Replacing Apex RTX with Venture GT - thoughts?

[redrx1rkt]

I posted this in the General Discussion Area...wanted to post it here too to get input from potentially more Venture owners...

The absolute earliest this would happen would be 2012, let me start off by saying that. I like the give these types of decisions a lot of thought with a lot of input from a variety of sources.

Even though I have spent a fortune on keeping up with various issues with my 2006 Apex RTX, it is a great sled. Great ride, great handling (with the Curve skis), great power. I am not a super fast rider...I probably go 60-70 on wide straightaways, 40-50 in the turns. When I ride by myself (about 1/2 the miles I ride are by myself) I go slower. I ride near home (between Rochester and Syracuse on decent trails with grooming), Tug Hill (not on weekends) and Old Forge mostly. I would say that I ride on moderately bumpy or worse trails 1/3 of the time.

I was thinking about buying a Venture GT as my next sled. I like the thought of a plush ride on a day cruiser. I like the thought of being able to take my girlfriend for a ride once or twice per year, maybe a trip to Quebec. She does not ride more often than that. I also would like to take the kids once in a while.

Concerns: It's an old man sled and I am 34. I worry about such a long track when I ride in thin conditions. I worry about being able to drive fast (45+ mph) through the trails in Old Forge, for example, when I want to, and keep up with the other guys. I dont think this sled will fit on my 10' long Triton trailer with a cap.

Please share your thoughts...would love to hear from people who own/have owned big sleds like the Venture GT with a similar riding style and needs as mine...

Thanks in advance... Thumbs Up

 

[thephast1]

The family has had the 06 apex gt for a while, love the power but have spent a few bucks on repairs and upgrades as well. At the end of last season we got an Venture GT. I wouldn't worry about the track in thin conditions, as the lug is the same and it seems to have a better handle on hyfax wear than the apex. We were heading home on hardpack ice one day and the apex was burning the hyfax and the venture was maybe better but no worse.

I have friends that are more aggresive riders and I do fall behind at times on the venture. That said, if I was doing anything but racing on the trails I would take the venture hands down. Way more comfortable ride and riding style.

 

[redrx1rkt]

thephast1 - Thanks for your response.

Is your Venture GT the one based on the Apex DeltaBox II chassis?

Also, how does your sled handle large moguls? I rode one in Old Forge last year - smooth, quiet and comfortable - but it did start bucking in larger bumps.

Is it hard to turn in tight trails?

 

[studdog]

Don't get Venture GT for solo riding. I suggest Vector LTX GT. I had 09 Venture GT. While a nice sled for what it was designed, It is a big heavy cumbersome sled. If your a BIG GUY you can make it work but most people would not be happy IMO. studdog

 

[longtrack]

I own a 2010 Venture TF which is a canadian model (the utility version of the venture) with wide skis, 151" track and a heavier suspension. 100 miles on it so far and I find with the proper suspension setup it is a very nimble sled. Feels like a short track on the trails. The trick is to dial in the suspension for ur driving style. Has 125 HP so it huals #*$&@ on the lakes, but not like the Apex i imagine. I drive my daughters F6 and i'd much rather my venture. Had an 07 venture TF and kept up quite well to a crosssfire 800 on the trails last year. Its all in the suspension setup.

 

[Muskoka Man]

I love my 09 Gt , I can ride all day and not be burnt out or sore , the sled rides nice , is warm with the windshield , great hanwarmers , good storage , fuel injection works great , I also like the rider forward design , I will never own a sled with carbs again , the only downfall is it long and heavy in the narrow twisty trails , but very stable and predictable at high speeds witch is were I do a lot of riding

 

[agaguk]

i'm 34 and i sold my apex for a new venture gt at first 30 miles i regret my purchase cause even if they share the same chassis those sled are way different. the big windshield gave the impression that the sled are bigger than it is in reality. the rear suspension and traction are way better than my 07 rtx was. it never bottom out in the moguls. the problem is the ski lift in the curves and the top speed but if your not looking for a top dog sled anymore you will love it. plus the fuel range are better and the engine rev 3000 rpm less at same speed. also like the big storage.
in my case i will work on the clutching/gearing to improved my top speed if i can reach 100mph on hard pack i will be please with it. i will also work on the suspension to reduce body roll and i will love it... :exc:

 

[Muskoka Man]

My Suspension adj. from Yamaha were way off , ditch the garbage skis from yamaha soften up the ski shocks and soften up the center track shock and you will notice a big difference , It took me 2000 ks to get mine were I wanted it and now I love every K i put on it
MM

 

[redrx1rkt]

Interesting...very interesting...

Thanks so much for the input, guys, I appreciate and please keep it coming!

I would transfer my Curve XS skis from my Apex to the Venture, if I went ahead and got the Venture GT. I will never run stock Yamaha skis again. I spent 20,000 miles with those damn things and will never go back!

 

[fingerz]

Let me start by saying the Venture GT is not an old mans sled. Honestly just because it is a two up I mean it hardly looks like an old man sled and when you take the back rest off it you can hardly tell the difference at 180 km per hour. Which brings me to my next problem where someone was saying if they could get there venture gt to 100mph they would be happy. I ride my venture 160 km per hour plus all the time and I was 500lbs myself I'm not sure whats wrong with yours... lol I can't wait to see what it does this year as I lost over 100lbs. As for cornering and skis lifting I don't have that problem but it might be due to the fact that I have those clicker shocks on the front end and I'm able to harden or soften the shocks just right.

I have absolutely no problems keeping up with any hard fast riders the venture GT is by no means a old man sled and I am 34 years old. I got the sled because I'm a bigger guy so it was more comfortable plus If I wanted I could take the wife or kids for a ride.

 

[woolyviper]

Don't get Venture GT for solo riding. I suggest Vector LTX GT. I had 09 Venture GT. While a nice sled for what it was designed, It is a big heavy cumbersome sled. If your a BIG GUY you can make it work but most people would not be happy IMO. studdog

Bingo - you are a candidate for a Vector LTX - i would vote against the Venture if you are only double riding 2 times a season.

 

[redrx1rkt]

It would be great if they made a Vector LTX with a detachable 2nd seat!

I am not looking for a longer track sled...I have always had 121" sleds...it just so happens that the Venture GT has a 144". If they made a 136" track Venture GT or Vector 2up, that would be perfect.

 

[magnil]

Last season was my first year with snowmobile. I bought a 2007 Apex LTX which I liked a lot. Some of my riding is with wife or kids which I did with the Apex LTX, it worked but it was not ideal. I also ride a lot on bumpy trails and everyone said a Venture was much smoother then.

This season I sold my Apex LTX and bought a new 2010 Venture GT and so far I hate it. It is much bumpier than the Apex LTX and very tippy.

Have only been riding it for about 80 miles and just started to fiddle with the suspension, hope I will be able to get it right. Someone suggested that the front and middle shocks should be set much softer than the specified intervalls in the manual, is that right?

 

[rodehard]

I have a 2006 RS Venture which I bought when my 1997 Ultra SPX SE broke down. The comfort is unbelievable with a soft setting; you can't even feel the stutter bumps. I cured the turning problems by installing dual carbides. I took off the passenger seat and put a travel bag in its place. Now I'm the guy that carries the tshirts, gauntlets and extra gloves.

My sled just fits on a 10' two-place Karavan with a cap. You need to take off the luggage rack and backrest to make it happen. Top end of 97 on the speedometer.

 

[longtrack]

Yamaha's are known for, lets say compared to the arctic cats, to have a heavier suspension. All the cat guys and having owned a cat touring before, their suspensions have to be set to the hardest settings and even then they have an overload spring that needs to be setup for 2 up riding. The cats tend to bottom out more and you tend to get a much more of an oldsmobile ride rather than the sporty ride of the Yamis. So yes the Yamahas have to be set on the softest if u want that smoother ride