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Phazer, Venture Lite and MP Problems!

Have you considered removing the skidplate, riding it, and seeing if the ice buildup problem goes away? Not trying to sound like a wiseguy, but if I was having safety concerns like the ones you are experiencing, I'd probably be willing to try just about anything. I feel your pain, I have had plenty of headaches with my own Phazer FX. Don't take offense to what I just said, I'm just trying to throw some suggestions out there.
 

SNOBLOWR said:
It is also better if you don't roll it over in the first place..... Tough to prevent on a VL or MP.
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Thanks for the info, I'll try and stay upright but have to be prepared for the inevitable though eh (ahah)! It is just as well to laugh!
 
rydblue said:
Have you considered removing the skidplate, riding it, and seeing if the ice buildup problem goes away? Not trying to sound like a wiseguy, but if I was having safety concerns like the ones you are experiencing, I'd probably be willing to try just about anything. I feel your pain, I have had plenty of headaches with my own Phazer FX. Don't take offense to what I just said, I'm just trying to throw some suggestions out there.
Click to expand...

I appreciate your suggestion, I bought the Yamaha skid plate to protect the fragile underside of the sled from the trees and trail marker posts I keep running into. Not laughing out loud! It's a Yamaha skid plate and should work with the sled it was advertised for. If I take it off and run over a rock or stump and split the case it's not covered under warranty, Can't win.......
 
SNOBLOWR said:
rydblue said:
Have you considered removing the skidplate, riding it, and seeing if the ice buildup problem goes away? Not trying to sound like a wiseguy, but if I was having safety concerns like the ones you are experiencing, I'd probably be willing to try just about anything. I feel your pain, I have had plenty of headaches with my own Phazer FX. Don't take offense to what I just said, I'm just trying to throw some suggestions out there.
Click to expand...

I appreciate your suggestion, I bought the Yamaha skid plate to protect the fragile underside of the sled from the trees and trail marker posts I keep running into. Not laughing out loud! It's a Yamaha skid plate and should work with the sled it was advertised for. If I take it off and run over a rock or stump and split the case it's not covered under warranty, Can't win.......
Click to expand...

Does your Factory Yamaha Original Part, Tested and Approved for the VL, fit like crap as mine?
On Mine the rear holes don't even line up with the sled?
Looks like it was made for the Phazer's narrower bulkhead, and an afterthought on the VL...

Just curious if I got the wrong one from the dealer...
 
Yep, and the ice has pulled one of the bolts right thru it, same as yours.

Tried, tested and rubber stamped Yamaha OEM part.
 
SNOBLOWR said:
By now my riding buddies are ready to abandon me and my Venture Lite, and who could blame them.

The steering updates don't do anything to prevent this frozen steering condition happening on a repeated basis.

This condition is dangerous and needs to be rectified before someone is seriously injured or worse.

.

Enough is Enough!
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I am going to take my usual "Big Adventure" trip next month and I am very sad to say that I cannot trust my Yamaha snowmobile enough to take it with me...
I am going to buy a 500cc fan cooled Skandic, as they are proven out here in the Bush...

How ridiculous is that???? :o|

:jump: :yam: :4STroke: :jump: :exc: :rules :exc: :bump: :bump: ;):D :whine: :whine: :whine: #$%&* :o|
 
GypsyRoots said:
SNOBLOWR said:
By now my riding buddies are ready to abandon me and my Venture Lite, and who could blame them.

The steering updates don't do anything to prevent this frozen steering condition happening on a repeated basis.

This condition is dangerous and needs to be rectified before someone is seriously injured or worse.

.

Enough is Enough!
Click to expand...

I am going to take my usual "Big Adventure" trip next month and I am very sad to say that I cannot trust my Yamaha snowmobile enough to take it with me...
I am going to buy a 500cc fan cooled Skandic, as they are proven out here in the Bush...

How ridiculous is that???? :o|

:jump: :yam: :4STroke: :jump: :exc: :rules :exc: :bump: :bump: ;):D :whine: :whine: :whine: #$%&* :o|
Click to expand...



I hope you plan on letting us tag along this year with pictures and posts?!
Enjoy the trip!
 
GypsyRoots said:
I am going to buy a 500cc fan cooled Skandic, as they are proven out here in the Bush...

How ridiculous is that????
Click to expand...

After seeing what you have gone thru with your VL I am not surprised in the least.

I too have been considering buying a new fan cooled 550 Skandic.
My old 96 Skandic (I still have it) runs like a charm. Over 27,000 trouble free kilometers and great in the snow. Don't know if it has cost me more than $700 in maintenance in the 12 years I have had it.
Only thing it don't have is the great ergos the VL possesses.

Have a great trip. Would love to see some snaps ... maybe on dootalk?
Let us know if you post any.

Gonna miss your stories and input on this forum, if you are getting rid of the VL that is.

All the best to you GR.

;)!
 
SNOBLOWR said:
VL in 3'of powder? hmmmm javascript:emoticon('')
Head Bang

I'm sure Snoblowr can defend himself,


Thanks, Bomba, you beat me to it. And yes I can defend myself. The RS Venture needs no defense, it's history speaks for itself. The Venture Lite and Multi Purpose are not even 1/2 the sled the RS Venture is. Try one for yourself or ask a new owner and you'll soon realize the reasons for all the complaints.

Don't dismiss or criticize our complaints until you've walked a mile in our snowmobile boots.

I did not buy a Venture Lite to ride in 3 feet of powder, I bought the sled to use as Yamaha advertised it : "Lightweight and nimble touring with incredible ride quality"; " Venture Lite advances two-up touring beyond bulky cruising yet provides Rider-friendly features designed around the needs of the long distance rider"; " The Venture Lite truly Re-defines the touring snowmobile"

I recently returned from a 6 day trip around the Gaspe in Quebec, 1400 kms. The snow conditions ranged from excellent groomed trails, hard packed recently groomed trails, up to 6 inches of powder on groomed trails, drifted snow on hard packed trails and blizzard conditions.

The ice buildup on the tunnel on these sleds is an aggravation by itself. When it is combined with the high center of gravity and the ice buildup on the steering components, in the boots and on the sway bar it is an accident waiting to happen.

In 1400 kms I accidentally went off trail 15 times due to frozen steering and loss of control, and once hit another sled. Eleven of those times I was just stuck, once hitting and breaking a trail marker post; and I let the sled idle while my riding buddies helped me out. In four of the incidents I was not only stuck but the sled rolled over spilling antifreeze each time. In 3 of the 4 I was able to hit the kill switch as the sled went over. On the fourth I could not get to the kill switch and the sled continued to run until the system shut it down. End result was more codes flashing than you could shake a stick at. Ultimately the boots on the FI had jarred loose below the airbox (there doesn't seem to be much to keep them in place) and a Yamaha mechanic happened by and got the sled running again. Only cost me a couple beer at the next stop. We would have been towing otherwise.

Snow spray from the skis enters the engine compartment and melts dropping down on the sway bar, boots and control arms. Additional snow spray from the skis accumulates on the wet area around the sway bar, forms ice and if ridden long enough in the same conditions forms a block of ice that restricts steering. On each of the 11 times I went off trail and got stuck I let the sled idle while we pulled it back on the trail. The heat from the engine was enough to melt some of the block of ice around the steering components, resulting in regaining temporary steering control. Riding further along the trail the ice built up again eventually resulting in loss of control and another stuck situation. By now my riding buddies are ready to abandon me and my Venture Lite, and who could blame them.

The steering updates don't do anything to prevent this frozen steering condition happening on a repeated basis. Some of the mountain trails we rode ranged from 900-2800 feet above sea level and trailside drops were anywhere from 100-900 feet straight down. A little unnerving when steering control is inconsistent on your sled.

This condition is dangerous and needs to be rectified before someone is seriously injured or worse.

The attached pictures were taken after my Venture Lite sat in my 50 F degree garage for more than 20 hours overnite Sunday and into Monday. The ice is packed in solid and obviously has a high degree of hardness to last that long.

Loss of steering control has so far cost me or resulted in 1 Venture Lite bumper, a Ski Doo bumper, a VL windshield, 4 pissed off riding buddies, countless beers to try and make things right, and trip delays.

I am sending this report to Yamaha Canada and Chris Reid. If I don't receive a positive response within 48 hours, I am contacting Transport Canada with a formal complaint and requesting a recall of all Yamaha Venture Lite and Multi Purpose 2007 and 2008 models sold in Canada.

Enough is Enough!
Click to expand...


Sent all of this to Transport Canada on Feb.28th, will take awhile for them to investigate and get a response from Yamaha Canada. Sometime in the next 6-8 weeks...... :-o
 
Just got home from putting 100 miles on my sons ‘08 Phazer in northern WI. It was fun but it‘s far from perfect! It has dual carbides from previous owner so you would think it would steer great but that’s not the case…IT WAS STILL FUN! I would like to think the suspension could be adjusted to help put more weight on the skis? (We just got this sled). The reason I rode that sled today was because our 2009 Venture Lite is currently in the shop with a squeal sound when you take right hand turns and the reverse does not work. The Venture Lite really handles nice though! Pretty nimble through turns surprisingly!? People! There is not one sled out there with inherent problems. How many Ski Doo’s do see listed where they mention “brand new top end” or “motor” yet people LOVE those sleds. Remember the Polaris (con)Fusion years LOL.? We’re all on the same team here.
 
Is this a record for necroposting? Holy crap! Rise from the dead after 14 years!
 
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