2016 Yamaha Phazer - Hard to Steer

[jmakelim]

Hi,

New to the forum today, so hoping to gain some input. I bought a new out of the box 2016 Phazer last year for my 17 year old son and the steering was very hard to turn. We adjusted the suspension to take some pressure off the ski's, but it's still very hard to turn and I'm a 230 lb guy. I have Woody's 8" carbides on the ski's (Part # 4612-0251). My son weighs about 140 lbs. We owned Phazer's and Exciter's back in the 80's/90's and they were very easy to turn. Any suggestions on the proper setup or how to tune would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Much!

 

[hibshman25]

You did the right thing by taking weight off the skis, and if it still turns too hard you will likely have to switch out skis.

My suggestion would be a a set of single keel skis from the earlier year phazers. They will steer easier. If you want premium handling put a set of snow tracker skags on them yet. By far the easiest steering best handling setup for trail riding.

 

[jmakelim]

You did the right thing by taking weight off the skis, and if it still turns too hard you will likely have to switch out skis.

My suggestion would be a a set of single keel skis from the earlier year phazers. They will steer easier. If you want premium handling put a set of snow tracker skags on them yet. By far the easiest steering best handling setup for trail riding.

Thanks. Before I spend money on ski's I was hoping to be able to just tune it somehow. Maybe a shim kit or something?

 

[cannondale27]

It turns easy with front off the snow or ground right? Not that its binding.

 

[jmakelim]

It turns easy with front off the snow or ground right? Not that its binding.

It's not binding. Initially, it was darting back and forth and we were able to get rid of most of that, but it still darts a bit and still hard to turn.

 

[3wheelerdude]

I had the same issue when I bought my 2007. I weighed 150 back then and it was either hard to steer, or I would let a few holes out of the limiting strap and then it would push in corners.

The 2 things I did that helped a lot were :
- Install 'easy streers' on the original skis with the limiter strap at the second hole.

- Bought some C&A skis with 4 inch carbides.

I would probably try shorter carbides on the stock skis with 'easy steers' to start with.

Here is the link for the easy steer : https://www.royaldistributing.com/Catalogues/Main/2019-Fall-Winter/263/

 

[biffdotorg]

I would agree with that, especially if you are not studded, 8" is a bit much. Your skid is probably all over the trail if not studded.

We ran un studded on a Phazer FX and used 6" Woody's Dooleys on single keel skis. Steering was easy for my daughter as well. She loved that Phazer.

 

[cannondale27]

It's not binding. Initially, it was darting back and forth and we were able to get rid of most of that, but it still darts a bit and still hard to turn.

What skis?

 

[Wannaviper]

What model Phazer? I know my XTX requires some steering effort in the "twistees" going slow, but when I hit the throttle the front end lifts off the ground, so any ski I have on it will turn easily.

 

[BuschLitN]

I have the 2018 Phazer XTX and it was very hard to steer when I got in from the dealer last year (it would dart all over groom trail, "plow" when corning and demanded alot of body movement to get it to go anywhere in the powder).
I loosened the front shock in the skid so it barely had pressure on the spring. Loosened the 2 front shocks as well so there was 3/4" of thread above the adjustment washers..it is like night and day now. I run the 4" carbides (SMA-8JH31-03-10) on stock skis. Only issue I have with this set up is you have to constantly switch between low and high beam when riding at night depending on your speed..the front end comes up alot when you are on the throttle...well worth it though.