steering and handwarmer question

[rangermaxx]

I have a 2010 Apex LTX GT, I have put about 1200km on it since purchasing it, I must say this is the nicest sled ive ever ridden. However I do have a few questions about it.

I find the steering in snow thats ~6" or deeper is pretty much non existant, Is there anything I can do so I am able to turn on anything that isint a hard packed trail. In either one of these scenarios you will have the bars cranked and it wont do anything. The same goes with driving it across parking lots/not very much snow, it doesnt turn at all. I have an 02 arctic cat Z series that turns fine in both of these scenarios so I am thinking its just a setup issue with my Apex or maybe its due to the long track I dont know?

Also, I have been doing ALOT of reading about the handwarmers, the ones on my sled work about 40% of the time, sometimes they are warm, once they've actually got so hot I had to turn them down but the majority of the time they are cold/luke warm. I heard that they fixed this issue in 2010 or updated it or someting?, I have also heard that the ECU could be bad or the grips themselves may be breaking down. I am thinking on getting the yamaheater but before I do that , how do I go abouts testing the stock grips and factory ECU? I just want to determine the stock ones are the problem before dropping $200.

Thanks

 

[marq]

I'd check to see where the transfer is set. You might not have enough ski pressure. Also the limiter strap setting.

Rockmeister should be able to help you determine if you need the Yamaheater. I've never had any dealings with him but from what I've read and heard he isn't the type to sell you his stuff just to sell it to you. Send him a PM.

 

[kbrandt]

I put a set of a arm guards on my sled and it made a huge difference in the deep snow. I also installed the yamaheaters and would not give a second thought about installing them again. Great purchase and awesome troubleshooting from Rock

 

[Rockmeister]

Hi rangermexx!

Would seriously doubt you have an ECU issue, they are really rare.

You can check the grips with an ohm/multimeter.
They should be 7-7.5 ohms per grip.

It is unlikely to be a bad connection, the ECU is really good at sensing bad connections & giving a code 81 if there is an issue.
(You will know it if you get one.)

You are always welcome to PM me & get my number, will help with any troubleshooting.

One thing you should do first is trickle charge your battery overnight.
Yes, your sled may start and sound fine.
However, the battery could be low & the ECU can sense it and shut your grips off.
Even if we can't sense a low battery, our ECUs can.
(This happens alot.)

Hopefully it is that simple.
Definitely would try it!

Thanks guys, you are exactly right.
I won't try to sell anyone something they don't need/want.
Rather have people happy selling them something they DO need or want!
(Maybe I should become a Bartender! lol)

Rock

 

[lawmanbsi]

I had a bad ECU on my 06. it would display the code 81. I traced the wires down from the ecu conector plug to the grips checking for continuity and tested the grips ohms. All was good replaced the ecu,problem solved.

I had bought the Yamaheaters first thinking the problem was the noted low heat output issue. I would recommend the Yamaheaters even if the problem is elsewhere. Rode in -14* and had hot grips

 

[rangermaxx]

Just so I have a rough idea, how far is your guys tensioner rod backed out and what hole setting on the limiter strap.

I think I am going to get the yamaheater and be done with all of these problems

 

[erosled]

Not saying anything against getting Yamaheaters, but 2010 and up grips get HOT in stock form. Sounds like you are having an issue with the heaters that would need to be addressed before installing Rockmeisters kit anyway. Take him up on his troubleshooting offer.

 

[Apex Dave]

Probably a couple of things you could like at for steering. How much carbides do yo have on your ski's. Also you ski pressure will help out with steering in the snow. Parking lots are another story. I ran a set of Begy triple points 24" a side and they did pretty good in parking lots.
Yamaheaters are the way to roll. I go them for my sled adn my other three buddies all put them on there sleds. The only time I couldn't get warm hands was when it was 28 below rolling into Wisconsin a couple years ago.

 

[Bluebullet]

Ranger, I have the same sled. I have found that the sled works best with the transfer rod to min transfer, limit straps with 2 and 1/2 holes showing, front springs on shocks ( Ski)backed off till they just start will turn by hand. Check you rear sag setting for your weight. Stock skis? check your carbides for wear and try shims. I now have the tuner skis and that was the biggest improvement for handling. If you can make small changes and test, make anther small change and test that is the best method. slight changes on the transfer rod makes quite a difference. Ski alignment is also very important. All sled are still slightly different as are the riders so I hope this will give you some ideas to help.
Terry

 

[Rockmeister]

Not saying anything against getting Yamaheaters, but 2010 and up grips get HOT in stock form. Sounds like you are having an issue with the heaters that would need to be addressed before installing Rockmeisters kit anyway. Take him up on his troubleshooting offer.

Unfortunately this is not always the case.
MORE of the newer sleds get hot as they come new.
However, not all of them do.
There are still many that are simply not warm enough, as in prior years, the Nytros are still the coldest.

Definitely contact me, will go through some tests & find out exactly what is going on & get you going!

Rock

 

[VectorLTX2012]

What I found riding the last two times out was; first time my left index and thumb were cold and never really warmed up and the second ride I found that I was grabbing the grip too close to the brake controller causing the same condition. Once I moved my hand closer to the grab hook on the grip my whole hand would get warm. Now keep in mind that I have a 2012 which is only a couple years old. I wish the heaters were slightly longer and covered more of the grip for flexibility.

I too have a difficult time turning my sled is loose or soft snow. Although, I need see some improvement when I changed my transfer rod to less transfer, now it is in the middle. I may have to go more to because the front is still pretty light when on the gas. Although, to be fair I had a pretty good load because of the saddlebag I was carrying after that last change. I tried to adjust my rear sag, but I was max'd out on the adjustment and I'm not that heavy (200# without gear).

 

[rangermaxx]

There's a lot of good information here, I appreciate it all thanks. I thought I would report back on my findings incase anyone else has similar problems in the future. I adjusted my transfer rod a little bit and tightened up the limiter strap, it gave me a bit more ski pressure but it still wouldnt turn. I never even thought to look at the carbides because I had been running on good snow and only put 1000km on it or so (bought it used at 1600) so I assumed they would still be good. I went to royal distributing where I found carbides for an apex, although they didnt look like they would fit my sled so I held off. I went back and noticed my sled had kimpex ski's on it, which I had no idea were aftermarket. So I went back and got 6.5" carbides for my kimpex skis. I must say now the sled handles like a completely new machine. It has so much grip now I am going to have to relearn how to drive it haha. I havent had time to look into the rear sag yet but it seems to be handling like a dream now.

I read through a pile of posts on here about the yamaheater kit and found which wires to test for my grips and they both checked out ok with an ohm meter. So I put it all back together and bought a set of powermadd hand guards. These made a huge difference, my hands are actually hot now. Although my thumb warmer doesnt get as hot, I will be picking up the yamaheater for the thumbwarmer on my sled.

Finally back up and running quite nicely but I keep popping fuses for my heated visor shield, I changed 2 of them, it was a little wet out both days but I had plugged the visor in before starting the sled and they keep popping, I tried the visor and cord on a friends machine and it worked fine, got to figure this minor issue out and I'll be laughing.

Ive put about 2300km on the machine and it's unreal to ride, I would definitely purchase another apex or recommend someone to purchase one if they are in the market for a sled.

 

[Rockmeister]

Up your accessory fuse one size.
Should take care of it.
You can use up to a 15A fuse without any risk to the wiring.

Rock