Is anyone upgrading their current Phazer to Phazer XTX?

[Chasrtx08]

I own a 2008 Phazer RTX with the 121 inch freeride. I'm considering upgrading to the Phazer XTX. I have enjoyed the 5 years and about 5,000 miles of riding Tughill, NY. Probably half or more of those miles ridden were on lots of stutter bumps to 2ft +/- moguls. The RTX is most comfortable ridden standing up in the ruff and stutters but over the years would prefer to sit down more than stand especially through the chatter bumps. I went to Old Forge to test all the Vipers, the Cat Zr7000,and Skidoo's Renegade ACE 900. I was really impressed with all the sleds but I swore never to buy a first year sled again. That's why I was thinking about the Phazer XTX. I couldn't test ride it but would like to know owner's opinions of their 136-144" stretched sleds. Do you think it would be worth buying new? I would think it must be a lot more compliant in the stutters but does it still handle 2 foot moguls?

 

[Weapon X]

I also am thinking of doing a similar thing like stretch out to 129-136 length what ever I can get in a freeride track.

 

[ThatOneGuy]

Had an XTX for 5 years already, glad Yamaha finally made it factory. Personally I would never own a sled with anything but a 144 track. I just really love the ride and there seems to only be a couple rides a year that the snow conditions make it push through the corners and thats with a 2" track. When my cousin still had his phazer there was no comparison between the 2 riding and lined up side by side mine would blow his away.

 

[blueironranger]

I own a 2008 Phazer RTX with the 121 inch freeride. I'm considering upgrading to the Phazer XTX. I have enjoyed the 5 years and about 5,000 miles of riding Tughill, NY. Probably half or more of those miles ridden were on lots of stutter bumps to 2ft +/- moguls. The RTX is most comfortable ridden standing up in the ruff and stutters but over the years would prefer to sit down more than stand especially through the chatter bumps. I went to Old Forge to test all the Vipers, the Cat Zr7000,and Skidoo's Renegade ACE 900. I was really impressed with all the sleds but I swore never to buy a first year sled again. That's why I was thinking about the Phazer XTX. I couldn't test ride it but would like to know owner's opinions of their 136-144" stretched sleds. Do you think it would be worth buying new? I would think it must be a lot more compliant in the stutters but does it still handle 2 foot moguls?

Just stretch your RTX. The MTX skid uses all the same suspension parts and mounting locations as the shorty sleds, only difference is the rails are longer/tipped up. You can get tipped extentions, a freeride 136", and add 3-4" tunnel extentions for under 700$ and you would have an "XTX" with better shocks.

 

[irish_redneck]

If you extend it, I'd recommend extending the bumper too, look at my ouch! thread.

If I'd had an extended bumper, it wouldn't have landed on the skid and done that when it flipped.

 

[Gone Blue]

Just did and it is awesome!

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=117801

G.B.

 

[Weapon X]

Gone blue is that a rear bumper from yamaha or did you get aftermarket ? I'm interested doing this same thing.

 

[Gone Blue]

Gone blue is that a rear bumper from yamaha or did you get aftermarket ? I'm interested doing this same thing.

It is a Yamaha GYTR accessory Mountain rear bumper and I am not real happy with it. I bought it new in the box. Before I mounted it I made customer snow flap support brackets as these bumpers are known for breaking off the mounting tabs. I was at the End of the Year TY ride in Munising this weekend and when I got home I notice that the rear bumper cracked on the side some 6" rear of the bolt mounting holes at the front. I am sure it cracked because I had the rear of the sled tied down in the trailer. All and all not a well made piece. Bummed to say the least. G.B.

 

[Weapon X]

Well I think I'm just goin 136 tip up extension so that bumper would be too long anyway, how do you find like the tip-ups good, bad ?

 

[blueironranger]

those thinking of upgrading by using the MTX bumper might want to make up there own setup. The MTX bumper/tunnel is long enough for a 155" track and it, IMO, sticks out too far for a 136/144 and has a nasty habit of catching on snowbanks and the GROUND when putting it up on the trailer. If I didn't have a 151" track for out west I'd shorten my MTX 4-5"

 

[Gone Blue]

Well I think I'm just goin 136 tip up extension so that bumper would be too long anyway, how do you find like the tip-ups good, bad ?

I went with tipped extensions to get to 144". I am surprised that the sled does not feel any longer or heavier. I am super happy with the set up. The GYTR bumper is junk. It has known issues with breaking off snow flap tabs which I beefed up when I installed the bumper. I now cracked the side plate of the bumper on my last trip from tying down the sled in the trailer too tight????

G.B.

 

[Chasrtx08]

I went with tipped extensions to get to 144". I am surprised that the sled does not feel any longer or heavier. I am super happy with the set up. The GYTR bumper is junk. It has known issues with breaking off snow flap tabs which I beefed up when I installed the bumper. I now cracked the side plate of the bumper on my last trip from tying down the sled in the trailer too tight????

G.B.[/quote

Do you think the 144 extension is a major upgrade to the Phazer? I test rode a Nytro XTX a few years ago and I could definitely feel the longer track. I hopped on a Nytro Rtx SE right after the Nytro XTX for comparison and the short track was a better ride for me. I demoed a Skidoo 900 ACE Renegade in Old Forge, NY and it had very good handeling in turns and the longer track was not an issue for me. Have you ridden the Skidoo's XP/XS Renegades to compare to your stretched Phazer? I'm wondering if the Phazer XTX would have a similar ride. I know the Phazer is dependable and I still feel has the best ergonomics for me even compared to the newer sleds. I've been waiting for a Phazer upgrade from Yamaha for the last couple of years. Im thinking Yamaha will hold out for a few more years before releasing it.

ChasRtx08

 

[Gone Blue]

I went with tipped extensions to get to 144". I am surprised that the sled does not feel any longer or heavier. I am super happy with the set up. The GYTR bumper is junk. It has known issues with breaking off snow flap tabs which I beefed up when I installed the bumper. I now cracked the side plate of the bumper on my last trip from tying down the sled in the trailer too tight????

G.B.[/quote

Do you think the 144 extension is a major upgrade to the Phazer? I test rode a Nytro XTX a few years ago and I could definitely feel the longer track. I hopped on a Nytro Rtx SE right after the Nytro XTX for comparison and the short track was a better ride for me. I demoed a Skidoo 900 ACE Renegade in Old Forge, NY and it had very good handeling in turns and the longer track was not an issue for me. Have you ridden the Skidoo's XP/XS Renegades to compare to your stretched Phazer? I'm wondering if the Phazer XTX would have a similar ride. I know the Phazer is dependable and I still feel has the best ergonomics for me even compared to the newer sleds. I've been waiting for a Phazer upgrade from Yamaha for the last couple of years. Im thinking Yamaha will hold out for a few more years before releasing it.

ChasRtx08

IMO replacing the stock Phazer track with a 1 3/8" Predator or 1 1/5" Freeride lug height and paddle design track makes a huge improvement regardless of the length or stretch. I was finding with the stock track that on a rail road grade trail with a couple inches of snow on it, that I was just spinning the track at 60 mph. The sled would never hook up with any trail conditions. I also found that it was terrible off trail in the powder with the stock track. The Phazer would trench badly in deep snow. I also feel that the spinning track caused the tunnel and front heat exchanger to be constantly packed with snow causing my icing and over heating issues.

So I think I would look at stretching the Phazer based on how and were you ride. If you ride mostly trail going with either a 121" Freeride or a 128" Firecat Predator could be a sweet and easy set up. If you like to boone dock or play off trail a little then you might consider a 136", 144" Freeride or 144" Firecat EXT Predator track like I used. I believe that the ride is better on a 136" skid vs a 121". A 144" skid, I dont know? I went with 144" because of three factors. 1) I like the way a Phazer Mountain looks with the long tunnel. 2) I did not want to get into fabricating a bumper for a 136" stretch 3) I didn't want to cut down a track and the Firecat Predator 144" track was $200 some dollars cheaper than a Freeride. In the end, I am very happy with how my Phazer rides and handles with the 144" tipped rail stretch. It is also great off trail and climbs up and out of the deep snow like crazy. I have over 1,200 miles on the stretch and I am very glad I did it.

I think most of the guys on here that have stretched their Phazer have gone with 136" and are happy with the results. My close friend just sold his 04" Firecat F6 and is looking to buy a Phazer. He wants to stretch it to 128" and use 13.5 x 1.375 x 128" Firecat Snow Pro track.


Hope this helps. G.B.

 

[Weapon X]

Only thing is a 128 is only 3 more inches of actual track length on the ground might as well go 136 for all the trouble of changin a track.