Wich Yamaha model will suit me best

[440turner]

I am in the market for a used sled and I'm wanting a 4 stroke Yamaha, I'm not very familiar with the different models that are available. I feel like I'm a fairly aggressive trail rider that likes carving corners pretty hard. I've just sold my 2003 Pro X 800 and my 98 Mach Z triple, my Pro X was great for aggressive trail riding but I wanted to upgrade so I sold it. The Mach Z was an absolute rocket and would see 120 without an issue, but both sleds where killing my back and a fellow riders say I'm working way harder than I should be and to upgrade. Wich Yamaha is for me, I've kinda been leaning towards the Nytro, and looking at 2009 and up. I have around $5500 to spend on whatever, is the Nytro the sled for me or should I be looking at the Apex? I have a good job and can afford upgrades if the model has some short comingsthat are easily overcome. I've looked at several machines in my local Detroit Craigslist, what should I look for and what should I stay away from? I see some of these sleds have 5000+ miles, which from what I read isn't much. From my experience I feel like I need a studded track and that's about as far as my wish list goes. After getting 16+ inches of snow, I had a hard time in the open field in deep snow, how are these machines off trail in the deep stuff.

 

[actionjack]

IMO spend a little more and get a 2011 or newer XTX with EPS.

 

[biffdotorg]

You sound like the perfect fit for an Apex XTX. Sorry to say, you wont' see one in the $5500 range. I have seen them in the $8k range though. And with the drought of snow, you may find some deals lower. Or a new carry over well under $10K.

An Apex LTX would give you a longer track yamaha with the power you liked in your last two sleds. They are better trail sleds, than the Nytro. Not saying a Nytro could not do it.

Another crossover to consider would be the Nytro XTX 1.75. That track would be a blast off trail, but could still be setup to run the trails. I love the power of the Apex, so I'm tickled with mine. The power steering was worth paying a bit more for a newer model. As mentioned above 2011 or later in the Apex.

Keep listening, i'm sure others will chime in. Get out and ride one if possible. Make a trip up to the UP and rent an Apex, Viper and maybe a Nytro. They are out there. M&M in Hancock, MI rents them all. And they have a demo fleet for those looking to buy. What better than a knowledgeable dealer on some of the best trails.

Good luck!

 

[440turner]

Ok, I just got back from riding Marquette, Hancock isn't too much further. I rode a friends new Viper 144 gytr sled and it was odd to me, but it's the first sled like that I've rode. I was a little disappointed with its low end power, compared to my previous sleds, it did awesome in deep powder though I must admit. I have been looking at dealer leftovers, and new 2012 sleds are still available and for under 10k! I was trying to stick with the $5500 area, but ......the season is growing short too, deals ought to be popping up

I really like the look of the orange and blue vipers, there's one in the Mio dealer for $10,999 new......is that a good deal and lots of left over new nytros for $9k.

Leaning towards a leftover now seeing as how it's only $3000 more than most used 2009's

 

[biffdotorg]

Here is an example of a smokin' deal found last spring. 2012 Apex XTX, 200 miles, 5 year warranty, $8500. I don't know of any Yamaha faithful that would not admit that is a great deal. That was a year ago, so it does happen. I did see some used 2011 XTX's at or under $8K.

The viper will have a noticeable difference in power from the Apex. But it should probably handle a bit better off trail due to weight. So at this point you have to really be honest with yourself and decide if you want that off trail capability, or would you rather have a groomer-bullet. I was, and have not looked back. I'm thrilled with the power of the Apex XTX.

 

[440turner]

Guys thanks for the input.....keep it coming

So was the blue/white viper I spoke of as much performance as I can expect stock? I realize it's not a 2 stroke, just wondering if that's the power level most are.

 

[biffdotorg]

For Vipers, yes. I have heard the Nytro felt to have a bit more power. And that's an odd claim as it is the same engine. But many feel that the fuel programming that arctic provided for the viper version has less performance.

That being said, it should not have been a slouch by any means. The low-end torque should have been pretty good for a 135ish hp sled. The apex does pack about 30 more hp.

 

[snowbeast]

Guys thanks for the input.....keep it coming

So was the blue/white viper I spoke of as much performance as I can expect stock? I realize it's not a 2 stroke, just wondering if that's the power level most are.

OK I now have my first real crossover sled,a 2015 apex xtx w/PS and excup exhaust,and I have owned well over 45 sleds in my 46 years of sledding,alot of them were very fast sleds,some rode awesome,but most did not,some handles awesome,but a lot did not,there alwsys seems to be a trade off,but this big sled has really surprised me,it now only has 577 miles,sense I got it jan 3rd and was only able to get 41 miles for the whole month of jan. well last weekend we rode 536 wonderful miles,combo of breaking new snow trails in 3 feet of soft fresh snow,and to say I was surprised how good the 1.25 x144 sneaker works,wow! Did I mention it still gets 13 mpg breaking trail,and on groomed trails hitting triple digets it got on my last tank 15.87 mpg sense I took 6.8 gal on 107 miles and the older ape and attack both took 7.6 gal same milage,and my gps saids speedo error is 3-4 mph at 109 speedo 105 gps on packed snow roads and only at time had 250 ish miles at time and it had another 500 rpms to go when fully broke in,as there power is 10,500-11,000 ok it spanks both those sleds I told you about by 5-13 lengths,the attack is the one 13 lengths behind,as the gt is my old one w/a 1" sneaker and clutches done by myself and geared down to 23 top. Now I traded in my 13 cat turdbo w/ a TD stage 4 v-19 tune and muffler,that went real well most of the time,that it was not blowing belts,chaincases or pistons,and the best I ever got that to run gps was 115 on map 2 on a rough lake,and on same type of conditions on our rr bed 110 gps now I have had 06 and 07 apes run 110-112 gps on same beds,so I am conferdent this xtx will run that and more,but man the bottom and mid just blow away the turbo or any other sled I have had,oh and now I am getting the skid dialed in,it bridges the bumps very nice and still carves a corner.

 

[snowbeast]

Here is an example of a smokin' deal found last spring. 2012 Apex XTX, 200 miles, 5 year warranty, $8500. I don't know of any Yamaha faithful that would not admit that is a great deal. That was a year ago, so it does happen. I did see some used 2011 XTX's at or under $8K.

The viper will have a noticeable difference in power from the Apex. But it should probably handle a bit better off trail due to weight. So at this point you have to really be honest with yourself and decide if you want that off trail capability, or would you rather have a groomer-bullet. I was, and have not looked back. I'm thrilled with the power of the Apex XTX.

Those prices for the xtx's are awesome prices.