Sled Riding Positions?

[whitedust]

Anyone that knows me knows I have owned Apex sleds for the last 10 years now own a 2012 Apex XTX. I like the straight leg sitting position of Apex &
installed a riser to stand up if necessary. EPS makes steering effortless & I prefer crisp pace in twistys with my butt planted firmly on the seat. I have no
interest in throwing any sled around more of concise sports car handling is my preference. The reason I bring this up is doo & poo latest platforms
seem to be all about the rider hanging off the sled which is not at all what I want to do. To me point & shoot is better with little body movement is the way to go.
Is hanging off necessary for these new doo & poo sleds to perform?

 

[sjb]

I think it all depends on the sled and the driver. Coming off an apex myself, I know what you mean. I now own a Nytro and have rode most of the other brands as well. With my Nytro, it performs much better with a LOT of body English. You can ride it in a passive mode like my wife does, but I can get this thing to rail when I am hanging over the tank. And to be honest, I love to ride this way either way - must be the old MX days. Riding the MZX's, I think best performance is when you ride aggressively, but don't think you need to. Some folks like to sit back and just let the set up of the machine do all the handling - my brother is like that. And there is nothing wrong with it whatsoever.

 

[old abe]

Anyone that knows me knows I have owned Apex sleds for the last 10 years now own a 2012 Apex XTX. I like the straight leg sitting position of Apex &
installed a riser to stand up if necessary. EPS makes steering effortless & I prefer crisp pace in twistys with my butt planted firmly on the seat. I have no
interest in throwing any sled around more of concise sports car handling is my preference. The reason I bring this up is doo & poo latest platforms
seem to be all about the rider hanging off the sled which is not at all what I want to do. To me point & shoot is better with little body movement is the way to go.
Is hanging off necessary for these new doo & poo sleds to perform?

WD; Why don't you rent one of the new ones for a day? Kip should have a Viper. Your Apex is a total different ride as to Viper. Rider positioned higher on all "rider forward" sleds. Once we left the sit down style, we won't go back. But to each his own? Not to run the Viper down, but is not the most balanced/handling sled due to the engine/weight position in chassis. Torque roll is very prevalent. Doo just seems to be a lot better as to the balance/handling goes, 2 strokes, and their 4 strokes. Perhaps the new SW is better in as design on this??? Your Apex weight probably helps you out as to your "planted feel" to the trail. We prefer the "light" feel of the 600 2 strokes, and 900 4 strokes. But, there is probably more "lean" due to the riders higher seating position. But no, we aren't "hanging off" the sleds. The wife not into that stuff at all! We put a lot of miles on our sleds. How ever this year held that part down.

 

[groomerdriver]

WD - if your 12 Apex sits the same as the stock seat on my 14 Vector did, spend the money on a WRP +2 seat. Maybe you read my writeup on TY about it, but it made a significant improvement in the day long riding comfort of the sled. My 14 Vector LTX still doesn't handle near as well as my 05 Vector (M10 and finely tuned shocks). ALl this talk about the Delta Box 2 handling better than the DB 1 is pure BS IMO.

 

[whitedust]

WD; Why don't you rent one of the new ones for a day? Kip should have a Viper. Your Apex is a total different ride as to Viper. Rider positioned higher on all "rider forward" sleds. Once we left the sit down style, we won't go back. But to each his own? Not to run the Viper down, but is not the most balanced/handling sled due to the engine/weight position in chassis. Torque roll is very prevalent. Doo just seems to be a lot better as to the balance/handling goes, 2 strokes, and their 4 strokes. Perhaps the new SW is better in as design on this??? Your Apex weight probably helps you out as to your "planted feel" to the trail. We prefer the "light" feel of the 600 2 strokes, and 900 4 strokes. But, there is probably more "lean" due to the riders higher seating position. But no, we aren't "hanging off" the sleds. The wife not into that stuff at all! We put a lot of miles on our sleds. How ever this year held that part down.

Logged a good number of miles on a Viper and not really referring to that particular sled. I didn't have to lean off a Viper at all to get it to perform. I'm questioning the lean with poo axys & the new doo rev platform that has adjustable knee panels. I look at this advertisng & think what the heck?... that doe snot appeal to me at all? I liked the doo xp position no problem with it all but the new rev on paper has me wondering?

 

[Hoosier]

WD - if your 12 Apex sits the same as the stock seat on my 14 Vector did, spend the money on a WRP +2 seat. Maybe you read my writeup on TY about it, but it made a significant improvement in the day long riding comfort of the sled. My 14 Vector LTX still doesn't handle near as well as my 05 Vector (M10 and finely tuned shocks). ALl this talk about the Delta Box 2 handling better than the DB 1 is pure BS IMO.

Can you put a link to your writeup of that seat? One of my relatives has a newer Vector but wishes the seating position was higher. Retired guy, said its hard on his knees

 

[Pizza Man]

I bought a new 08 Apex LTX and liked it for a few years. As I got older, I didn't care for the weight of it. Sold it this year and was going to buy a new 2016 Poo 600 Pro X Switchback Axys. Weather turned warm and will now order a new 2017.

 

[whitedust]

I bought a new 08 Apex LTX and liked it for a few years. As I got older, I didn't care for the weight of it. Sold it this year and was going to buy a new 2016 Poo 600 Pro X Switchback Axys. Weather turned warm and will now order a new 2017.

Did you rent an axys for a seat of the pants comparo? Not that it matters since only available in a 2s but would be interesing to know what you thought of the 2 sled riding positions. The weight difference doesn't matter to me never did with 4s for trails.

 

[old abe]

Knees, and there position are the big thing with "rider forward" comfort. Also easier to adjust your seating positions. Viper's seem to have "torque roll", and be off balanced, as to what Doo's are. If you like the sit down, sit back position that your Apex has, your probably on the ride you need to be. I have the same question as you on the GEN 4 Doo's. Have not had a chance to see one, or sit on one as yet. S chassis Doo will be around for a long time. It just has too much going for it to go away. The S is very rider friendly. Perhaps WD, you could try a S 1200 Doo Renegade. They are saying it's a big improvement over the R 1200. Sounds like the performance also improved with the drive by wire flipper, as comparing to the old cable flipper.

 

[whitedust]

Knees, and there position are the big thing with "rider forward" comfort. Also easier to adjust your seating positions. Viper's seem to have "torque roll", and be off balanced, as to what Doo's are. If you like the sit down, sit back position that your Apex has, your probably on the ride you need to be. I have the same question as you on the GEN 4 Doo's. Have not had a chance to see one, or sit on one as yet. S chassis Doo will be around for a long time. It just has too much going for it to go away. The S is very rider friendly. Perhaps WD, you could try a S 1200 Doo Renegade. They are saying it's a big improvement over the R 1200. Sounds like the performance also improved with the drive by wire flipper, as comparing to the old cable flipper.

I sure hope the Gen4 new rev is not knees bent back like rev1 or knees jammed to the tank or panels. Only way to know is put my butt on one. Axys was ok but as said before no 4s so doesn't matter.

 

[eagle1]

It only makes you feel faster hanging off your sled. Lol
I didn't get a lot seat time on a "groomed" trail this year but still impressed how my 2016 renegade x handled. I know what you mean by point and shoot as my nytro xtx was same way. Was a fun sled but Doo can corner so much better. Of course if want to get aggressive you can but not necessarily needed to get sled to perform.
Out of box my front end was very planted, cornered good, very little push. I like transfer and I had very little so I started working on that. Got it so I can lift the skis bit now on take off. Unfortunately that was messing out on lake and never got to trail ride much to see if front still turned without pushing.

Maybe get together for ride next year be happy to let you have some seat time. Love trying out different sleds.
I think most people get so used to one sled they they don't give other sleds a fair shake.

 

[whitedust]

It only makes you feel faster hanging off your sled. Lol
I didn't get a lot seat time on a "groomed" trail this year but still impressed how my 2016 renegade x handled. I know what you mean by point and shoot as my nytro xtx was same way. Was a fun sled but Doo can corner so much better. Of course if want to get aggressive you can but not necessarily needed to get sled to perform.
Out of box my front end was very planted, cornered good, very little push. I like transfer and I had very little so I started working on that. Got it so I can lift the skis bit now on take off. Unfortunately that was messing out on lake and never got to trail ride much to see if front still turned without pushing.

Maybe get together for ride next year be happy to let you have some seat time. Love trying out different sleds.
I think most people get so used to one sled they they don't give other sleds a fair shake.

Sure we can ride together and we trade sleds all the time. Venturenorth & I were going to take on a few more regulars for our biweekly rides but with poor conditions we never really got into a ride rhythm more of a catch can schedule this season. Next year I will post on Ride Board. We were thinking of posting preseason but have not so far.

 

[buddah2]

I bought a new 08 Apex LTX and liked it for a few years. As I got older, I didn't care for the weight of it. Sold it this year and was going to buy a new 2016 Poo 600 Pro X Switchback Axys. Weather turned warm and will now order a new 2017.

Just out of idle curiosity, if you're carrying it you're doing it wrong (the weight thingie)

You should have tried an 11 up Apex or 12 up Vector with the EPS before condemning the "weight"....JMHO......

 

[Pizza Man]

I did try them as my younger buddies ride them. Problem is my age, 73 years old !!!

 

[whitedust]

I did try them as my younger buddies ride them. Problem is my age, 73 years old !!!

I'm a bit younger than you but not much & we all age differently but my shoulders never felt better after many 200+ mile day rides since moving up to Apex XTX with eps & snow trackers. The dead weight difference of Yamaha 4s never did affect me on the trail a little off trail but don't get stuck is key.lol

 

[Tracker]

I did try them as my younger buddies ride them. Problem is my age, 73 years old !!!

PIZZAMAN I ride with an 80 year old and a 75 year old...the 80 guy leads sometimes even and he's not slow....sometimes I see 70 when he's leading....BOTH of them ride BARCALOUNGERS like this....we do lots of off trail also...very capabile machine in all areas...even had one out west on a tour and it climbed all the hills...albeit sometimes with a couple of tries and WOT but it got way up to the top and the most we were at was like 12,500 or something round theres....it wasn't this model cause it was years ago but this is just like em...and you'll be comfy and not tired...BUT ONE KEY THING AT YOUR AGE AND A MUST ON ALL SLEDS...kills fatigue.....WOODIES DUAL CARBIDE BARS SIDE BY SIDES

http://www.arcticcat.com/snow/sleds/model/2016-en-pantera-7000-limited/

 

[groomerdriver]

PIZZAMAN http://www.arcticcat.com/snow/sleds/model/2016-en-pantera-7000-limited/

Sweet ride you say?

 

[caged_beagle]

WD - if your 12 Apex sits the same as the stock seat on my 14 Vector did, spend the money on a WRP +2 seat. Maybe you read my writeup on TY about it, but it made a significant improvement in the day long riding comfort of the sled. My 14 Vector LTX still doesn't handle near as well as my 05 Vector (M10 and finely tuned shocks). ALl this talk about the Delta Box 2 handling better than the DB 1 is pure BS IMO.

Sweet ride you say?

I absolutely LOVE how in one thread you state you have a certain member blocked ↓↓↓↓ because you cannot stand his "same ole, same ole, gibberish", and then in the next breath you are replying to a thread he starts.↑↑↑↑ Just an observation.

God, I wish I didn't have to see the same ole same ole gibberish that you replied to when I have that person blocked. Big long mile days blah blah blah. I don't care about weight blah blah blah. I don't want 120 HP but I don't want 200 hp either blah blah blah. There should be an internet law against this sheet. SMH..

______________________________

 

[chords]

Yeah good catch on the gibberish. There seems to be alot of that goin on. But be sure to keep an eye out for the jibberish. Things can get out of hand quickly if you believe.

 

[Tracker]

Sweet ride you say?

yes I drove one for 9500 miles. before we rented a 2 seater out west. ONE SWEET RIDE....even sweeter if your older....and heres how I made it sweet....took off the 2 up seat and put a one seat and moved that back rest up...geared it to run fast on WOT....added dual carbide wear bars...and at that time reverse wasn't standard....put reverse on....this new comes with 1.25 long track...heated seat....electric start...add a riser...and a 2up is fatser off the line too....with no studs of course....if you don't believe me its faster on the holeshot...read am snow mag where the CROSSTOUR at the old shootout didn't arrive in time and it was the only unstudded sled...it beat EVERY sled off the line...even 1000 turbos...all manu's...why?...cause the track was laying flat and limiters were let down not up like everyone thinks they gotta be....wrong


so yes....SWEET *** RIDE...pizza rent one and try it...just move that back up to a one rider position and raise the long arm spring to high setting and tighten front springs on shocks way up and put on duallies 4 inchers with that unstudded track and....SHAZZAM...plus that new one compensates for altitude so you could take it out west...run in the rain and warmth...very versatile and CATS are 10 xs tougher than anything else....I used to be a yami man...god I don't miss carrying spare belts and doing cranks every other season