Looking @ buying an '08 Phazer...want YOUR opinion. :)

[Elypsis]

Heard a lot of good things about this sled (all models) and am leaning towards one. A few questions, though, on the Phaser:

1. Has anyone tried squeezing 2 people on one of these? My wife sometimes tags along (1 out of 10 rides) and I'm wondering if I'd squeeze her on.

2. Has the overheating, "weak link", and icing issues been resolved on the '08 models? Are there any other big issues I should know about?

3. On the mountain model Phazer...do these have a higher tendency to overheat because of the larger track/deeper lugs?

4. 90% of my riding in on a groomed trail...will this sled be underpowered? My buddies have 500ss REVs. I want to keep up.

5. I do 2500-3000km each season...will I get cold/uncomfortable on this sled?

Look forward to any feedback you can provide. It's always nice to get a second (and third and fourth) opinion before spending $$$$.

Thanks in advance!

 

[zook]

Sorry I can't help ya, I haven't ridden mine yet. welcome to the site.

 

[tkuss]

1.) You can get two people on the sled if it is absolutely neccessary, but it will most likely get uncomfortable very quickly.

2.) All of these issues should be taken care of, since all 08's have a fan behind the radiator, a stronger link, and the stock side panels to stop the ice from getting on the floor boards.

3.) Can't really comment on the Mountain phazer, but it seemed that the guys with the Mountain Lites, never really complained about over heating as compared to people with the trail versions.

4.) I am guessing the phazer will be a tad slower than the 500ss. The phazer will probably top out about 80mph, and the I am guessing the 500ss's top out around 90 or so.

5.) This question's answer probably changes person to person, I personally find the phazer a very comfortable sled. Also Yamaha offers some nice accesorsies to keep the wind of you(bigger windshield, and wind deflectors).

 

[zook]

I just listed all of the part#'s for the wind deflectors in the post called Wind protection. Take a look.

 

[SharkAttak]

you'll love the machine, as far as riding double it would stink, i'd check the anti-freeze out even in the 08's, make sure it's a 50/50 mix, power is great from 0-60, you'll have no problem with the 500ss keep right with him, i'd check out some of the last year model's you might get a better deal

 

[simonzsayz]

I've got a Gt it has great windprotection, and I've ridden without the windshield, with good clothes and helmet, no problem. All my buddies ride agresive, fast through bumps or smooth trail. If I'm not leading I'm definately not getting left behind. plenty fast in the woods and trails. They will get accross a lake first, but thats the only place you'll get passed up. I havn't broke any links, my temp lite will come on if I ride long road streaches, and when I stop I kick the ice off my running boards. no problems yet. I wouldn't ride double very long, the suspention is soft, it'll bottom out and maybe somthing will break. Buy one I think you'll like it. All my friends love my sled and most are very brand oriented and hate admitting to liking anything other than there brands sleds. I'm the first of the group to get a fourstroke and a yamy, so I took some ribbing, but they all like the sled. And the gas millage and lack of oil consumtion will have you laughing at the pumps! I'm topping off or getting half a tank and there getting a fillup. I get around 18mpg riding like I stole it. which at 6200$ is a steal when most sleds are 10000+- 1000 depending on what you get. Buy one.

 

[Elypsis]

Thanks zook, let me know how ya make out on yours.

Sorry I can't help ya, I haven't ridden mine yet. welcome to the site.

 

[Elypsis]

I do most of my riding on the groomed trails so the Phazer is very appealing. Seems that the 08 models have been modified to address the heat and ice issues, which is great. Maybe I could get a heavier spring in the back to compensate an occasional second rider?

Thanks for the info...it was very helpful.

I've got a Gt it has great windprotection, and I've ridden without the windshield, with good clothes and helmet, no problem. All my buddies ride agresive, fast through bumps or smooth trail. If I'm not leading I'm definately not getting left behind. plenty fast in the woods and trails. They will get accross a lake first, but thats the only place you'll get passed up. I havn't broke any links, my temp lite will come on if I ride long road streaches, and when I stop I kick the ice off my running boards. no problems yet. I wouldn't ride double very long, the suspention is soft, it'll bottom out and maybe somthing will break. Buy one I think you'll like it. All my friends love my sled and most are very brand oriented and hate admitting to liking anything other than there brands sleds. I'm the first of the group to get a fourstroke and a yamy, so I took some ribbing, but they all like the sled. And the gas millage and lack of oil consumtion will have you laughing at the pumps! I'm topping off or getting half a tank and there getting a fillup. I get around 18mpg riding like I stole it. which at 6200$ is a steal when most sleds are 10000+- 1000 depending on what you get. Buy one.

 

[Elypsis]

Excellent response...thanks for the info!!!

1.) You can get two people on the sled if it is absolutely neccessary, but it will most likely get uncomfortable very quickly.

2.) All of these issues should be taken care of, since all 08's have a fan behind the radiator, a stronger link, and the stock side panels to stop the ice from getting on the floor boards.

3.) Can't really comment on the Mountain phazer, but it seemed that the guys with the Mountain Lites, never really complained about over heating as compared to people with the trail versions.

4.) I am guessing the phazer will be a tad slower than the 500ss. The phazer will probably top out about 80mph, and the I am guessing the 500ss's top out around 90 or so.

5.) This question's answer probably changes person to person, I personally find the phazer a very comfortable sled. Also Yamaha offers some nice accesorsies to keep the wind of you(bigger windshield, and wind deflectors).

 

[couch]

2 up ?

Sometimes I take one of my kids on the mountain lite - OK for short runs. Do not think that it would be any fun with two adults on anything other than the venture lite.

 

[Phazed-Coug]

I've taken my wife around.. I wouldn't make a day of it.
But I'll take her to a cabin when we go for the night.
I would just stand and it leaves plenty of seat for her...

 

[snoman]

pull your wife on a tobagon.

 

[Isthatahemi]

 

[Reaper]

4. I ran all last year with REV800's. Ya sure spill on the lake its see ya later. In the trails they got nothing on me, I can run with the REV easy in the twisties, will give them fits with the Nytro.

P.S. Word to the wise, this sled is like a bike so you must ride it like a bike, if you sit on the seat in the corners you will never stop it from tipping. I race 600 supersport and it is similar to the race bike, once you get you body off the seat and in the pocket it rails around corners and is very flickable from corner to corner.

 

[Isthatahemi]

4. I ran all last year with REV800's. Ya sure spill on the lake its see ya later. In the trails they got nothing on me, I can run with the REV easy in the twisties, will give them fits with the Nytro.

P.S. Word to the wise, this sled is like a bike so you must ride it like a bike, if you sit on the seat in the corners you will never stop it from tipping. I race 600 supersport and it is similar to the race bike, once you get you body off the seat and in the pocket it rails around corners and is very flickable from corner to corner.

Okay... if people riding a 140hp sled that handles like a slot car cannot outrun a phazer, then something is wrong. On a rev you don't even have to lean to carve, a Phazer you can set it up, tune it, hang off, and move pretty good. Maybe the GT is a little better, but an FX is for bumps

Anyhow, if I were to try to keep up with my myself on a rev, no chance, Or vice versa. A nytro is a totally different story.....If the sled is more capable than the rider, as above, it doesn't matter....