Hey guy's i am coming from a 2 strokes and thinking
to go to a 4 strokes.

So my friend just bought a apex 2008 and bogging
me to by a 4 strokes, But i whant to stay whit Polaris..

Any of you FST guy's race a APEX or ATTACK???

And my other question is: 121'' or 136'' ??????


Any good or bad comment is welcome..........


Thank's

You won't beat the Apex with the Fxt. I ride with one not a bad sled just not as fast. So what. I used to ride Poo and it's a Dragon in my future.

I ride an 06 FST switch and have raced different stock yamaha sleds ( attack, apex gt, warrior, RX1) 07's on down this year and none of them even came close in a quarter mile or so. The closest machine was the 07 apex gt and we raced four times, i won by at least three sled lenghts every time. I agree these sleds have the advantage on fit and finish but polaris has it in the speed and ride quality with the IQ chassie. The FST is very fast if you stay with the switchback, 144's are fastest with the 136 track next and this can change depending on setup.
The 128 tracks that have the M-10 are somewhat slower because of the suspension. These sleds also suffer in hookup out of the hole they spin something terrible but the ride is excellent.
I would tell you to ride all sleds that you are considering buying as much as possible before you make a purchase and that will tell you what fits your style of riding best. Everything else you read is just oppinion from someone else. One example is i have heard some people say switchbacks are great for ditchbanging I own one and I dont agree, i think they are too heavy for that, but trail riding, and mountain riding they are great! Again this is just my opinion! Ride them this will tell you what you need to know, and ride them both Yamaha and polaris.
Good Luck

x2

You really need to ride them.

The M-10 equipped FSTs are noticeably slower than the 136 and 144 Switchback sleds. If a non M-10 suspended short track is not studded, it just can't get enough traction to do anything. Spin city. The M-10s suffer the same problem, but are worse with weight transfer when stock. There are some guys out there that have done quite a bit of work with them to get them to hook up and go, but out of the box it won't happen.

You really do need to ride them if you can. Only way to take the opnion bias out of the equation.

how do you compare your buddy sled with every one elses i have not lost to any yamaha yet may be his is lacking something he should race another fst to see.

I have rode a 06 FST and man let me tell you what a sled if everything went to 4 stroke right now I would buy a FST in a heart beat!

It all depends on what FST your interested in.

As steves800xcr stated earlier the FST IQLX & CLASIC are both 128/M10.
I had a 06 FST classic. and presently own a FST IQLX.
It been my experience the M10 is a great ride but doesn't hook up all that well with the stock setup. And top end is a little slower.
They will however stay right there with the Apex/Atack if you get a good hookup. But it been my experience that the Apex will take the checkered flag.

I think a closer match would be the FST 121. Or the FST Dragon [my next sled]
Both of these are outstanding trail sleds and serious contenders

If you want a guaranteed win go with a 06-07 FST Switchback "144"
I also own one of these. And I ride with Apexs-T cat 1000-F7s etc regularly.
From 0-115 it will beat them 10 out of 10 runs. Not even a fare race
This season they gave up and stoped asking for another chance.

If your looking into the 08-09 Switchback keep in mind they have a "coupled" 136 rear skid.
I assume there still rockets but I havent heard how they compair to the 06-07 Switchback ?????

Raced an '06 FST Classic a couple of times this past Sunday and it hangs in pretty good with the Apex but once it comes off the 4 second overboost it falls off noticably. Have never run with an FST Switch, but I know that the longtrackers are faster on top end than all the 121's. That combined with the added holeshot traction would likely seal the fate of the Apex, however if you are into pounding rough trails and ditches do not get a 144 Switch. The 144 skid is even less durable than the Yamaha mono. The 136 is the way to go IMHO.

Now if you wanted to even the playing field, we should really compare the FS to the Apex, or at least throw a turbo on the Apex and but it up against an FST -

And dont' forget to add 2 more cylinders to the FST so it's equal to the YAM.

How about just 1 more cylinder so they are close to equal in displacement?

No kidding. Yamaha guys talk it all up, but they are getting it done with a BIGGER CC motor than everyone else.

If you want a fair race, then turbo the Yamaha and pull the spark plug wire on one cylinder. Remember to also spend the same amount of dough on the FST that you spent to turbo the Yamaha. Then you will have two turbo mod sleds with similar displacement. I'd pay to watch that race.

I am going to assume that this whole discussion is about STOCK sleds. So throwing a turbo (or supercharger) for that matter on the Yamaha is a moot point.

Besides, I am pretty sure that the new Z-1 Turbo is going to wax all of us next year anyway (stock for stock).

Ok lets go one step farther

FS = 2 cyl-750 cc
Apex = 4 cyl-1000 cc "twice the cylinders"
Chevy 350 = 8cyl 350cid "twice the cylinders"

RIDICULOUS????

Not any more then your compairison

If I drop a 350 vortec in my IQ chassis and then dump a turbo on it theres a good chance Ill beat your Apex.....BUT...Oh thats right .. I already can do that.
AND I would not have a FST anymore...I would instead have a MODIFIED SLED at that point.
The fact is >>>>STOCK<<<<< FSTs are kicking ass and taking names on Apexs.

And next year Artic Cats Z 1 Turbo will be taking over.
And in 2010 Polaris FSTs are likely going to even that playing field.

Not quite, and I am particularly qualified to comment on this comparison.

Thats great that you consider yourself qaulified.
But this post is not about you.
And comments like compairing a 2 cyl 750 to a 4 cyl 1000 dont add to your credibillity.
Its got to be the single lamest comment so often brought up by Yammi owners.
All of us "unqualified" FST OWNERS have heard it time and time again.
And its getting very old.
Lets stick to the topic..And that would be ....FST vs APEX

Apparently you didn't read my previous posts very carefully. Anyways, you're right. This post is not about me, nor is it an attack on your obviously fragile ego, an assessment of anyone's qualifications, or some sort of repeat of "the single lamest comment so often brought up by Yammi owners" whatever that is supposed to mean. I merely reported what I have personally experienced running an Apex against an FST. Not to mention that if I was to go out in my garage right now I could sit on either an Apex or an FST. I also have at my disposal several other FST's for "testing" if I felt so inclined. They are all very quick sleds - but "kicking ass and taking names"? I don't think so. From my experience that's just not reality.

I had a friend with a first yr FST....lots of problems, etc....
but besides that....

Have you FST guys turned up that boost yet? What kind of power are you getting?

I would suspect two things, stock for stock, the Apex is heavier and has 'maybe' 10hp more???

Apparently your correct I didnt read any of your previous posts.
You see Im..Ahh..Im not a member of your fan club. And I wasnt informed that it was mandentory reading.

What I was commenting on was the same regergitated stuff that we FST owners have been subject to for years now.

What if I do this or add that to my Apex ......Like I said its getting old.

I think we can both agree that both sleds are exceptional machines.

The simple fact is Poo did it with a STOCK turbocharged 2cyl and 250cc less

We have a fellow sledder asking for personal experiences with these two sleds.
I would assume he was asking about STOCK FSTs vs STOCK Apexs

If not then his post would have read... how do I modify my Apex so it can run with the FST.

I am not certain but isnt the z-1 a 1000cc turbo sled if it is this isnt really a fair comparison either, against a 750 cc turbo sled!

From what I've heard, the M-10 does slow the FST down slightly.. Does anybody know how much? I'd rather have the nice ride from my M-10, rather than a few MPH on top end.. I ride on bumpy trails a lot more than I race across the lake.. My 06 FST Classic is fast enough.. even with an M-10 So far the fastest I've seen is 108MPH

I hit 118mph with my uncoupled 144" before I geared down and tracked up. 108 with the M-10 is pretty stinking fast. Most with the M-10 only get just over 100.

The uncoupled 144" had very minimal rolling resistance. Even with my 159", my sled will "roll" easier than all the other sleds that I ride with. Maybe I got lucky with the setup on my skid, but it isn't sucking up much power on my sled.

From just talking to others (I have not ridden a 121, 136, or the M-10) the M-10s tend to be about 5-8 mph slower than a 121 or 136. The 144 is typically a little faster than the 136. Stock for stock (no studs) there is just too much torque for the shorter tracks to handle. The longer Switchbacks get better traction and weight transfer out of the hole when there aren't any studs. There are some guys out there that have done some good work in revalving the M-10 shocks that have been able to give it a boost in both performance and ride.

Oops. Brain fart.

Don't multitask on multiple computer screens.

I'm consistently bouncing off the 100MPH mark but i have a hard time topping it. I can get there as fast as anyone but once there the RPM's fall off a bit and it settles in at a nice smooth 90MPH. Fast enough for me for sure, i would rather have the acceleration than the top end, but that's my preference. I could care less about "this" vs "that" anymore. Ride what you like cause there's always something faster out there. There's much more to riding than top end. I would rather have reliability so that i get there. There's a lot of nice sleds out there and i'd like to own a few of them but that's not gonna happen so i pick my poison and go with it. I suggest everyone do the same.

Funny thing my buds FST is just like yours above. Quick to 100mph then hits a wall. I answered honestly. Good luck, I'll watch for a fast one at haydays!

I attribute that 100MPH limit to the M-10 suspension. I was told by others and when i bought it that it would rob me of a few mph. I've been told the switchbacks are better on the top end, easily reaching into the teens. I can't think of very many times where i would want to go much faster than that. Matter of fact, 100 is plenty fast for me. What i really like about the sled is the quickness of getting to 80 or so. That's the fun part anyways, there's not a lot of places where you can run much faster than that before the next corner. In Canada there are obviously places like lakes where you can run WFO for a few miles but even then you end up slamming a depression at 100 and it aint no fun. So like you said "quick to 100pmh then hit a wall" is a fair description of the FST classic with the M-10. I can't comment on the others but i have no reason to doubt them. We are a pretty honest group. I ride with a friend who has an Apex and it's a damn nice sled as well. He's had some minor issues or annoyances as well but his sled has been pretty bullet proof. We don't race but if we did i would say we would beside each other up to 80 or 90 and then he would likely go past me. In the end i think i would just run out of HP and CC's. Would i buy it again? Yes, but it would be after the 1st production year.

My 08 SB is about 5 mph faster at top than my 06 Classic. The SB feels like it gets there way faster, but I have not lined them up yet.

I think that both these sleds could win on any given day.To say the fst is kicking ass and taking names over the apex is bull****.If you posted this question in the Yamaha forum it would be the opposite.People will never tell you when they lose a race and that their sled beats up on everything they have raced.If you haven't lost to an apex you haven't raced too many and vice versa.My apex runs 100mph in 1000' and tops out at 114mph on snow and will take a very good sled too beat that.I know there are stock sleds that can but too say the apex walks every fst is just not true and to say the fst walks every apex is also crazy.they are both good sleds and in 2010 both poo and yammie will have a bigger and better 4 stroke to catch the new turbo jag.

My FST runs pretty well most of the time, but I would like to get 3MPH more out of it, so I can stay ahead of my brothers 800HO REV. I'll beat him consistently, unless its a really long race, then he starts catching up.. But my sled rides a lot smoother than his, with my M-10.

X2! Good post and my point exactly.

Ok, Im going to try to explain this a little better.
Lets start out with this . The Apex is one great sled. If Poo didnt make a FST Id be riding a Apex.

The point I was trying to explain is this. There are distinctivly differant FST models.
Each one purpose built for a specific ride.
If your putting a Apex up against a FST IQLX you are compairing Yammahas' best performance sled with Polaris'
luxury model trail sled.
That FST model is built for a great trail ride. NOT PERFORMANCE
Please take the time and look it up in the polaris catalog. The reason the FST IQLX has a FST engine is polaris didnt want there luxury 4 stroke to be underpowered.
And its not. It is a heck of a fast sled. But the Apex will take it. Thats a fact. OK

Now, Polaris builds other FST models. Look them up and you will find them under PERFORMANCE "not luxury".

Here is a way to better explain.

I have two FSTs. A IQLX that my wife rides and loves. And I ride A FST SWITCHBACK.
My wife is not affraid to hammer it. She weighs 100 lbs+ less then me.
Every time we hit them on the lake I will holeshot the heck out of her sled. We have raced hundreds of times.
Its always the same. I jump her by 8-10 sleds and walk away. And she weighs 100lbs less.

That being said you can see there is a heck of a differance between these two FST models.

So, If you can understand that you may understand that when a Apex owner comes on this Polaris forum and states that he raced a IQLX a couple of times.
He is saying that he put his performance Apex model up against a Luxuy model sled and pulled off a win.

THAT IS MY POINT!!!

So to answer the question.. APEX vs FST ?

WHAT MODEL FST ???
Is it the luxury model FST that just happens to haul
Or one of Polaris' performance model FSTs that really haul

Sorry about the long explanation

I have raced an '06 FST Classic, two '07 FST IQ's and an '08 FST IQLX. Not much difference between those sleds, in fact I would give the nod to the '06 if I had to pick the fastest of the 4. Just a "good one" I guess. From experience I know that the 144 inch IQ Switchbacks are indeed faster than thier short-track equivalent. I have yet to run an FST Switchback - just not too many of those around I'm afraid.

Thank's to all of you guy's

This is the best reply you could give me........


Oh! by the way it was performance sled fst switcback/ apex ltx

thank's again

All three of those sleds are identical.
THEY ARE ALL LUXURY TRAIL MODELS with M10.
They were not built for speed. They just happen to haul ass because they are FSTs

You lined the best performance machine built by Yammaha up with three luxury trail models built by Polaris and pulled a win.
And your bursting the buttons off your shirt because your proud of that! HOLY COW!!

Then you anoint yourself as a expert and state that "Im particulaly qualified to coment on this comparison" WOW!!!

Hey last night I threw a football around the yard with my son.
Hell .I must be Bret Farve!!

Try lineing up with a performance model of the FST sometime. You in for one hell of a big surprize!

No, the two '07 FST IQ's are not M-10 suspended. They are the regular 121 inch track IQ chassis, not 128 M-10's. Believe me, I know my Polaris sleds. The '07's are what you are calling a "performance model" FST, if they aren't then please explain what is. As I said the '06 Classic was (strangely) the best performing of the bunch despite the M-10. Maybe you should do your do your homework, or read my posts more carefully Mr. Farve before you hack on me needlessly. BTW - all the buttons are still on my shirt - holy cow indeed.

I know about your polaris sleds.I own a polaris and ride with alot of polaris sleds.I have friends with 07 fst switchbacks and fst classics.The outcome between the fst switchbacks and the apex ltx are mixed with both sleds winning.You are apparantly pro fst switchback and will never lose a race to an apex.I have seen fst's race each other and there is noway a switchback gets a 10 sled length jump from the start unless the other person is sleeping or scared to punch it.Your fst must have a top speed of 120mph + to pull those kind of lengths and keep walking away from a sled that will run 105-108mph on top.Later

Your right , I didnt read your post all that carfully. I actualy didnt catch the FST IQ in your post.
Partly because I ,along with 99% of the folks on this forum give your posts no credability whatsoever.

Addressing the FST IQ. If that sled isnt walking away from the FST IQLXs dosent that seem a little odd.
I own a IQLX. mine is set up perfectly and a FST IQs will walk away from it every time.

You have made quite clear that you know far more then anyone on this forum about the FSTs that we own and ride.
And you know what, Its a suunny warm day out there today and quite frankly I along with most people really dont care what your next rambling will spew out.
Its painfully obvius why your over here.
To inflate your ..how does that go..fragile ego.

Im done with this post ......BRET

You make me laugh. I could be a shallow person and pick apart every one of your posts in this thread, but I won't even as you once again hack on me for no apparent reason. You obviously haven't really read my posts all that carefully or you are seeing something that just isn't there because you want it to be.

BTW - I'm sure that 99% of the FST & Fusion owners out there that have PM'ed me thier serial numbers to check on updates gave my answers and suggestions no credibilty whatsoever as well.

pure speed there is no doubt the apex is the better choice....I would gladly give up the top speed trophy for an fst that rides better, handles better, and is just an all around better trail and off-trail sled. at the end of a 200 mile day I would rather be getting off the fst. if all I wanted to do is run lakes than the apex would work.

The IQ chassis, even with an M-10 rides and handles better than an Apex. I got a deal on the Apex that I have, which is why I own it. Admittedly I also was curious to see how the Yamaha worked, the last Yamaha that I owned was an '88 Exiter. The Apex is a pretty decent sled, I put a 900 miles on it this winter and have been pleasantly surprised with the ride and handling, but as I said it is close but not on par with an IQ. However it's not nearly the tank that I thought it would be on tight bumpy trails. It's decently fast, but it's no 800 XCR. I will say that the speedo is way, way out of whack which might be why some people think that they are faster than they really are.

They're legal in the 500 cc class.

If I had the opportunity to ride 200 miles in a day...(this never seems to happen anymore because this years riding buddies are banker types and they get soft after 50-70 miles)...of ditch banging around Island Pond I would bet the Apex rider doing the same would have to suck down half a bottle of advil and still miss work on Monday....even without the m-10..."best ride in the business" is still Polaris!

and FWIW...Pete Z recently helped me by running a vin for updates on a leftover 07 FST IQ and the dealer was kind of spooked on how much I knew about the sled BEFORE I got there...thanks Pete!

I did a 268 mile day on the Apex this winter 70 miles of which were on un-groomed bush trails. I survived. In fact other than a tendency to deliver a spine-shortening bottoming-out hit on unexpected sucker bumps, the stupid Yamaha mono skid rides pretty good. Not at all unlike an M-10 to be honest. As I said the Yamaha takes some getting used to, and it is more work to muscle around a corner than an IQ chassis, but an Advil overdose and missing work on Monday isn't quite in the equation. You are right though, best ride in the biz is Polaris though I've tried a few Cats over the years that were very close if not equal. Those boys in TRF seem to have thier shit together when it comes to shock and spring calibration. Trust me, I am surprised that I can even type that sentence, but it is true. In fact I think that all new sleds work pretty well, especially when compared to what we were riding only a few years ago. Makes you wonder where they're going to be in another 5 years or so.

BTW - no need to thank me, my pleasure really. Hope you like your FST, most guys that own them seem very happy.

Is that right?!? They slot stock FST's into the 500cc stock class?

Should be the FS-(non-turbo).

I was as shocked as you are about that.

I've got buddies that own an 08 fst dragon and an 07 appex rtx. They ran those sleds off a number of times up in quebec during a trip. Was told both are about dead even in performance with the rtx slightly better in fuel economy. Said everyone that rode the dragon was susprised how quiet it runs.

"BINGO".......................................Agreeeeeeeeeed.......For me it's smoothness,and most important for me.. MPG... I ride a NON-turbo vector... For the season I averaged 18.7mpg... And I never lost a race..Pause............................... That's because I didn't race..MMV.