Looking for Phazer for my 13 year old - Questions

[SIMMER]

Hey guys,

Been on 4 stroke Yamaha's since 2003. Big fan. The boy is gonna start riding with me this year and I am hoping to find him a used Phazer.

We do mostly trail riding (flat and smooth). I have never ridden one so I have a few questions....

What year should I be looking for? (best overall year for taking care of all the improvements)
Any mods that are a MUST for handling?
How do they handle? Will he be ok riding these sleds for long days in cold temps?
How are they on fuel? How long can we go on a tank?
Why do I only see 2007's for sale? Were they junk or would it be worth getting one?

Anything else you could offer would be great. REMEMBER GUYS....its for my 13 year old. So I will be buying stock and hopefully keeping it that way. No clutching, pipes, gears etc.

Thanks guys.

 

[Cubby]

I have an 07 GT and have never had a problem (over 7000 kms). Best buy would be to by the newest model you can in your price range.

Definitely shim the skis and move the spacers around to have the skis at their widest. Put in the OFT steering block and the Up bushman's steering upgrade. And definitely install a tether.

Put on the Dupont sliders if you can. Oil lite bushing would be a good upgrade as well. A few hundred bucks and its good to go.

I have a short windshield (as shown in avatar) and have never been cold - even in -34C.

The sled does require an active rider - and that keeps you warm!

They are decent on fuel - it depends on whether you are riding trails or ditchbanging. I have gotten over 200 kms on a tank (the 07s have a larger tank) when riding trails.

07s where the first year so there was some updates but as long as the updates are done there are no issues.

 

[Voda2000]

I agree with the above and would add that a GT will have better wind protection.

 

[Purplecoffin]

As long as the updates are done the 07 is fine. 08 has most things already done that would be needed. 09 has pretty much everything I think.

Handling. .... the bushman upgrade is worth it. Shim the skies and set toe out and it will take care of the bulk of any handling stuff.

They can be super fun through the twists but, the sled does require an active rider. It will reward someone who leans with the corners. I am much faster on the sled than my wife just because I can be more aggressive with it. I weigh 220, she weighs 100 soaking wet.

Her's is an rtx. She made me buy a bigger windshield for it on the way home from picking it up. Lol. We did add the side wind deflectors. They definitely make a difference.

My wife has gotten over 20 mpg several times. Me with the sled.... not so much. I think the best I ever did was 17 with some "cruiser" friends. Most times I get 15 or so with it.

As a 121" the thing can be a wheelie monster if set up to be. Super fun sled.

 

[canoehead]

All good gouge from the guys. I would buy him anything you can afford as for years. One suggestion is to get the serial number before you buy and check for updates/recalls and service bulletins. Also check to make sure the reverse is in good working order if it has it.
Good luck he'll love it. My wife just adores hers!! Happy wife, Happy life!

 

[SIMMER]

Thanks guys. I'm leaning toward something 2010 or newer and hopefully everything is done. I'm thinking the GT is the way to go for him just because Dad likes the shocks .

I've been looking around. Being patient. Tons of 2007's for sale but Anything newer is few and far between.

Glad to hear about the fuels mileage but with a 7 gallon tank it would stretched at times where we ride.

 

[deepwoods]

Thanks guys. I'm leaning toward something 2010 or newer and hopefully everything is done. I'm thinking the GT is the way to go for him just because Dad likes the shocks .

I've been looking around. Being patient. Tons of 2007's for sale but Anything newer is few and far between.

Glad to hear about the fuels mileage but with a 7 gallon tank it would stretched at times where we ride.

Give me a call; 440-749-0182
Rudy

 

[blueironranger]

Thanks guys. I'm leaning toward something 2010 or newer and hopefully everything is done. I'm thinking the GT is the way to go for him just because Dad likes the shocks .

I've been looking around. Being patient. Tons of 2007's for sale but Anything newer is few and far between.

Glad to hear about the fuels mileage but with a 7 gallon tank it would stretched at times where we ride.

How far do you need it to go? It should have no problem going 120 miles of trail with the 7 gallon tank. My low fuel light comes on at exactly the "add 5 gallons" mark, with 2 left @ ~90-100 miles. I don't start to worry until 120 miles. Best was 141 miles and it took 7.2 gallons so it had to have been on fumes. This is with LOW gearing an a 144" track.

 

[Gone Blue]

How far do you need it to go? It should have no problem going 120 miles of trail with the 7 gallon tank. My low fuel light comes on at exactly the "add 5 gallons" mark, with 2 left @ ~90-100 miles. I don't start to worry until 120 miles. Best was 141 miles and it took 7.2 gallons so it had to have been on fumes. This is with LOW gearing an a 144" track.

I am seeing similar range as blueironranger with my extended RTX with stock gearing and a 144" track. I usually get around 18mpg. I ride it hard on the trails up to 70 mph. I do not hold the throttle to the bar in the long straights. It will top out in the low 80's on hard pack trails. I usually just run 70-74 mph in the long straights and wait for the next corner. G.B.

 

[SIMMER]

I am seeing similar range as blueironranger with my extended RTX with stock gearing and a 144" track. I usually get around 18mpg. I ride it hard on the trails up to 70 mph. I do not hold the throttle to the bar in the long straights. It will top out in the low 80's on hard pack trails. I usually just run 70-74 mph in the long straights and wait for the next corner. G.B.

Typically 120 miles would be great but at times, we would need 150 miles as we ride in some remote areas.


UPDATE:

Just picked up a 2012 Phazer GT. 2500 miles and in VERY GOOD condition. What a PITA to do the oil filter !!! Got the entire sled stripped down and all is good.

 

[Gone Blue]

Typically 120 miles would be great but at times, we would need 150 miles as we ride in some remote areas.


UPDATE:

Just picked up a 2012 Phazer GT. 2500 miles and in VERY GOOD condition. What a PITA to do the oil filter !!! Got the entire sled stripped down and all is good.

Not sure what to say about you looking to get 150 range out of a Phazer. I think you are down to needing to carry extra fuel?

Congrats on the 2012 GT. Use a K&N oil filter as it has a hex on the top of the can. This allows you to use a box wrench to remove the filter. I use to replace the oil filter at the end of ever season. Since it is a PITA to get to, I am now changing the oil at the end of the every season and replacing the oil filter every other season. I put on way under the 11,000 some miles Yamaha says that the filter is good for.

Have fun! G.B.

 

[cannondale27]

I do semi annual filter change also. No way other than carrying gas to get 150mi on a tank. In my opinion 100mi is when you should be looking for gas very seriously. Never was a issue though since most other sleds are in same boat.

 

[SIMMER]

Thanks guys....all good. Sled is ready to ride!

 

[No show]

I have a 2012 GT, it has been a great sled so far.