Should I add a Phazer to the fleet?

[burlyviper]

I am considering buying a used phazer (2008 or newer) for my teenage daughters to ride. I like the 4 stroke, electric start, and reverse and need for it to be relatively trouble free. I don't expect to put more than 200 miles a year on it. We have one trip to UP a year and the rest of the time around local farm fields and ditches. I hope to get one for around $2500 with less than 2,000 miles. I know they are a little top heavy but I'd prefer my daughters to learn to ride by leaning/moving around on the sled. I'm worried about the comments about these sleds requiring constant upkeep. I'm used to my Apex which I haven't many problems with. Can anyone offer advice about these sleds for beginners?

 

[Cubby]

All I can tell you is that I have an 07 GT and have not had any issues with it. I have upgraded many components on my own. Not because they were breaking but because I wanted to maximize the sled's performance. I have over 8000 kms on the sled and have not had any issues.

The only maintenance I do is grease the skid regularly during the season and in the spring I change oil, chaincase oil, grease the speedo and jackshaft bearing, grease the skid, fog the engine and put it away until November.

I bought a 2015 Ski Doo Renegade 900 ACE last year thinking I would retire the Phazer but I much prefer riding the Phazer. Its easier to carve, almost the same HP (80 vs 90) and it fits my riding style perfectly.

Just my $0.02. Other people have had different experiences.

 

[Voda2000]

In addition to my 07 I do maintenance on two 07 Vectors, another 07 Phazer and an 08 Phazer and they all require about the same level of maintenance.

 

[Handy]

In my opinion, YES excellent choice for younger riders. I put my 11 year old grand daughter on an 07 Phazer last year. She had ridden a 83 Bravo up to then. She ended up logging just over 1000 miles last year on our trail system here in Manitoba. Her only request for this year is to get a sled wrap on it because it's cool.

 

[blueironranger]

I would look for a coil over model like the GT. The RTX with the fox floats sit high in the front due to the shocks having a bunch of preload due to the air pressure, especially with a light rider. I have Ohlins on the front of mine and run the spring with just enough preload to keep the springs in place which give me a good 4" of sit in up front when I'm on the sled. handles great with the lower COG and tackles the nasty bumps with ease.

 

[cannondale27]

My daughter started snowmobiling at 12. She rides Dirtbike and Quads racing XC since 5 or so. So She knows how to hang off in the corners and stand up in the rough. To be honest I don't believe she ever has even tipped the Phazer over. The Phazer rewards those who enjoy being active on a sled it made to hang off of and is so easy to do it. When the sled is ridden like that it almost feels like part of you. I do think that learning that style and always riding that way makes for a safer rider even when just putting around or on busy public trails you are always ready for the unexpected. Now my only problem is my youngest is ready and oldest refuses to give up the Phazer!

 

[burlyviper]

Thank you for the input. I will continue my search and hope to find one reasonably priced.

 

[SXRider7Hundo]

Wise choice! I bought one for Sweet Pea to ride and she said it is billions times better than the viper she used to ride. She never once spoke of it feeling tippy. Check the skid over very closely- especially the top bogies- if they are the spoked ones you most likely will be replacing them. Pick up a bushing set from UPBushman to fix the sloppy steering and let her rip!

 

[porkchop]

I always found it very tippy, different angle or some weird snow banks would have me fighting with it. My buddy had the same problem. High COG & that's just the way it was we figured, learned to compensate.
Between the sloppy steering fixes, ball joints/ A arm/ spindle bushings, W bracket breaking twice (1 "updated" kit), poor slider wear (X wheels a must IMO) and some other minor issues. As Cannondale mentioned, it was fun for the first couple of years when you rode it aggressively.
I was glad when it got thrown down the trail and out of it's misery though, had become a small $$ pit that I wasn't going to get much for with year/ miles. Made out better with insurance + selling carcass to RuggyBuggy.
Moved on to Nytros.

There are a lot of them out there for sale on the cheap, some with better up keep than others even having higher miles- just have to find that one little gem.
Enjoy the season.