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2017 Yamaha Phazer 4cyl

Holy cow Yamaha. I think you need to revisit your pricing of the new line up!!!

Yamaha Canada website is down. Been trying for 15 mins. :dunno::dunno:
 

They gotta update the Phazer and Venture MP. They haven't changed in 10 years! Actually, all the lines except Viper, and now, Sidewinder, need a refresh. I think they did update the Viking though.
 
Completely agree!! I does, however, say a lot to be a well budgeted, reliable, still competitive line.
 
Okay, so if Yamaha doesn't want to put a 600 four-cylinder in the Phazer, then I suppose I'd settle for a slightly larger, more durable 2-cylinder engine. Just cut off one cylinder from the Sidewinder engine, keep the turbo and run it about 125-horsepower or so. Put it in a slightly modified/refined Phazer chassis, and let the four stroke torque put smiles on everyone's faces...not to mention, beat on the naturally aspirated 2 strokes at higher elevations. Keep the 499cc 2-clinder for the base model Phazers, making the larger turbo an option (probably a spendy one) for those who want it.

And to those who say that there would have to be a need for Yamaha to put the effort into this sort of project, you may be right. But in my opinion, truly innovative companies don't wait for someone to 'need' a product, and start developing it. They read their customer base as best as possible, develop what they believe to be the 'next best thing,' and use their marketing to convince the customer that WE need it. With that said, I suppose it's debatable as to whether Yamaha actually is a truly innovative company (in regards to sleds), since they seem to have selective hearing on what their customers want. Regardless, I'm still happy that they put SOME effort into developing new products, even if they don't appeal to everyone.
 
They wouldn't need to do much. New plastics (like in the OP's pic), headlight (LED/HID), spindles, seat, maybe some new shocks and revised rear suspension. Even if they don't put a new engine, it would renew interest in the line. This engine is plenty reliable but a 2 hole version of the Sidewinder turbo would satisfy as an upscale and MTX version. Maybe they could just have a non-turbo version.

BTW, a 2/3 998cc would come to 665cc. We could round it up to 666cc :D
 
Wow, I was surprised to see the old Phazer live to see another day in the 2017 line up. Hard to believe that the Phazer has been in production for 10 years. G.B.
 
I agree that making a few upgrades rather than just changing colors yet again, would catch some attention. It also reminds me of a thought I've often had, why isn't there more of an aftermarket following for the Phazers? Is it because 'the aftermarket' feels there's no interest, so they don't build anything? Or would more Phazer owners do more to their sleds if there was a larger variety of parts/modifications available? For example, A-arms. Timbersled makes a set (or made, not sure if they still do) but that's all I know of. I'm not sure how many they sell (or sold), but it would be nice to have some more options for reducing the front end weight, changing width/shock length, moving away from the garbage factory ball joints, etc. I know, it's not meant to be a top-of-the-line, high power/high speed machine, but I still think most people riding Phazers are having a lot of fun doing so.

So to wrap it up, I guess my thinking is that maybe it's not so bad Yamaha doesn't make more exciting changes to the Phazer...maybe it's just time for 'the aftermarket' to step in and start offering some of the other things people would be interested in. As it stands now, we've got: Running boards, exhaust (only one FULL system), PC III or PC V, bar risers, a bumper or two (if skinz still makes them), a set of A-arms/spindles (if Timbersled still makes them), steering/ski/arm bushings, and probably a few other things I'm forgetting. Anyway, I feel like I'm just rambling at this point, so I'll leave it at that!
 
For comparison the original Phazer (485 fan) was in production from 1984 until 1998 with only two major changes. Then they dropped the motor into the proaction chassis and got three more years out of it.

Yamaha has a history of getting long runs out of motors and designs.
 
Hey, it doesn't beat the Bravo, 30 years!
 
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It's the Yamaha way, beat it with a stick until no one buys it any more. No one else builds a similar sled, only thing close is the 900ace and those are heavier and not very playful with a very lethargic throttle response. I finally had a chance to ride one and race one and he didn't catch me until I was just about topped out but it did have what seemed like 6-7mph more topend speed. He couldn't believe how "snappy" my little 500 was. I'm hoping whatever comes down the line next is as fun to ride for the money/class. Turbo twin would be fun but that isn't going to happen, I've got a feeling that we will see the Naturally aspirated version of the 998 triple as the "low horsepower" replacement
 
The phazer is a reliable sled the motor is a good match also very reliable and durable, I think if you look kind of out side the box I believe Yamaha is going in the direction of factory produced turbo engines for their sleds all through their line up, we started to see that trend in the viper line starting out with a turbo kit available then a factory install that does not affect the warranty and now the sidewinder engine, I believe when their contract is up with cat a new japan built chassis will appear for the 50th anniversary in 2018, changes in the line up will happen then and can't be leeched by cat, it would not take much boost to put the phazer motor at 100-110 hp and keep its reliability if the engine is made for it from the factory. see what happens :4STroke:
 
Yamaha should have made the Phazer motor a 900 and put a Turbo on that. All the Phazer itself needs is a new front end with better geometry to eliminate bumpsteer. That would be a amazing sled! Would kick a Sidewinders butt.
 
cannondale27 said:
Yamaha should have made the Phazer motor a 900 and put a Turbo on that. All the Phazer itself needs is a new front end with better geometry to eliminate bumpsteer. That would be a amazing sled! Would kick a Sidewinders butt.
Click to expand...
trust me, I've been looking through Yamaha's engine lineup and I haven't found a proper twin that would swap over so it would need to be a clean sheet design. The Phazer has more HP and TQ at the clutch then the Fz-07 mill that some have suggested. Actually the Phazer should be viewed as a 713cc twin because that's what the clutches see after the gear reduction multiplies the torque. I would be very curious to see how much lighter a 900cc twin would be vs. the 998na triple and if a large 900cc twin would be "smooth" enough for Yamaha standards.
 
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