CammKevin Apex GT

This is my 2007 Yamaha Apex GT review in the making. I've been riding for 5 years and by no means do I consider myself an expert on snowmobiling. I'm crazy about sledding and am trying to get some website building/computer skills so I'm writing about one of my favorite interests. It'll be a work in progress, check back again for updates. I'll keep a diary here of every ride I go on in 2007-08 including results of all races.

This is my third 4-stroke Yamaha sled. I sold my 2004 RX1 and totalled a 2006 Apex GT. Other than a few minor problems, these sleds have been very trouble free.

The first thing I did was drop a set of CR10EK plugs into an already strong engine. The various internet boards I attend prove there is an extra 2-3 horsepower to be had just from this simple change. 2-3 hp might not seem worth the hour long drill for a plug change but when I beat someone in a drag race by a nose, that $30 plug change makes all the sense in the world.

I put in a set of Ulmer Racing's windage plates. These plates look like 6 inch aluminium hoops. These hoops cover up the cooling fins of the clutch secondary. The fins grab the air and the airs resistance robs the sled of horsepower. A boost in top-end speed is all I needed to hear to spend the $35 at Ulmer Racing.

To get more air into the motor, I used 6 one inch foam filters. I've forgotten the name of these things. These "speed holes" help the motor breath a little easier. These sleds seem to run a bit on the rich side, a little air will lean them out a bit. I have no clue how much if any power or speed they add but if I beat you by a nose, these little guys might be the reason.

I put 4500 miles on the RX1 and my only complaints were lack of fuel injection and a light-duty suspension system. The four carbs were a pain in the ass since there was a "drill" to start it. If you did not follow the drill, you'd have to crank it for an unreasonable amount of time. I flooded the engine once in NY before an all day ride and had to search for hours for the once oddball plugs. I termed the suspension "light-duty" because if you shithammered it it would bottom out with a vengance. I know I should have beefed it up with the big-boy springs but what the heck, I only weigh 160 lbs. The suspension and lack of FI didn't take to much away from this sled, it was fast and fun. 122 on the dreameter was terminal velocity for this machine.

My 2006 Apex was excellent, strong like a bull! The fuel injected 150hp four cylinder was unbelieveable. Think of a 1000cc crotch-rocket motor in a quad. This sled was also one of the best sounding machines I'ever been around. The beef with Yamaha is that they make heavy sleds, so what if they did! Corvettes are heavy, but with a strong torquey motor, it doesn't matter. The hot Chevy will kick the tar out of much lighter vehicles. I bought this sled to be strong where I ride. In central PA, we have the privilege to ride on groomed state forest roads. There are hundreds of miles of these 20-30 foot wide ice roads. I didn't get my Apex GT for boondocking, this sled is the perfect weapon for hauling ass on smooth trails and pick-up drag races. I've won the majority of races I entered. I've raced sleds of all types and sizes so I won't pat myself on the back too much for destroying many a smaller cc'd sled. I also saw 133 mph on the very optomistic speedometer. The 133mph run was recorded by a garbage radar gun that has never registered higher than 112. I hit 112. According to the guys on TY4Stroke.com, 133 on the speedo is equal to 118 and that is fast! This run was in PA on a road in a state park, on ice, at night. If you're doubting any of this, e-mail me and we'll hook up. I ride in north-central PA and western NY. I'll never back down from a race because loosing a good sled race is much better than sitting on my couch at home.

The injected Apex sounds and feels much stronger than the RX1. There were no drills to start it or worring about the choke, just turn the key and it fires up, just like the wifes Suburban. It is so reliable, I do not carry spare plugs.

The '06 is no longer around and a relatively unchanged '07 has taken its place and is just as fast. Here are the mods I did to both.

This is a pic of my 2006 Apex after an early February ride in New York. I was told conditions were "great with tons of snow". Little snow and terrible conditions didn't stop us from putting on ~150 miles. There were 40+ miles of 3 foot deep mudhole after mudhole after mudhole... I hadn't touched the weight transfet yet so I couldn't get my skiis up for the holes, I just had to plow through them. It was a crying shame to do this to a brand new sled but it was better than letting it sit in the barn all weekend.