Worth Upgrading or Not?

[o's srx]

I've had my 2006 RTX since '08 and was wondering if it's even worth upgrading to a +2011. One thing I do like about it, vs the newer ones, is it only requires reg fuel, not premium.
First off its not a completely stock sled. These are the upgrades/accessories that I've installed or done to it:
-Arctic Cat Parabolic Mountain Skis
-Extended tunnel to 136"
-Extended 136" ZX2 AD Boivin skid
-136" Ripsaw track with 2-4-4 pattern Woody's Mega Bite studs an Stud Boy Double backers
-Extra custom cooler on tunnel extension
-MBRP 4 into 2 headers
-Copper exhaust donuts
-Oil-lite front suspension bushings
-13mm Sway bar
-Whal extrovert drivers on larger diameter shaft from Ulmer Racing
-1 tooth smaller drive sprocket
-Newer chaincase cover
-Custom oil tank with rubber mounts
-Oil filter relocation kit
-Re-wired hand warmers
-Custom aluminum front bumper
-Sport Tech hand guards
-Rox 2" risers
-Team roller secondary clutch
-Drag n Fly weights
-911 ER primary clutch cover
-Saddle Bags, tank bag and windshield bag

It's in overall really good condition. It's not mint, but all maintenance has been done religiously to it. The only parts that I can't take off when/if I sell it are the ZX2 skid and front bumper as they were sold to fund their replacements.

 

[steiner]

What will you gain going newer?? Not much in upgrades with all you have done to your current ride.
-Power steering. Not a big selling feature for myself but some people really love it.
- More hp. There is up to 10 more ponies in the newer models with the EXUP.
- Longer tracks. 129 or 144
- Possibilities of having a lower mile sled.
- The ability to pay for premium fuel. But lets face it , its not that much more in the grand scheme of sledding.
You have done the other upgrades like extro's , skis , hot grips, oil tank and so on.
Your sled is customized to you and if you buy another sled you will need to do it all over again. I would be fun but it does cost.

 

[SXRider7Hundo]

The 06-10s had better windshields too. Lower windshields make you faster.

 

[UP Michigan rider]

If you go with a Brand New 2016 and you have awesome credit its 0% for 5 years right now.

https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/trail/models/2016/apex/offers

 

[actionjack]

If I hadn't signed up for a SW I would have been looking for a Power steering XTX. I think the sleds are refined enough to upgrade. You might want to find the best deal you can on a 136 LTX and swap in the skid and skis tho.

 

[Napaguy62]

If you did find a 2011 and newer Apex, you could swap out your upgrades onto the newer sled and sell your older one. If you find it at a dealer they may even consider letting you change it out before you give your trade back to them. It would be a bit of work over a weekend but the benefits are worth it. IMO. The power steering alone would be worth it. Not only does it make it easier over a long haul day, it also numbs any sharp impacts your skis may take. You know, the ones that travel from your hands to shoulders and out the top of your head.

 

[DGZRT]

I guess I would keep what you have .. you have upgraded almost everything perfectly. The only thing I would change is the front air shocks to a good set of coil overs with Hygear dual rate springs and you have built the perfect trail sled. Wait til the 50th next year prices might drop on the older stuff!

 

[o's srx]

Thanks for all the info.
I very much enjoyed wrenching and doing all the upgrades I did do to it.
Thinking about it more and I guess my question is:
If I did buy a newer one, what (if any) upgrades would I have to do to it for it to be comparable in the suspension catagory. Would I have to spend on suspension upgrades to get it to where mine currently is?
I can swap the clutching over from sled to sled as I've kept all the original parts for it.

 

[steiner]

Suspension upgrades you would need to do would depend on which sled you would get. Xtx, MonoII, or Single Shot.
I'm sure you could find a way to make any of them better for your driving style.

 

[DGZRT]

Thanks for all the info.
I very much enjoyed wrenching and doing all the upgrades I did do to it.
Thinking about it more and I guess my question is:
If I did buy a newer one, what (if any) upgrades would I have to do to it for it to be comparable in the suspension catagory. Would I have to spend on suspension upgrades to get it to where mine currently is?
I can swap the clutching over from sled to sled as I've kept all the original parts for it.

On the rear suspension you already have one of the best aftermarket skids. The Mono 2 is good but with a 136" you would still need the reinforcing kit for the rails if your going to pound the bumps , larger idler wheels for hyfax wear and a revalved shock with a dual rate spring from Hygear . This would get you close to what you have but your ZX2 would still out do it in the big bumps. The Single shot ?? this one would not be for me. Think if the air shock went down and your 100 miles from the truck. I wound never rely on an air shock only for the rear suspension.

I think i would find a dealer and take a newer one for a ride and see how they compare before jumping ship.

 

[terez]

The singleshot with an aftermarket coilover shock would be cool....Yammi dropped the ball spec'ing an air shock fer sure....both in ride quality and durability....

 

[thor452]

take one for a ride. you will see for yourself. then you can start all over with all the mods.

 

[budman 1000]

Premium fuel recommended but you can also run regular fuel on the newer Apex's, I do it about 50% of the time and if I remember right the apex has a knock sensor to protect you and I can't tell the difference from running premium or regular on my Apex xtx's. The reason I run regular fuel is a lot of the areas I ride premium fuel is not available

 

[Sasquatch]

The 06-10s had better windshields too. Lower windshields make you faster.

No they make you cooler!

 

[Sasquatch]

The worth it part is a tricky question. There are benefits to going newer but the real answer is how much do you want a newer sled? I loved my Warrior but really wanted power steering because of my shoulders so I bought an 11. The Warrior had a ZX2 skid installed and a list of aftermarket stuff. At first the XTX was to stiff in the small stutter bumps and I was not impressed with that but in the rough stuff it was awesome. The star kit smoothed it out and while it is still not as plush as the ZX2 I don't think I would ever put a ZX2 in my XTX. Snow trackers, duponts, biggest shield, mirrors and a star kit was all I think it needed. I'm with Steiner in that you can make improvements to any sled to suit your needs. The 2011+ is a more refined sled with less upgrades needed and some of your parts can be used on the newer sled the rest sold. Many go newer and start all over with add ons! The worth part is all in the pocket book and the minds perception of value handling or performance gained.