While some may have written off the Yamaha Apex model for 2011, feeling Yamaha would further pursue refinements to their popular Nytro models instead of investing more into the original champion of four-stroke technology, many might be pleasantly surprised they didn’t. The new 2011 Yamaha Apex introduces an industry first with the employment of electronic power steering in a snowmobile application.

With electronic power steering playing a major role in Yamaha’s all-terrain vehicles and with a patent on the application of power steering for a snowmobile, it was perhaps only a matter of time before Yamaha would adapt the technology for the winter world.  While we have yet to sample the new power assisted Apex, initial reports and our experience with EPS equipped quads, have us believing the result is steering nothing short of buttery smooth.

More than just a simple straight assist system, the Yamaha EPS monitors several aspects of the vehicle’s performance in order to vary the level of assist for differing circumstances. Sensing vehicle speed, ski torque, engine speed and the level of assist the EPS is currently employing, the result is a true variable assist design that will deliver near full power at slow trail speeds and will dial back the level of assistance at higher, straight line speeds.

The advent of power steering has also allowed Yamaha engineers to tweak the front suspension traits of the Apex, which up until now had elicited heavy effort and a level of unpredictability in certain conditions. A new ski-design with an enhanced keel, revised carbide placement and a tweak in the amount of trail in the system should give the Apex a new found bite in the corners without the penalty of increased steering effort thanks to the power assisted design.

Joining the EPS system is a dramatically revised engine package featuring what Yamaha dubs the EXUP system or Exhaust Ultimate Performance package. The fancy nomenclature calls out a servo motor controlled four-into-one-into-two exhaust system that allows Yamaha engineers to control the backpressure of the system and deliver a near linear powerband. It’s a technology that has been in use in their R1 ultimate street bike and has now found a home aboard the Apex.

While those technologies are the focal point of the new 2011 Apex, more changes have been introduced throughout the vehicle including a 2-inch taller seat for improved ergonomics; a new cooling system with an additional rear heat exchanger for improved cooling; new extrovert rear drivers to eliminate track slip; a taller windshield design; a 128-inch Rip-Saw track; and a suspensions system on the Apex SE that features air shocks both front and rear, thereby eliminating any coil or torsion springs.

Three Apex models will be available in 2011 with the new EPS and exhaust system technology: Apex GT for high performance trail riding; the Apex SE for those who are after a more big bump compliant ride; and the new Apex XTX with a 144-inch track design for all around comfort and versatility.

Full details on the 2011 Yamaha line are available at the Yamaha website now, and in addition you will find information on their extensive demo tour dubbed the Sno-Safari which will allow enthusiasts to sample the new Yamaha power first hand. Details can be found at www.yamahademos.com