Test drive of the Yamaha Apex X-TX snowmobile: at the Apex point

This powerful cruiser sled is Yamaha's best secret keeper.

Yamaha Apex owners know a huge secret. We're talking about the model that got better in 2021

The 2021 Yamaha Apex X-TX models are the best performance cruisers. Start with the incredible, smooth power delivered by the Genesis' 998cc, four-stroke, four-cylinder engine. When Yamaha engineers gave the Apex a tuned EXUP exhaust system in 2011, they ended up with a machine that was extremely smooth and composed, but ferocious in the mid- to top-end rpm range. Today, five years later, Apex owners believe that these models have always been like this. We believe this added system makes the 2021 Apex the greatest performance cruiser in the entire snowmobile industry. Although the turbocharged Arctic Cat 9000 Series produces a claimed 177 horsepower, 20 more than the Apex can deliver, we're strictly of the opinion that the Apex is a smooth-delivering cruiser.

Snowmobile Yamaha Apex X-TX

Specifications

Externally, the Apex snowmobile is quite presentable, the total length is almost 3 m, and the width is almost 1.3 m. The seat is located so that you can only move on the snowmobile one at a time; doing this together will be extremely inconvenient on any of the Yamaha Apex models. In technical terms, the characteristics can be provided in the form of a table.

The electric starter is standard in snowmobiles from this manufacturer.

The Apex snowmobile has good technical characteristics for sports models. The world saw it for the first time in 2010 and until now it has not given up its leading position in the market.

Apex X-TX Features

The 2010 Apex X-TX was the first snowmobile in the history of world motorcycle technology with an EPS system - electric power steering.

EPS has the remarkable ability to assist the driver without getting in the way. The amplification turns on exactly at those moments when it is required. At high speeds it turns off so that the driver can feel the car well.

Yamaha specialists invented and implemented an EPS module with variable force: higher speed - more force on the steering wheel, lower speed - you can turn it with one finger.

Judging by the reviews, the Apex-2010 steering wheel is extremely comfortable and makes it easy to control the snowmobile.

The engine is a 4-cylinder 4-stroke Genesis with a capacity of one thousand cubic meters. The pressure is controlled by EXUP technology, significantly improving acceleration and torque. Engine braking is controlled by another advanced ISC system

The front suspension is equipped with separate HPG shock absorbers, the rear suspension is based on Dual Shock technology with excellent adjustability.

This design softens any uneven terrain, which cannot but please fans of extreme driving. The frame is made of lightweight, durable alloys and harmoniously combines rigidity with elasticity .

Thanks to improved design and new casting technology, the handlebar post is integral with the frame, and the rear section helps balance the sled's center of gravity with a shorter muffler.

Apex skis glide easily without riding up, which is facilitated by the tail extended by 15 mm. The width of the skis is deservedly called optimal for a “sports all-rounder.”

The windshield and fairings are innovatively designed for improved aerodynamics.

The switches for the heated grips and the throttle trigger are located on both sides of the steering wheel and are very easy to switch with gloved hands.

The Apex X-TX can be used as a utilitarian one in the sense that it is quite capable of towing a sled with a considerable load.

Operating rules for the Apex snowmobile

In order not to get into a difficult situation and not to call friends for help, or even rescuers, you need to know and apply the rules for operating a snowmobile. Attention should be focused on this:

• It is not advisable to travel by vehicle through freshly fallen snow, especially if there is a lot of it;
• use a snowmobile to transport a large amount of luggage; such maneuvers can only be performed on the Apex X-TX model;
• transporting two or more people will complicate the operation of the snowmobile, and the trip cannot be called comfortable;
• It is advisable to warm up the snowmobile a little before the trip.

After the season closes, it is necessary to send the vehicle for rest, and it is advisable to do everything correctly. The intricacies of the procedure are familiar to all technology lovers, so we won’t burden you with this again.

Mountain model “Yamaha FX Nytro M-TX SE 162”

Yamaha has given fans of snowmobiles an excellent gift - the new FX Nytro M-TX SE 162, whose profession is to overcome deep snow. This mountain model has a four-stroke, three-cylinder engine, gas-filled shock absorbers, and its main weapon is a long caterpillar with exposed teeth to match the piranha. ... A COUPLE of days ago, while riding a snowmobile with a short “fast” track, I fell into a ditch of absolutely terrible depth and width, completely covered with snow. Ask me what I dreamed about while digging a tunnel with my hands, through which a subway train could easily be launched after me? About a snowmobile of the “Mountain” type, that is, a mountain one. Just like the new Yamaha. And here in front of me is the same ditch.

In the old days, soldiers went on the attack to the sound of a march. The beautifully colored exhaust sound from the solid muffler, peeking out like a motorcycle from under the seat of the “FX Nytro M-TX SE 162”, sounds no less impressive - of course, for those who understand. To this victorious music, the snowmobile plunged into the treacherous hole up to the very footrests and, pushing a huge pile of snow with its short snout, floated out to the other “shore” easily and simply, without even sneezing even once.

What spare parts are needed for a snowmobile?

Any product can be modernized, especially if you understand technology. Some characteristics of a Yamaha snowmobile can be improved; to do this, simply purchase the necessary spare parts. Of course, you won’t be able to reverse, but you should always have the most necessary things on hand:

• You can increase cross-country ability only by replacing the tracks with models with a broken heel.
• You should always have spare candles with you, this way you can avoid many not very pleasant situations.

Everything else can be found only from official representatives, who carry only licensed spare parts for products of this type.

The world's first snowmobile with power steering

DUE TO THE SNOW, we immediately got lost.
Ahead is a forest wall, barely visible behind the shifting whiteness of the thickly falling snow. Where should you go to dive into the clearing where the route begins? While wandering, I had to turn around several times in the field right across the virgin soil. Usually in such cases you have to literally lean on the steering wheel - the skis, sinking in the snow, resist turning. The first time I did so, but... the steering wheel turned unusually easily. It was easy enough to pull it! Power steering makes maneuvering at low speeds much easier, especially in deep snow. The system is called EPS, which stands for “Electric Power Steering” - electric power steering. It is mounted on the steering column subframe. A force sensor is also located here, based on the signals of which the electronic module regulates the operation of the electric motor associated with the steering. We ourselves did not find the clearing where the test track began. I had to call the organizers and ask for help. While waiting for the conductor to arrive, I decided to drive in a straight line into the field to evaluate the performance of the EPS in different modes. If you are planning to test a snowmobile on a Russian field, you should not rush into the distance of the virgin snow with wide eyes and a recessed accelerator trigger. First, for your own safety, you need to slowly roll out a track about a kilometer and a half long. Then you will be sure that at a speed of over 100 km/h you will not encounter an unpleasant surprise. The exoticism of Russian fields, among other things, lies in what can be hidden under the snow.

well, for example, a harrow left in the fall, which is quite capable of becoming the last problem in the life of a brave snowmobiler. Therefore, let’s not rush at first

The design of the Apex X-TX is not only about speed, but also about the ability to cover long distances in one fell swoop.

At 30-40 km/h, EPS support is noticeable and comfortable. At 60-70 km/h, the effort decreases: by changing the trajectory, the steering wheel can be confidently turned at small angles - clear feedback adds confidence. Let's try our best? The high-speed motor roars. Hard sportbike acceleration catapults me to the horizon. 110, 120, 130 km/h. Out of the corner of my eye I fix the number 148 on the speedometer, but accelerating further is simply scary. Although there was still some stock left...

“Apex X-TX” is equipped with a modified version of the already well-known engine: three cylinders, four strokes, one liter of displacement. The manufacturer does not report the power, but the engine’s potential is enough for the eyes in any conditions.

Cost of a new Yamaha model

Of course, each seller makes his own markup on any product, but no one wants to overpay. Snowmobiles, and even Yamahas, cannot be cheap, so before purchasing, you should carefully study the market and the offers on it.

The cost of a Yamaha Apex snowmobile from the manufacturer starts at an average of 915,000 rubles. Some suppliers offer the same models at reduced prices, this can also happen, but such a product cannot cost less than 820,000 rubles.

Used models sell for 460,000 rubles and more, for 300,000 rubles you will most likely get equipment that you will have to work on and invest the same amount. Reviews from customers and owners

Everyone who has purchased Yamaha snowmobiles speaks only positively about the equipment. Everyone unanimously recommends Apex to their friends and acquaintances who hunt, fish, or use a snowmobile for sporting purposes.

“Variable length” caterpillar

THE track, laid out in the forest, resembled a country cross course (long-distance off-road motorcycle or ATV racing). There are no complex, artificially laid turns or jumps here, but there are many simple ones created by nature itself. It is impossible to remember everything, since the route stretches for tens of kilometers.

...A hillock, a springboard, a bumpy descent, an unexpected hillock that requires a sharp move to the side. In such conditions, it is not the power that matters, but the character of the chassis. It is “tailored” not so much for extreme driving on a race track for the sake of better results, but for fast but long-term driving in different conditions.

Here is a smooth rolled turn. But short and cramped. I quickly turn the steering wheel and straighten it quickly. “Apex X-TX” changes its trajectory like a fish darting in an aquarium. The fact that the caterpillar at that moment had a minimal contact patch also played a role in this agility. The fact is that its tail part (approximately the last quarter) gradually rises upward at an angle of six degrees. And on compacted snow the vehicle seemed to have a short wheelbase.

But there is another turn - in the lowlands. No longer compacted, but thoroughly covered with snow. I go through it differently, adding more gas at the outlet. Now the rear, raised part of the caterpillar was no longer thrashing the air, but was biting into the snow. The contact patch increased, the base seemed to lengthen, and the snowmobile confidently “shot” out of a turn covered in deep snow.

When you drive for a long time in such a “ragged” mode on varied terrain, one of the factors that tires the driver is sudden “pecks” when releasing the gas

This is especially true of purely sports models, because engine braking is important on the race track. Aching pain in the wrists the next day, consider it guaranteed

Therefore, the Apex X-TX designers have reduced the effect of engine braking. Roughly speaking, the speed decreases more slowly than you let off the gas - due to the work of the electronics that control the engine.

...I regularly make snowmobile trips along similar forest trails on my Yamaha SRX700, which belongs to the class of uncompromising sports cars. Usually I, or rather my physical fitness, is enough for 50-60 km of fast driving. In the saddle of the Yamaha Apex X-TX, almost 100 km were left behind quickly, without overwhelming fatigue. I was ready to go further, but the photographer appealed to my reason and finally forced me to arrange a photo shoot...

Owner reviews

Before the Yamaha I had a Skido. When purchasing, the seller assured that these were not comparable products. I can say that he is right. Just a couple of hours of testing was enough for me to feel the difference. Four D cylinders produce such power that the previous snowmobile was left far behind. Separately, I would like to highlight the power steering and liquid heating.

This is my first snowmobile and I am quite pleased with it. I bought it more as a toy for leisure, and on my first trip I decided to test it thoroughly. I saw only positive aspects: the speed is excellent, the landing is soft on small jumps, the cross-country ability is excellent, the price corresponds to the quality.

I bought the snowmobile second-hand, paid 400,000 rubles, and saw this as the only drawback. During my first ride, I tried out the technique to the fullest, everything was fine. I definitely recommend this technique to everyone.

The Yamaha Apex snowmobile is popular with all users. You can safely buy such equipment both for hunters or fishermen alone, and for pleasant leisure time.

Engine

The Yamaha Genesis 998cc four-cylinder engine is unique in the snowmobile industry. This engine remains the only production four-cylinder engine ever to be driven on snow. Its exhaust pipe has a unique location and exits from under the seat. From idle to full throttle, the engine produces a sound that is unmatched by any other engine in the sport. It also idles differently than other snowmobile engines. But when you start it up, a big smile appears on your face. The Apex literally screams when you open the 39mm Mikuni throttle bodies. The EXUP system opens the exhaust valves fully. The sound produced makes Apex one of a kind.

Tuning

Tuning includes the following changes:

1. Installation of additional shock absorbers on towing sleds. This will help improve the protection of the mechanism from premature wear.
2. In order to avoid the oncoming flow of snow mass while driving, install a windshield on the snowmobile.
3. Installation of boxes with a sealed housing in the luggage compartment.
4. In order to increase the level of safety in case of accidental collisions of a vehicle with any obstacle, special pads are installed on the steering wheel. They will take the hit during the collision.
5. Features such as additional mirrors help improve the viewing angle.
6. In order to monitor the engine temperature, install a corresponding sensor on the dashboard.
7. To strengthen the vehicle body, a reinforced bumper is installed.

Comparison of Yamaha FX Nytro with competitors and analogues

Yamaha produces reliable and relatively inexpensive equipment. But despite this, Japanese snowmobiles have more than enough competitors. The main opponents are BRP, Arctic Cat and Polaris.

The competition for the Yamaha snowmobile was: Polaris Switchback Pro R 800, Arctic Cat XF 800 and Ski-Doo Renegade E-TEC 800. All machines are in the same price category and practically do not differ in technical characteristics. The only difference is power. The working volume of the Japanese is 1049 cubic meters. cm, and the same Canadian has only 799.5 cc.

There is competition within the company as well. The Yamaha Nitro snowmobile performs well not only in extreme conditions, but also on the track. The series is a worthy competitor to the Venture line of travel devices. At the same time, cars for driving in the mountains are much cheaper than tourists. The price of Ventura models ranges from 1.1 to 1.3 million rubles, and Nitro costs from 420 to 800 thousand rubles.