What Sled is mine?

[Murse]

I find the xtx very stiff without the star suspension. But that's my opinion. I looked at them before deciding to get the short track version. Test drive one for half a day. Not for me.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[Extreem]

Apex for the win.

 

[New Sledder]

Okay, so I'm going to test a '04 Warrior and an '03 RX-1 this weekend. I can pay cash for either of these and then look towards the '11 Apex in a year or two, as my "step-up" sled. Am I off base on this thinking? As stated earlier, I don't want to sink a ton of money on conversions or upgrades, as you never get even 50% of that money back. I believe I'll probably be happier with the Warrior due to the longer track, but I'll have an idea of the pros and cons of each. Any input on things to look for and be careful of would help. I'd like to spring for the Apex, but I don't want to finance a "toy". Isn't the Warrior an older "poor mans" version of a newer Apex?
Thanks again for all the input. You guys have narrowed things down quite a bit for me.

 

[SXRider7Hundo]

The Warrior is carbed but pretty strong motor, and being an 04 it has the proaction skid in it. Honestly there are better options out there for the older RX/RS chassis that are in your price range. The Warrior also has a lower seat so it will have more of a "sit in" rather than "sit on" feeling. If you are willing to take the time to swap an older Nytro seat onto the Warrior (easy as pie) it will have Apex-like seating along with a bar riser. The later models with the mono in it were better, but they still had the not as great W arm on them. If they are well cared for they are a good ride- but given your description it sounds like you'd be happier with an Apex or Attak. You can pick up used ones for around $3500 if you shop around. You kinda have a strike against you for picking one up in the lower price range given that there is snow on the ground.

Apex or Attak:

FI
Taller Seating/ Ergonomics
CK skid or Mono skid

RX-1 or Warrior

Carb (less hp)
lower seating, more like older models
proaction or mono skid (one thing I can say, a well sprung proaction with ohlins rides fairly decent)

 

[GeFeldz]

03 and 04 RXs are fine, they are however very very different than the Apex and especially the 2011+ Apex. The ergonomics are very old school on the RXs, you sit A LOT lower than on the Apex and the steering column is probably 4-5 inches further back than on the Apex. Comfort-wise they aren't anywhere near. The track needs to be very tight on an RX unless the drivers have been changed to extroverted ones, otherwise the track will skip when you least want it to (in deep mushy snow). The warrior, even though it's a 136", is NOT an off-trail boondocker. I've owned a 2004 warrior and i wasn't very happy with it. In fact, the RX-1 and the RX-Warrior could be described as "submarines", especially with the ripsaw track, mine only ever wanted to dig downward even though i had the wide mountain skis that actually kept the front end from sinking.
If you are going to start your sledding with a Yamaha, i would recommend getting a newer one (06+). I believe the RX was upgraded in 2005 with the monoshock rear suspension, that will make a big difference in the comfort department but not the ergonomics so much. The 2006+ Apex has the higher and more forward seating position, this is a large step forward. An 06 Apex would be a lot better than any RX that hasn't had a lot of mods, like putting an Apex seat on the RX, moving the steering column forward of the Deltabox chassis and putting a newer suspension in. There is more power in the Apex compared to the RX, about 10 hp and the fuel injection is nice compared to the carbs on the RX. Carbs can get gummed up and they don't automatically calibrate for altitude, temperature and air density like the fuel injection does.

 

[4strokeluvr111]

Okay, so I'm going to test a '04 Warrior and an '03 RX-1 this weekend. I can pay cash for either of these and then look towards the '11 Apex in a year or two, as my "step-up" sled. Am I off base on this thinking? As stated earlier, I don't want to sink a ton of money on conversions or upgrades, as you never get even 50% of that money back. I believe I'll probably be happier with the Warrior due to the longer track, but I'll have an idea of the pros and cons of each. Any input on things to look for and be careful of would help. I'd like to spring for the Apex, but I don't want to finance a "toy". Isn't the Warrior an older "poor mans" version of a newer Apex?
Thanks again for all the input. You guys have narrowed things down quite a bit for me.

Yes you are off base IMO. You should be able to find (unless you want something NOW and your local choices are limited and you don't want to travel) something in the $5K range that's newer than the 03 and 04. Where in IA are you?

 

[New Sledder]

I'm in the Des Moines area.
Here's part 3 & 4 of my dilemma. For now my budget is $3500 max( decided by my wife & I ), I am leaving for Northern WI on Jan 28th, so I NEED to have a sled by then or I have to rent 1 at the cost of $200/day. If I buy one, I plan on using the sled a couple more times this year and depending on how much it gets used, I can possibly spend and additional $3500 next year, which would get me into the newer Apex area. I'm having a real hard time spending $800/year when this will be the 2nd year of renting, when I can buy one and use it more often, but I want to chose the sled that's right for me, which all things seem to point towards the '11+ Apex...???
Does this still put me on the right track? That's why I REALLY don't want to modify a sled I'll only have for 1-2 years. Is the '04 Warrior a good choice for what I'm trying to do? It's like new, no cosmetic issues, maintenance just done (carbs cleaned, etc...) and it's a bit under my $3500 budget. Once again, thank you for your help on this!

 

[4strokeluvr111]

I'm in the Des Moines area.
Here's part 3 & 4 of my dilemma. For now my budget is $3500 max( decided by my wife & I ), I am leaving for Northern WI on Jan 28th, so I NEED to have a sled by then or I have to rent 1 at the cost of $200/day. If I buy one, I plan on using the sled a couple more times this year and depending on how much it gets used, I can possibly spend and additional $3500 next year, which would get me into the newer Apex area. I'm having a real hard time spending $800/year when this will be the 2nd year of renting, when I can buy one and use it more often, but I want to chose the sled that's right for me, which all things seem to point towards the '11+ Apex...???
Does this still put me on the right track? That's why I REALLY don't want to modify a sled I'll only have for 1-2 years. Is the '04 Warrior a good choice for what I'm trying to do? It's like new, no cosmetic issues, maintenance just done (carbs cleaned, etc...) and it's a bit under my $3500 budget. Once again, thank you for your help on this!

This took me about two minutes to find:

http://desmoines.craigslist.org/snw/5411316185.html

Walk in there and wave $3300 cash in from of him. Have $200 more in pocket, but you should be able to get this sled for $3300. Nice lower miles sled.

 

[Murse]

Really need to be aware of exhaust donuts on all used at apexes 6000-12000 km on the odometer. Watch out for suspension rub on the track especially on a machine with studs. Look for monoshock wear (had mine break off 2006 apex at 18000kms.) Make sure the shocks have been serviced. Exhaust is a big one. If the donuts are shot the exhaust will back fire and blow apart the titanium exhaust header... You need to ask these questions and inspect all of these on any Apex. Get snow trackers for the skis to significantly improve handling. Get yamaheater to boost hand warmers and ride.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[New Sledder]

Thanks for the info Murse! I have seen posts on here of items to be aware of. The information is helpful and appreciated.
How much and how hard is it to replace the donuts? Seems strange that would still be a "wear part" after all these years.

 

[Murse]

It is aggravating. There's a sticky in the Apex forum that details it step by step with pictures. For an 11-up don't forget the awesome exup adjust video that Mr. Sled posted. Copper exhaust donuts are the way to go. Other common problems are steering bushings but can be fixed with the oilite version.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[rangermike14]

If you can somehow find a way into an Apex you will have quite an upgrade from a Warrior or RX1. We just picked up a 2006 Attak for my brother in law for $2450 but it did have 11,500 miles on it. These sleds run forever but like everyone is saying...make sure you look it over very good. Good luck!

 

[SXRider7Hundo]

Yeah... Seriously dude don't get an RX1 or Warrior. It's not going to do what you want it to.

 

[fxnytrortxkid]

I agree. I would rent one more year instead of buying if it means you wrestling an Rx-1-ton around. That would probably end your desire to have a 4 stroke. The 2011 apex is def your choice. gytr front shocks and then get them rebuilt and revalved to your style and weight and you will be ecstatic with that sled. The power steering is nice. But an 06-10 would be fine as that's the big change at that point on the longer tracked versions. The shorty went to a 128" track in 11 with the power steering update and the cpl other updates mentioned. Only good part is not a huge loss price wise with them as what you pay this year it will be worth close to that next year if you can come up with the cash for the 11+.... However you need to find someone for that seat.

 

[icebreaker]

APEX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!