MADDOG24
Expert
Total Miles 2200
Previous Sled 2006 RTX Apex for comparison
The more miles I put on the Viper, the more I enjoy riding it. Corner to corner, this sled is a rocket. It handles amazing, rides great and i never get tire riding it. The ride is much improved after softening the rear suspension. The engine is still loosening up and getting faster. The RPM's are raising to the point of needing some clutching changes.
In comparison to the Apex , I find the Viper to be much better built for a first year sled.
Items that I had to replace on the Viper:
1) Broken Primary Spring
Items I had to replace on the Apex:
1) all the Bogey wheels
2) Handle Bars ( original didn't put out heat )
3) hyfax
4) Fuel pump relay
5) RA dial adjust cable
6) Rear suspension arm ( inop grease zirk ) bad welds)
I did have the reverse update done on the Viper at the end of season, even though I had zero issues with mine.
After taking a good look at he Viper and comparing it to the Apex, the Viper weathered the first year WAY better than the Apex. The Apex , after the first season showed a lot more wear and tear than the Viper. The front end was very loose on the Apex ( front bushings worn out ) Paint was chipped on the front A arms. The rear suspension was full of rust and paint chips on the Apex. I also had some track rub on the Apex ( was common). Steering also had a lot more steering slop than that of the Viper. The paint where your foot sits was already wearing through on the Apex. Yes , the plastic panels and fasteners are better quality on the Apex. The Apex was also starting to backfire, the beginning of the end of the first set of Y pipes and exhaust donuts that went out on the Apex. The Viper painted suspension parts looks a ton better.
In review, the Viper has exceeded my expectations. I rode more 200 mile + days this season on the Viper than I ever did on the Apex. The Viper is just plain fun to ride. The riding position is perfect for me and my style of riding.
There is some top end speed left out there in the clutching to be found ( as others have noted) . I have no doubt, that Yamaha will fix the hot start issue.( I had this pop up once in my final 500 mile ride.)
Previous Sled 2006 RTX Apex for comparison
The more miles I put on the Viper, the more I enjoy riding it. Corner to corner, this sled is a rocket. It handles amazing, rides great and i never get tire riding it. The ride is much improved after softening the rear suspension. The engine is still loosening up and getting faster. The RPM's are raising to the point of needing some clutching changes.
In comparison to the Apex , I find the Viper to be much better built for a first year sled.
Items that I had to replace on the Viper:
1) Broken Primary Spring
Items I had to replace on the Apex:
1) all the Bogey wheels
2) Handle Bars ( original didn't put out heat )
3) hyfax
4) Fuel pump relay
5) RA dial adjust cable
6) Rear suspension arm ( inop grease zirk ) bad welds)
I did have the reverse update done on the Viper at the end of season, even though I had zero issues with mine.
After taking a good look at he Viper and comparing it to the Apex, the Viper weathered the first year WAY better than the Apex. The Apex , after the first season showed a lot more wear and tear than the Viper. The front end was very loose on the Apex ( front bushings worn out ) Paint was chipped on the front A arms. The rear suspension was full of rust and paint chips on the Apex. I also had some track rub on the Apex ( was common). Steering also had a lot more steering slop than that of the Viper. The paint where your foot sits was already wearing through on the Apex. Yes , the plastic panels and fasteners are better quality on the Apex. The Apex was also starting to backfire, the beginning of the end of the first set of Y pipes and exhaust donuts that went out on the Apex. The Viper painted suspension parts looks a ton better.
In review, the Viper has exceeded my expectations. I rode more 200 mile + days this season on the Viper than I ever did on the Apex. The Viper is just plain fun to ride. The riding position is perfect for me and my style of riding.
There is some top end speed left out there in the clutching to be found ( as others have noted) . I have no doubt, that Yamaha will fix the hot start issue.( I had this pop up once in my final 500 mile ride.)
yamadoo
Yamadoo is a snowmobile ' aholic'.
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86 SnoScoot(2) for grand kids
Great post
I too have/had a 2006 Apex and had those issues and LOVED that sled for 12k miles!!
So looking forward to my VIPER!!!
I too have/had a 2006 Apex and had those issues and LOVED that sled for 12k miles!!
So looking forward to my VIPER!!!
bleedyamaha
TY 4 Stroke Master
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love it
I feel the same way I have nothing to compare it to. My 2002 viper. I was worried when I bought it that it wasnt going to have the thrust my 2002 viper had. Well the torque from my ltx se met my expectations. Had a low idle drop on me at 200 miles and bangn rev limiter out of hole but I calmed that down a little with 8 dn and shims. Iam still tweaking the little stuff and wil try messing with clutches next season. I really like this machine with no regrets. I have one more ride Saturday than putting it away for the season.
I feel the same way I have nothing to compare it to. My 2002 viper. I was worried when I bought it that it wasnt going to have the thrust my 2002 viper had. Well the torque from my ltx se met my expectations. Had a low idle drop on me at 200 miles and bangn rev limiter out of hole but I calmed that down a little with 8 dn and shims. Iam still tweaking the little stuff and wil try messing with clutches next season. I really like this machine with no regrets. I have one more ride Saturday than putting it away for the season.
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Great post
I will be updating my post after this weekend...
Then switching it over to asphalt racing
I will be updating my post after this weekend...
Then switching it over to asphalt racing
YamahaTim
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NOS-PRO said:
Where are you going this weekend?
Overall the Viper is bad #*$&@ looking!! And it has the potential of being a awesome sled! Just a few tweaks here and there and this thing would rock! I had some issues sure, but there is something really good underneath the shell of this thing! And in a couple of years they will address all the problems. And it will be a great all around sled! Great in trails, ditches, jumping and handles awesome!
NOS-PRO said:
5" new snow (wet and heavy) in the Minocqua area I'm told. Many of the clubs up there keep grooming till the end.
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Heading up to Michigan 1 last time 
YamahaTim
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NOS-PRO said:Heading up to Michigan 1 last time
Well, have fun!! And hit a jump for me
L
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Hell yeah!!!!
YamahaTim
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NOS-PRO said:
Thank you!!
RXVIPER
Pro
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2003 RX-1
Totally agree with Tim , I have 4000 Kms and they have been awesome. Once I build this sled with the performance stuff that I want it will be the PERFECT sled.Got lots of remarks on how awesome this sled looks.
YamahaTim
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Rxviper said:
It sure does look good!! I think I have had the most people comment about this sled than any others combined! But we will need a few things from Yamaha! HELP US
RAMSOMAIR
TY 4 Stroke God
viper
That's good that the Viper is coming around. I did hear a lot of bashing about the Apex having to be tweaked here and there to make it what it should have been. Sounds EXACTLY the same for the Viper.
All sleds are not perfect for everyone and therefore need to be tweaked to suit the rider.
Hope the Viper continues to get better, just as the Apex has and continues to do!
That's good that the Viper is coming around. I did hear a lot of bashing about the Apex having to be tweaked here and there to make it what it should have been. Sounds EXACTLY the same for the Viper.
All sleds are not perfect for everyone and therefore need to be tweaked to suit the rider.
Hope the Viper continues to get better, just as the Apex has and continues to do!
09nytro
TY 4 Stroke God
Nice write up maddog24 , it's always nice to hear some good things !
