So, should I buy a sidewinder??

[Pstn head]

My first feeling was an rtx 129 would be best, but others say I need the longer track...

RTX its just that little bit more nimble,imo, take your Curve skis and install them onto the Sidewinder, like said above dont waste your time with the stock tuners.

 

[SumpBuster]

My brother and I both have an apex and a SW. He's 6'4" and prefers his apex. You'll occasionally see a comment from guys over 6'2" that don't love the SW. I think he'll come around eventually. Just something to think about since the seating position is dramatically different.

I have the wrp seat with risers on the apex, and it's much better than stock, but the sw felt at home sitting on it. I would miss the apex type gauges....like the big analog tach...

 

[WinterWolf]

Sumpbuster, when you come right down to it..the 137 has about 4 or 5 more inches of track on the ground. If that is gonna make that much more difference in ride...then by all means go that route. I don't think there will be that much difference in ride quality, but there will be a big difference in transfer and nimbleness with the shorter 129, but that's just my opinion.

 

[JPS]

I have the wrp seat with risers on the apex, and it's much better than stock, but the sw felt at home sitting on it. I would miss the apex type gauges....like the big analog tach...

I was in the same boat as you so a few months ago i put my 12 Apex XTX up for sale and priced it high i thought. one week later guy came to look and pulled out the $$. I had the apex running good, PCV, star rear suspension, dual pressure floats on front, WRP seat, Pilot 6.9's, I almost told the buyer i did not want to sell it but let it go. Replacement is a Sidewinder XTX SE. I wanted the higher profile track and the transfer. already made a bunch of changes been reading TY posts too much. I have yet to ride a sidewinder except in and out of the trailer hope its a little impressive after all the coin I dropped.

 

[Soldier'spapa]

I was in the same boat as you so a few months ago i put my 12 Apex XTX up for sale and priced it high i thought. one week later guy came to look and pulled out the $$. I had the apex running good, PCV, star rear suspension, dual pressure floats on front, WRP seat, Pilot 6.9's, I almost told the buyer i did not want to sell it but let it go. Replacement is a Sidewinder XTX SE. I wanted the higher profile track and the transfer. already made a bunch of changes been reading TY posts too much. I have yet to ride a sidewinder except in and out of the trailer hope its a little impressive after all the coin I dropped.

My story is similar except my Apex is still for sale.

I'm hoping the Ltx-le delivers close to the ride quality I have with the m-20 in the Ape.

 

[XP123]

I owned an Apex and a 2008 Nytro but left and went 1200 Doo. I felt the 1200 did everything much better than both my Yamahas did. I came back to Yamaha for two reasons, the new turbo engine and the Cat chassis. I knew after my Nytro that I no longer wanted a Yamaha chassis sled and I know Cat knows how to build a great one. I bought my Winder without even trying one but after a short season with it I'm very happy with my Sidewinder. I love the fact that I now have a Yamaha engine in a chassis that works and works well. Unlike many loyal Yamaha guys I feel the Yamaha Cat joint effort is the best thing to happen for both manufacturers. The Sidewinder is a gem and I hope they continue to work together because if they do we will be in for some awesome stuff in the future.

 

[Beerman]

Don't do it. This sled is like black tar heroine. Once you start, you can't stop. I've never had so much fun with a sled, and it's not right.

 

[Kevin]

I always said buy a new sled was a waste of money
When from a SRX to a 2010 Apex and loved the Apex
Then this damn sidewinder was announced
Spring checked one and Holy $hit did I enjoy it last year!
No regrets here the sled can always keep me smiling on a long day of riding

 

[fatchance]

Not only does it keep the smiles all day, but on those long all day rides, you don't feel like you're all beat up!

 

[XP123]

I always said buy a new sled was a waste of money
When from a SRX to a 2010 Apex and loved the Apex
Then this damn sidewinder was announced
Spring checked one and Holy $hit did I enjoy it last year!
No regrets here the sled can always keep me smiling on a long day of riding

I agree, I kind of got into a rut with my 1200 Doo's. Even though I liked them I was looking forward to riding the trails instead of riding my sled. Now I look forward to riding my sled again.

 

[geez150]

Will be a whole lot more interesting this winter as we now have a 129 and two 137 in the group, and will do lots of back to back, really hoping the guys who told me last yr the 129 had great transfer were correct...I believe it though, as my 12 129" did do that well.

Nice thing is its easy to dial too much transfer OUT(if need be) but as I found last season, the 137 was not able to get it to transfer at all, It would need a relocation of the arm IMO. Block removal and longest strap did basically nothing. So corner to corner was very poor.

Dan

Looking forward to hearing your real world experience going from 137-129. I like the way the 137 rides it's almost Doo like. But agree lack of transfer is a downer. Looking forward to hearing ride quality 129-137 as many have said 137 is a lot closer to Doo in ride vs 129.

 

[XP123]

For years the engineers have been working on getting rid of transfer and keeping the ski's on the ground. Now there are some who like the ski's in the air. I'm just glad we have options. I know I can ride faster with my ski's on the ground and not in the air. Then again I'm an old guy who put puts down the trails ticking off all the snocross guys.

 

[LouTurbo]

I set the steering post almost vertical and was able to manage with the stock tuner skis using offset carbides, but I still could ride it like I stole it without hitting anything. Now have a set of Pilot 5.7's ready to install.

 

[KnappAttack]

For years the engineers have been working on getting rid of transfer and keeping the ski's on the ground. Now there are some who like the ski's in the air. I'm just glad we have options. I know I can ride faster with my ski's on the ground and not in the air. Then again I'm an old guy who put puts down the trails ticking off all the snocross guys.

I don't get it either. The thing I'm happiest about with the SideWinder is the fact it will keep the inside ski down in a corner and keep the ski lift to a min under power without loosing ride quality. I tried in vain for years to get this on my turbo 1200 and could never get it where I was happy with the ride quality and lessened ski lift together.

I think people are so used to the way the Doo's work they think that's the way it should or needs to be. I want my skis on the ground and in control of the machine myself too.

If you like the pulling the skis all the time just get rid of the transfer blocks and shaft and loosen the limiter. It's pretty easy to make it a wheelie machine if that's what you prefer.

 

[SumpBuster]

I was in the same boat as you so a few months ago i put my 12 Apex XTX up for sale and priced it high i thought. one week later guy came to look and pulled out the $$. I had the apex running good, PCV, star rear suspension, dual pressure floats on front, WRP seat, Pilot 6.9's, I almost told the buyer i did not want to sell it but let it go. Replacement is a Sidewinder XTX SE. I wanted the higher profile track and the transfer. already made a bunch of changes been reading TY posts too much. I have yet to ride a sidewinder except in and out of the trailer hope its a little impressive after all the coin I dropped.

It sounds like it should be a great sled...might take some tuning, especially skis. I'd be tempted to start out with curves though. Especially when we get that crunchy thin ice layer you break through and the sled tips, or grabs....the curves have never allowed that, as they are pretty wide up front and in back.