AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com
Side notes:
Why are the EXT and XTX Not Crossovers?
WE ARE CALLING both the EXT and the Apex XTX “trail sleds” even though they both come with a 144-inch track. So why aren’t these true crossovers? We feel it basically boils down to two things, weight and ergonomics. Neither of these sleds is set up to allow an avid boondocker to do what he or she truly likes to do. These are basically trail sleds with rails and tunnels extended and longer tracks.
Unlike the Crossfire, Switchback and Nytro XTX, there is no true mountain chassis DNA used in either of these two sleds. No taller risers, no deep snow weight savings taken into consideration, no mountain strap, or deep snow skis, etc. That said, just a few short years ago these two would have been considered the cream of the crop of the “deep snow specialty” sleds with their 144-inch tracks. Interesting how fast things change!
What about the Renegade and Turbo IQ LX?
WE WOULD normally have included the Ski-Doo Renegade Adrenaline and the Polaris Turbo IQ LX in this comparo, but for numerous reasons we decided against it. First, we did not have an 800 E-TEC Renegade Adrenaline to test with this group and rather than bore you with stats on a sled we didn’t get to ride, we figured we would give you more info on sleds that we actually put through the paces. Second, we will be dissecting the Polaris Turbo IQ LX along with three other sleds in a 4-stroke Trail Touring comparison soon. That’s the segment where Polaris is rightly focusing its marketing efforts for the IQ LX.
DOES RIDING a 4-stroke snowmobile really save you in oil costs?
The answer is yes and no. It’s true that you won’t pay for injection oil and that is a significant amount of money over a 2,500-mile season. Consider this though, a quart of AmSoil snowmobile injection oil costs about $10 (more for the OEM oil), and if you are heavy on the throttle one quart lasts about 180 miles (or 2 tanks of gas) then your total injection oil costs for the season would be approximately $139.
Many 4-stroke owners we’ve surveyed say they change their oil every year, but over half of them have the dealer do it. Depending on your relationship with your dealer you will likely pay just over $200 for your first service and oil change on a Yamaha 4-stroke Vector and almost $250 for your first service on a Nytro or Apex. Your first service is at 500 miles and it’s recommended you should change your oil every 2,500 miles after that. A normal oil change (after that first service) will probably cost just over $100 for a Vector and $150 for a Nytro or Apex at your dealer.
So, while you may not be paying for injection oil at every gas station along the trail, you can see that your true oil “savings” are not as significant as some would argue, unless you are doing the oil services and filter changes yourself.
BUT, consider that it’s not uncommon for a Yamaha 4-stroke snowmobile engine to top 10,000 miles with few (if any) mechanical issues. We feel that the best argument as to why you should invest in a Yamaha 4-stroke has nothing to do with oil savings, but instead should focus on engine lifespan, durability, reliability, and ease of use, plus less smoke and fewer fumes while you’re riding!