The Snow Goer staff rode more than 13,000 miles on our test fleet last season; 1,667 of those miles were aboard our 2007 Yamaha Apex GT. At the end of the season, we appreciated it even more.
Of all the machines we pulled out of our storage bin, the Apex got the most attention. In truth, not all of those odometer clicks were ours. Several riders we met on the trail took a demo ride on our sled.
The engine impressed the most. We’ve said before that this is one of the greatest snowmobile engines ever — two-stroke or four. Anyone who claims otherwise either hasn’t ridden the sled or is simply anti four-stroke.
The Genesis Extreme 998cc quad-cylinder was smooth and responsive in every condition and always performed. Even at minus 20 degrees F, without a block heater in use, the engine touched off, warmed quickly and performed marvelously. The only complaint is that a few riders said the engine’s tone grew tiresome on longer rides.
The engine packs a hefty, 150 hp punch that easily overpowered the stock 121-inch Rip Saw in most conditions. Takeoffs were powerful, but would be stronger with more track on the ground. The power hooked up better in icy conditions after we installed the Camoplast Ice Ripper track (see page 78), but the 136-inch track of the Yamaha Attak is a better match for this engine’s power when it comes to traction.
Our staff scored ergonomics well in terms of rider position, but the windshield does little to protect the rider’s hands or torso. It was most noticeable in colder temperatures or on straighter trails when we were less active behind the bars.
Better hand warmers would have made conditions more tolerable in colder temps, and we weren’t alone in that request. Yamaha acknowledged that problem and has since released a kit to improve handwarmer performance.
The suspensions handled groomed trails with up to medium-sized bumps without complaint. Once holes and mogul crests have a 1-foot rise or larger, however, the ride quality diminished. The Mono Shock EC electronic rear suspension had handlebar-controlled shock compression adjustability, but even dialed in full-stiff and at our other settings, the suspension is reminiscent of an M-10. Great, except when it comes down after leaving the ground.
The Apex GT wasn’t built as a mogul masher, though. On a trip to Ontario, we couldn’t imagine a more perfect machine to run isolated, rural terrain. We averaged 15.05 miles per gallon with our Apex. The riding position was comfortable with the exception of the wind protection, and it had a fantastic engine that impressed everyone who pressed the throttle. Handling didn’t cause fatigue for long riding days as long as the trails weren’t full of moguls. The 2007 Yamaha Apex GT was a wonderful high-mile companion that was also a staff favorite.
