Trailered to the UP on Friday night with 3 buds. 1 700 edge. 1 700 MXZ, my old 700 SX and THE RTX. We had to search a bit but got lucky around Wakefield to Bergland. 14 to 20" new powder. The main trail was just rolled and groomed. Temps were about 14 F and the ground is not yet frozen.
0 miles on the odometer so the first 50 were run at 4700 -5500 RPMS only. Took Forever. I still could feel a great difference between the 03 shorty RX-1 and this monster.
06 RTX Stock with 96 1.325 woody's down the middle and all suspension set to middle settings. I am 5'-7" 178 lbs.
The new seat and handlebars are going to take a bit to get used to but as the day wore on it became more comfortable. No arm pump like I got from the lower setup of the RX-1. Steering feels a bit tighter but ground is not yet frozen so when the 8" bars bit you could feel it. I experienced no darting on the groomed trail, did notice a tendancy for one ski to pull when we rode ungroomed trail in about 20" of snow and I would hook the front sleds trck print but all my sleds have done that.
After 50 miles I broke off from the others and started short burst runs. I ran up to 5400 RPMs and then WOT'd to 7000 for 5 to 10 secs. and later up to 9000. The hook up is unbelievable and pull is leaps above the RX-1 which would easily dust all 3 sleds I was running with last season.
I got to the 100 mile point and went back to join up with the guys. We did not out & out drag, the lake is not frozen yet and the trail was not very wide but the fastest is the 700 edge with a 1.25 rip saw and 144 studs. We dropped the hammer several times side by side and I only ran to 8000 rpms. He was so pissed he said he thought he was fouling a plug so we waited and he changed plugs. Made 1 more run same result, in less than 100 yds I would pull him by 5 to 7 lengths and he was WOT and I would shut down at 8000.
Rear skid of the settings on the tunnel adjuster and found that full hard with the rear shock on the center notch provided what felt as the best handling for the day.
I started the day with the Fox Floats at 80 lbs and went up to 115 and settled on 95lbs.
We ran through some pretty rough stuff that would have required my kidney belt on my RX-1 and did not even know they were there. 2' - 3' troughs were swollowed without any sign of skid bottoming and the front sent nothing back through the bars. I wanted to install an MP3 player in my helmet when I rode the RX-1 to drown out the sounds I would make when the trail was rough you know - ooh ow uh and so on. RTX All I want to hear is more of the growl from the sweet motor.
I even jumped a drive approach that launched me a good 10' in the air and landed still sitting on the seat. No sounds were emitted from my lungs and I turned around and went back to do it again.
This may not be the fastest, 2nd to the 1000 skidoo, it may not be the best mogul basher like a rev or sno pro or cat but it is in my opinion the best of all worlds combined. The trails I ride throw everything at you and this sled handles it all.
I think Yamaha may have created a new class of sled with the Apex. Crossovers were created for on/off trail but after many years and types of sleds this is the best all purpose trail sled I have ridden or seen.
Final thoughts - Several problems which are well documented on this site. The windshield is junk and I have ordered a low Attack shield, I have hand protectors and the bars were still very cold. Other than that I have no complaints and nothing but praise for this sled.
Thanks for listening and hope all of your first rides go as well.
0 miles on the odometer so the first 50 were run at 4700 -5500 RPMS only. Took Forever. I still could feel a great difference between the 03 shorty RX-1 and this monster.
06 RTX Stock with 96 1.325 woody's down the middle and all suspension set to middle settings. I am 5'-7" 178 lbs.
The new seat and handlebars are going to take a bit to get used to but as the day wore on it became more comfortable. No arm pump like I got from the lower setup of the RX-1. Steering feels a bit tighter but ground is not yet frozen so when the 8" bars bit you could feel it. I experienced no darting on the groomed trail, did notice a tendancy for one ski to pull when we rode ungroomed trail in about 20" of snow and I would hook the front sleds trck print but all my sleds have done that.
After 50 miles I broke off from the others and started short burst runs. I ran up to 5400 RPMs and then WOT'd to 7000 for 5 to 10 secs. and later up to 9000. The hook up is unbelievable and pull is leaps above the RX-1 which would easily dust all 3 sleds I was running with last season.
I got to the 100 mile point and went back to join up with the guys. We did not out & out drag, the lake is not frozen yet and the trail was not very wide but the fastest is the 700 edge with a 1.25 rip saw and 144 studs. We dropped the hammer several times side by side and I only ran to 8000 rpms. He was so pissed he said he thought he was fouling a plug so we waited and he changed plugs. Made 1 more run same result, in less than 100 yds I would pull him by 5 to 7 lengths and he was WOT and I would shut down at 8000.
Rear skid of the settings on the tunnel adjuster and found that full hard with the rear shock on the center notch provided what felt as the best handling for the day.
I started the day with the Fox Floats at 80 lbs and went up to 115 and settled on 95lbs.
We ran through some pretty rough stuff that would have required my kidney belt on my RX-1 and did not even know they were there. 2' - 3' troughs were swollowed without any sign of skid bottoming and the front sent nothing back through the bars. I wanted to install an MP3 player in my helmet when I rode the RX-1 to drown out the sounds I would make when the trail was rough you know - ooh ow uh and so on. RTX All I want to hear is more of the growl from the sweet motor.
I even jumped a drive approach that launched me a good 10' in the air and landed still sitting on the seat. No sounds were emitted from my lungs and I turned around and went back to do it again.
This may not be the fastest, 2nd to the 1000 skidoo, it may not be the best mogul basher like a rev or sno pro or cat but it is in my opinion the best of all worlds combined. The trails I ride throw everything at you and this sled handles it all.
I think Yamaha may have created a new class of sled with the Apex. Crossovers were created for on/off trail but after many years and types of sleds this is the best all purpose trail sled I have ridden or seen.
Final thoughts - Several problems which are well documented on this site. The windshield is junk and I have ordered a low Attack shield, I have hand protectors and the bars were still very cold. Other than that I have no complaints and nothing but praise for this sled.
Thanks for listening and hope all of your first rides go as well.
dirkdiggler
Suspended
Sounds like a good Time. Did you say you lauched 10 feet in the air? That's crazy. 
Sidewinder
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
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- Mar 19, 2005
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- 2017 Yamaha Sidewinder LTX LE
- LOCATION
- Waterloo
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- www.streettechracing.com
Great report!!!
Yeah it was an approach to a drive that was plowed that morning and real stiff. We were clearing the road and landong on the far side that was a down hill slope. I figure we were flying about 30 till we landed. I am not a jumper but this sled makes you feel comfortable leaving the ground. My RX-1 would feel like it wanted to roll over if the skis did not leave the ground together but not this sled.
dirkdiggler
Suspended
Man you should change your name to Yamablair !!!
Again sounds like you had a blast!!!!
Again sounds like you had a blast!!!!
Im leaning towards ICBY inter Continental Ballistic Yamaha
actionjack
TY 4 Stroke God
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- 2017 SideWinder LTX-LE
Great report! The Apex does launch nicely. I'm itcing for more snow!
Mighty
TY 4 Stroke God
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23 Sidewinder SRX
Nice report 
MR.HAPPY
TY 4 Stroke Master
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COOL DEAL!!!!!!!!!!
I'm U.P. bound Wed. night!!!!!!!!
Going to be on the- Attak!!!!!
BR
I'm U.P. bound Wed. night!!!!!!!!
Going to be on the- Attak!!!!!
BR
spankyrtx
Newbie
When I took my RTX out for the first time, I rode it like I stole it, lol. I have read that the engine runs just as strong, not matter how you break it in. I didn't really drive it that hard, it is brand new and looks very sweet, hate to wreck it this quickly. But I noticed it doesn't take much throttle to clear the whole road at an approach and the landing was way smoother than the previous sno-pro I was riding. Very very nice sled. I am tottally impressed.
King44
Extreme
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2005
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- 466
You guys with your reports are making my plan to by a sled next year, harder and harder.Financially I can't swing it this year, but with testamonies like yours and all the others(including the sled mags) I think I'll rob a bank!!!
