Viper Review LTX SE

[MADDOG24]

Just got back from the Vipers maiden voyage in the UP. I came off of an 06 Apex RTX for comparison.

VIPER ADVANTAGES

Seat position
handle bar position
handling
quietness of ride ( less track and engine noise at speed )
zero ice build up
hand warmers ( although less adjustment range )
bump capability
off trail capability
MPG ( not that important to me )
gauges
looks

APEX ADVANTAGE

Top end pull
hardware ( fasteners )
fit and finish

APEX 500 mile issues

shredded bogie wheels
cold hand warmers
frozen fuel pump relays
severe darting
inop grease zerks to do bad welds on suspension

VIPER LTX SE 500 mile issues

below zero morning start required more cranking to start


Conclusion:

This sled has exceeded my expectations. It is a lot of fun to ride. It handles well, rides well and has an excellent seat and bar position. I love the engine and the exhaust sound. It pulls real hard up to the 85 range then flattens out some .
It is certainly not a lake racer , but is a very potent trail and off trail machine. I don't miss the Apex at all. And for comparison, I have spent some seat time in a power steering Apex as well.

 

[DigitalFusion]

Love a review as compared to the apex!
how many miles did you end up with?

 

[STENOD]

Great review... I also am coming off an 06 apex GT to a Viper. Picking it up Sunday and riding in the Houghton lake / Gaylord area.

Getting rid of the inside ski lift would be nice, did the viper solve that problem? Also, did you have any pushing in corners? what was your initial setup?

 

[MADDOG24]

I put on , just shy of 500 miles. It was a mix of hard pack groomed trails, loose powder and some off trail. As far as pushing in the corners, I did have some initial turn in push. Once I pumped up the pressure in the shocks , in turned in real good. I , at first, put in too much pressure and I could initiate some ski lift when push hard. I backed it down some and seemed to be spot on. Because it was trail side, I set the pressure with the skis on the ground. It was around 95 lbs.

I was surprised how well the stock windshield works. I actual found a dealer that had a mid sport shield in stock. I used it for 50 miles and took it back. Because of the shape of the mid height shield. The wind swirls to the sides of my helmet. Even with ear plugs , the sound was deafening . I will either check out cat windshield, or keep the stock shield .

 

[Stinson]

I put on , just shy of 500 miles. It was a mix of hard pack groomed trails, loose powder and some off trail. As far as pushing in the corners, I did have some initial turn in push. Once I pumped up the pressure in the shocks , in turned in real good. I , at first, put in too much pressure and I could initiate some ski lift when push hard. I backed it down some and seemed to be spot on. Because it was trail side, I set the pressure with the skis on the ground. It was around 95 lbs.

I was surprised how well the stock windshield works. I actual found a dealer that had a mid sport shield in stock. I used it for 50 miles and took it back. Because of the shape of the mid height shield. The wind swirls to the sides of my helmet. Even with ear plugs , the sound was deafening . I will either check out cat windshield, or keep the stock shield .

I am dissapointed to hear about the noise/wind issue on the mid height sport shield, as I have one on order. Any other folks run into this issue?

 

[Blu2U2]

I put on , just shy of 500 miles. It was a mix of hard pack groomed trails, loose powder and some off trail. As far as pushing in the corners, I did have some initial turn in push. Once I pumped up the pressure in the shocks , in turned in real good. I , at first, put in too much pressure and I could initiate some ski lift when push hard. I backed it down some and seemed to be spot on. Because it was trail side, I set the pressure with the skis on the ground. It was around 95 lbs.

I was surprised how well the stock windshield works. I actual found a dealer that had a mid sport shield in stock. I used it for 50 miles and took it back. Because of the shape of the mid height shield. The wind swirls to the sides of my helmet. Even with ear plugs , the sound was deafening . I will either check out cat windshield, or keep the stock shield .

I am dissapointed to hear about the noise/wind issue on the mid height sport shield, as I have one on order. Any other folks run into this issue?

No problems with wind noise on my mid height AC shield. I do have the mirrors but I don't think this would make a difference.

 

[MADDOG24]

I will have to look into Cat shield. It is a different shape.