New '12 XTX need advice on first upgrade

Best non-engine performance upgrade for an APEX XTX

  • Star kit w/ revalve

    Votes: 8 66.7%

  • WRP seat and riser

    Votes: 5 41.7%

  • Front suspension upgrades

    Votes: 3 25.0%

  • +10HP stickers and BNGs

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    12
Mileage Quest

Mileage Quest

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Location
MPLS, MinneSNOWda
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Snowmobile
'12 Apex X-TX
so I picked up a super clean dealer demo with low miles the other day... After lurking the forums for a while I'm trying to decide on the order of modifications... I'm not looking for engine performance mods until my warranty runs out because this thing is fast enough!!! I've got about 125 miles on it so far

What I am looking for is to make this thing handle all parts of trail riding very well... The majority of my miles come in 2-4 day trips averaging 220-250 a day... My knees get sore!!! I've read that the remedy is a WRP seat and 2" riser

My weight is under 170 and tend to lean toward a softer suspension but want it to be very adjustable for big bumps or if I'm packing gear... Star kit and shock revalve and front spring should fix that correct???

I like my skis to stay planted in the corners... My previous '12 vector LTX was set up to rail flat trails but couldn't handle the big stuff... I did have the front shocks set so the Arms were pretty much flat and had the limiter strap pretty tight... I bought the XTX to hopefully bridge the bigger stuff... So for now I'm thinking 13mm sway bar... And later down the trail pick up a set of revalved GYTRs or Öhlins...

Each one of these costs about 400-600 and the down time is minimal (bit longer if you send your shocks in) I've probably already answered my own question but what's do you guys think is the best upgrade for handling all trail conditions for longer rides...

Thanks
 
I put a set of ohlins on the front of mine this fall. Made a decent enough difference that I would do it again. Haven't done any of the rest your mentioning so I can't speak for them.
 
Star kit with spring, suck up limiter straps one hole. I also bought the 5 position spring adjusters and run them at 3 or 4 riding local trails and run them at 5 for touring with luggage. Looking as buying stiffer rear springs maybe! Sled has a 11.75mm sway bar and I don't see a need for more, Stock ride height seems fine but you can play with it. Stock ski's with aggressive Snowtrackers. I found the Apex to be pretty stable with Star kit and trackers alone. I run about 340pds so I'm on the heavy side but the sled seems to like it.

The dealer said not to lower it to make it handle better as it does not work (his words I can't back that up). I never lowered my front end but it sits with the A arms near level as it came for the dealer, I like it so I left it where it was. My warrior sat real high in the front end and lowering , adding a 12mm bar (stock 11mm) and going to 2.3 front springs from 2.1 really helps cornering but more so the tipsiness of the sled. Stock it was a nightmare that would suddenly without warning lift the inside ski and try to roll. I did not go with the 13mm sway bar up front because in this area hitting things with one front ski is normal and I did not want the inside ski to jump the sled as much so I went with softer bar and stiffer spring to allow the ski's to act a bit more independent of each other. I bring up the warrior because the Apex with the 11.75mm bar bone stock with no mods but trackers (stock 2 or 3inch carbides sucked and handled so bad how could you compare) is as flat in the corners as the Modded Warrior.

The front shocks where not an issue till I put the star kit in. After the kit I stated to ride faster in rougher choppy junk because the suspension rode smoother. This started to push the front shocks to their limit. Especially if landing on the front end a bit more then say landing flat. I have toyed with the thought of GTYR's but cash was a bit tighter on a pension so I've waited till Christmas has passed to assess my bank account. I think upgrading the shocks will give adjust ability to the front and could then bump them up a bit for rough trail and relax them for smoother touring. Front shocks are not a must have but I think they would be a good upgrade.

I'm happy with the seat and riser as is but I don't stand to ride, I installed the higher windshield to keep me warm and really don't want hand guards as a replacement for a windshield. So to sum up put in the Star kit with the stiffer front spring and add aggressive snowtrackers, make sure your lined up with 0 toe! Then maybe GTYR's in the front. If the 11.75 doesn't cut it go to the 13mm. Seat and riser is your preference but at 6'5" I see no need for my type of riding, for your riding, maybe you do.
 
karlburns said:
I put a set of ohlins on the front of mine this fall. Made a decent enough difference that I would do it again. Haven't done any of the rest your mentioning so I can't speak for them.
Click to expand...
Do all the Apex shocks fit all years? Power Steering vs Non Power steer yrs? Are they interchangeable?
 
According to the venders that part out sleds and a few articles I've read... All delta box II & III shocks are interchangeable... Only differences from year to year would be stock valving and spring preloads...
 
I went with Star for the rear suspension with his shock revalve , works awesome. WPS seat with lake effect riser, much better seating position. fox floats up front with hygear dual resi's works good with 2 air settings its soft enough for studder bumps without loosing ride height and can handle bigger bumps with in reason. if I encounter 2 footers, I go on a different trail. skis I went with Yamaha tuners with John Master 10 inch carbide on both, seems to work good there may be better ski solutions but for the price of tuners its much better than stock
 
Crap I need more money's!!! Should be some time next week... But it looks like I'll be picking up the star kit and getting a revalve... I hope it helps because it needs help... Stock I have most every thing set to soft and its still to stiff
 
not an option on the list so ill put it here my #1 is snowtrackers and if you look at my signature its a long list.
 
The star suspension is probably the single biggest improvement you can do to an XTX. They know there stuff with shock set up. very good people to work with
 
JPS said:
The star suspension is probably the single biggest improvement you can do to an XTX. They know there stuff with shock set up. very good people to work with
Click to expand...
I totally agree. After two years of riding my 2011 Apex XTX, I decided that I needed to do something so I added the Star Kit. Basically the Star kit uncouples the rear suspension. That is the reason why some of the new Polaris sleds ride and handle so well.
I added the Star kit, Curve skies on the front, and added extra bogy wheel mounts on the skid. This is now an awsome trail sled. Unfortunately we are planning on moving south at some point so the sled will be for sale.
 
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