Next year I plan to buy a new(to me) sled. I don't need the fastest sled, I don't need to be the highmark champ in the mountains. What I need is a RELIABLE sled that will run for years with only normal maintenance. In the early 90s I owned Polarises, and had horrible luck with them. Bought an Indy 500 EFI SKS in 1992 brand new and it grenaded at 2300 miles. Blew everything, even destroyed the case. Paid extra for 2 year warranty but sled blew in year 3. Fixed it, sold it and moved on. The next sled was the biggest money pit ever. I bought a used 1991 650 RXL with 141" track. Seized the crank at 1800 miles. Had it rebuilt, lasted 2300 miles, rebuilt again and sold it. Meanwhile my buddy riding arctic cats has zero problems with his 1996 EXT 580 EFI. I bought it from him when he bought a new 02 cat. I still have this sled today. Over 7000 trouble free miles. I repistoned it once just to be safe. This year I rode a 2005 RMK 900 Polaris that I got in a trade for my plow truck. It hasn't cost me a lot of money but I know these sleds have a lot of issues. I have decided to bail on it and I found a sucker that will give me $5000 for it. Now the reason I post this here is because I believe the new Yamahas have to be the most reliable sleds out there. We don't see a lot of them in our area so I don't have any first hand knowledge. I know that people are having huge issues with newer Polarises and the once great Rotax is now labelled a 'Blowtax'. Now this being a Yammie forum, you guys may be a little biased, but I would like your opinion on the MOST reliable sled out there. Keep in mind that I will likely be looking at used sleds, very likely 06 and newer and I am a mountain rider. Thanks.
The MOST reliable sled
- Thread starter MustangDoug
- Start date
I wanted almost the exact same thing and ended up with an RX-1. Really really tough sled to beat in the reliability realm, just start and go every day. They're cheap too, I just saw one that was barely broken in, had about 700 miles, for $3k and I bet he could be talked down.
With some basic mods they can be made pretty mountain ready too... go to www.ty4stroke.com and look up the Kachess mods to see what I'm talking about.
The only problem with Tons is that they're so reliable and with 145hp of low end grunt you'll always end up the one that tows out the two strokes in your group. lol.
hth...
With some basic mods they can be made pretty mountain ready too... go to www.ty4stroke.com and look up the Kachess mods to see what I'm talking about.
The only problem with Tons is that they're so reliable and with 145hp of low end grunt you'll always end up the one that tows out the two strokes in your group. lol.
hth...
T
theultrarider
Well-known member
The 4stroke guys are not gonna like me but I would stay 2 stroke unless you want to go the turbo route. 2001-2002 mtn max 700. Those things were bullet proof. Rode and handled well. Not bad power stock, and add a set set tripples and they really wake up and are still extremely reliable. Way lighter than the 4 strokes and much more nimble.
my 07 phazer walked all over my 99 600 mtn max and handled a million times better. the only thing the mtn max could do was win a drag race against my phazer. nytro also rides better than the mtn max
sleds
One of my riding partners had a 2000 Mtn Max 700. Although I loved the sound of the triple, and found the power to be adequate, I found the sled a little nose heavy. It is not a big enough upgrade over my 96 EXT to be worthwhile. I want to get into a sled with a serious powder track, at least a 151". The RMK 900 I rode this year had a 166" track and that was a little too much. We ride a little of everything here, trails, mountains, tree carving etc. I'm still thinking a slightly used Nytro, Apex, or Arctic Cat M7 or M8 is the way to go.
One of my riding partners had a 2000 Mtn Max 700. Although I loved the sound of the triple, and found the power to be adequate, I found the sled a little nose heavy. It is not a big enough upgrade over my 96 EXT to be worthwhile. I want to get into a sled with a serious powder track, at least a 151". The RMK 900 I rode this year had a 166" track and that was a little too much. We ride a little of everything here, trails, mountains, tree carving etc. I'm still thinking a slightly used Nytro, Apex, or Arctic Cat M7 or M8 is the way to go.
J
johnny be bad
Well-known member
easy choice! 250 bravo!!! they run forever! lol
B
BigFish BC
Well-known member
if you want something good all around buy a used nytro put a 162 track on it & you are good to go the motor is spectacular stock.
J
johnny be bad
Well-known member
if you want something good all around buy a used nytro put a 162 track on it & you are good to go the motor is spectacular stock.
did you ever sell your vector??
B
BigFish BC
Well-known member
yes
love my apex 162..
I bought an apex 162 in 2007..and the only thing I did was oil and plugs...the relay switch was changed due to putting my sled in a closed trailer when it was still hot..the moisture got into the relay and it froze...now I let it sit till cold..I have a great time with the sled..though when the snow is really deep ( stock motor )...the 2-smokes do better...this does not happen often..cause we do not get dumpings of snow like you guys..around montreal anyhow...but sometimes its really deep up north..if i were in B C like you ...think turbo..need that power for the weight...and deep snow..no problems with the wifes apex either..6800..ks..havent seen a oil tank problem on apex
..only nytros
I bought an apex 162 in 2007..and the only thing I did was oil and plugs...the relay switch was changed due to putting my sled in a closed trailer when it was still hot..the moisture got into the relay and it froze...now I let it sit till cold..I have a great time with the sled..though when the snow is really deep ( stock motor )...the 2-smokes do better...this does not happen often..cause we do not get dumpings of snow like you guys..around montreal anyhow...but sometimes its really deep up north..if i were in B C like you ...think turbo..need that power for the weight...and deep snow..no problems with the wifes apex either..6800..ks..havent seen a oil tank problem on apex
..only nytros
3
347strokin
Well-known member
If the sleds you listed are the sleds you've been riding over the years a stock Apex or Nytro will more than satisfy your need for hillclimbing and mountain riding.
You can't really go wrong with either sled but the Apex is a more solid sled and is "the King" of reliability.
The Nytro MTX has a weak front end subframe prone to bending, oil tanks that are cracking, ball joints with premature wear, and a reverse bolt breaking off in the chaincase. Still very reliable but has a few issues.
T
tcpeterson
Member
Can't go wrong with the Apex
I rode yamaha's for the past 9 years, most recent 00' MM700 with over 10,000 miles now! My dad had an RX-1 and now has an Apex. I thought about an Apex bud didn't want to mess with a turbo so i went with an M1000. While i don't see a stock Apex coming close to an M1000 on the hill i do think you can't beat the reliability of a Yamaha. I would go with Apex over Nytro. Just my .02 though
I rode yamaha's for the past 9 years, most recent 00' MM700 with over 10,000 miles now! My dad had an RX-1 and now has an Apex. I thought about an Apex bud didn't want to mess with a turbo so i went with an M1000. While i don't see a stock Apex coming close to an M1000 on the hill i do think you can't beat the reliability of a Yamaha. I would go with Apex over Nytro. Just my .02 though
thanks
Thanks for all the info. I'm also wondering about what these machines weigh? My old 96 Cat is no lightweight at 530 lbs dry and I don't think the 900 RMK 166" I rode this year is much lighter. I assume the Apex is slightly heavier than what I'm used to? Around 550 lbs. dry? I'm a bigger guy (6'7 250) and can handle a heavier machine so I'm not too worried about the weight. Also wondering what kind of HP I can expect from the Nytro and the Apex in stock form.
Thanks for all the info. I'm also wondering about what these machines weigh? My old 96 Cat is no lightweight at 530 lbs dry and I don't think the 900 RMK 166" I rode this year is much lighter. I assume the Apex is slightly heavier than what I'm used to? Around 550 lbs. dry? I'm a bigger guy (6'7 250) and can handle a heavier machine so I'm not too worried about the weight. Also wondering what kind of HP I can expect from the Nytro and the Apex in stock form.
The Apex RTX weighed 628 pounds this year when sno goer weighed it. That is 60 lbs heavier than what yamaha claimed!!!!!!! The mtx is probably a little lighter as mountain sleds are built with more lightweight parts. The Nytro MTX weighed 583 which is 30 pounds heavier than yamaha claimed! The nytro is a claimed 130 hp sled but is more like 135. If i were you i would go with an M8. They are the most reliable new 2 stroke mountain sled out there hands down and weigh under 500 pounds in 07 and got lighter every year, they now weigh in the 460 range with 160 hp in 2010, and the 07-09 has 145-150 hp. I have wrenched zero times this season on my crossfire 800 with over 1000 miles ( same as an M but has a shorter track). But there is definetly nothing wrong with a 4 stroke yamaha. They have tons of torque and work day in and day out with basically no maintenance! Plus you dont have to spend a fortune on oil and the better gas mileage is nice too.
S
Snappy Sledder
Well-known member
Mtn Apex is a great sled and as reliable as you'll get. They are heavy but only when stuck, they actually handle like a much lighter sled. Mine was about 620lbs with oil/water no fuel.
D
diggerdown
Well-known member
The Apex is a much stronger sled than the Nytro. We have had to work on every nytro we've had, front ends and wire problems. The apex's just keep going. Personaly, I ride Cats and have had very good luck with them. I just can't get over the weight of Yammi's. If you can't afford a turbo and like to hill climb, you will be dissapointed with either of them.
I have a Nytro and an XP 800. Both very good sleds, however when it comes to just turning the key and going you can't beat the Nytro. I would gladly give up the highmark for the reliability. The Nytro is a boondocking machine though. You can't beat it. There have been alot of times this winter I thought I was screwed in deep powder with some moderate climbs and the Nytro did not disappoint. It's like a little tractor, it just keeps pulling and pulling.
My nytro is pretty reliable, when my friends break down i tow them both back at the same time, and the belt doesn't even show wear. AND i was still getting decent gas milage! I love my nytro!
I love my nytro!
