New to me Sidewinder and Apex questions

[SooRod]

Hello Folks,
Opted to get back into sledding after a 30 year hiatus. My last sled was an 82 SRX !!! Things have certainly changed !
Anyway.. I picked up a 2006 Apex GT(12000 kms) and a 2017 Sidewinder XTX (1000kms).
I've been reviewing info on this site (Great job guy !!!). Now that I've pulled the trigger on both sleds, I have signed up and made my donation.
I've being doing some reading on both sleds. The Apex had Jackshaft bearing and donuts changed 2 years ago and the drive bearing changed a few weeks ago (along with a new track). Oil change was done and all was greased. Are there any things that I should be watching for or be aware of on this machine ?
The Sidewinder is all stock. It did have it's 500 km service completed at the dealer. I'm going to change the oil and filter so I can be more comfortable with what it's starting off with.. I do have the 4th wheel kit that I'm going to install.. One issues I see already is how can you have a high dollar sled with no real place to keep a spare belt ????
Any issues that I should be looking at before this season starts ? Any recommendations on oil type/brand ? The owners manual suggests new plugs each season. Does anyone actually do this with the 4 strokes ??
Also.. I'm looking for a Service manual for the Sidewinder. Any chance one could be forwarded to me ?
Looking forward to spending some time on the trails once again !!! Any advice or info would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Rod

 

[SAB1]

You can get the manual by becoming a VIP member. Alot of guys have switched to another Helix and spring, self included. Many seem to like to play with the "rollover valve issue" but myself and three others have not had any issues. The most common issue I think is the driveshaft. Lot of guys hate the tuner III ski but I know several guys running them with no issue. I would definitely pull your muffler bolts and get Nickel Anti seize on them. Barn of parts belt guard is good as is the heat exchanger guards he sells. When you get it on the trail just make sure you hang on when you hit the throttle

 

[SooRod]

Hello SAB1, Thanks for the info. I've signed up as a VIP. Is there any place I need to go to get the manual ?
Why did you make the change with the helix and spring ? Just trying to figure out if I need to do this. I'll pull the muffler bolts and get them never seized up ! you indicate that the driveshaft is an issue. Are you speaking about the bearing? Thanks for the tip on the "Barn of Parts". I'll look into the guards for the belt and heat exchanged.. Definitely don't want to lose a belt and take that out !!!
Yea.. I can't wait to get going on the trails with both machines. My son saw a picture of my old SRX and said it was ugly !! He couldn't believe that it was a 44o and still was pretty quick.. especially with the liter sleds we now are sporting ! I'm looking forward to seeing how much of a difference there is.

 

[SAB1]

Clutch parts were to help with potential belt blowing and it pulls a little harder. I went with Thunder Products stuff. Email the site administrator for service manual. Honestly find a post on here from "RockerDan" and he has a link in the bottom of his messages for his sled build. Everything you could ever need to know is in that! If your working on your sled alot yourself I would definitely look into the Rivnuts on the lower panel.

 

[hman4]

82 srx, bet you wish you held onto that and planted her on a shelf.

 

[Yamajon1]

82 SRX was never released. I had a 81. 82 was a no show to many issues and Yamaha never released it. 1983 it became the V-Max. Maybe he meant SRV?

 

[Joseph Levandoski]

Running a 2019 SideWinder XTX (similar in kind to yours minus some minimal upgrades Yamaha made). I'd suggest installing the above mentioned Barn of Parts coolant hose protectors, sealed relays (to prevent no-start conditions in extreme cold), and adding anti-seize to the turbo and exhaust bolts. Other than that, I'd ride the thing and see what else you may want to change (such as the skis).

I haven't seen too many issues with blowing belts where we ride in Maine. My opinion is it's all in how you ride the sled - if you're doing full throttle launches from a stop, then you're going to stress the belt and don't be surprised when it breaks.

 

[WinterWolf]

Wow are you in for a surprise SooRod!! Both the Apex and the Sidewinder are literally light years ahead of the Early 80’s Machines! And the Sidewinder is a Vast improvement over the Apex in the chassis regard. Wish I could see the look on your face when you ride either one of them, compared to your Early 80’s sleds.

Enjoy.

 

[biffdotorg]

Notice nobody mentioned the spark plugs? Its because it's not like the two strokes where you had a good chance of fouling them just by burning the fogging oil out in the spring.

If you properly warm up an engine prior to shutting it down, the plugs should have minimal chance of fouling. And that's not to say you can't change out the plugs annually, it's just not going to show any noticable improvement for the average rider. After owning 5 Yamaha 4-strokes, I have yet to change a plug. I can't say that I ever saw a performance hit for it, but your mileage may vary.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[SooRod]

Hi Gents,
Thanks for your advice and suggestions. I'll definitely look at the coolant line protectors as that sounds like good insurance.
Joe - were there any relays in particular that need changing to resolve cold start issues ?
Yamajon - You may be right on the year of my srx… it may have been 1981. It definitely was not an SRV as it was a 440 and not a 540. That sled was really the reason I've stayed out of snowmobiling for so long.. always seemed to be fixing something... However.. it was faster than my buddy's 9500. Back then, that was all that mattered !!
WinterWolf - I have to say.. this is the first year in a long time that I'm looking forward to some serious snow ! While I was tentative about getting back into the game, I really couldn't pass on the deals I got on both sleds. I will say though.. while I think I like the looks of the sidewinder more than the Apex, I definitely like the sound of the Apex better. I think the rear exhaust is my favourite part ! I kinda wish that the sidewinder had something similar. Of course... I've only heard both at idle or pulling them off the trailer and into the garage. I imagine that they sound completely different at WOT !

 

[rtx moose]

get oversize idler wheels and dupont slides on the apex..i just bought a sidewinder and have no output for ya yet but it did get new clutch rollers and the chaincase was resealed under warranty...

 

[1nc 2000]

Running a 2019 SideWinder XTX (similar in kind to yours minus some minimal upgrades Yamaha made). I'd suggest installing the above mentioned Barn of Parts coolant hose protectors, sealed relays (to prevent no-start conditions in extreme cold), and adding anti-seize to the turbo and exhaust bolts. Other than that, I'd ride the thing and see what else you may want to change (such as the skis).

I haven't seen too many issues with blowing belts where we ride in Maine. My opinion is it's all in how you ride the sled - if you're doing full throttle launches from a stop, then you're going to stress the belt and don't be surprised when it breaks.

The sleds were set up wrong from the factory causing belts to break. It's not how a person drives.

 

[WinterWolf]

Hi Gents,
Thanks for your advice and suggestions. I'll definitely look at the coolant line protectors as that sounds like good insurance.
Joe - were there any relays in particular that need changing to resolve cold start issues ?
Yamajon - You may be right on the year of my srx… it may have been 1981. It definitely was not an SRV as it was a 440 and not a 540. That sled was really the reason I've stayed out of snowmobiling for so long.. always seemed to be fixing something... However.. it was faster than my buddy's 9500. Back then, that was all that mattered !!
WinterWolf - I have to say.. this is the first year in a long time that I'm looking forward to some serious snow ! While I was tentative about getting back into the game, I really couldn't pass on the deals I got on both sleds. I will say though.. while I think I like the looks of the sidewinder more than the Apex, I definitely like the sound of the Apex better. I think the rear exhaust is my favourite part ! I kinda wish that the sidewinder had something similar. Of course... I've only heard both at idle or pulling them off the trailer and into the garage. I imagine that they sound completely different at WOT !

Ive had both sleds. Had an 07 Apex GT for 9 years. Loved it...fabulous sled! Great motor and super solid in the reliability department...and fast as hell for a big heavy sled.

Sold my Apex in spring of 17, after spring ordering my 18 RTX 50th anniversary Winder. And as much as I loved my Apex, the Sidewinder is superior in most every way...except maybe the exhaust note and coolness of it exiting out the rear of the sled. Other than that the Winder is just so much Sexier, and sleeker in every way. And it’s even faster..and the Apex is Fast. But your talking 150 HP on the Stock Apex, and 204 HP on the Stock Winder! Simple math tells you which sled is superior.

And if you Tune the Winder...Man that’s a whole nother ballgame in and of itself! You’re gonna have the best winter you’ve had in years my friend!! Both great sleds!

 

[WinterWolf]

The sleds were set up wrong from the factory causing belts to break. It's not how a person drives.

This!!
Agree 100%! SLED is built for High Performance...period! Shouldn’t have to worry about punching it out of the hole if it’s built/set up right. Yamaha dropped the ball in the clutching dept on our Winders.

 

[SooRod]

Hi Winterwolf, I hear ya !! I really can't wait for the snow now. I'm looking forward to the reliability of the 4 stroke ! I was already a bit concerned about the clutch on the SW as it seemed noisy to me when the guy started it up for me. However, it is apparently "normal".. he has 4 other SW's and said they all sound like that.. still seems odd to me, however, I guess time will tell. Does changing the helix and spring make any difference with the noise ?
Really looking forward to checking out the character of both sleds... my "garage riding" is having me think that the apex will be more like a caddy and the SW more of a GTR !!