Ski-Doo 1200 4-Tec - How do they compare to an Apex?

[wtw]

Curious to get opinions from those who own/driven a Ski-Doo 1200 4-Tec compared to an Apex. What are some of the key differences in handling, comfort, acceleration, top end, reliability, fuel mileage etc. Do they feel significantly lighter than an Apex? Trying to decide between an Apex and Ski-Doo 1200. I do mostly trail riding in WI and get on lakes once in a while. Thanks!

 

[170plus]

i have heard they just about stay with the nytro from a couple of my buddies and handle better,dont know myself cause ive never tried one,wouldnt touch my apex after 90mph,might pull it on low or mid they way i have it set up for trail riding

 

[cutlass7]

I have never driven an Apex but my 1200 Renegade stayed in front of my buddies '08 800r Renegade until I let off at 160km/h...we did a rolling start from about 20km/h. The Nytro is slightly quicker off the line then it's all 1200 mid range and top end.
Back to the question, I read on Doo Talk that someone had a 1200 on radar doing 109mph sounds about right. Handling and comfort on the trails and at high speeds is excellent, fuel mileage on the trails is 17-19(cdn) most of the time, would do better if I slowed down. Reliability, so far so good, now has 2,517km. Only issue was that it was coming out of gear(then popping right back in) when working in deep snow, quick trip to the dealer for a new spring and all is well.

 

[87gtNOS]

I rode them back to back yesterday.

You guys thinking of buying a Z1T....think again! Buy another Apex/RX1 and turbo it!

Yesterday I rode, my Apex (NOS), an MCXpress Apex, Z1T and the 1200 Doo!!! I blasted down the lake, through some bumps. If you like 'ATV/giant lanwmower' feeling, then buy the Doo or Cat.

My Gawd! The Z1T is a TANK. It feels like a riding lawnmower at full tilt.
The 1200 Doo needs a turbo, but still feels like a big ATV.
The 1200 Doo chassis/ride is so nice compared to the Cat.
They both VIBRATE like hell.

They are just like driving a Go-Kart at the public Go-Kart tracks....EXACTLY the same!!!

There simply is no one making a 4 stroke like Yamaha does. Smooth!
Now if Yammy would lose some weight!!

BTW, the MCX Apex had 12000 (northern Quebec and Ontario) trail kms on it. Never been apart. A true testament to what the turbo builders are doing and their reliability!

 

[whitedust1]

Have too compare doo 1200 to Nytro not Apex. Apex will walk all over 1200 doo but not a fair race 150 to 130 hp.

 

[87gtNOS]

Have too compare doo 1200 to Nytro not Apex. Apex will walk all over 1200 doo but not a fair race 150 to 130 hp.

I wasn't racing them. And the clutching on the Doo Sucks #*$&@.
I have driven a Nytro...and the Nytro is a much more refined sled.

I did however race the MCXpress Apex...but that's another story...tied.

 

[Tycho998]

Two of the people I ride with have the 1200's. He has the long track, his wife the short track. Running in loose snow conditions I cannot come close to staying with them. The Pilots really do a good job of handling the loose stuff. Hard packed trails is another matter, I can turn just as good as they can and then come out of the corner with a lot more power. As for top end we have yet to race on a lake. The spring is not strong enough and gears pop out at about 60 mph. (Also can not run power at the moment) Should be replaced this week so we hope to go head to head this weekend. They get about 1 to 1 1/2 mpg better than I get every time. As for problems the Renagade has the bad spring and has had a front bogey wheel let go. No problems with the short track. The 1200's also have the icing problems in the tunnel just like the Apex's do. The only mod that he has done is put a handle bar riser on. They are both serious long distance riders. They got them just before Christmas and just went through 3300 miles this weekend. They both love the 1200's...Of course they traded in Polaris FSTs for them.
My sled is set up for very bumpy trails, now that we just got 7 inches of new snow, I'll be changing it back for better trails.

 

[cutlass7]

Must be really weird go carts in Toronto!!!

 

[stealth800]

I rode my buddies 1200 doo and I did not like the way that chassis feels going into corners that are bumpy compared to my Apex. The Apex feels much more predictable and feels like it will go where you want it to go. It does vibrate more and does not feel as refined as my Apex. The one thing I did not like the most was the sound, nothing sounds as good as the Apex engine! The doo engine sound is almost nonexistant at 40 MPH, you here wind and track noise. To some this might be a good thing but to me the sound of that Yammie is part of the experience. The doo is a nice sled, but I think the Yamaha is 4 stroke is the winner, but I am biased too! Also you really can't compare the Apex to the doo 1200 4tec, is is comparable to the Nitro.

 

[jds1000]

I own a 06 Apex ER, a 08 Nytro FX std and a 1200 XR Xpkg. The Nytro is my wifes sled and probably my least fav of the three. The Nytro feels jumpy compared to both the Apex and Doo and its not as predictable either. The Apex has huge power and is an awesome sled but the exhaust drone will drive you crazy on long rides. The 1200 is very quiet and the smoothest running of the three. The 1200 rides and handles the best of the three and feels a thousand lbs lighter than the Apex. I ride all three sleds on and off and when I ride the 1200 I feel the most comfortable. To me the 1200 does everything very well and it has the best combo of ride, handling and performance. I like the fact that you can't hear the engine noise of the 1200 and there is absolutely NO VIBRATION anywhere on the 1200. The ergos on the XR platform is by far the best and most comfortable. I'm sure by now you can tell that I like the new 1200 DOO, well thats a fact I DOO! This is coming from a guy who is anything but a brand loyal person. I own two Yamahas and one Doo. Now don't get me wrong, my Apex has 6000 miles on it and its been the most reliable sled I have ever owned. My problem right now with Yamaha is the 08 Nytro. They screwed the pooch with that sled. After buying new skis and much tinkering I now have a great sled that my wife loves to ride. The problem is when I go to sell it I'll have to give it away. Not just because the 08 has a bad rap but Yamaha is giving away 09's thousands of dollars cheaper than what I paid for the 08!!

 

[87gtNOS]

Must be really weird go carts in Toronto!!!

just saw this post....

Believe me...if they put a 1200 doo motor into a motorcycle, they would never sell any...it would vibrate like a harley, and sound like a golf kart!!

 

[RageX2]

For what you are doing with it you could also look at the updated 2010 vector models. they would be more closely matched to the 1200 doos depending on which model 1200 doo were you comparing too. the HP spread is not very wide between these motors.

 

[SRSchang]

I bought a new Attak in 2006, and have put 10,400 miles on it. Prior to that I had a 2005 Skidoo MXZ600SDI. I was starting to ride big mile days, & couldn't sit with my knees locked in one position on the long days. The Attak was a good compromise for my legs. I bought a new 2009 Skidoo 1200 short track in late February, and rode it 750 miles in the Upper Peninsula the first week in March. Here's my take on the two sleds.

Attak
Pros - Engine power, smoothness, sound. Fit & finish of all sled components. Has some trunk storage. Handles stutter bumps better then the Skidoo

Cons - Overheats in warmer temperatures. Excessive hifax wear. Replaced way too many idler wheels for failed bearings & delamination. Bottoms excessively in the big bumps, even though I put the heavier mono spring on & had the shock revalved. Corners poorly & darts in stock form. I tried several different carbides, shims, skis, the best I found were the Skidoo Pilots. Replaced donuts multiple times & a couple very expensive pipes. Exhaust tone echos in your helmet at 35-45 mph. Handlebar heaters suck even though I upgraded to the '07 bars.

Skidoo 4-tec
Pros - Superior cornering & little / no darting. Power comparable to the Attak to 70 mph, not as strong as the Attak above 70. Handles the big bumps much better than the Attak, but doesn't handle as well through the stutter bumps. I like the seating position better than the Attak, and lots of room to move my legs around on the new chassis. Much lighter than the Attak, don't think I notice it on the trails, but I definitely notice it moving it around in the garage & when I get stuck. No overheating in conditions that the Attak would have overheated. Little hifax wear at 750 miles, would have replaced by now on the Attak. Quiet during trail riding, important on the 300 mile days. I heard the skis cutting through the snow while cornering. Handlebar heaters are great. Very light throttle pull.

Cons - Doesn't sound as good as the Attak. Doesn't look as sharp as the Attak in my opinion. Too early to form any other opinions on durability. The throttle is very twitchy at very slow speeds. The dealer did replace the reverse spring as a recall before I picked it up. The reverse lever is very stiff & difficult to actuate. Don't know if my wife could do it. The electronic gas gauge wouldn't register above 1/2. The dealer has since replaced the sending unit, willl find out next season if it works. No storage on the sled.

In summary, I miss the top end power of the Attak, but the handling, lack of exhaust noise at certain speeds, & lack of overheating make the 1200 a better sled for me. Based on what I've seen from my wife's '08 Skidoo XP at 4600 miles, I expect the durability of the Skidoo to be superior as well.

Scott

 

[niko]

Mountain riding forget it, the apex mtn is way better. Have tried both climbing and in the powder and still think the apex is better. Now trail riding I'm not sure on but from the above post I would think its a winner. With a longer track also could be interesting. But why only 130hp from a 1200 motor?? now that's strange?

 

[YAM182]

I had a 06 Apex GT since 05 and sold it in march.
I have a 08 Nytro RTX and rode it all season.Went to snofest in Old Forge and rode back to back to back the 2009 Ski-doo 1200 TNT,09 Nytro RTX, then the Nytro XTX.
Granted these sleds suspensions could have been adjusted a little for me but OVERALL the 1200 TNT is what I liked best.Way better ride than my GT and Nytro.
Went to get on 1200 TNT for demo ride and the previous rider
said "you're going to love this".

The 1200 has better leg room to stretch out.Its much lighter than an Apex.Hot handwarmers.Wide enough to block the wind on the sides.Handled better than my Apex GT.Quiet motor.Pulls very hard.
Light throttle pull takes getting used to.Seat was nice.Overall very comfy.

I ordered my 2010 Gade 1200-X before I rode the 1200 TNT.