you know its good.

I agree, and would add that with a completely new sled you also has service cost (if you want the warrenty). If I was the guy I would look for a fresh 2009 APEX. If you have had an Apex you know what faults you should look for and therefor you could get a newer with better shocks and everything 2 or 3 year newer. So my advice would be sell the old one and put up some money for a newer but not new.

 

[pwa]

@Ruffrider
Like you're "You don't take the Nytro for a ride...the Nytro takes you for a ride!".

I would say, I take my cat for a ride, it will never ride me.

 

[Budweiser]

Update on this old post....I've decided to keep the sled. 20,000 miles here I come! I've talked with my Quebec riding partners about it (they all ride Yamaha's) and they are perfectly ok with me taking it up there for 1000 mile trips.

Its getting torn apart in the garage right now!

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Super Sled]

Good call budweiser. Keep her going to 30,000 miles at least!!!!!

 

[RTX]

If you do go with the doo 1200 i think you will be disappointed with the power.
Dont get me wrong, its a great running sled, but as far as power goes it does not pull anything like an apex.
once you get used to having the power it is hard to go backwards to something with less power.
just my opinion

 

[Gone Blue]

Update on this old post....I've decided to keep the sled. 20,000 miles here I come! I've talked with my Quebec riding partners about it (they all ride Yamaha's) and they are perfectly ok with me taking it up there for 1000 mile trips.

Its getting torn apart in the garage right now!

Thanks for all the replies!

That's awesome Bud. Good for you. I like your decision G.B.

 

[AKrider]

I agree with your decision about keeping the sled. You don't need to be worried about the motor and you are doing or have already done the maintenance items I'd recommend.

 

[stevewithOCD]

Good call BUD. Even at $1000 per year in fix it's & maintenance; it'll take you 12 years to lose $12,000. By then the other sled will be in just as bad shape or worse. Many of us ponder this same situation every year. If i had the money, i would buy new. Since i don't; i'll keep riding 'ole reliable because i know exactly what i have...