Roll over point

[SharkAttak]

Has anyone had any idea what would be the roll over point in degrees if you tilted the sled sideways and were sitting on it? If you actually performed this test it would look worse than the old suzuki sidekick rollover point.

I had to cross a side hill at about a 25-30º tilt. Standing and leaning on the uphill running board still could not keep the uphill ski on the ground!!

I had to stand with one foot on the A-arm and feather the gas. This is crazy. It is a safey issue. This thing makes my old trike look stable.

There are so many reports of this thing going over. I have never rolled it yet, but man it is not stable, it affects my confidence and I am driving slower.

I have never rolled any sled in 30 years and I have come close three or four times with this pig. I guess instability maybe Yammatalk for nimble handling.

Maybe I need an optional outrigger, or training wheels for crossing slopes. This seems crazy for a guy with over 30 years experience.


I love the 4 stroke and the rough trail ride but I find the instability in situations downright dangerous. From what I read the Venture has the same problem and it is supposed to be a family sled.

(2) 2008 GT's @ 900Kms.


Anyone else find that this sled has serious safety issues.






[/b]

they ride so much better when you lower them

 

[kbrunog]

Sharkattak wrote: they ride so much better when you lower them




Wait a minute, <rubs eyes in disbelief>do I actually see a constructive post on this thread. I was about to give up on this site completely.
I am assuming that by lowering the sled you would mean by tightening up the limiter strap quite a bit. I did tighten my strap but have not had a chance to reevaluate the ride. By reading other posts I should likely soften the front suspension as well. What is your suggestion for the rear settings?


Again, I am aware that you guys tire about the negative comments about these sleds. I just want to feel a bit safer out there. I like to ride on the edge of disaster, but I found that the edge comes way faster on this sled.
I want to like this sled better than my old XC but it excells in all the things that the XC was bad at, but sucks at all the things the XC was great at.

Any more help on setup would be appreciated, the insults ,while amusing, have not seemed to help.

 

[BombaPolaYama]

or if it's just a ditch you were in maybe get off walk ion the downside of the sled and walk sled to turn around. I do that often when I get in tight areas, especially when trying to climb steep hill but didnt make it. If I get stuck on a hill I pull skies around and stand on low side of sled and walk it to downhill position than jump on

I guess sometimes we have to try different things to get out of a bind - but wouldn't that practice of walking/standing alongside a sled on the down hill side be a bit dangerous, especially in soft snow where you could sink and the sled rollover on you?

 

[cannondale27]

Sharkattak wrote: they ride so much better when you lower them




Wait a minute, <rubs eyes in disbelief>do I actually see a constructive post on this thread. I was about to give up on this site completely.
I am assuming that by lowering the sled you would mean by tightening up the limiter strap quite a bit. I did tighten my strap but have not had a chance to reevaluate the ride. By reading other posts I should likely soften the front suspension as well. What is your suggestion for the rear settings?


Again, I am aware that you guys tire about the negative comments about these sleds. I just want to feel a bit safer out there. I like to ride on the edge of disaster, but I found that the edge comes way faster on this sled.
I want to like this sled better than my old XC but it excells in all the things that the XC was bad at, but sucks at all the things the XC was great at.

Any more help on setup would be appreciated, the insults ,while amusing, have not seemed to help.

Well on mine I am running on lowest torsion setting and all preload off the front springs,Limiter strap 1hole tighter than stock.If you get your shocks valved properly this is entirely doable with a nice ride and no bottoming.Also have you put the skispacers all to the outside?

If none of that helps enough then I would start limiting the transfer by either making up bigger coupler blocks or getting some off a ArcticCat that are adjustable.When you do this you will be attempting to keep the skis planted when getting on and off the throttle in a corner.Come to think of it is the skid in the Venture like the Phazer or is it like the old Vector which had adjustable coupling?

 

[huvik]

Sharkattak wrote: they ride so much better when you lower them




Wait a minute, <rubs eyes in disbelief>do I actually see a constructive post on this thread. I was about to give up on this site completely.
I am assuming that by lowering the sled you would mean by tightening up the limiter strap quite a bit. I did tighten my strap but have not had a chance to reevaluate the ride. By reading other posts I should likely soften the front suspension as well. What is your suggestion for the rear settings?


Again, I am aware that you guys tire about the negative comments about these sleds. I just want to feel a bit safer out there. I like to ride on the edge of disaster, but I found that the edge comes way faster on this sled.
I want to like this sled better than my old XC but it excells in all the things that the XC was bad at, but sucks at all the things the XC was great at.

Any more help on setup would be appreciated, the insults ,while amusing, have not seemed to help.

Yet u have never flipped a sled?

 

[backcountrymafia]

Sharkattak wrote: they ride so much better when you lower them




Wait a minute, <rubs eyes in disbelief>do I actually see a constructive post on this thread. I was about to give up on this site completely.
I am assuming that by lowering the sled you would mean by tightening up the limiter strap quite a bit. I did tighten my strap but have not had a chance to reevaluate the ride. By reading other posts I should likely soften the front suspension as well. What is your suggestion for the rear settings?


Again, I am aware that you guys tire about the negative comments about these sleds. I just want to feel a bit safer out there. I like to ride on the edge of disaster, but I found that the edge comes way faster on this sled.
I want to like this sled better than my old XC but it excells in all the things that the XC was bad at, but sucks at all the things the XC was great at.

Any more help on setup would be appreciated, the insults ,while amusing, have not seemed to help.

the rollover point for the phazer is when you let off just like any other sled if you lose your momentum on the side of a hill you have 2 choices...roll or turn out. your xc couldnt follow me 100 yds into the trees. you just have to learn how to adapt to the rider forward posistion on this sled. now everything matters including feet placement, throttle pos. how far your leaning off...turn in timing when your trying to sidehill ski angle, suspension set up and the list goes on. this thread isnt about what sled is better and if anyone wants to talk about steering safety problems start your own thread and youll get your own feedback.
right now im running the limiter strap all the way out, front springs all the way hard rear torsions on med. and no sway bar. slowed me down on the trail but works great anywhere else but where the tourists are. know what i mean?
haters...anyone that has problems with there sled, fix em because bitchin about them will leave you stranded

 

[mx1500]

if you dont like the roll over point. dont drive the sled

 

[t.crawford714]

I've put it on its side waaayyy to many times

 

[vt phazer]

what about taller / wider handlebars, skies, grab bar,etc..

 

[Ruckus]

what about taller / wider handlebars, skies, grab bar,etc..

Taller bars, grab handle and a goldfinger are the ticket with the phazer. That and better skis, tunnel blockoff, rear suspension upgrades, lighter exhaust, better track, cooling fan, front snow block off kit, ball joint upgrade, reverse upgrade, wiring update, upbushman spindle and tie rod upgrade, ulmer steering block upgrade, hand warmer update, tether cord with oil shutoff solonoid...also, if you're like me throw in a new motor too! hahaha If you do all these things and learn how to ride it it is an awesome trail sled! Mine has its 4th season under its belt now and its finally a great machine. Its easy to hate on the Phazer but the fun factor is so damn high that its worth every minute of wrenching on it to make it better. If you're not into a challenge then this sled is not for you.

 

[3wheelerdude]

I drive a sidekick and ride 3wheelers and when I started riding the phazer I rolled it a few times.
But after a little bit of seat time, it all seemed to get better and now it does not seem to be an issue at all.
It just takes some getting use to it.

 

[Mr E]

what about taller / wider handlebars, skies, grab bar,etc..

Taller bars, grab handle and a goldfinger are the ticket with the phazer. That and better skis, tunnel blockoff, rear suspension upgrades, lighter exhaust, better track, cooling fan, front snow block off kit, ball joint upgrade, reverse upgrade, wiring update, upbushman spindle and tie rod upgrade, ulmer steering block upgrade, hand warmer update, tether cord with oil shutoff solonoid...also, if you're like me throw in a new motor too! hahaha If you do all these things and learn how to ride it it is an awesome trail sled! Mine has its 4th season under its belt now and its finally a great machine. Its easy to hate on the Phazer but the fun factor is so damn high that its worth every minute of wrenching on it to make it better. If you're not into a challenge then this sled is not for you.

Had to laugh at this list, was planning to post my plans for the summer for the 07 FX. Pretty well hit it right there - well I hope to leaf off the new motor!. I am about 1/3 of the way done. Every change makes it better and more fun. I had been considering going to 128 in the track, but have opted to stay with the 121 and go with the Free ride after looking an the threads on the topic.

I only put it on its side about every third ride. Still learning. Getting real good an horsing it around by myself.

The end of the season here was a blast, endless 2 to 6 foot high (or deep) drifts and whoops - 40 to 60 miles in an afternoon and I was spent - mostly from smiling all the time.

 

[OST]

Any more help on setup would be appreciated, the insults ,while amusing, have not seemed to help.

I own a Venture Lite that I have rode for 4 winters and have over 14,000km's on the speedo.

Although the question asked was on the tippiness of the GT, I agree with BombaPolaYama that I think the VL is much harder to keep "this side up".

kbrunog asked the question "Anyone else find that this sled has serious safety issues". - Since I do not own a GT or shorter track Phazer I cannot answer for that particular model, however for the Venture Lite my answer would have to be NO.
It does have a minor safety issue in regard to tippiness, but I would not consider it to be a serious safety issue.

As with all recreational products there are safety concerns which the purchaser (me) has to become aware of during initial break in and become familiar with. It's called "getting used to your sled". It took me a whole season to get comfortable with this sleds abilities and limitations as to where or where not I should travel. I do a fair amount of off trail and backcountry exploring and many places that I used to go on my previous sled I simply will not put myself at risk of on this sled. Mainly due to the rollover factor. It does suck when you own a sled that you feel uneasy to go where you would like but that's all part of the gamble when you buy a sled without test riding it for a day or two. I gambled with a first year sled without a test ride and while I love many aspects of the sled this is one area that I feel I made a bad choice.

Since I cannot afford to buy a new sled every few years there's not a thing I can do about it, other than do what I have done with the sled suspension setup to help with the tippiness and to also give my opinion on the matter to others.

I just have to be happy with what I have. 99% of the time this sled rocks as you all know, but a few times a season it is a beast.

Then again, as with all manufacturers there is no perfect sled. This one is a damm good one, but far from perfect.

That's my 2 cents on the tippiness of the VL.
It is my opinion only ... we are all entitled to one on a public forum. I can only wish that Yamaha respects the consumers opinions and improves on the issues with the product.

kbrunog - as for setup of the suspension do what cannondale27 has suggested - this guy is the phazer guru.
There are loads of posts on this issue that may take you some time to find and read thru from the early days of the phazer thread.

Good luck with your GT.
A little tweaking will make a huge difference.
Unless you can afford another sled, just be happy with what you have. The fun factor is way up there with the Phazer ... there are a lot worse sleds you could have bought.

 

[yukonranger]

Learn how to sidehill and ride it hard. I have no sway bar and my ski's all the way in.

 

[80h4thephaze]

Hey guys.
I dont want to start any more fighting but I just need to say my side. The phazer marks a new type of snowmobiling. Incase some people havent noticed, the new style is rider forward. Not sitting on the ground. Ok now... The phazer is designed to be a rider forward aggressive sled. Which is not designed to be set up for a long haul accross a lake or anything but to be a light and quick 4 stroke which is how it turned out. In other words its meant to be riden not driven. Thats it. If your going to call it a safety issue because its not built sitting on the ground and not as stable as a sheet of plywood lying on the ground youve got to realize its not built that way. If you want to ride on the ground, get an older sled. EG srx, loww to ground, no travel. lake runner. Just I dont know. All I can say is, ITS MEANT TO BE RIDDEN NOT DRIVEN. Plain and simple. You guys make your call but I ride sleds so you can guess my choice.