2-stroke vs. 4-stroke? Opinions please

[chopperguy]

I have always ridden Ski Doo sleds and currently ride an RT 1000. I am not sure it is going to run this year and may have to get a new (to me) sled. Here is my dilema; most of my friends ride 2-strokes and mostly Ski Doos. When I talk about considering a Yamaha 4-stoke they all say I wouldn't like it due to the additional weight. I am considering an Apex that is already turboed because it seems like that is the most cost effective way to purchase a boosted sled. So please give me some feed back on a couple of things:

Would I like the Apex handling after riding the REV chassis for awhile?

What does the additional weight really mean? More tired at the end of the day? I understand that it would be harder to get unstuck, but would I most likely get stuck more often due to the additional weight?

Would I ride this sled for a year and really wish I had bought a Nytro?

There seems to be some great deals on Turboed Apexes right now. Does anyone think this is because the Nytro is so much better? (Chassis, riding style, etc.)

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[relentless rider]

apex

I would say go ride an apex and a nytro before making any decision,the nytro will fill more like the rev.

 

[TBird]

i agree with Rentless, better try them out to get a feel of them, they are two diffrent animals, completely.
A couple of things to clear some of your q, first of all you will almost never get stuck, with some driving tecnique and the power in an Yamaha turbo makes it almost impossible to get stuck. a friend that writes in an Swedish snowmobile magazine wrote "which sled is heavier, a light sled that gets stuck or a heavy sled that never does?" . Second your RT1000 is as heavy as an Apex. Third real world weight show an Nytro 153" with turbo is 40lbs ligher then an Apex 162", after some driving the diffrence is down to 26lbs cause the Nytro's front end collects more snow, especially with a skidplate.

 

[777]

I rode a 03 RX-1 that I modded out and took a 96lbs off of up until the end of last year. I purchased a 09 m8 sp late last year and I will never go back. The things you do on a light sled are just so much easier. For instance your headed downhill and want to lay it over and turn back uphill, put your workboots on. The nose heavy beast is a chore to say the least. I do miss the power a little but not enough to ever consider going back. As for the longevity of a 4 stroke, technoligy is advancing so fast that in 5 or 6 years you want whats new on the market anyway. My .02

 

[Swelly]

I switched from Polaris to Yamaha in 05. Do not see myself going back to a 2 stroke. Yeah they are heavier. In my experience they all seem heavy when they are stuck. Some of it comes down to rider skill, I have kept up with my 2 stroke buddies in the stuff no problem with my Nytro, and with a few changes that are happening this week.......Well they will be a little more mad at me.

Last season put on a trail tank, they always want to bum fuel now..

This year, clutching and gearing, Challenger Track, Fox Floats, Better Boards, sway bar removal, and under tunnel exhaust.

IMO try a few different Yamaha's, I love my Nytro, have considered a supercharger, but 2 slow years in the tourism business put that on the back burner. (glad my wife has a good job)

4 strokes are the future even if the other guys do not want to admit it. Emissions are going to get tougher and tougher and even with di, they will not be clean enough to pass down the road.

Look how many Rev 800's loose cranks also, a friend of mine rebuilds cranks and that is the most common one to fix. Not to mention you have to lube the crank bearing with a grease that is 50 bucks a tube.

Sorry, got off the baseline. Try a Yamaha, ride a few. Most of us will let someone we are familiar with give it a try. You may find one that is right, or you may find another brand that fits you better. Buy what you like. Sleds are expensive now days, shop wisely.


Good luck.

 

[klim-in]

Owned the Apex sense it first got released and still today even due to the weight I still will never own a two stroke sled.
By the end of the day I feel great not beat up so bad from the trail riding.
No pulling a rope all day either is great on my shoulders.
Always come back with extra fuel, less to maintain engine wise.
Motor will last much longer and they don't stink when your behind one.
Floats in the powder like no other sled does.
Turbo 4 stroke puts the sled into a world of its own that a two stroke will never touch.
All in all both sleds would be great you just need to ask yourself if you want to have a four stroke to increase more power or a nytro that will give just a little less but weighs in lower.

As long as its not a two stroke your doing right. PERIOD.
If your getting stuck then your riding wrong or did somthing wrong regardless of what sled your on.

From day one I alone have been able to get my sled out of a rider error stuck with out help, BUT help is nice.

 

[philsummers21]

I came from a RT1000 myself and switched to a Nytro last year mid season. Love the nytro compared to the RT. Lots easier to ride the torque was awesome and not having to buy 2 stroke oil PRICELESS. Gas and go its amazing how nice that is. Granted there are those days i miss the arm pulling power that 1000 had but not near as much as i like the nytro. A different track is a must on the nytro tho. Never rode an apex so i can't comment on them.

 

[jozak]

I was in the same boat that you are. Last season I rode a brand new apex and nytro as well as a nytro with boost. The apex is a heavier sled and if you are thinking of getting a sled with boost get a nytro. Once boost is added you have a lighter sled with phenomenol power. After riding these two sleds I got rid of my two stroke and got a four. My best advice is to get on them and get which one feels better for you. Some people prefer the apex of the nytro....

 

[sclwald]

I personally wish I could own both for different riding days. I have a Vector Mtn SE. I am more tired at the end of the day for sure from the weight. In deep powder days I can outride the two strokes because of the power. Heavier yes but with the power I tend to get stuck only by stupidity. Not because it is too deep. But when my friends want to go boondocking I seem to fall behind as it is harder to turn. Mine is a 162" track in the trees is definitely challenging sometimes when it gets tight.

So deep powder days I prefer a 4 stroke.
Boondocking and sidehilling I prefer a 2 stroke.

Also the maintanence on a four stroke is something you can not appreciate until you buy one. Change the oil every season and gas and go. Can not get any easier. Fuel consumption on the 4 stroke is also an added plus. My dad rides an Apex and you need to ride one before buying one. The power is unbeleivable but the handling characteristics are definitely one of a kind. You need some skills to get it to go where you want it too.

I also want to add that this is from a mountain riders point of view. Riding a RTX or MTX may be different. We always ride the steep and deep.