Opinions on slide wear/overheating on 2009 Apex

[Jason Jones]

Smurf, I didn't think slide color would make a differance either, however a couple guys on here stated the die in the color makes more heat and causes more friction. I have no issues with black slides, that's all I can say. I have zero heating issues on cold hard pack mornings but mostly think it's because of the pics ( 188) the long track plus rear cooler. As far as wheels I rum poo wheels wich are 1/4" larger in front where most of wear or heat seems to start. Goodluck hope it helps

I don't think it is that the color makes more heat, from my understanding it is because white is the natural color of the material, when they add color die the molecules are not as tightly packed which makes them wear faster. Granted I saw this in a Spanky's catalog (snowmobile parts place) but they were not trying to get a higher price for the white so i don't know why they would make it up.

 

[slowride06er]

White ones melt

 

[Jason Jones]

They all melt under the right conditions, I don't think anyone was saying the white ones were indestructible, just that they might last longer than the colored ones. Didn't stop me from running blue on the my RX warrior cause I liked how it looked. But I have run white on my Nytro XTX because everything I had read said it would eat slides. Been running the same ones for over 1K miles with no visible wear.

 

[20/80]

The stock wheels are 130mm, Exel wheels are 138mm which are good but some that have used them have had more stress put on your rails which over time caused small cracks at the mounting point of the wheels, Kimpex offers a 135mm wheel which is a direct bolt on and these are the ones I use plus easy replacement bearing,I also run the dupont slides and cable scratchers with carbide tip, the cable scratchers are great for when you back up and they tuck up on the rail when you don't need them, this combo will solve your problems in most riding conditions, also check your track tension.

 

[slowride06er]

They all melt under the right conditions, I don't think anyone was saying the white ones were indestructible, just that they might last longer than the colored ones. Didn't stop me from running blue on the my RX warrior cause I liked how it looked. But I have run white on my Nytro XTX because everything I had read said it would eat slides. Been running the same ones for over 1K miles with no visible wear.

Yes it was most definitely the conditions. I couldn't turn it down the snow was flat and hard perfect for sum high speed runs.

I always ran white ones with good luck. After I did that this season I figured it was time to open the wallet up. I installed dupDuP slides because I don't plan on selling my apex.

 

[Fortress]

The first place mine usually wear out is the front curve and the rest is still pretty thick....kinda wish I could come up with a way to cut bad peice off and splice new piece in.

 

[72Gran]

Scratchers, scratchers, scratchers and a temp gauge. I ride an xtx in similar conditions with duponts, my first set lasted 20,000kms. Watch the temp gauge, typically runs at 170f, as soon as it climbs to 190 drop the scratchers, can’t go wrong. If there is not enough snow to cool the heat exchangers then there’s not enough for slides. I run the Kimpex scratchers that attach under the running boards, just don’t back up lol. My buddy runs the cable type and he still sees the temp light under extreme cold snowpack or ice conditions.
And yes you can melt duponts under the right conditions.

 

[Motorhead]

Old topic that never really dies. Slide wear and overheating always a problem for Apex/Vector when in hard pack snow in cold weather. We ride in northern wisconsin where we can also ride in icy conditions. Tired of just watching all the friends just sled on by. On cold hard packed mornings and then again after dusk, we can't even consider running the sleds. My Apex was especially a problem with the overheating in these conditions.

Time to change a few things for me this year. Please give me your opinion on what priority you'd give to the following changes.

1) Wheel kit
2) Ice scrapers
3) Dupont slides

No long explanation necessary. Just looking for what others have seen work. Due to cost, thinking of doing 2 of the 3.

Appreciated,

Smurf

Yep, been there done that, solved that with DuPont slides and a rear Heat Exchanger. I know the rear heat exchanger is not a quick or inexpensive FIX, but it is permanent and say goodbye to overheating period!!

 

[72Gran]

A rear exchanger and duponts will not work in the conditions as described. I have a 15 xtx and it has both, but in very cold -25c and fresh groomed or hard packed or freezing rain iced over trails the only solution is scratchers. I also run a temp gauge because these sleds have so much torque you can’t always feel the sliders start to pull.

 

[CaptCaper]

A rear exchanger and duponts will not work in thconditions as described. I have a 15 xtx and it has both, but in very cold -25c and fresh groomed or hard packed or freezing rain iced over trails the only solution is scratchers. I also run a temp gauge because these sleds have so much torque you can’t always feel the sliders start to pull.

So true.. I run the cable scratchers with amazing results. Leave them down all the time ..in and out of the trailer,etc. never break.

 

[Fortress]

Scratchers, scratchers, scratchers and a temp gauge. I ride an xtx in similar conditions with duponts, my first set lasted 20,000kms. Watch the temp gauge, typically runs at 170f, as soon as it climbs to 190 drop the scratchers, can’t go wrong. If there is not enough snow to cool the heat exchangers then there’s not enough for slides. I run the Kimpex scratchers that attach under the running boards, just don’t back up lol. My buddy runs the cable type and he still sees the temp light under extreme cold snowpack or ice conditions.
And yes you can melt duponts under the right conditions.

Do those vibrate the heck out of your feet?

 

[72Gran]

Yes there is a bit of vibration, but not annoying in any way, just enough to remind you that they are deployed. I find the location is ideal because the snow spray not only fills the skid but sprays almost the entire heat exchanger. I installed mine as far forward as possible so when deployed the contact area is just behind the foot rest. To deploy you just give each one a kick with your boot toe. The spring is very strong so to stow you must get on your knees and use both hands, kinda hard but worth it IMO.

 

[actionjack]

Change the coolant to 50/50. Add Duponts.

My Attak would run real hot in icy and hard pack at very cold temperatures. Changed the coolant and no more issues. God knows why they use 100% glycol.