rode an E-TECH

[stevewithOCD]

I rode a 600 E-tech & rode with an 800-r at end of last year. I figured I would give an unbiased opinion while there are more guys on TTY right now. Conditions were icy at time of ride so i didn't get to put it through the ringer, but a got a feel. I was impressed with the E-tech, but not the R. Let me explain. First of all, I loved the intregal bag system. The bags were locked in & looked like part of sled. The 600 really ripped & completely surprised me. It felt snappy & light in trails. The E-tech averaged about 1.5 to 2 MPG better than me & I did about 1 better than the 800-R. We were all running pretty hard & equal over the 300 miles. With 12 or 13 gallon tank, this sled is capable of 200 miles or more per tankful. Both used very little oil, but they still carried an extra gallon in their nice saddle bags i liked so much. This low consumption of oil still worries me in long haul, but we won't know for sure for a few years. I was able to blow by the "R" & I knew something was wrong. The guages were flickering & sled was stuttering. My friend says it was bad gas, but no one else had a problem with same gas. I ; and now him; believe this sled is on the edge to get power, gas mileage & emisions. Granted I have a few mods, but nothing to blow this sled away. The extreme lightness also may be a negative. When we left North East Carry in Maine, there's a drainage pipe right in the beginning of a long straight away. The 600 hit first & went straight up, but at least he was square to bump. The 800 hit bump & FLEW end over end. I punched it to avoid being T-boned & braced for a hurtin', but this heavy sled took it in stride. At that point i realized although Apex is heavy, it's also stable. I calculated gas money consumption, & even with 2 more MPG at 91 or 93 octane, plus $45 per gallon of oil I did about 3 to 4 dollars per tank better. Both guys admitted begrudingly that my accelleration was what took them by surprise. They thought it was a top end lake runner. When I hung on their arse in trails they were baffled. OVERALL I would own an E-tech if they make an 800. I was very impressed with everything including shock calibration, hand warmers & ergos. Some of the cowling parts seem cheap & flimsy, but lasted through the crash ok. The driver was OK except for cracked Ski-doo helmut & bruised thigh & EGO. Betwen the 3; an 800 H.O. Rev also; the only problems they've had is the 800's guages & the "gas" problem... But when I crack my throttle & the open air cleaners BARK...my sphinkter tightens & all 4 cylinders join me in one orchestrated howl of joy...yea i've got issues. OCD issues...

 

[shanksyamaha]

nice post... I was torn between the skidoo 800r and the apex but wanted the reliability of a yamaha..

 

[blustar]

I too had the priviledge of finally shutting my buddy up with his 800r up as well. We went for 100 mile ride late in the season and ran side by side and also used the GPS to test the top end of our sleds. My Apex (stock) beat him in all aspects throughout the day. He was very impressed, so much that he is now looking at a new Apex this year. You see, its that easy to get em to switch. At one time, I remember filling up and putting in $14 and he put in $18.

Wow that thing roars so nice... I was out in the garage today and fired it up.... really awesome sounding. PS, on another note, I got a call from my a friend in Thompson and they say the guys are riding already.

 

[Apex & xtx]

Nice post i know where those drains you are talking about there are a few on 66 and than i few leaving Raymond's heading toward Kakadjo, i ride that area often from Jackman. so i know where they are they are fun to jump if you know when you are about to hit them otherwise they'll wake ya right up!

 

[number1kyster]

I loved my buddies E-tec. I was convinced it was the sled to have until the motor blew at 2,000 miles and I had to tow him home.

 

[KubotaOne]

I too am curious about the e-tec. From what I've read, it's very quick, and easy on fuel and oil.

My neighbour has the 800xp, I drive a 06 Attak - both are 100% stock. Late last year we finally had a chance to race.

Under perfect hard pack conditons (zero track spin) he would pull me by half a length to a full length every time, right off the start. He held that length exactly until we ran out of room (approx 70 to 80 mph) I couldn't gain on him, nor could he increase his lead.

 

[heelingcowboy1]

I ride with a couple 800R's and I am not yet comfortable with them at all---Sure they are light but man do they feel tippy when doing a full-out speed run, then you let off the gas and the front end gets really busy--soo busy in fact that it scared me the first time!!(could be shock setup as well) Then you have the fact that they are soo using last generation technology!! Carbs on a 08-10 sled?? COME ON!! and them carbs are'nt small either--thus the reason for a throttle that is stiffer than a corpse!! Then you get the message chair affect from all the vibration coming from that big powerplant. Then I remembered the reason I switched when my buddys sled was at the dealer twice last season due to problems. One time it was a major electrical meltdown. Then we had to turn around and go home twice last year because his sled was overheating!!! I tell ya what I DON'T MISS THOSE DAYS!!! 3120 miles on my apex last year and it never let me down!!! Yamaha may not make a perfect sled but boy it sure comes close!!! :rules

 

[Super Sled]

I loved my buddies E-tec. I was convinced it was the sled to have until the motor blew at 2,000 miles and I had to tow him home.

Quote of the day right here! They are awesome to ride but they will leave ya stranded.....

Mike

 

[cutlass7]

I ride with a couple 800R's and I am not yet comfortable with them at all---Sure they are light but man do they feel tippy when doing a full-out speed run, then you let off the gas and the front end gets really busy--soo busy in fact that it scared me the first time!!(could be shock setup as well) Then you have the fact that they are soo using last generation technology!! Carbs on a 08-10 sled?? COME ON!! and them carbs are'nt small either--thus the reason for a throttle that is stiffer than a corpse!! Then you get the message chair affect from all the vibration coming from that big powerplant. Then I remembered the reason I switched when my buddys sled was at the dealer twice last season due to problems. One time it was a major electrical meltdown. Then we had to turn around and go home twice last year because his sled was overheating!!! I tell ya what I DON'T MISS THOSE DAYS!!! 3120 miles on my apex last year and it never let me down!!! Yamaha may not make a perfect sled but boy it sure comes close!!! :rules

The Vector just got EFI this year...

 

[SumpBuster]

Had a brand new e tec 600 here off and on for the past few months, testing on the grass drag strip. Lots of changes by guys in-the-know, who know what they are doing.
The e tec 600 is just way too slow for me, and I'm gettin on in years. High 6's in 500 feet were very common. Granted, no smoke, idles like a four stroke, and takes off good, but that's it. I'm sure I would quickly trade it in for something faster, as I'm also quite sure it will not get any kind of mileage running full tilt trying to keep up with my son's Vector. Forget trying to keep up with the Apex.
Nice pokey sled, IMO.
Go proven 4 stroke Yammyhas..

 

[SumpBuster]

Oh, and I popped my Vector driven on the Apex, so instead of 9900 rpm (really packy clay), I could pull 10,600...I ran just shy of a twin piped, good running Rev 1000. Pretty good for a stock tanker...LOL.
My son saw 101 on the speedo, (for reference only), when our best previous speedo reads at 500 feet were mid 90's. Vector driven wakes it up for sure!!

 

[number1kyster]

I loved my buddies E-tec. I was convinced it was the sled to have until the motor blew at 2,000 miles and I had to tow him home.

Quote of the day right here! They are awesome to ride but they will leave ya stranded.....

Mike

I actually towed it straight to the Ski-doo dealer. They said it was there second E-tech failure that season. The first being at 14 miles because they pinched the oil line at the factory when they put the motor in.

 

[SumpBuster]

Even with no pinched line, there is just absolutely no smoke. Without an oil sump in there somewhere, I'd be dang nervous with one....

 

[apltx08]

---Sure they are light but man do they feel tippy when doing a full-out speed run, then you let off the gas and the front end gets really busy--soo busy in fact that it scared me the first time!!

Same here, I like to drive high speeds but I wasn't comfy at all on the "XP" and then got on a '07 MACH Z and felt a little more at home cuz of more weight up front to keep skis planted...I'll keep my good old 1 ton YAM for long hauls and SMOOOTHNEST anyday.