Things I noticed on my 2016 apex xtx

[20/80]

First of all this to me is a great sled, but there is a few things about the sled that I need some opinions on where it is my first Apex, first fuel mileage, I am getting around 13 to 15 mpg when driving between 30-40 mph on the trail and in twisty slow riding wooded trails, these are all not groomed trails, trail conditions play a role also holding it to the bar changes the mpg quickly also, next single shot suspension, I have the 146 1"3/4 backcountry track which is good in the deeper snow trails but I do find that it chews up the trail behind you, I have the updated shock and find it rides a lot better than the factory the Apex came with first, something I noticed about the single shot skid is in the choppy bumpy slow wooded trails the skid makes a clunking sound from the skid rebounding at times and can be a bit annoying, not sure if anybody else experienced this to or not, steering, I got rid of the factory tuners where I felt they were just to narrow for the weight of the sled in the deeper stuff, I run the VK pro skis now with ST on them and like this setup, did some testing today to see why the ST were darting from side to side in crusty snow, turns out my front air pressure was way to high I have the shocks set at 70psi now and has made a world of difference, one more thing I noticed this morning and has not happened before is when I went to start my machine the dash lit up and cycled but would not turn over, turn the key on and off a couple of times and then it finally turned over and started, it was not that cold out last evening so it has me puzzled? worked fine all day, your thoughts and experience with Apexes is more than welcomed. thanks

 

[mikextx]

I have the same sled, only 2017. Your gas mileage seems about right on. I use pilot 6.9 skis on mine, it handles like its on rails. If the front shocks have to much air, i find it darts more. Mine clunks underneath in the chops also. When it wan new i was always stopping to look underneath to check on it. Nothing was ever wrong, just noisy, i got used to it. I cut my backcountry down to 1.5inches and studded it. I also have the updated shock and love how the sled rides. I have added Rox HID healights, some LED cubes under the reflector brackets, 2.5inch pivet bar riser, and renforced the tunnel protectors. Fastest i have seen on speedo was 112mph. Love the sled. I have never had it not start for me, i would probably take it in and get it checked out. Dont want it to leave you stranded. I assume its probably something simple. Enjoy your sled, its one of the last great true Yamahas!

 

[20/80]

Thank you for your reply, I am running about 70psi now in the front shocks my a arms are almost straight across now but drives the best for me at this pressure, never even thought of cutting down the lugs to 1.5" but I think I will put the I grip screw in carbides in next season for the icy trail sections and icy hills, there is some that has used them and are having good luck, my track has beefed up round stubs as part of the lug paddle so I think this type or carbide stud would work decent, these studs would be lighter also than the push through studs, I am glad to here this is normal for the SS skid to clunk in the choppy trails, as far as it not starting I ran it all that day starting and stopping quit a few times with no problems but will contact the dealers Mech and get his thoughts on it, I am not sure what my sled will do most I seen was 150kmh that would be around 90mph, not brave enough to push my Apex past that and it hit 90mph like in a blink of a eye, could smell my sliders yesterday after a little speed run, conditions weren't the best, total miles for the season 320, that's 317 more than last season. thanks

 

[thor452]

most of the time if everything cycles ie: fuel pump and gage cluster it is going to be the starter solenoid/relay it is mounted on the frame right next to the battery it has 2 fuses on top of it. it can get corroded and not function properly. take off the connector and wires and clean and add dielectric grease to prevent future corrosion. I run the I-grip screw in studs and put on 2400 miles on my sidewinder this year and they held up very well the track is not the best for them as there is not much meat for them to hang onto but they did still hang on.

 

[20/80]

most of the time if everything cycles ie: fuel pump and gage cluster it is going to be the starter solenoid/relay it is mounted on the frame right next to the battery it has 2 fuses on top of it. it can get corroded and not function properly. take off the connector and wires and clean and add dielectric grease to prevent future corrosion. I run the I-grip screw in studs and put on 2400 miles on my sidewinder this year and they held up very well the track is not the best for them as there is not much meat for them to hang onto but they did still hang on.

Thanks for the info, I will do that, I can't imagine there right easy to access though, also thanks for your opinion on the I grip screw in type carbide studs, I find the Apex looses grip real easy when you hit ice on a trail, i'm hoping these will help.

 

[mikextx]

They recommend not to stud this sled, but i rode without them and didnt like it at all. Thats Thats why i cut my track, to make room. I didnt want to mess up my exup

 

[20/80]

They recommend not to stud this sled, but i rode without them and didnt like it at all. Thats Thats why i cut my track, to make room. I didnt want to mess up my exup

I was concerned also with the longer lug track putting in the I grip studs so I talked to my dealers Mech about it, he is a Apex guy, and informed me that there would not be a problem using these studs in 1"3/4 lug track, so that made me feel better.

 

[74Nitro]

I think the clunking noise will be the suspension coupling since there is only one shock.

 

[20/80]

I think the clunking noise will be the suspension coupling since there is only one shock.

You could be very well right, I only notice it in the choppy trails, feels like it rebounds quick and makes a clunking noise when it goes back into position.

 

[airboss]

Regarding the non-starting issue.... In my experience this is related to the starter relay, and usually occurs when the Sled sleeps outside in the cold. I had this issue with my 2010 Apex. So far, my 2017 Apex has not spent the night outside yet, so have not had it happen, but will not be surprised if it does. This seems to be a common problem and not only with the Apex model, but with others as well with a relay dependant starter. One solution is to have a (warm) spare relay and swap it out, or take the offending relay out and put it in your pocket for a bit and reinstall.

As for the studded track... In my case, when I purchased my 17 Apex, I had them swap out the OEM 1 1/4 track for an Ice Ripper pre-studded track. After having had sleds with conventional studs, and non studded tracks, for me the pre-studded works just great!

 

[20/80]

Regarding the non-starting issue.... In my experience this is related to the starter relay, and usually occurs when the Sled sleeps outside in the cold. I had this issue with my 2010 Apex. So far, my 2017 Apex has not spent the night outside yet, so have not had it happen, but will not be surprised if it does. This seems to be a common problem and not only with the Apex model, but with others as well with a relay dependant starter. One solution is to have a (warm) spare relay and swap it out, or take the offending relay out and put it in your pocket for a bit and reinstall.

As for the studded track... In my case, when I purchased my 17 Apex, I had them swap out the OEM 1 1/4 track for an Ice Ripper pre-studded track. After having had sleds with conventional studs, and non studded tracks, for me the pre-studded works just great!

Thank you, I was thinking it might be the starting relay being cold, I have seen other riders on this forum talk about this very thing with the relay and starting, where i'm new to the Apex are the relay's you speak of on the clutch side above the foot well? I believe there red, also thanks for the info on the ice ripper pre studded track, kind of the same type of stud insert idea i'm going to do with my track. thanks again

 

[thor452]

Thank you, I was thinking it might be the starting relay being cold, I have seen other riders on this forum talk about this very thing with the relay and starting, where i'm new to the Apex are the relay's you speak of on the clutch side above the foot well? I believe there red, also thanks for the info on the ice ripper pre studded track, kind of the same type of stud insert idea i'm going to do with my track. thanks again

that one is the fuel pump relay and when it freezes the fuel pump wont cycle when you turn on the key.

 

[20/80]

that one is the fuel pump relay and when it freezes the fuel pump wont cycle when you turn on the key.

Thank you.

 

[20/80]

I thought I would just give you a review on my gas can holder I custom made last season to fit my Apex xtx, first and for most it is a nice piece of mind knowing you have extra fuel for your Apex for those longer trips. I for one alway's seem to be agonizing about fuel after a couple or three bars are used up, the gas holder did a very good job doing what it was designed to do, carry extra fuel that looks neat and tidy on the back and protect the plastic fuel can from getting hot from the dual exhaust also not blocking your rear brake light off so the guy's on the Sidewinders can see it trying to keep up , I am glad to say the rack did all of this and kept the gas can nice and tight and in place and the heat shield kept the gas can nice and cool, it was designed to hold the two gallon ropax low profile fuel jug, i'm happy to say I am very pleased with the rack and is a great piece of mind upgrade to my Apex xtx. thanks