QUADSCRIB
Expert
Well Ive owned my Phazer since March last year. Its an 07', had exactly 450.3 miles on it.
I got to ride it once in a breif slush storm one night, and a few times around home w/ just a couple inches of snow.
Well yesterday my buds n I went to Kalkaska which so far has never failed. We got there and there were a few inces of fresh snow and we were the first to the Kalkaska warming station trailhead.
As I turned the key to start...nothing,nothing,nothing,nothing,click,click,clcik,clicketc,etc,etc,etc...finally turn over and started. Od course I shut it off and same #*$&@...real nice. This happened many times throughout the day but always eventually started.
Well I took off down the trail and did my first boondocking on the Phazer in a few feet of good powder (Ive never done this before) and trying my shot at "carving". Well when casrving to the right I hit something and sheered off the bottom rear a-arm bolt (5MPH) and bent the a-arm. Hey I just drove 200 miles and got to ride for 5..going real good.
Well I drive to town (very close) and found the CarQuest auto parts store and got the closest to the bolt I needed and also the use of a vice and torch (thank you thank you thank you) and back on the trail!!!!
I rode with caution after that and realized that my toe was slightly off and not fun to ride. After I corrected that It was not too bad.
Now Ive read on here how "good on the twisties" the Phazer is and I cannot disagree more...I did have any easy time keeping up w/ my riding buddies but this thing turns like #*$&@ and made me very nervous about my high center of gravity. Keep in mind that I race quads and just couldnt find a tactic that worked that great for the turns, I would kinda slide in the rear more than anything else, I rode a friends Viper later and that was very inspiring in the turns.
The suspension is kick #*$&@ as mine has GYTR front shocks I just got and I couldnt find ANY reason to make ANY comp/rebound adjustments...front worked ECXELLENT! The rear end is another deal altogether. Now Ill point out that I probly jumped the gun and set m,ine too stiff (Im a motocrosser and well thought thats how Id want it....wrong!). The rear end clunked alot when rebounding and really I shouldnt even comment untill I give it another shot. I will tell yall that I never hit ANY bump that scared me and honestly was dying to hit some real big/rough stuff but none found.
The lack of windsheild bothered me NONE. I was majorly geared up and actually was ready to take some off...and that was out on the open trails. I AM getting a heated visor though as the ol HJC let me down.
I do not have studs and can tell you that other than said visor will be the next purchase for sure. It felt as if spinning the track at ALL speeds... I bet I like it ALOT after this.
I have already filled in BOTH holes in my tunnel and cant really complain bout anything there. no ice or snow anywhere foot board or tunnel related,
cant say that bout engine compartment though....
Ice issues though they never seemed to effect the ride/performance were aplenty. Theres ice pouring out of everywhere. Around the lower steering and all plastic panels and its tough crap that WONT kick off.
I was out in several feet deep snow and never got stuck or worried that I would. CAnt imagine how good it must be w/ a better track and skis (Ive read most the posts here).
All in all I hated and loved it at the same time and at different times. Though I couldnt see most of the day (due to helmet not sled) I kept up with everyone everwhere and couldnt wait really say I needed more motor. Just traction and the RPM's seemed they needed to be elsewhere but I have a clutch kit to try.
So my overveiw after this rambling....
Im still not sure if I want my quad a quad and sled a sled or love this combo. I need to try some rear end settings and if I do keep this thing will eventually have to upgrade big time the rear.
The starting issue is unacceptable. Theres several posts here bout relays and so on but on a sled that now has 600 miles.....oh I almost forgot. My display worked very intermittantly. would just blank right out and sometimes come on when I pressed the "select" button and then just started working consistantly later in the day. WTF? Says I logged about 42 miles that day (everyone elses sleds say approx 125 miles).
Im a YAMAHA guy through and through but I gotta tell yall that those skidoos looked like just what I want sit/stand and rippin (Im SO sorry to say that here). We'll see what happens. Seems like I doing alot of work to make a pretty new sled worth a crap.
I got to ride it once in a breif slush storm one night, and a few times around home w/ just a couple inches of snow.
Well yesterday my buds n I went to Kalkaska which so far has never failed. We got there and there were a few inces of fresh snow and we were the first to the Kalkaska warming station trailhead.
As I turned the key to start...nothing,nothing,nothing,nothing,click,click,clcik,clicketc,etc,etc,etc...finally turn over and started. Od course I shut it off and same #*$&@...real nice. This happened many times throughout the day but always eventually started.
Well I took off down the trail and did my first boondocking on the Phazer in a few feet of good powder (Ive never done this before) and trying my shot at "carving". Well when casrving to the right I hit something and sheered off the bottom rear a-arm bolt (5MPH) and bent the a-arm. Hey I just drove 200 miles and got to ride for 5..going real good.
Well I drive to town (very close) and found the CarQuest auto parts store and got the closest to the bolt I needed and also the use of a vice and torch (thank you thank you thank you) and back on the trail!!!!
I rode with caution after that and realized that my toe was slightly off and not fun to ride. After I corrected that It was not too bad.
Now Ive read on here how "good on the twisties" the Phazer is and I cannot disagree more...I did have any easy time keeping up w/ my riding buddies but this thing turns like #*$&@ and made me very nervous about my high center of gravity. Keep in mind that I race quads and just couldnt find a tactic that worked that great for the turns, I would kinda slide in the rear more than anything else, I rode a friends Viper later and that was very inspiring in the turns.
The suspension is kick #*$&@ as mine has GYTR front shocks I just got and I couldnt find ANY reason to make ANY comp/rebound adjustments...front worked ECXELLENT! The rear end is another deal altogether. Now Ill point out that I probly jumped the gun and set m,ine too stiff (Im a motocrosser and well thought thats how Id want it....wrong!). The rear end clunked alot when rebounding and really I shouldnt even comment untill I give it another shot. I will tell yall that I never hit ANY bump that scared me and honestly was dying to hit some real big/rough stuff but none found.
The lack of windsheild bothered me NONE. I was majorly geared up and actually was ready to take some off...and that was out on the open trails. I AM getting a heated visor though as the ol HJC let me down.
I do not have studs and can tell you that other than said visor will be the next purchase for sure. It felt as if spinning the track at ALL speeds... I bet I like it ALOT after this.
I have already filled in BOTH holes in my tunnel and cant really complain bout anything there. no ice or snow anywhere foot board or tunnel related,
cant say that bout engine compartment though....
Ice issues though they never seemed to effect the ride/performance were aplenty. Theres ice pouring out of everywhere. Around the lower steering and all plastic panels and its tough crap that WONT kick off.
I was out in several feet deep snow and never got stuck or worried that I would. CAnt imagine how good it must be w/ a better track and skis (Ive read most the posts here).
All in all I hated and loved it at the same time and at different times. Though I couldnt see most of the day (due to helmet not sled) I kept up with everyone everwhere and couldnt wait really say I needed more motor. Just traction and the RPM's seemed they needed to be elsewhere but I have a clutch kit to try.
So my overveiw after this rambling....
Im still not sure if I want my quad a quad and sled a sled or love this combo. I need to try some rear end settings and if I do keep this thing will eventually have to upgrade big time the rear.
The starting issue is unacceptable. Theres several posts here bout relays and so on but on a sled that now has 600 miles.....oh I almost forgot. My display worked very intermittantly. would just blank right out and sometimes come on when I pressed the "select" button and then just started working consistantly later in the day. WTF? Says I logged about 42 miles that day (everyone elses sleds say approx 125 miles).
Im a YAMAHA guy through and through but I gotta tell yall that those skidoos looked like just what I want sit/stand and rippin (Im SO sorry to say that here). We'll see what happens. Seems like I doing alot of work to make a pretty new sled worth a crap.
snomaniac
Expert
Sounds like you have a short somewhere that is probably causing both your starting and guage problems. I'd have that checked out. Don't waste your money on studs in the stock track. It only makes a difference on hard pack, that track is just worthless with the torque of the phazer. Save your money for a free ride track, or 1.5 ripsaw or something. Pull your limiter strap up to the second to last hole, this will give you more ski pressure. Get aftermarket skis, stock are junk. Move your ski spacers together on the outside of your spindle to increase your ski stance. This should help the handling.
Ruckus
TY 4 Stroke Master
Welcome to the wonderful world of owning a Phazer. Great sled once you modify the hell out of it.
phaze5
TY 4 Stroke Guru
yea it is a love/hate relationship, for sure but get used to it , it took me two weeks on it in superb snow, to have the safest fun i had in years lol
the reason i say safest is because a handful of phazer power won't kill you unless you have her pointed for danger .
the reason i say safest is because a handful of phazer power won't kill you unless you have her pointed for danger .
I agree with your review but you need to compare it more to a Hybrid Dirtbike/quad.I agree about tight corners also but what about when the corners are whooped out?For me thats where the Phazer really shines.Anyway working on getting the thing to flat corner closer to the SRX. even with all my mods still have a long way to go but not having a problem keeping up and still never touched the motor so still having fun working toward my goals.
QUADSCRIB
Expert
Well, Yah theres gotta be a short of some kind on er as far as the display goes but I reading (just yesterday) many similar posts about starting and right now Im leaning on the relay.
Just cause Im newer to snowmobiling Ive gotta try studs to learn for myself but youre right the Freeride (if available) is the way to go probly.
As far as the skis go I have 6" woodys on mine and I really cant blame them for anything. I know I read here how much they suck and I went in thinking that but really couldnt complain. Steering just feels like one false move and Im gonna high side.
C-Dale yes the rough turns were effortless as far as the bumps were concerned.
Oh and I already adjusted the limiter strap to the second hole, I havnt ridden it any other way...so far.
Thanx for the comments guys....keep em coming! Im not done with this thing yet.
Oh, and as far as the ski spacers are concerned, you guys all say that it works good so Ill have to try it but seems to me would add to bump steer. On quads when we move the wheels away from the steering center you get more feedback at the bars. You guys notice this at all?
Just cause Im newer to snowmobiling Ive gotta try studs to learn for myself but youre right the Freeride (if available) is the way to go probly.
As far as the skis go I have 6" woodys on mine and I really cant blame them for anything. I know I read here how much they suck and I went in thinking that but really couldnt complain. Steering just feels like one false move and Im gonna high side.
C-Dale yes the rough turns were effortless as far as the bumps were concerned.
Oh and I already adjusted the limiter strap to the second hole, I havnt ridden it any other way...so far.
Thanx for the comments guys....keep em coming! Im not done with this thing yet.
Oh, and as far as the ski spacers are concerned, you guys all say that it works good so Ill have to try it but seems to me would add to bump steer. On quads when we move the wheels away from the steering center you get more feedback at the bars. You guys notice this at all?
No didnt notice a thing but there is alot of bumpsteer to begin with.Working on that also.Try the balljoint mod also.Honestly I believe we are not going to ever get the handling the TNT has till we get these things much lower.Look what Doo did.The runningboards are scraping the ground in bumps especially.They also have a motor that is about as low as can be.Hygear has a triple rate zps spring package that gets front low but back end is not going to be easy to lower and keep suspension quality like it is on a quad.We have the coupling which complicates things hugely not to mention torsion springs that dont have a way to ZPS them.Whoever figures that out is going to have the holy grail for 4strokes.I am thinking going the offroad truck route and figuring out a way to get a hydraulic bumpstop involved.From truck guys I talk to those things were the biggest advance in years for thier suspensions.Allowed them to run softer and not worry about bottoming out and wreaking parts.A position sensitive shock would also help.You cant fight gravity and our tall sleds are a issue.
I didnt mention it but a huge factor in handling in the tight stuff is transfer.It needs to be slowed down alot compared to stock junk steel shocks in rear.Thats done with rebound mostly at rear shock and throttle.Go get yourself a good rear shock it is a huge difference.
QUADSCRIB
Expert
Yah thats on the list for sure. As $$$ dictates (as always) I will try some softer settings first but Ive already been investigating rear shock options. Probly be the Schmidt Bros. Fox rears as the cost seems to be acceptable. Im still due for a r/h lower a-arm (again) and spindle so just have to play it check to check lol. I doing some ebay listing today if yall know anyone that needs YFZ450 parts.
