Comments on: Quebec Meeting

By: mark rosenblath

mark rosenblath — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:35:25 +0000

hi chris, nice work on the new Apex lots of performance stuff, more hp lighter chassis, same reliability, no need to think SRX anymore keep it up Rosey

Thanks Mark, the test ride reports are strating to come in that support as well cheers cr

By: sfraser

sfraser — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:23:06 +0000

Hi Chris, nice updates on the new Apex. EPS is real cool. Can you comment on price/warranty difference between US and Canada? Once again we seem to be on the short end of the stick

touchy subject and not my fiield of expertise but will try in my next post.. cr

By: Flatlander SE

Flatlander SE — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:36:36 +0000

I presume that Yamaha has the 2012 emission standards in the bag for the entire lineup. The question is concerning the engine update (valve/injector location) and EXUP valve.
Was the re-design for a power increase or for an emissions purpose also?

Most of the engine config was to support the EXUP system, whci is all about torque. The increase of peak power is a result of not having to compromise the tuning for valve overlap. EXUP does help with fuel economy and is quieter, so may also benefit some compliance issues down the road… cheers

By: Yellowknife

Yellowknife — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:08:01 +0000

Chris, hats off to you for your video on http://www.yournextsled.com/story.php

I think it was really smart to do that video and it was right on the money. Now people just have to get the chance to try before they buy.

P.S. I set a new personal record for mileage in one day yesterday at 390 km’s. We found fresh snowfall but no groomers. We rode through everything from excellent fresh powder conditions to barely enough hardpack for the scratchers to dig into. This is one crazy winter, but i’m happy to be finding ways to put the miles on. I think scratchers should come standard on all sleds like you did with the MTX’s.

Cheers,
YK

Thanks YK, gotta hand it to you… you sure know how to take a vacation!! cr

By: Low Slung

Low Slung — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:32:39 +0000

Congrats on the new sled,seems there are people who have a problem with the term GAME CHANGER.I for one am comfortable with the term.Power-steering hasn,t show up on any sled before(and i hope it only stays on yamaha sleds in the future,keep it in the family).EXUP is another ”new to sleds” technology that helps add more low-end power to the 150 motor(something that i found it lacked compared to my warrior).Yamahas new apex is really a step in a direction that reduces rider fatigue while making the sledding experience more exciting(less fatigue=more smiles).I wonder if this sled was released last winter would it have all the features it has now?(ex-mega float shock).Glad to see a price reduction in yamahas parts compared to last season(got both shocks in an ET410 this year for the price of one shock last year).Loved the videos of the new sled.

Thanks LS, there was definitely some benefit in the delayed release of the new Apex, if nothing else an additional season of testing has yielded some excellent calibration to clutch and suspension.. cheers cr

By: George

George — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:04:17 +0000

Chris,
The new Apex should do the trick for the people who can afford it, in my case I can’t. I was hoping for a vector and phaser motor in the new apex type chassie (EPS), so in a year or two I could pick up a couple of good used one’s. Now I can’t see this happening for at least three to four year’s which is not Yamaha’s fault but my own. In my opinion if Yamaha would have released these two model’s, it would not only been a game changer but a complete market dominating move for all level’s, entry, trail, performance trail. How hard would it have been to do? You have the motor’s and chassie in production already for 2011! Maybe I am missing something here? I have been on Yamaha’s since 1982, and riding since 1969 for me it’s time to look elsewhere, or get out of the sport all together. Sorry for the rant.
Thanks for listening.

George

Thanks George, we do have limitations to what can be done season to season, I hope we can build your sled down the road… cheers cr

By: sledfreak

sledfreak — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:31:56 +0000

Hey Chris, A few comments on the new sled and some update refinements on current models. First, the price tag sucks on this new sled…. In this economy, I’m not sure customers can absorb this much of an increase. But, I do like the refinements to it. Something I believe should have been done along time ago and released slowly over the years. But, it is what it is… I just hope everything works as advertised… Alot of people have lost their trust in Yamaha especially over the handwarmer issues that plagued the Apex and Nytro 08+ and Apex since 06. It took 4 years for them to fix the handwarmers and idler wheel issues. I am also disappointed in the hp increase. For the weight of this sled, 170hp would have been a perfect match for it. I believe this is the reason you are seeing alot of complaining on TY, because of the lack of increased hp. Why not a 3 cylinder with 160-170hp. You have some serious disgruntled sledders over there. I don’t think people wanted a Turbo, but a better power to weight would have been much appreciated and better received. I know the EPS will help with the weight and is a welcome addition, but you really are masking the weight problem. Anyways enough about that.

In your testing or Yamaha’s testing, is the Apex XTX faster on top end, then the 128” Apex? Accurate data (data acquisition) would be helpful here? Not just a test on the lake. What data does Yamaha from there testing?
Will the YamahaCharger from G-force bolt on to this new Apex and still produce the claimed 20hp?

Thanks,

Andy

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:33:37 +0000

SRX 500 made production but was recalled due to engine problem. Ppl who bought them was offered 81 SRX 440 instead but some choose to go with the 500.

So about the Game Changer now Yamaha is lacking in all segments beside trail. Nice job Yamaha!

Huh??? cr

By: Craig

Craig — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:27:13 +0000

Chris,
Wow what a great refinement in the new Apex. On your video blog you do mention a 5% hp increase but there was no mention of the expected MPG increase with the new EXUP system. Also, with the fox floats being 10lbs lighter and the addition of the “webbed” framing and new exhaust design(shorter design with eliminated muffler bracing), is the sled actually lighter than the 2010 model? I ask this for comparison since the new EPS makes the sled feel much lighter for handling and corners better with the new ski’s and the 2010 Apex LTX was only 4 lbs heavier than the Vector LTX GT (SnowGoer Mar2010 issue), Apex would be the better choice overall for long trail riding. That is unless MPG is much different. Decisions, decisions..

By: Don Thompson

Don Thompson — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:59:46 +0000

Hi Chris,

Just looked at the 2011′s and I’m impressed with the refinements made in the Apex line, along with the addition of the Apex XTX model. I’ve got a couple of questios regarding shocks:

1. Do you know if the overall length of the front A-arm shock is the same on the 2011 Apex as the current Apex’s? I’ve got some Ohlin front shocks now that I would possibly switch over to the new sled if they will work.
2. Do you know if the Fox Mega-Float shock that’s used on the rear skid of the 2011 Apex SE model will fit on any of the current 121″ and 136″ versions of the Mono shock skid? If it does, I can imagine if Yamaha Parts and Accesories offers it to current Apex owners they would probably sell a few to guys looking to upgrade their current sled.

Thanks for your time, and keep up the great work on this site.

VX1R on TY 4-Stroke