What do you recommend upgrading on '07 Apex ER??Help?

[Snowman35]

Hello,

Have a little over a 1,100 miles on this machine and was wondering if anyone can help me out with some insight on what to purchase to install this summer to upgrade this machine. I have read kinger's pros and cons section and that helped though i wanted some more input/suggestions.

Have a budget of $500.00 to spend as of right now. Though don't hestitate b/c i can save up more if something is worth purchasing.

I did notice some wear on the stock track (which is unstudded) this year mainly little thread pieces come up from the edges of the track...Probably from the rough east coast trails. Anyhow if you where to refer me in that direction i would also appreciate a referral for the type you would suggest for a 160lb rider 5'10".

Thank you in advance for all your replies!!

 

[rindtj]

IMO the two most important updates to the snowmobile would be some sort of skid upgrade. The mono-shock beef up kit looks awesome and works awesome. Also I would say, depending on slider longevity/wear and update in that department would be a good idea.

You should be able to make it another year before tackling front end bushings (check). Maybe a revalve depending on what you think of the suspension. Not much money for skis depending on how you like the handling (snowtrackers?).

It comes down to what you think of the sled? What do you want changed? What don't you like about the sled? I don't know much about the track...I am sure someone will chime in.

 

[MrChetStuart]

I'm certainly no expert on all this, but here's the changes that I've made to my 07 ER that, for me, have made a good sled incredible...

Rear shock revalve - had mine done at Pioneer. Nearly night and day difference in how the skid responds, way more comfortable. $70

GYT clicker front shocks. Obviously much more adjustable than the stock ER shocks and took all of the harshness of the trail away for me (adjusted a few slicks softer than standard setting on both comp & rebound). $325 (used, obviously)

13mm sway bar - again, from Pioneer. Much flatter handling around the corners - I could do without this mod, but well worth it IMO. $90 I think...

Dartless ski mod for stock skis (search the forums, only way to buy them here). Virtually no darting anymore unless the trails are crazy, and then I'm still 100% better off than anyone else in the group. $50

Yamaheater mod for handwarmers. In stock form the Apex warmers just don't get hot enough at zero degree or below days for me. Must have for comfort IMO. $145

Silverstar headlights - 100% better than standard lamps. If you do a lot of nighttime riding, a must. $15 a pair on ebay.

Those are all the mods that I've done that count in a big way - lots of other little things (riser, plugs, skid plate/arm protectors, etc) that are nifty, but don't have the same return on investment as the ones I've mentioned. Like I said, it made my pretty cool Apex into something that I just don't want to give up when it comes time to "switch off" with those wondering how my sled rides. It isn't perfect, but I don't think any sled is ever going to be... and the offseason changes are a fun time for me too.

So depending on if there are particular issues you were thinking of addressing, maybe that list can help you in your research a little bit. Virtually all mods that I've done have been a result of many hours of reading on TY & TY4, so you're in the right place. Have fun!

 

[actionjack]

Shouldn't be much wrong at 1,100 miles so you might want to go for comfort - Yamaheater and handlebar riser plus oil change and larger diameter wheels.

Mine has 7000 miles and I am accumulating parts to go thru a long list before putting it away for the year.

Oil change
Cold plugs - NGKCR10ek
OFT steering blocks
Ulmer front end bushings
Straighten and repaint a-arms
Lake Effect Riser
Speedo relo on riser
Mono-skid beef up
New slides
Exhaust donuts
Dye gray stripe on seat black
Tunnel extension mod to keep flap out of track
Windage plates on hand from old Apex
Ulmer stage 2 clutching on hand from old Apex
Undecided on airbox mod - can't say I gained anything on the last sled

 

[APEX 06]

For the track use a propane torch to burn them away. A good set of skis is the ski-doo pilot 6.9 skis from ski-doo. They cost only about 200 bucks and maybe a clutch kit.

 

[Snowman35]

Thanks you for the replies I appreciate them. Plz keep them coming.

What do you think about upgrading my skid? Rear suspension Area? Not that I see a problem in this area put thought it might be a good upgrade or not?

Note:I already solved the ski problem via Bergstrom's and will get the Apex beef up kit this spring.

Other Suggestion
Track Type(Non-Studded)?
Aftermarket Skid upgrade?
Upgrade existing apex skid?
New Billet wheels?

 

[rindtj]

Everyone seems to like skids such as the m10 and the ZX2, but if you plan on the beef up kit I would do that and have hygear, carver, or pioneer revalve you shock (depending on your location) they are all site sponsors. If you don't see a problem with your current setup a revalve and beef up kit will probably do fine and save you a bunch of money.

Tracks will give a lot of personal opinions on studding and not studding. I have 108 studs in my attak right now and it works pretty well, when this track wears out I think that I will try the ice ripper XT (prestudded track). With a shorty however, I am not sure how this would work i.e. not enough traction due to smaller footprint. If you don't want to stud and don't want a pre studded track I think a lot of people tend to like the deeper lug cobra track. If you do want studs, I would get a 1" (hacksaw or predator lots of opinion on these two as well) and put around 144 studs into it. Check the FAQ section at the top of the Apex General Talk Forum and look at the track options and ask around to make your decision. Undoubtedly riding style and your type of riding will dictate selection.

Billet wheels look awesome and I think tend to come with a life-time warranty. But IMO it depends on how much riding you are going to do, you get wheels from excel (site advertiser) that are also over sized with replaceable bearings, I think that these wheels would last thousands of miles. You need to make the decision on whether or not double the price is worth it.....don't forget the bling-bling factor.

 

[MrChetStuart]

My offseason mods this year are going to include the mono beef up (just because I'd rather have it reinforced now rather than break something later as I rack up more miles on the sled) and I've had a predator track sitting here for a few months that I want to go with. Have run the predator on both my SRXs and they just flat out hook up in everything. Made the mistake a few years back of putting a new predator on the GF's sled *before* I did mine (her track had some ripped windows, so it was a need-to-do sort of thing at the time) and she absolutely destroyed me every single WOT run the rest of season... so that part sort of sucked lol, but the tracks hook up great - I got one for my SRX the next season. A lot of folks have good things to say about the newer Cobra tracks - was going to try one myself, but got a good deal on the predator and I already knew they work great.

 

[rindtj]

Chet,

Did you stud these tracks and do you plan to stud the pred. on your Apex?

 

[MrChetStuart]

Chet,

Did you stud these tracks and do you plan to stud the pred. on your Apex?

Here's the deal - I have a pair of 98 SRX 700s & one came with the stock 7/8" Yokahama w/ 96 studs when I bought it. I ran that track for 2 short seasons. Like I said, had to do a new track for the other SRX so I put a 1" predator on it. The predator absolutely annihilated the studded jokahama in 95% of normal trail situations, and that's why I got one for myself the next season. I mean not even remotely comparable.

Most guys that I ride with run studded, and for the most part they seem to feel it's necessary for how they ride. I don't currently stud, nor do I see myself doing so in the future, regardless of my track choice. When I lead I can clip along pretty well and rarely have anyone on my bumper if I don't want to... if I'm following, I have few issues keeping up with anyone in our group (or guest riders for that matter) and feeling safe about it. Sure, icy corners are dangerous w/o studs, but I've witnessed enough times (this past weekend more than a few times) studded sleds "pushing" guys through those same icy corners because their carbides aren't biting and they can't steer though, so I guess same dangerous corner problem, different cause. I'll just go a little slower if conditions demand it. Obviously studded sleds flat out stop better in those situations though, so that's a plus.

My reasoning... first, I really do think studs give some riders an inflated sense of security in icy conditions. I'd rather be riding more cautiously if the trails are thin/icy than thinking I can push it harder because of studs. It's just how I think about it I guess - some may call BS & say that studs offer enough additional safety to compensate for icy conditions if you don't ride like an idiot. It only takes a split second of idiot though to be in the trees. Second, I'd rather not have to deal with a stud thrown into my heat exchanger. It's never happened with anyone I ride with, but it is apparently not uncommon.

I trail ride almost entirely, so if you do enough lake running, studs are pretty much a necessity I'd say. Just my 2 cents worth on it all...

 

[rindtj]

I agree with you, which is why my next sled will have the Ice Ripper XT. I have no need for 144 studs the way I ride, but want a little bit more.

 

[Snowman35]

ttt

 

[snowdust]

It is going to depend on what you already like/dislike.

Is the ride good enough for you?
Are the hand warmers good enough?
Traction good enough?
Handling?
Performance?
Having trouble with slide wear?

Give us a 1-10 rating on how happy you are in each area and we can make recommendations. There is no sense upgrading things you are already happy with.

 

[Snowman35]

It is going to depend on what you already like/dislike.

Is the ride good enough for you?
Are the hand warmers good enough?
Traction good enough?
Handling?
Performance?
Having trouble with slide wear?

Give us a 1-10 rating on how happy you are in each area and we can make recommendations. There is no sense upgrading things you are already happy with.

Ride is Good
Hardwarmers fine for me
Traction could be more tighter
Handles okay
Performance Great
Slide wear no problems there.

What do you think Mono beef kit, New Track(ice ripper sounds alright), Bling type wheels?