My Apex XTX review

[Heritage]

As you guys know I picked up a 2011 Apex XTX , two weeks ago..I finally got some miles on it...I really like this sled...so far I have been averaging around 13-14 mpg...about what I was getting with my attak...there are some similarities between the sleds...but not many...the xtx has a completely different feel. Where the attak was very smooth through the choppy small stutters...the XTX is stiffer, and a bit rougher....however...in bigger, nastier moguls...the xtx is far superior....I can run this sled much faster (and safer) through really rough stuff...the chassis doesn't pitch, and stays flat and straight....There was no way I could ride my attak as fast through the bumps as I was taking the xtx through them...it would have been bottoming, pitching and kicking. The EPS is awesome, it really works...it truly does make this sled feel lighter, and my arms aren't sore when I ride aggressively...absolutely love it....the only thing that was remotely sore.. were my knees (but I have bad knees from way back.)
The seating position is very nice...I'm a little over 6 ft tall, and feel very comfortable on it.....the hand warmers work excellent...i had yamaheaters on the attak...and I like the xtx stock heaters almost as well. (yes yamaha finally has handwarmers that work!!)

The power...as usual ...is AWESOME...my attak was very fast....and I think this sled would give it a run for it's money...it pulls so much harder through the mid range, I just can't believe it...this is what I missed when I sold my attak...the 4 cylinder sound, and freight train pull....it is the absolute best part of this sled, and IMO...nobody in snowmobiling makes anything close to it....Riding this sled gives me a perma-grin, everytime I hit the gas.

If you like your 2006-2010 apex/attak/ltx....you will LOVE a 2011 or newer apex!!! All the little stuff that irritated me about my attak...have been addressed on this XTX.

There are only two things I don't like about this machine....1)..it's a bit rough/stiff through stutters, 2)...I don't like the woody's dually carbides...they push horribly in the corners (though it does track straight, and doesn't dart)...I am going to try a few different suspension settings to try and find that sweet spot to iron out the stutters but still perform well in the rough....and will be replacing the woody's with either deuce bars, or triple points.

Over-all....Great machine..LOVE IT....if you are thinking about upgrading from a 2006-2010...to a 2011 or newer....GO FOR IT....you won't regret it

 

[biffdotorg]

Great review and agree with everything you have said.

I have right around 1400 miles on mine since buying it last spring. I'm happy as well that my only real beef was one of the cheaper things to fix. Skis/carbides up front. The first couple hundred miles were run stock, as I just didn't have time to order replacements. I knew the stockers would push and suck.

I had gotten a deal on a set of Studboy Deuce bars, and I ran them for the first 600 miles. It was obvious, that some shimming was probably needed as the front part of the wear bar was burning off well before the rest, and I had to replace them before damaging the skis. They did seem to work just fine, but I think they could have had a bit more bite. Shimming may have done just that. So I kept the bars and may try them again. They weren't shot, just wanted to not damage my sled on our upcoming trip.

Before a Michigan trip the weekend before last, I installed Woody's Dooleys. And just the opposite opinion of yours, they performed really well for me. I did order 6" Dooleys and 360 miles in warm Michigan trails, they worked very well. You knew they were there when going across the parking lots and into the trailer. Momentum was my friend.

After this past weekend in hardpack and near ice conditions, I am still very happy with the Dooleys as they would go where I pointed them no matter how loose the rear end would get. Definitely the most bite I cared for without studs. I do think the Dooley's and Deuce bars are the most economical wear bar replacements without changing skis or buying the much more expensive SnoTrackers or Bergstrom skegs. I had Bergstroms on Simmons in the past. Great solution, but expensive.

Keep the reports coming. I love hearing others experience. It helps when making the next buying decision on accessories.

 

[maim]

good for you. how is the transfer set? I had to go nitro xtx springs on mine as the stockers where for a 300lb man give or take.

 

[Heritage]

good for you. how is the transfer set? I had to go nitro xtx springs on mine as the stockers where for a 300lb man give or take.

I haven't touched transfer yet....surprisingly my sled was the wife's sled (dealer got a matching pair)....and she must have been a biggie...cause there is no sit in sag, and I'm 215 lbs with my gear on....I don't even want to know what she weighed...this thing is stiff...lol

 

[thor452]

on the 2012 they moved the location of the ski spindel I rode mine from new till the stock carbide was worn off about 500 miles with no darting.