My 2011 Apex ride report..long

[daveyjones]

My wife and I had the pleasure of riding the new sleds for 2 full days prior to the release. I do agree with all of RunningRX1's observations and we were both quite impressed with the 2011--we own an Attak, Vector 121, Vector LTX and an 08 Nytro so we have a good baseline to compare our thoughts against. We were able to do several acceleration runs side by side w/2010 Apex 121" vs 2011 128". I (190lbs) was on the 2011 and my wife (140lbs) on the 2010. The 2011 clearly walked away from the 2010 in both runs done from a rolling start. My opinion is that too much focus is being put on the peak horsepower output of this new engine thus leaving many dissapointed. I believe the major gain here has been in the torque department with a smoother, more effective transfer of same to the snow. As a wise man (Johnny Skeptical) once said "the proofs in the puddin"--nuff said.

 

[RunninRX1]

I live an hour from Cadillac. You got me thinking about a trip over there to try em today. Nice report.

Do it. It will change your opinion on Yamaha snowmobiles and how all snowmobiles should be.

 

[RunninRX1]

sad to hear yamaha still cant figure out the xtx's steering..I did in 15 minutes and its a different sled...its been said...but I think the shock person/people should be fired...

I really not sure there is anything wrong with the XTX steering. I've been on Nytros before and had no problem with them. I think what happened to me is I was on too many 2011 Apex's before I got on the XTX and I was "ruined".

I remember when I had my E500 Mercedes I had to drive a buddies car back from a race in St. Louis so I put alot of miles on it coming back to Michigan. Was a Cadillac STS. I drove it.. man.. this is a damn nice car. I got used to driving the thing. Get back home, hop in my Benz.. good god THIS is a nice car!!! Screw that Caddy POS! Everytime I got back in the STS I could find things wrong with it even though nothing was really wrong with it.

 

[RunninRX1]

It's a good thing I wasn't drinking coffee at the time. Would have ended up War and Peace length

Thinking the boys should have sent you home with a box of Monster Energy under one arm and Red Bull under the other... that was very well written and you nailed every point I was hoping to see out of the demo ride program. You may have just changed the military drop test method we employ for measuring seat foam durometer... permanently. cheers cr

Thanks Chris. There are things I forgot which you hit on in your blog. All of the other changes like the exh diameter, how the EFI is new, knock sensor, etc..

I'm always full of goofy analogies. I got a set of Klim boots to replace the Yamaha boots I had that my stupid dog chewed up. Love them! People ask me if they are warm. Oh yeah.. don't know what makes these things so nice and warm but I'm thinking they are lined with vaginas!

I posted an issue I had with my SRX and how I had a problem getting the thing to hook on the TY 2 stroke site years ago. Used the analogy along the lines of "Hooks about as well as Phyllis Diller wearing a tube top and a mini skirt".

It's sad some of the dumb stuff that goes through my brain. Like why don't they make cheese out of breast milk? Babies sure do seem to like the stuff. I can just imagine the factory..

 

[rupprider]

Hey, help an old guy out here! I've forgotten what 18 year old seat foam feels like? LOL. BTW, good post ,thanx.

 

[Rash]

You convinced me to go try them out tomorrow..

 

[ejcamaro]

Great write up, can't wait to try an eps sled!!!

 

[snowman4]

Great review man, I have a 2009 Apex LTX and I had a 2006 Attak. I rode the new 2011 Yamaha's and thought they were very nice machines but I noticed that the seat made you slide towards the front of the tank when I rode hard through the bumps. The rear of the seat is nice for smooth Canada riding but mogul pounding it sucks! Change the seat!!!!

I have stock Yamaha skis on my 2009 with either dooly's or slim jim's on it and it steer's great for me, the EPS or power steering makes it feels easier when riding at slower speeds but when I was pounding on it it didn't feel any easier than what I have right now.

The motor felt a little more powerful but it wasn't like OMG this is way faster than my 2009 Apex. Yamaha needed to make this motor more like 170 HP. Any one could buy a new Clutch kit & stud an older Apex and make it walk a 2011.

The windshield was awesome, best improvement they made in my eyes.

The rear suspension was very smooth on the Apex SE model and the Black was incredible, it looked GREAT. The Standard Apex had a nice ride too, it seems like the 128 and some new valving in the shocks helped out with the ride quality. The Apex XTX rode very nice, thought it was the nicest riding(but I'm a long track guy) the only thing was I wish the front end could be up higher, the XTX needs Fox Floats on it. In the deep snow I can tell it will dive like a typical front end nose heavy Yamaha will do.

All in all I think they a have a nice sled for 2011 but the Price tag for what your getting is completely out of the ball park. My 2009 Apex LTX is just as good and only cost me $9500 as a left over this year. $15,000 is just much coin to spend, make the sled 170-175 HP and I would of bought one. DON'T anyone kid themselves either, Yamaha has the technology too make a 175 HP sled.

I know I'm going to keep the 2009 Apex LTX but look for a 2010 or 2011 Vector LTX GT. Plus I will be taking a ride on the new 2011 Skidoo 1200 4tec and dont let anyone tell they suck because I have 300 plus miles on a 2010 1200 Renegade X and let me tell you it was a blast.

The $15000 price tag is just not worth it but this is just my opinion. Happy Trails.

The new Skidoo 800R etec shorty is not worth $12,500 either!!!! Its a 2 stroke for that price.

 

[FacemanV]

sad to hear yamaha still cant figure out the xtx's steering..I did in 15 minutes and its a different sled...its been said...but I think the shock person/people should be fired...

ummm...I tried the 08 Nytro and seveal ski combo's. Best of the bunch was the Arrow ski. Traded the 08 for the 09 XTX , Arrow's on right away..Tinker, Tinker. Rode the new (2011) Apex including XTX..It is a sweet ride but having said that I have my 09 Nytro XTX dialed in fantastic. It steers like my 04 Viper S with a rear suspension...
My point is that you can dial the Nytro in and once you have you will love it.
Of all of the 011's I rode I like the Apex XTX the best
I'm still a Nytro rider

 

[**sj**]

sad to hear yamaha still cant figure out the xtx's steering..I did in 15 minutes and its a different sled...its been said...but I think the shock person/people should be fired...

ummm...I tried the 08 Nytro and seveal ski combo's. Best of the bunch was the Arrow ski. Traded the 08 for the 09 XTX , Arrow's on right away..Tinker, Tinker. Rode the new (2011) Apex including XTX..It is a sweet ride but having said that I have my 09 Nytro XTX dialed in fantastic. It steers like my 04 Viper S with a rear suspension...
My point is that you can dial the Nytro in and once you have you will love it.
Of all of the 011's I rode I like the Apex XTX the best
I'm still a Nytro rider

good post by an obviously knowledgable snowmobiler...now send me those arrows to try lol

 

[ITHAPPENS]

RunninRX1 Wow now thats probably the best post I have ever read on this site!!! Positive, Detailed, Funny, even the spelling was correct,lol. Any chance you have ever written a book? Could be my new favorite author provided the subject was Yahama sleds. OK enough lovin! Seriously tho, great post, Not sure if I will get to ride one before I buy but all complaints about 2006 Apex ER have been addressed, sure we would all love more power but I still absolutely love my 2006.

 

[stevewithOCD]

Great post! The BOOB description was worth extra credit...