Looking at purchasing a Sidewinder, need opinions and advice!

[fatchance]

I'll put the extra 3 hours into one maintenance day a year for a far superior ride in every category on every day of the season on the Winder!

 

[WinterWolf]

I'll put the extra 3 hours into one maintenance day a year for a far superior ride in every category on every day of the season on the Winder!

Exactly!!

Or Bring it to the dealer if you don’t want to mess with it yourself...problem solved!

 

[eightpilot]

IMO the effort required to steer a winder is way too high. Then wait until you have to service a winder. Just simply changing the oil is a huge pain with an inaccessible drain plug on the tank then having to rig up some sort of chute to direct the oil out of the sled. Next up is the nightmare of changing the chaincase oil. You have to tear the sled half apart and split the case. It's just ridiculous. I'll stick with my power steering Apex, thanks. Helping my buddy with his winder is enough.

You must have forgotten all about the Apex's dumbass oil filter location.... Makes having to cut an old oil jug to make a funnel for the Winder not seem so bad.... Plus the Apex suspension and overall chassis is crap...

 

[blown apex]

what about just using a vacuum sucker to suck the oil out
you may not get it all but just change it more often
is that a option
i dont own one so i want to know before i purchase one

 

[SumpBuster]

I currently ride an 06 Apex GT studded with a clutch kit, I have been looking to upgrade to something easier to stand on for a tall guy and while I love the Apex, it’s starting to get boring. I’ve ridden a few vipers and liked them except for the lack of power and smooth acceleration as compared to an Apex. I’m currently looking at a 2019 SW SRX and a 2018 SW L-TX SE. I’m leaning towards the L-TX because of price, I’m a mostly trail rider and like to line up on the lakes from time to time. Is this sled worth it? What are some issues with them? I’ve been reading a lot about belts blowing, is that still a problem? Will I be happy with the sled in stock form? Thanks in advance for the input!

I love my apex, but the sw is a different animal...I have several seat/suspension mods (apex) but the chassis are way different. Very easy to stand on an sw. Even with risers, the apex isn't that stand up friendly. I believe the race roots of these procross chassis are evident as it is extremely balanced especially in the air.
I was abusive to the belt this week on my pre trail opening in snow around home, and my belt literally looks like new...apex level dust only (not much!)..several 100 mph indicated runs from a dead start...seems good to go..900 miles on it and the end of last year was in our 40 inch heavy wet snow, which is usually tough on a belt. We run farmland, swamps, etc around home, and Tug Hill for entertainment, so it's not that easy a life around here like the trails in Canada or Maine or Old Forge.

I even broke trail with it, once it settled.
Switching back and forth really shows the differences, but with so many miles on the apex, I just ride it different and it's still a fun sled! Can't get my sw to steer any easier without inside ski lift, but my apex stays flat..I know the curve skis are aggressive on both, but at speed the sw steering is good...precise. Had one turbo bolt...the hard one to get at..missing, other than that, it's honestly been perfect....no issues.

 

[XP123]

IMO the effort required to steer a winder is way too high. Then wait until you have to service a winder. Just simply changing the oil is a huge pain with an inaccessible drain plug on the tank then having to rig up some sort of chute to direct the oil out of the sled. Next up is the nightmare of changing the chaincase oil. You have to tear the sled half apart and split the case. It's just ridiculous. I'll stick with my power steering Apex, thanks. Helping my buddy with his winder is enough.

Really? My Apex was a huge pain in the butt to change the oil and filter. How about removing the battery for storage? I remember dreading the thought of doing anything on my Apex and find the Winder much easier to work on. Oil and filter changes along with chain case work are a breeze with the Winder if you do one very easy mod. Install revnuts on the lower side panel. Rockerdan has a great video on it. I don't miss anything about my Apex.

 

[ROCKERDAN]

LOL....We aren't really beating up on you brother, but......

If you read a few posts here first, you would see this sled is actually quite easy to work on. Sure Cat could have designed in a few easier ways to get at things, I agree. But most turbo guys here are rather good at wrenching. Once the lower side panel is removed, these maintenance jobs become very simple. Apex was never simple. LOL.

I will say after getting a closer look at a buds new 900t. Doo has come to the table with the G4. The chain adjuster is at the backside(rearward facing toward knee) of the case now, just adjust it anytime now with ease! And the g4 now comes with a drain plug in chain case too. Nice design BRP. I know many of us here would like to re-design our chaincase/oil tank. A proper oil tank gasket, chain adjuster that can be got to from knee side like the doo would make life alot easier, not having to remove muffler each time to tighten chain, and a chain drain would be nice too, although I think with this much power it is smart to open up the case and inspect.

Dan

 

[XP123]

LOL....We aren't really beating up on you brother, but......

If you read a few posts here first, you would see this sled is actually quite easy to work on. Sure Cat could have designed in a few easier ways to get at things, I agree. But most turbo guys here are rather good at wrenching. Once the lower side panel is removed, these maintenance jobs become very simple. Apex was never simple. LOL.

I will say after getting a closer look at a buds new 900t. Doo has come to the table with the G4. The chain adjuster is at the backside(rearward facing toward knee) of the case now, just adjust it anytime now with ease! And the g4 now comes with a drain plug in chain case too. Nice design BRP. I know many of us here would like to re-design our chaincase/oil tank. A proper oil tank gasket, chain adjuster that can be got to from knee side like the doo would make life alot easier, not having to remove muffler each time to tighten chain, and a chain drain would be nice too, although I think with this much power it is smart to open up the case and inspect.

Dan

I agree having the chain adjuster easy to get at is great but like you said removing the cover and inspecting everything in there is highly recommended.

 

[SumpBuster]

Really? My Apex was a huge pain in the butt to change the oil and filter. How about removing the battery for storage? I remember dreading the thought of doing anything on my Apex and find the Winder much easier to work on. Oil and filter changes along with chain case work are a breeze with the Winder if you do one very easy mod. Install revnuts on the lower side panel. Rockerdan has a great video on it. I don't miss anything about my Apex.

Not even the Apex gauges? I'm not a fan of the loose Cat tonka toy gauge package. Or the high beam switch...the yamaha switch was quality. The cat....well, I have better switches on my old tractor! LOL!

 

[XP123]

Not even the Apex gauges? I'm not a fan of the loose Cat tonka toy gauge package. Or the high beam switch...the yamaha switch was quality. The cat....well, I have better switches on my old tractor! LOL!

Nope nada nothing.

 

[KnappAttack]

The only thing better on an Apex is the engine. Too bad that four cylinder is gone!

It would be great if we could have an Apex engine in a Ski-Doo chassis with a turbo! Oh and a Cat front end on it!

 

[Macheater]

Ugh. You guys are bad influencers on us Apex lovers!

I have yet to take a Winder for a ride, even though I have sat on several of them. I don't doubt that they are incredible machines. But, with the mods, tuning, and setup that I've done to my 06GT over the years, (see sig)it's an incredible machine also, far better than it was stock. Kinda like the old six million dollar man; better, stronger, faster. I know it doesn't have the outright power of a modded Winder but, I'll bet it will keep a stock or lightly modded one honest in a drag-race and maybe even outrun it in a top-speed run. And the sound of that 4-banger at high rpm is soooo intoxicating.
With the custom seat and higher riser that I've added, the ergo's fit my 5'10" frame very well. Seated or standing.

I'm almost afraid to take a modded Winder for a ride. It would probably push me over the edge.

 

[SumpBuster]

I have yet to take a Winder for a ride, even though I have sat on several of them. I don't doubt that they are incredible machines. But, with the mods, tuning, and setup that I've done to my 06GT over the years, (see sig)it's an incredible machine also, far better than it was stock. Kinda like the old six million dollar man; better, stronger, faster. I know it doesn't have the outright power of a modded Winder but, I'll bet it will keep a stock or lightly modded one honest in a drag-race and maybe even outrun it in a top-speed run. And the sound of that 4-banger at high rpm is soooo intoxicating.
With the custom seat and higher riser that I've added, the ergo's fit my 5'10" frame very well. Seated or standing.

I'm almost afraid to take a modded Winder for a ride. It would probably push me over the edge.

I had the opportunity to get an unbiased opinion from an old friend, (well over 6 foot, not heavy at all) from Colorado Saturday. Had him run the apex first. Then the sidewinder. Loved the Apex, engine and steering...he liked the sit back lock in and paste it of the apex. Then the sidewinder....loved it! Didn't like the heavy steering at slow speeds, but liked the ergos which were better for him. Loved the power. The Apex runs strong, but won't beat the sidewinder, but it isn't far behind. Ex ski doo, but hasnt had a sled in some time, could not believe either 4 stroke power! His smile from ear to ear said it all.

 

[Sevey]

I have run a few SW and the steering was never that hard. Would be interesting to see what these guys have done to create such steering effort. The delta box; pre power steering - man that was hard steering. Half a day of riding felt like I went to the gym, shoulders were screaming. The power steering just masked a chassis that was getting 'long in the tooth'. Love the engine, but the chassis left the legs squatted, and was fatiguing on the upper body.
The SW - could ride it all day, and into the night.
MS

 

[SumpBuster]

I have run a few SW and the steering was never that hard. Would be interesting to see what these guys have done to create such steering effort. The delta box; pre power steering - man that was hard steering. Half a day of riding felt like I went to the gym, shoulders were screaming. The power steering just masked a chassis that was getting 'long in the tooth'. Love the engine, but the chassis left the legs squatted, and was fatiguing on the upper body.
The SW - could ride it all day, and into the night.
MS

Mine (sw) was unpredictable at slower speeds and off the gas so my straps are pulled up and with the curve skis it bites, plus I have shims in the back for reduced darting, so I caused some of it....but at speed, I'm not worried if it's gonna make the next corner, and I can lighten the steering by staying on the gas. The Apex steers easier with curves than the stock skis or tuners, with gytr (floats gone) and a 13mm bar, and hygear dual rate spring, 200 mile Saturdays were no problem.