Complaints - E-Tek/4-Tek vs. Apex/Vector
I am in the same boat as many for next year. Trying to decide between 2011 Vector, 600 E-Tek or 1200 4-Tek. At this point I am leaning toward the 4-Tek for the following reasons:
1.) Weight - the XP chassis, even with bulk of the 4-stroke motor is nearly 100 lbs. less weight than the Vector/Apex. This weight difference isn't noticable on the trails, but if you have to move them at a gas station, stuck in the woods, or getting on shop dollies, the Yam's are a load and 1/2.
2.) Think 4-stroke tech is the way to go with emissions being a concern. No oil or smell on clothes is nice too. Negatives - screwing around with taking sleds to dealers to change oil once a year. It would be nice if Yamaha and BRP could make this more user friendly.
3.) Handling - Yamaha's are not bad, but require quite a bit of adjustment from "out of box" trim to have them work. Carbides, studding and suspension adjustment are all critical and can be time consuming. General consensus seems to be XP chassis is far more nimble for trail riding and I want to find out for myself.
4.) Nagging problems - don't get me wrong, they all have their quirks, but Yamaha is so annoying with the hand warmers that don't work without mods, excessive hy-fax wear, necessity to add extra wheels, and tunnel protection on long tracks. Not to mention the ski's that most complain about, but I haven't experienced. Not very good wind protection on Vector and Apex without adding gauntlets of some sort.
I would like to hear any and all complaints and experiences regarding problems with the 4-Tek XP and how difficult it is to change oil. Thx.
