Need advice from former 2 stroke owners

[ricardo]

I think he meant Axis Switchback(SB) 800. Polaris.

 

[sideshowBob]

IMHO...
After 50+++ years of riding and racing sleds of various brands and more then 40+++ years on some of the best two strokes ever made I have a dilemma!
If you have ever owned an Apex and ridden it for any length of time, like I have, you will NEVER want a two stroke again....and I mean NEVER...trouble is now finding a 4 stroke sled to replace probably the best and last of the four stroke four cylinder sled engines...for me there is nothing yet.
JM.02c

 

[KnappAttack]

IMHO...
After 50+++ years of riding and racing sleds of various brands and more then 40+++ years on some of the best two strokes ever made I have a dilemma!
If you have ever owned an Apex and ridden it for any length of time, like I have, you will NEVER want a two stroke again....and I mean NEVER...trouble is now finding a 4 stroke sled to replace probably the best and last of the four stroke four cylinder sled engines...for me there is nothing yet.
JM.02c

IMO the best four stroke to date has been the Doo 1200. It is far superior to the Apex and after riding the 1200's since 2009 I've discovered the Sidewinder, which I have a love/hate relationship with. I love its handling, ride, ergos, power and easy steering. I hate the fact its a Cat, hard to work on when you have to dig into it, poorly engineered, poor quality and subpar parts used and fit and finish stuff.

Now with the 900t you have a perfect Apex 150HP replacement sled. I tried to go back to a powersteering Apex in 2011 and couldn't take it. Sold it with just 330 miles on it. Back in the day of the early Apex's they were great with that R-1 motor in them, but time marches on and the Apex didn't. You'd never catch me back on on one ever again, but I'd jump back on a 1200 any day. Doo missed the boat by not installing a factory turbo on that 1200XS platform! All they had to do was update it with a Cat front end, raise the seat height some and install a turbo to make it a SideWinder killer.

 

[sideshowBob]

IMO the best four stroke to date has been the Doo 1200.

Now with the 900t you have a perfect Apex 150HP replacement sled. Doo missed the boat by not installing a factory turbo on that 1200XS platform! All they had to do was update it with a Cat front end, raise the seat height some and install a turbo to make it a SideWinder killer.

I am of a similar mindset but....900T is just not enough HP yet and is yet to be proven...1200 SC or Turbo would have sold me...still nothing yet to make me park my Apexs.

 

[journeyman]

All I can figure is the post I read a few weeks back about Ski Doo paying royalties to Petronas for every 1200 sold might/could be true. That would explain why they seem to be phasing that engine platform out. The 900 motor is all BRP, while the 1200 was a co-effort.

 

[sideshowBob]

Ultimately I am hoping for the next Generation Yamaha, Sidewinder or SRX that is more on quality standards of previous Yamahas....made in USA or Canada would be great...but I can only wait a couple more years before I will have to get a new sled. Whatever I purchase in the future it will be a four stroke.

 

[stevewithOCD]

After another disappointing 5000km melt down of a new 2 stroke I am seriously considering a Sidewinder.

I rode a Viper last week and liked most things about it other then the fact I couldn't get the skis to lift when trying to get across some rougher trails and heavy steering.

So my questions.
1. Can these sleds be set up to be able to transfer weight or are they just a flat ride?
2. Also wondering if the RTX SE is the way to go for trail riding over a 137"?
3. And lastly, Do any of you old 2 stroke owners miss the fun/light weight ride of the 2 strokes? (would you go back)?



Any input appreciated.

Thx

To answer your question you'll need to answer our questions first.
1. Where do you ride?
2. How many miles per year?
3. Off trail?
4. Who you calling old?