New to me 2006 Apex RTX

[2006Apexed]

Greetings, my name is Dave and I just bought me a month ago a very nicely kept 2006 Apex RTX with a 121” track and 14,000 miles.

Previous owner states he did regular maintenance and the machine looks very nice cosmetically despite its age. Mods done by previous owner are an ice ripper 1.25 track, mid height Yamaha windshield, ROX bar risers, updated bars, and an undisclosed clutch kit. Also done about a thousand miles ago was the exhaust to correct the doughnut issue.

I loaded her up and traveled to my land in Tomahawk, WI and took her out on the trails. From the get go clutching was abrupt and not to my liking. I was bottoming in moderate whoops (I’m 230lbs in my birthday suit), the machine seemed to have way more power than traction, and upon deceleration the rear end would swap side to side. I played with the dampening dial and increased the rear preload on the monoshock to max...it made little difference. The last sled I owned almost 10 years ago and only had for a year was a 2010 Polaris Rush. I liked the tall seat and ergos on that sled and the Apex with its 14 year old and 14k mile stock seat left my almost 60 year old knees too bent and sore. Lastly, the left ski tracked beautifully, but the right ski was pogoing. I played with the air pressures on the Fox Floats, but no difference.

Now some might say I bought the wrong sled, or that the thing is old and outdated, and they may be right if I just keep riding it as it is. The thing is I LOVE the motor and have a lot of faith in Yamahas engineering.

I will admit I’m just re-entering sledding and while very well versed in motorcycles...am clueless to sleds. So it’s off to the internet and this forum to see what I can make this sled become. I bought it for a fifth of the price of a new sled and have some cash to throw at it.

First thing was to address the bottoming. I researched heavier springs, rebuilding and revalving the monoshock, but kept coming to the realization that if brand new it was lackluster and now outdated...why throw good money after bad. What kept coming up was the M20 AirWave. The cost almost doubled the cost of the sled...but after endless sleepless nights fantasizing of riding on a cloud, the order was made.

The next suspension issue was the front shocks. While the first gen Fox Floats held air and had no outside oil leaks, upon removal from the machine it was discovered the right shock had less dampening and a third of the travel as the left. Oil must have migrated internally creating hydraulic lock. Searching locally without success they were shipped to HyGear for rebuild, revalve, and installation of their dual chamber air chambers.

Now the seat. It looked in great condition, but my lard a$$ squished its old and low foam way too much. Enter Seat Concepts where I ordered the wrong seat. Be advised their website can be confusing with different year Apexes, make sure you read the detailed applications. Consumer shipping on these large seats ain’t cheap. Now on its way is an all black, firm foam +2” taller seat kit.

Lastly, for now, is the clutching. I almost went the less expensive route with a soft start primary spring, but ended up calling Ulmer Racing and ordering their kit tuned for my desired riding feel. Upon disassembly I realized the machine had a clutch kit, possibly an old Ulmers kit...oops, a $400 mistake. The new kit arrived and I compared parts. The helixes are different, the primary spring is differ t, and the weights are different, whew, I hated the original clutching, but now have a renewed hope.

Today the M20 gets installed and maybe the clutch kit. I’m still waiting for the front shocks and seat kit.

My goal is to have an awesome sled tailored to me at a significant cost savings over a new sled that may need mods also to optimize it to my performance tastes. Please follow along on my rebuild and see how things turn out.

 

[2006Apexed]

 

[2006Apexed]

I made slow but good progress today and raised the sled and removed the old skid. It is in sad shape. One thing is the cable for dampening adjustment was completely gone. I feel really good that I went the M20 route. And to think years ago, guys were installing this skid on almost new sleds.

 

[2006Apexed]

Out with the old skid. My workshop is quite crude. My daughter and her family are between houses and my garage is packed. Oh well, where there’s a will there’s a way. I mounted some spare front shocks, but don’t like the ride. They are stiff as aa board.

 

[2006Apexed]

I’ve got my relocation points installed for the new M20 skid, but have a delay. The front air shock’s air valve is very hard to get to once the skid is installed. I found out there is a braided extension hose and clamp to make it much easier, but it’s so much easier to do before the skid is installed.

Next I tackled the clutch. My new Ulmer kit is different than the old kit originally on the machine, different helix, different weights and placement on the arms, and different primary spring. The clutching was very abrupt and now am hoping for a more subtle engagement.

 

[2006Apexed]

 

[slowride06er]

Welcome Dave keep up the good work. Lots of great people on this site as well as great sponsors too. Keep us updated as you work on your new ride.

 

[2006Apexed]

Thanks for the welcome. While I’ve built and outfitted several Adventure motorcycles for trips to all over North America including trips to Alaska, this is my first foray into building up a snowmobile. I’ve only owned a couple over the last few decades. I know it’s a gamble I’m taking on a 14yo machine, but I have a good feeling. This site is wonderful and has pointed me in the right direction a few times already.

I’m hoping to have this phase of the build done in the next week and will be on a week long trip right after. I will report back on my efforts...and possibly entertain other mods in the future. Thanks again.

 

[2006Apexed]

Well, I’ve got the M20 skid installed, the only snafu was a stripped/cross treaded rear arm to skid bracket bolt. I drilled and tapped to next size larger bolt and all is good now.
I received my front Fox Floats rebuilt and revolved with added Dual Chamber remote air resiviours.

The sled is back together and running except for the Seat Concepts seat kit. I’m very disappointed as their website is confusing and I first received the wrong seat and the exchange is now going on 2 weeks. I had to put the old seat back together for a ride this weekend.
Here’s some pics

 

[2006Apexed]

Well, I put the Apex together with reassembled seat, thanks Seat Concepts’s for your failed promises, and headed north for the weekend. I got the suspension close, but will need to shorten limiter strap one notch, front of skid is touching just a fraction earlier than the rear.

Initial ride was great, but a little harsh/stiff so I softened it a bit and the ride was great. The sled is wicked fast and gobbles up bumps with great high speed stability. Cornering is not as planted as I would like with some inside ski lift. The front was a bit noisy, as in rattling. The front A arms are good with recently replaced bushings, but in comparing with a newer Apex I found the swayarm bushings are shot. On order are new bushings and links to tighten up the swayarm. That along with tightening the limiter strap should get the front end more planted.

My clutching with the Ulmers kit is vastly better than how the sled was originally. The track hooks up much nicer and engine braking is way less. The sled glides into the corners instead of dragging and the abruptly hitting hard when getting back on the throttle.

Now while this machine is a bit more sled than I could use, it is getting close to being an excellent machine. More to follow.

 

[mikextx]

Great build so far. Thanks for sharing

 

[snowbiscuit]

I have the same sled(06 RTX), haven't ridden in awhile, but a great handling sled. Might want to try adding 13mm sway bar will help in reducing ski lift and adding snow trackers with pilots will greatly transform your sled.

 

[2006Apexed]

Today my Seat Concepts seat kit gets installed. I also have parts to rebuild my front sway bar. If the bushing to bulkhead fit is sloppy I plan on setting them with high temp hot melt glue to take up the slop if any. Finally, I will be fine tuning the rear suspension with tightening the limiter strap on the M20 suspension. More snow is coming and the trails are singing their siren song. I will report back how my mods and adjustments work out.

 

[2006Apexed]

Seat kit went on splendidly. Bulkhead sway arm bushings weren’t too bad, liberal amounts of dry graphite spray was applied and once everything was buttoned up with new heim links, the old ones were way worn out and the plastic bushings were gone, the sway bar is nice and snug. Limiter strap was shortened one bolt notch and now skid contacts the level pavement evenly...just in time for more snow arriving this evening.

 

[2006Apexed]

Ok, one last addition before my upcoming next venture into northern WI. I’m adding the aggressive Snowtrackers to the stock skis. I’m looking for a little lighter steering effort, but mostly to try and rid the sled of its darting. I will report on install and performance.