Where is the weight

[TJRTX]

After just finishing rear end maintenance on my rtx i have to bring up the subject of weight on these sleds. I would like to see the mags do a article on where the weight is distributed on the new sleds. Lets say scale them at skis (spindle), at drive shaft, and at rear idlers. Basically the same way they scale quad or tri-axle trucks. That way you can see where exacly the weight,more or less , is put to the ground. I would guess the xp's would be lightest at all points, but it would be interesting to see if any manufacturer was acually lighter somewhere along the sled.I love my rtx,and i personally dont care if its total weight is near the xp's.The problem i have is that these apex's are too heavy PERIOD. If removing the rear exit exhaust,and sacrificing some performance, and running it out the front would safe a lot of weight, it might be something to think about. Doo proves you can have good balance for handling and pretty good performance running them this way.To make up lost power yamaha could get into turbo,s possibly.I remember my old srv, and the tunnel and footwells were so weak they would bend and twist all over the place just standing on them. Now it almost seems they might be built a little overkill maybe.Back in the old days sleds rarely even went over 500lbs fully wet.With lighter tracks,plastic skis, less bodywork than ever before i just wonder where all this weight is coming from. They made a xp under 400 and you here about twisting tunnels and bent bulkheads.It was hard to twist up sleds from the 80's to early 90's.It just makes you wonder.You guys have and opinions on the subject.

 

[schmeg]

Unfortunately it is what it is. The skidframe is very heavy on these sleds, as is the motor. The pipe is only a small piece of the pie.

 

[daver]

I work as a millwright and I can "appreciate" that yamaha builds their products with a little overkill in mind, and also "detuning" for reliability. I usually only run with yammies but it's nice to know that I can keep up with anything else out there with much more reliability. Especially in the engine department, engines tend to be a "mechanic only repair" and very costly. Sometimes I go on doo talk and arctichat and I don't understand how ppl can buy a brand new sled and blow it up every couple seasons and think it's normal.

back to your original ??? I believe the apex is very front heavy, all the components in the front and not much at the back, but I think with the motor mounted closer to the center and the rider forward positioning kind of evenly distributes that weight somewhat. I love the rear exit exhaust and wouldn't trade it for 15lbs weight savings.




Dave

 

[kinger]

Engine 150lbs
Bulk head 60lbs
front suspension 35lbs
rear suspension 53+ lbs
tunnel 40lbs
track/chaincase/jackshaft/brake 80lbs
misc brackets 40lbs

This is just estimates but you get the idea. the 100lbs over weight that everyone complains about is in the engine and bulk head. All new style sled are going to the 'subframe' tubular type structure. Lighter yes...they are also bending too.

 

[whitedust1]

Yams are rear exit.... leave noise & exhaust behind you. Also own patent on rear exhaust 4s sleds. Turbos & front exhaust are for others who have no other way. May not be bad thing for front & turbos but very me too.

 

[mulderdad]

Plus don't forget to add the 100 lbs from the ice we get built up underneath!
LOL,
Rick.

 

[Tycho998]

I'll go for the extra durability. A friend of mine on a new Doo clipped a rock on the bottom A-arm and put a severe kink in it. It was removed on the side on the trail and partial straightened by HAND (and a couple of trees close together). Good enough to get it back to the truck. I have hit rocks with my A-arms, on my Attak, hard enough where I was sure there was going to be damage. Got away with only chipped paint. The tubes of the A-arms, on the Apex, look to be almost twice the diameter of the Doo.
Pros and Cons when looking at saving weight.

 

[smacho]

Weight does not matter as much as being able to get on the trail ... turn key and go fast
-- an important feature.

Other sleds include features like: "waiting for parts" & "I had to wrench on it all day"

 

[yamahahaapex]

I'll take reliability. I'll leave the weight issue to Timbersled and get 50lbs back with a flick of my chequebook

 

[2XM3]

I have done everything I could to take weight off, aprox 95 pounds, Amazing difference in the sled. Nose weight is probably the most important to lose....imho

 

[TJRTX]

I agree with all the responses,but on the other hand we all no its only a matter of time when yamaha comes out with something new and its significanly lighter than the apex.Then we'll see the improvement in all aspects of the sled,handling,power,deep snow performance,etc.Like you guys i love the performance and solid feel of the apex,and in the right trail conditions it cant be beat. Ive been around my bros rev awhile now and lifting the rear on both sleds its astonishing how much more the apex is. When factoring in ice and snow it gets really bad.Im not trying to show too much love to doo or yamaha,its just i wouldnt read to much into the bad results you read about the revs,as everyone i know that has one hasnt had any problems. Same goes with most of the yamaha guys i know. I hope it stays this way because one breakdown can spoil a trip for everyone no matter what you ride.On a end note i guess from a performance perspective lighter is better no matter how you look at it,so i hope yamaha comes up with something that is really light and still have the durability. Ride on!

 

[whitedust1]

Lighter sled is called Nytro & comes in many flavors. Don't look for Apex relacement anytime soon still very competitve sled. If Doo does something big with 4tek then I would have to take a look. FI Vector better than any 4tek from Doo & ApexGTLTX has more features than any other 4s sled on the market so far in 2010.

 

[TJRTX]

You are right about the nytro whitedust1,its definently much lighter than the apex. I'm saying this with limited experience on the nytro other than some quick test rides, but the high center of gravity with this sled just seems too much.Yes it should be great in straight line rough stuff but i dont believe it can corner even close with lower slung sleds like doo or even some cats.The nytro seems too much in the same line with polaris's 600r consumer race sled they had last year. And you saw how that turned out.Waist of time.Snowcross inspired sleds just dont equate into good trail sleds in my opinion.So i hope that yamaha comes out with something being more of a cross between apex and nytro.