AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com
Why not ride a 146 Apex X-TX LE all day? That was the question we asked ourselves after briefly testing the new 2016s for a day. It is extremely hard to get a good feel for so many sleds in just a short 8 hours, but the new 146-inch SingleShot suspension impressed us. The Apex has such long legs, easy turning, and now an even better suspension that it has become one of the most all around comfortable, warm and fast sleds to ride. Sure, both the Vector and Apex sleds still have a more traditional ‘old school’ rider positioning, but the upgrades including the chassis damping system on the LE sleds this year reinvent these sleds as a blast to ride.
Why? Well quite honestly the long 146-inch suspension pairs well with the beefy Apex motor. Weight is not nearly as much of a factor on the trail and the SingleShot rear suspension is compliant in big bumps, stutter bumps, square bumps and trail chatter. Now, this is not a sled you will be winning snocross championships with, but it certainly turns well for a longer track and we can’t overstate how fun this motor is combined with a good set of skis and upgraded suspension package.
We were also extremely impressed (as we said earlier) with the Viper L-TX machines. Especially the LE, but all the 137-inch Viper trail sleds were what we would spend our money on if we were going to buy a Viper. FOX knows how to make shocks, and this is not their first go around (obviously) with coil-over shocks. The piggybackers on the LE are easy and the ones we rode were calibrated correctly for the Viper sleds.
Finally, we are happy to see the new YCCT driving modes on the Vector sleds. We aren’t sold on their calibration (things are not final yet), but the ease of use and the difference between the modes can be felt. Our initial feelings are that the Entry mode needs to be even more subtle than it is, but all that can be changed. Also, it would be great to have a ‘lock’ mode so that you could lock novices into one of the driving modes. Shift on the fly would be great for advanced riders too.