My 2011 Apex Demo ride report

[sleddheadd]

This past weekend I was able to test ride the new Apex , Apex se and Apex xtx at the TotallYamaha Demo ride in Munising Mi. The conditions were not very good at all as warm tempratures and some rain were taking its toll on the trail very quickly. Grooming was non existant and we were asked to not judge the ride by the condition of the trails. In my opinion it was a great test to see how the machines could handle the roughest trails! We did find good parts of the trails so we were able to judge the sled in all conditions.
The power steering on this sled is Amazing! It can handle the Worst trails and you will never struglle to keep the sled straight, steering is effortless and can make for a very long day of riding without any sore arms or backs!
The improvements to the motor are Noticeable and Enjoyable! The powerband never seems to stop pulling through the entire time you are on the flipper. It just seems to Pull and pull and pull!
The new seating position is noticeable and a great improvement for us larger guys but does not make the sled top heavy or tippy.
The looks are impressive and the sound is nice. I am more of a quiet sled kind of guy and the new apex is nice and quiet!
All in all this sled is Great! I think Yamaha hit a home run with this baby!
This sled should satisfy every pallate and every condition. Nice job Yamaha! Thanks for making a sled for every rider to enjoy!

 

[pat the rat]

x2

 

[Maxout01]

X3

 

[iahacker]

Ride compare?

Sleddheadd, can you give a ride compare between the SE and the XTX?
I'm planning to get a new Apex but, can't decide between the two. My son has a Nytro XTX. The traction and floatation are wonderfull but, the ride is a little stiffer than I would like. My current sled is a 136 and I have reservation of going to a 128 but, would love the smooth ride. I ride with an Apex and an Attak. Neither of these bit very good.
Can you shed some light on this?
Anyone else with input, please chim in!

I would appreciate any input

 

[sleddheadd]

Re: Ride compare?

Sleddheadd, can you give a ride compare between the SE and the XTX?
I'm planning to get a new Apex but, can't decide between the two. My son has a Nytro XTX. The traction and floatation are wonderfull but, the ride is a little stiffer than I would like. My current sled is a 136 and I have reservation of going to a 128 but, would love the smooth ride. I ride with an Apex and an Attak. Neither of these bit very good.
Can you shed some light on this?
Anyone else with input, please chim in!

I would appreciate any input

I also currently ride a 136". mine is a warrior and I thought I was happy with it until I rode the new model Apex. I would not worry about the 128" difference It rides Nice! and it feels like a 136 on the bumps.
The SE is by far softer than the Xtx. The 128" track on the SE make up for a little bit of the difference and create an Awesome ride! That sled is fully tuneable and you can get those shocks dialed in for your riding style.
The XTX was Real nice in the big bumps. I jumped on that thing and hit the moguls at about 70 mph. the sled stayed straight as an arrow with little or no effort at all. It was a little rough but easy to stear. I am a big guy and I like the xtx just for the extra track to help span the bumps but the SE was like riding a couch down the trail! I would also like to say that the regular apex with the mono was also a very nice ride.
If I was in the market, I would have tough time deciding! The Xtx for floatation because we sometimes enjoy some off trail exploring or the SE for ultimate trail riding or save some cash with the plain Apex and just enjoy the Mono skid with the new powerband and the power steering. just a little work on that Xtx skid and I'd pull the trigger!

 

[buddah]

Mark,

Did you ride the XTX before or after MrSled adjusted the suspension? I understood from him that it made a WORLD of difference for the better. Too bad I didn't stick around to try it but DaJudge was in a hurry to go.....my impressions were the same as yours.....too stiff as we rode it even for guys our size.

 

[Rockmeister]

Rode it before & after, was a MAJOR difference!

The SE was still a touch more plush, however the XTX did very well afterward on the whoops down the road.

 

[morg]

I am looking at a 2011 XTX. I currently own an 07 Apex RTX with a 144 rail extension tipped up and I LOVE how it handles. A bit of getting used to at first but once I got used to it, it rocked. I thought about keeping it and super charging it and putting a ZX2 suspension in it.
But then I saw the new XTX and I have to tell you, I am intrigued. Just a few questions. I know others have commented on them but I like to hear all the opinions.
First , how were the hand warmers? Do they compare with the yamaheaters? How are the headlights? Would they still need to be updated to the HIDs? Would there be any shock revalving required? How was the clutching? How was slider wear? I noticed a wheel approximately where I added the marginal snow kit on mine. Will this be sufficiant? I didn't notice, is there a 4th wheel standard? Will it be required? I am about 6'2" and have really enjoyed how my APEX rides while I stand. Will I need 6" risers ?
Ok...I guess thats enough questions for now....
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us guys considering make this leap.

 

[iahacker]

Thanks for the feed back guys! Is very helpfull.

So, Mr. Sled, Tom sir....what's your take on the ride of the two sleds after adjustment? What did you do to the XTX to make it ride better? Set the springs to soft and adjust the clickers I assume. I would be interested to hear.

Any one else to ad experience?

Thanks again guys, I appreciate the replies.

 

[Rockmeister]

I am looking at a 2011 XTX. I currently own an 07 Apex RTX with a 144 rail extension tipped up and I LOVE how it handles. A bit of getting used to at first but once I got used to it, it rocked. I thought about keeping it and super charging it and putting a ZX2 suspension in it.
But then I saw the new XTX and I have to tell you, I am intrigued. Just a few questions. I know others have commented on them but I like to hear all the opinions.
First , how were the hand warmers? Do they compare with the yamaheaters?
They worked great! Then again it was above freezing, so don't really know in cold weather yet.

How are the headlights? Would they still need to be updated to the HIDs?
None of the sleds NEED to be updated to HIDs, they all have good lights from the factory.
The HIDs simply are THAT much better!
Would suggest HIDs for any sled.

Would there be any shock revalving required? How was the clutching?
I felt the valving was pretty darn good once Mr Sled did his magic with it.
Initially the shock was packing down, after a few bumps it was really stiff & harsh.
Tom did a great job of troubleshooting it & fixing it on the trail.
Keep in mind that most likely it did not come like that,
The Yamaha guys were great about letting us play with adjustments, tweak this, adjust that...
Anyone could have adjusted it any which way, the sleds were ridden by MANY people prior to us.
POSSIBLY a touch less rebound dampening, but then again, Tom did quick adjustments & then left it alone, never really fine-tuned it.

Noticed nothing with the clutch, so I would say it is pretty close. There was never a time that it didn't feel right on.

How was slider wear?
I noticed a wheel approximately where I added the marginal snow kit on mine. Will this be sufficiant? I didn't notice, is there a 4th wheel standard? Will it be required?
I didn't look that close at this as most of these things are easily fixed if needed, so I wasn't worried about it.
Maybe someone else can give a better answer to this.

I am about 6'2" and have really enjoyed how my APEX rides while I stand. Will I need 6" risers ?
I'm 5'10" and would want a taller riser, so I would say yes, you want a taller one.
Talk to Superman, he has one that fits factory but is much cooler looking.
The new seating position feels great! You will like the added leg room.



Ok...I guess thats enough questions for now....
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us guys considering make this leap.

Overall the sled feels very well designed & assembled.
Smooth & well put together.
Can't wait to get one...

Rock

 

[morg]

Sounds like I just got a bit closer to making a spring order.
What gearing does the XTX come with? Is it geared down one like the rtx was?
Thanks for all the info.

 

[sleddheadd]

Mark,

Did you ride the XTX before or after MrSled adjusted the suspension? I understood from him that it made a WORLD of difference for the better. Too bad I didn't stick around to try it but DaJudge was in a hurry to go.....my impressions were the same as yours.....too stiff as we rode it even for guys our size.

Yes, I did! I rode it first when it was soft but we were on a good section of trail and it rode nice but when they got it stiffened up I took it down the moguls and it really sucked the bumps up! It was nice both times I rode it! lol.... i just thought the se was definitely more plush! but then again look at the difference in the shock package.