ratman
Extreme
I have my first ride on the Phazer coming up. I have ridden for 15 years and have lots of experiences on other sleds (74TNT, 78 Nuvik, 90 Panther, 97 formula 500, 2001 ZR 800). We ride on twisty groomed trails north of bancroft, Ontario.
Howver, reading this site, I hear everything from tippy to dangerous to the best.
The question ... Is there anything special I should do riding, as I ride with friends MXZ 600, znd 1000 sleds.
Howver, reading this site, I hear everything from tippy to dangerous to the best.
The question ... Is there anything special I should do riding, as I ride with friends MXZ 600, znd 1000 sleds.
09phazergtWI
Extreme
I can only speak from personal experience... my biggest mistake starting out was accepting the poor handling and cornering with the stock setup, and thinking that was 'normal' for the sled. That caused severe buyer's remorse.
My response would depend on whether you're riding the sled brand new, from the factory, with the wholly inadequate wear rods/carbides, or whether this is a pre-owned machine that has been worked over a bit to optimize performance.
My advice when riding any unfamiliar machine is to ride in the middle of the group with generous spacing. Riding sweep means pushing hard to keep up. If you get in trouble in the middle, you'll have help.
Just the fact you're asking is a huge plus, I think. You're being realistic and sensible about making sure you're around to enjoy this wonderful sport for many years to come.
My response would depend on whether you're riding the sled brand new, from the factory, with the wholly inadequate wear rods/carbides, or whether this is a pre-owned machine that has been worked over a bit to optimize performance.
My advice when riding any unfamiliar machine is to ride in the middle of the group with generous spacing. Riding sweep means pushing hard to keep up. If you get in trouble in the middle, you'll have help.
Just the fact you're asking is a huge plus, I think. You're being realistic and sensible about making sure you're around to enjoy this wonderful sport for many years to come.
ratman
Extreme
mechanically, I have gone over the sled from the inside out. I have repaired the starter, changed oil and filter, checked the throttle bodies, lubed the driveshaft and jackshaft, done the chaincase oil, installed the rad fan, pulled the skid and reinstalled any bad bearings and wheels, installed new sliders, rewelded any places that looked weak.
Until I ride it, I have left the setup, skis, and wearbars stock.
I will see if the ride has too much push, or too twitchy, or too hard, or too soft, and will upgrade, dependant on what I find. Any Idea of which is the most likely to expect.
Until I ride it, I have left the setup, skis, and wearbars stock.
I will see if the ride has too much push, or too twitchy, or too hard, or too soft, and will upgrade, dependant on what I find. Any Idea of which is the most likely to expect.
09phazergtWI
Extreme
Now that I think about it, where I learned the most about the Phazer was ditch riding. Balance point, how the machine reacted at angles, driveway approaches, etc. Then I could translate that to trail riding.
I certainly put the machine over a number of times while learning; it had an amazing propensity to want to head for the fall line of a sideslope...
Ditch riding taught me how to power out of hinky situations. A few turns on the trail will acquaint you with the push (if any), but the so-called 'twitchy high center of gravity' was best learned for me in the ditch.
Stock, for me, equaled push. Once that was tuned out, I thought it was great to ride all last season. Like, when we had snow.
I certainly put the machine over a number of times while learning; it had an amazing propensity to want to head for the fall line of a sideslope...
Ditch riding taught me how to power out of hinky situations. A few turns on the trail will acquaint you with the push (if any), but the so-called 'twitchy high center of gravity' was best learned for me in the ditch.
Stock, for me, equaled push. Once that was tuned out, I thought it was great to ride all last season. Like, when we had snow.
Zakre
TY 4 Stroke Guru
If you ride a sled you will have zero issues, if you sit on a sled and expect it to take you there with out any input you will be disappointed.
I put a 1.5 freeride track on the phazer and its a blast to ride for ditchbanging.
I put a 1.5 freeride track on the phazer and its a blast to ride for ditchbanging.
Jeffz
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2007 Phazer "RTX"
I've learned to throw my body around more than with other sleds. Seems like the Phazer likes to be ridden hard.
snomaniac
Expert
Be sure to lean forward and out, like putting your chin towards the handle bar when cornering, not straight to the side like on your zr 800. Rider forward sleds need you up on the tank and leaning out but forward. IMO junk your stock skis and get some aftermarket skis it is so much better handling it's not even comparable. Usi spx is what I run, but have tried sly dog trail(good), c&a sport(ok, need to be more aggressive like adx, trail x, razor, but still better than stock) simmons gen 1(great). Then next upgrade your track to freeride or 128 sno pro( like zakre said) and it will be like a different sled again. Oh yeah you will love the low end torque in the trails it is a blast.
Boston RX1
TY 4 Stroke Master
I absolutely love my Phazer. It was bone stock. You will need to ride the sled instead of the sled riding you. If you are an active rider, you will love it. If you like to sit back and cruise, this is not your sled. If you are in wide open fields/lake running at high speeds, over 60, this is not the sled. If you are in typical groomed trails with tight turns and speed changes, this is the perfect sled. By far the funnest sled I have ever ridden. I just wished it had more power. The only reason I sometimes change to my Nytro is because of the intoxicating power. If the Phazer had that power, I would only own one sled. Let us know how you make out. It took me several hours to get used to it, but once I figured it out, what a blast. I do agree, stay in the middle of the pack. When I ride last, it is like flying through life hoping there is a knot at the end of the rope so I can hold on. Good luck.
I also love racing my kids around the track in the yard with our scoots and sport, so the Phazer was a perfect fit for me.
I also love racing my kids around the track in the yard with our scoots and sport, so the Phazer was a perfect fit for me.
ratman
Extreme
From reading,it seems that skis upgrade is a must. Does anyone have any used skis for sale that are better than stock?
biffdotorg
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If you don't want to drop the coin on the skis right away, do the other free changes to see how it effects your ride.
Pull the limiter strap in one if not two holes to apply more ski pressure. This will plant those stock skis a bit better. A set of Woody's 6" or dooly carbides will help if they are the stock 4" carbides too.
These are the cheap fixes which can make a world of difference if you don't care to spring for skis. Moving the spacers to the outside of the spindle will widen your stance a bit too. That can take a bit of tippyness out of the sled in corners.
Have fun, and be ready for the perma-grin after you get off.
Pull the limiter strap in one if not two holes to apply more ski pressure. This will plant those stock skis a bit better. A set of Woody's 6" or dooly carbides will help if they are the stock 4" carbides too.
These are the cheap fixes which can make a world of difference if you don't care to spring for skis. Moving the spacers to the outside of the spindle will widen your stance a bit too. That can take a bit of tippyness out of the sled in corners.
Have fun, and be ready for the perma-grin after you get off.
Boston RX1
TY 4 Stroke Master
I am going with stock skis this year and snotrackers. I will post back when I get some seat time.
blueironranger
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2009 Phazer MTX
you will hate it at first, once you LEARN how to ride it you will either REALLY love it or REALLY hate it! I've got mine setup where I like it. My MTX doesn't push like the short track sled so I don't need to lean forward at all to get it to bite. Mine rails corner and will lift the inside ski 2-3inches everytime and STICK it good, very VERY predictable unlike what I've heard people complain about on the short track sleds. One thing I noticed is that my MTX as quite a bit softer spring in the center position compared to the short track sleds. Its got 125# vs 185# on the RTX so it keeps the skis planted better while still allowing me run a loose strap to wheelie when needed AND it still didn't bottom too easy.
phaze5
TY 4 Stroke Guru
i pulled mine off the trailer and let the thrashing commence, no learning curve i rode atvs and sleds so i put those two styles together in 98 when i handlebar and risered my new xc7,
the only thing i had to get use too was the extremely slow rides across big fields, but once your in the woods who cares you can only go so fast on any sled, lean that baby and when in doubt throttle out
the only thing i had to get use too was the extremely slow rides across big fields, but once your in the woods who cares you can only go so fast on any sled, lean that baby and when in doubt throttle out
Ruckus
TY 4 Stroke Master
Get your #*$&@ down on the running board.
ratman
Extreme
First ride completed... the phazer and 600 etec just completed 150 kms. We traded sleds back and forth
Thoughts.. Apples and oranges.
The Etec was much more comfortable, and easier to ride, as you notice the lower weight and stability. The speed was more linear, the guage package more user friendly, the steering more refined, and more storage, and speed eventually faster. For older riders, females, familys or beginners, it would be a more acceptable machine, and BRP should sell millions of these. The largest negatives were the overly wide seat,the too low snow claerance to the body panels combined with the poorly designed windshield (the body panels hit loose snow, and the body shape/ windshield directed the air so that the guages and handlebars were constantly covered in snow), and the sheer size of the sled seemed to be a negative. Comparison... Cadillac
The phazer was a surprizingly quicker corner to corner, and more fun.
How to define fun... The narrower tunnel allows quicker sitting to standing transitions. The torque and engine breaking give a quicker feel... fun. The suspension is springier than the Etec making the phazer seem to be floating and jumping...fun., as opposed to the Etec that seemed to be more about absorbing the bumps. The taller, almort standing position allows a better body lean position to allow surprizingly better cornering than the Etec...fun. The smaller size and turning circle entices you to do more nimble things...fun than the Etec. Comparison...Dirt bike.
The mileage seems to match the Etec(15L for 105Km). My fears of overheating, sluggishness, cold start problems, cold sled, did not occurr at all, and mine is a 2007. temps were -10 to -15C
Negatives with the phazer...Seat, although it is great for changing p osition, is a hemaroid beater if you don't stand every now and then.
The lack of storage is a problem (no place for even 1 beer.). The sled does require a lot of body english. I now understand the comments about the Phazer wanting to aim downhill... wow.
All in all, the above limitations put the phazer into a niche market. If you want easy riding comfort...the Etec wins. However, if I want comfort, I will stay in the cottage. I want fun.... bring on the Phazer.
Thoughts.. Apples and oranges.
The Etec was much more comfortable, and easier to ride, as you notice the lower weight and stability. The speed was more linear, the guage package more user friendly, the steering more refined, and more storage, and speed eventually faster. For older riders, females, familys or beginners, it would be a more acceptable machine, and BRP should sell millions of these. The largest negatives were the overly wide seat,the too low snow claerance to the body panels combined with the poorly designed windshield (the body panels hit loose snow, and the body shape/ windshield directed the air so that the guages and handlebars were constantly covered in snow), and the sheer size of the sled seemed to be a negative. Comparison... Cadillac
The phazer was a surprizingly quicker corner to corner, and more fun.
How to define fun... The narrower tunnel allows quicker sitting to standing transitions. The torque and engine breaking give a quicker feel... fun. The suspension is springier than the Etec making the phazer seem to be floating and jumping...fun., as opposed to the Etec that seemed to be more about absorbing the bumps. The taller, almort standing position allows a better body lean position to allow surprizingly better cornering than the Etec...fun. The smaller size and turning circle entices you to do more nimble things...fun than the Etec. Comparison...Dirt bike.
The mileage seems to match the Etec(15L for 105Km). My fears of overheating, sluggishness, cold start problems, cold sled, did not occurr at all, and mine is a 2007. temps were -10 to -15C
Negatives with the phazer...Seat, although it is great for changing p osition, is a hemaroid beater if you don't stand every now and then.
The lack of storage is a problem (no place for even 1 beer.). The sled does require a lot of body english. I now understand the comments about the Phazer wanting to aim downhill... wow.
All in all, the above limitations put the phazer into a niche market. If you want easy riding comfort...the Etec wins. However, if I want comfort, I will stay in the cottage. I want fun.... bring on the Phazer.
