Apex track questions

[nimrod]

I have just become a new apex owner (07) and after riding the sled for about 100 miles, I have mixed feelings about my choice. Got a real good deal on the sled though so I guess I can be half happy since I paid about half price. What I need to know is what I can do to make it easier to handle....I came from the AC 1M platform so adjility was not the long suit with the ones I had but this thing is a real challenge to turn and manuever with especially at low speed. I am 6-4 and 225 so size is not an issue.

I read a couple of posts regarding skis and track switches...will the challenger extreme be a straight swap out or do the drivers need changing too? And what are Gen II skis. I have had simmons on everything I own but never heard of these. Are they they the wide ones and won't that make the sled that much harder to pull up. What about down pressure on the skis because this thing is a beast to steer. Where should the shocks be set and limit straps too?

Thanks in advance

 

[RX1MountainMan]

I came from Cat's too. The first thing I noticed was build quality and durability. My first Yamaha was a 2003 RX-1 Mountain which I still have and my current ride. A 2007 Apex MTX SE. I was happy with the Apex right out of the box and rode it that way for two years. I put a set of Gen II's on not because I didn't like the stock skis (stockers were rock scarred pretty bad and some deep wet spring snow last spring kept sticking to them) but because I had them laying around and was on a mission. I have actually grown quite fond of them, they really help keep the front end up on the snow. As long as the snow isn't rock hard you can sidehill/carve pretty easy with them. Within the last week I had a Camo Extreme 2.5 X 16 X 162 put on (with stock drivers) and a 19T top gear and Outlaw Motorsports clutch kit. I am still dialing it in and while I have probably given up some top speed so far it is a riot for boondocking, which is 99% of my riding. One thing I noticed early on with the RX-1 is that it takes some getting used to riding a 4 stroke vs. a 2 stroke sled. There is a learning curve just don't get frustrated. Hope this helps.

 

[nimrod]

Thanks to RX Mtn Man

It has been awhile since I got on the forum and you replied to my post. Your info is appreciated....But too late, I am already frustrated with the Apex...I have riodden the sled for about 150 miles and have reached the point of leaving it at home when going into the mountains. It is incredible on trails and open meadows, which is rearely where I find myself. It is a beast in the trees where any kind of technical riding is required.

My question is: is there a set-up especially for that type of riding? I have come to the conclusion that this sled has been setup for trail riding. Where should the limit straps and shocks be set? Are there any things to do to reduce the down pressure on the skis and make the sled steer better? I have always been able to dial in a sled to fit my riding style, size,( 6-4 and 225 lbs), etc but this one has been a challenge. Ideas would be appreciated.

 

[←snow∞motion→]

I have an 07 Apex, and there is a REAL learning curve like RX said. My problem with steering though is at low speeds and in hard snow, that's a real chore, but...

In the trees and deeper stuff I find it's much easier to steer and control, even more so than my dad's Nytro. It has great characteristics in deeper and softer snow. Just a little nose heavy, whereas the Gen-II skis might help with that.

I will say with you're height, (I'm a little shorter than you, but around the same weight) you have to get taller risers. The stock risers are WAY to short if you're standing, unless you're about 5' 5". If you get some taller risers, you will find that you're steering effort and control will improve greatly.

Good luck, I hope you change you're mind about the sled, I love mine.

 

[Misha508]

Apex Track questions

I bought a 2007 Apex Mountain. The ONLY thing I have done to it to improve its ride is to adjust the weight transfer rods on the back of the skid.

It used to be nose heavy for climbing hills and for playing in the trees. I talked to a buddy that worked for a Yamaha dealer and he told me how to adjust it.

It only took about 1/4" adjustment to get a better feel for me. It makes the front end feel lighter and turning easier.

Don't go wild with the adjustments on it and make sure you adjust both evenly. Do a 1/4" to 3/8" adjustment and ride it for a day. If it still feels heavy, adjust a little more.

I am 6'5" and 250" so the adjustments I did should be a good starting point for you.

 

[SRXSRULE]

It can be adjusted to work much better. I'm 5-10" 175lbs and have no problem boodocking the sled. I've been riding an Apex since they first came out, I would guess I have around 5,000 miles bewteen two sleds.

Here are some things to do....Unhook the sway bar, Let the limiter straps out, crank up the preload on the front shock in the skid, set your transfer rods to max transfer and then play with your adjuster blocks (soft, med, hard) on the rear springs to keep it from bottoming out.

I think the stock skis work great in everything but spring time snow.


The best thing you can do is get some seat time on it. Get use to the engine braking and low end torque, Both of these can be your friend when you figure out how to use it to "set" the sled in the tight trees. Eric