Trying to decide on Apex GT or REV-XP 800r?

[wtw]

Looking at either a 800 REV-XP or Apex GT. They both have pro's and con's and looking for insight from someone who is familiar with both. The press has these as the 2 best in the 150hp class. I do mostly trail riding in WI and get on lakes once in a while. Anyone come from a REV or have seat time on an XP?

 

[sandy8657]

You're on a totally Yamaha website, which sled do you think we're going to recommend?

I own an Apex GT and my son rides an Apex RTX. They just keep getting faster and faster. And they're reliable. Two strokes tend to go to crap after 3000 -5000 miles, requiring a rebuild before you blow them up. Four strokes will last for ever!

Spend $10,000 to $12,000 for a sled today, I want it to last long after the payments! The smart choice....is obviously the YAMAHA!

 

[Swiss Sledder]

First, please update your user profile to include your location.

Are you trail rider that spends most time on the seat, or do you off trail and like to hit jumps?

 

[BigMac]

My dealer carries both Yamaha and SkiDoo. He's right on a major corridor trail and I test rode both before deciding on the Apex GT - I was fully prepared to go either way. Both are really nice machines, both are very fast. The thing that sold me on the Apex was the rider position and the smoothness for trail riding. The XP is probably a little quicker than the Apex (they're awfully close in speed/acceleration), but IMHO that translates to an almost violent throttle response that I didn't find particularly pleasant on the trail. I confess I bought the Apex with the faith that I can tweak the suspension to my liking, and so far I've found that to be true. My dealer sponsors a suspension clinic with a local guy that works for Fox Racing. Next one in a couple of weeks.

They say you can't feel the weight difference between the two sleds on the trail. I felt like I could, in the way the XP kind of hopped around in the stutters and whoops. I felt like the Apex was nice and solid, predictable in the turns,without giving in any way the feeling of being too heavy in the form of driving effort. In my one hour of seat time, the XP kind of felt twitchy, the Apex solid and smooth. After I got the thing home, adjusted rear preload (sit-in) and front preload, it handles even "lighter" on our local trails and any apprehension and buyer's remorse/second guessing disappeared.

The XP is a nice sled. If I were into off-trail much, that's the way I would have gone. For the groomed-trail riding...I liked the Apex a lot better.

In doing expense comparisons, bear in mind that you'll likely want to put on some aftermarket skis. I went with Slydog Powderhounds and really like them - no darting, nice bite in the corners without heavy steering. Others really like Simmons, SLPs, and (ironically) the SkiDoo Pilot 5.7s.

 

[xcsp]

With your statement:" I do mostly trail riding in WI and get on lakes once in a while." I would think you would like the Yamaha.

I'm sure you probably have, and if you haven't, checked out other sites, such as Doo Talk to see how the new XP's are doing.

If you like the idea of just filling up the fuel tank and riding, the Yamahas are the answer.

I had an Apex, sold it, bought another 2-stroke, have since sold that and will be looking to get back on another Yamaha for '09!!

 

[SharkAttak]

APEX/ATTAK, the xp800r, seem to have alot of major problem's, i'd wait on the xp until they can sesolve the problems

 

[welterracer]

Honestly id tell you to buy the XP... if you are not a tuner or do not want to spend money on after market parts to make it the way you want it..

Just dont expect the XP to last as long mechanically as the APEX..

Out of the box, the xp will out handle and out ride the Apex hands down.. but they do get kinda twitchy.. the apex feels more stuck to the ground.. must be the weight difference..

My buddies 600 Xp gets over 20mpg riding hard and is very fast, (not as fast as my apex) but wheelies a long way from a stop and still handles great..

 

[berge75]

Looking at either a 800 REV-XP or Apex GT. They both have pro's and con's and looking for insight from someone who is familiar with both. The press has these as the 2 best in the 150hp class. I do mostly trail riding in WI and get on lakes once in a while. Anyone come from a REV or have seat time on an XP?

Your best option is to try to ride them both, and form your own opinion. At the price your paying for these ,a person really needs to drive them before making the decision. The apex is a proven unit that is super comfortable to drive. The xp is unproven, and has some serious issues. I ride with two guys that have xp's and i have no problem staying with them on the trails with an apex.

 

[Sportfury]

A local dealer sells both Yamaha and Ski-doo. The owner has 4 personal sleds which he has been driving Yamahas for the last 3 years. This year he switched to Ski-doo and said"Quote even though the xp was fast fun to drive and handled very well and one of the best he ever ridden, he still misses the 4 stroke no smell and couldnt wait to back into them again next year. Be aware that if you deside to 4 stroke and Yamaha you never GO BACK. I will quit snowmobiling before I ever go back.

 

[Randy J Beyer]

My statement next to my name sums it up !!!

 

[rapeape]

Real simple, I've refined my ever changing comparisons to this... Do you want a Corvette like sled, or do you want a fast, trophy truck like sled? If you'd want the Vette, go with the Apex. If you'd want the trophy truck, get the Doo. Both sleds are very fast.

I chose the Apex to do well on the fast, smooth roads I ride on. If I lived near tighter, bumpier trails I'd be riding the Doo, no question.

Keep us informed on your choice.

 

[KubotaOne]

I have to echo your assesment exactly Big Mac.

My neighbor has a 800 xp, I have a 06 Attak. We've switched sleds, and re-ridden the same length of trail.

Mine felt more "car" like, if that makes sense. His felt more "dirt-bike" like. Both in my opinion are similar power wise. We've yet to race, and frankly either one of us cares, they are both insanley fast.

His comments were this - "you have no idea how fast your going until you look at the speedo" "freak this thing sounds awesome!" and, over the trail we rode that night "the Apex is smoother" And my Attak was smoother, I could tell because of my helmet shaking while riding his. Now, granted I'm going into my third year with my sled, he just got his, so he has not played with his suspension at all. Fair is fair.

If i were to run off trail only, then his XP seems kinda fun. But on groomed trails, honest, I'd stick with mine. His seemed "twitchy" for the lack of better words. Was it comfartable? yes, but no more than mine. Was it smooth - no, not a chance. My Apex seems to start with authority, his XP seems to be a sleep, almost like it's begging to be pounced on, or shut down. Fuel Injection is awesome, period.

We've been through some tight and twisty's so far this season. Honestly, when I knew he bought his, I was worried about keeping up with him (not that we are that fast, we're both in our early 40's) But I think I've learn't something, after reading the rags and the net. Don't buy into hype. Trust me, I'm not brand loyal, my ATV is a Bombardier. But I was almost "nervous" about his new sled, how the hell could I keep up? I'm here to say you can keep up just fine. I've done it.

If I had all my money back, and I could buy any sled I wanted today. Honest - it would be a toss-up. My neigbour feels the same way. If I were young and wanting to bump trails and jump it, hands down I'd go with the Rev, but then again I'd probably choose the TNT. For riding groomed trails, lake running, I'll keep mine. No oil, car like reliability (his XP had the hand warmers stop working within an hours use, his gauge only partially worked, his seat can be removed with a firm slap of your palm - fit and finish is no comparison) In saying that, my hand warmers aren't great, either, so nothing is perfect.

I hope all manufacturers keep competitive, and the XP might just be the best thing to happen to Yamaha. It keeps them on their toes.

But for a 100 kmh down a slightly stuttery groomed trail on a Saturday afteroon, my Attak is my choice.

 

[ReX]

They are both very good sleds.

Personally the 2-stroke smoke, smell and vibration is the reason to select the Yamaha. If that doesn't bother you, go with the REV-XP. No matter which one you go with you'll need some suspension tuning to make them handle (if that's what you want).

Performance wise, the only real problem with the Yamaha is the poorly calibrated shocks as shipped from Yamaha (The 08's and 09's might be better).

I wrote up a comparison here of the 06/07 Apex ER/RTX to the REV-XP:

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=52402&start=69

 

[Ported Hornet]

WTW,

What kind of riding do you do. I am coming from owning 2 REVS, and I will not look back to do even with the XP. My doo never left me strand so I am not a irrate Doo customer. That should tell you about the quality, reliablity and the plain sickness of the 4 stroke motor. The motor is addictive and pulls like a freight train. I am 30 years young and a very aggressive trail ridder.

PS check out my thread: Falling in love again.