Trying to decide....

[Ohiohntr]

About the same money involved.....

2014 Phazer XTX or a 2012 Nytro RTX

My dilemma is that I have ridden my buddies Nytro RTX and it would be quite an upgrade from my 2003 Polaris Edge but I'm just not sure about the suspension and track length. Seemed like every corner I took the inside ski wanted to lift....he agrees and has regretted his purchase since day one. I'm sure it can be dialed in but I really don't have the means to dump a bunch of upgrades into a new purchase to solve the problem.

The Phazer with the long track really caught my eye coming from the dirt bike racing world. The problem is I have never ridden one and I'm not sure 80hp is going to trip my trigger. We don't have snow on the ground where I could test ride the Phazer either, just don't want to regret not being able to get up and go across the fields.

Anyone have any experience with the Phazer XTX? Is there enough power (fun button) to outweigh the lack of top end?

Most of my riding is around the house in ditches, open fields, and drifts.....3 or 4 trips to MI but that is about it.

Thanks in advance....

 

[Black7]

Short story, the long version;
I just bought a Phazer MTX. I was just about ready to get the Viper XTX and realized that I don't ride enough to justify spending that kind of money. So, I went after a 2012 Nytro XTX and I did like it for it's speed, but it seemed front end heavy. I don't think I would have regretted the Nytro, but again, I wanted something that I could ride off trail and not have to dig out a heavy pig if I got stuck. In the end I went with my original plan, from last season to get a light, fun little machine.

It would be nice if it could scream up the powerline right of ways in untouched powder. It goes okay.

If your riding buddies hit the groomed stuff fast you may be tail-end charlie. If your out for daytime rips by yourself, the Phazer will answer the mail.

 

[steiner]

What type of riding do you do?? More info is needed to really give you some guidance.

Just reading your post and coming from an Edge chassis I would say you are looking at the wrong sleds. I would be looking at the Apex or Vector. Sit a little lower and don't have as much ski lift but have the power for the fun factor.

 

[yamadoo]

If you love power, at all, I would go Nytro. But if you want fun and don't need speed people seem to love the Phazer. I guess nothin new from my post

 

[Ohiohntr]

Actually I want to get away from the "Edge Type Chassis".....I like to stand up and ride, even with 2" risers on my Polaris it isn't very comfortable. Last year I got beat to death on the trails in MI....slow/fast....didn't matter...I started hating my sled real quick up there.

I did get to take a quick ride on an Apex and the power was unreal but kinda hard to stand up and ride on....I guess I am looking for a more rider forward position.

Thanks for the quick input, heading to the sled shop in a few hours to kick the tracks and see if anything talks to me.

 

[Gone Blue]

You need to ride a Phazer to determine if you if you would be happy with it. I went from a 3cyl Rage GT to the a Phazer RTX that I stretched to 144" with a 1.25" tall track. I love the Phazer and dont miss the 120Hp that I had. The Phazer has the best stand up riding postion of anything I have ridden. You have to be very active on the Phazer and with the narrow seat, it is easy to do. I dont need to run 90 mph down the trail anymore so the Phazer suits me just fine. It will keep up with the big dogs in the twisties and were I would cringe at rough trails before, I now look for rough trails with Phazer. You really need to try and ride one as it is not for everyone. If you look at at a Nytro, I would consider an XTX as they are more planted and less twitchy than a shorty. My $0.02.

G.B.

 

[birdmayon]

The phazer is definitely more fun in the tighter stuff, but if you are doing any decent amount of trail riding, I think the lack of power will get to you. I had a Phazer for 2 seasons, really liked it. As I got used to it and started riding it harder and harder, I realized I was running out of power. Moved up to the Nytro last year and it was the ticket for me. Definitely more of a handful in the real tight slow stuff and more weight to throw around, but it still works fine and when you want the power, it is there. If you are primarily dinking around in the woods, banging ditches etc, the phazer may be a better choice for you. If you like power, you can get a nytro do do most of the stuff that the phazer will do but it has the ability to stretch your arms out a bit too when you gas it. Both fun sleds.

 

[Ohiohntr]

Well, the Phazer was talking to me pretty hard but it's still at the dealer. Everything felt right about the sled and i LOVE the 144" look but when the salesman said my current sled would probably run circles around the 2cy 4 stroke...well, I thanked him for his honesty because I knew then that I probably wouldn't be happy in the long run.

The Nytro was sold so that took it out of the picture...everything else 4 stroke was out of my self imposed price range.

They did have a new 2012 Switchback in my range but I didn't care for the color and really don't want a 2 stroke again, I would like to try that suspension sometime but I don't care for the tunnel-less look.

Anyhow, the search continues on

 

[mcamzr]

Before you rule out the phazer, where do you ride in MI, if it's the UP than you might not like the phazer but if it's the lower the trailed are a lot tighter and it would be a fun sled. When I ride the lower I rarely use all the 135hp of the nytro but the UP is a different story.

 

[RoyalBlue]

You will regret buying that Phazer , me and 2 friends did the same.

Under Powered
Over Priced
Electric Gremlins
Reverse Never Worked
Fire Hazard (Many Burned To The Ground)
Rattle Trap
Starters That Fall Off (700$ Fix)
Sub Par Yamaha Quality

Go over to the Phazer forum and read up., if you are looking for a kick butt entry level sled with a bullet proof motor try the Ski Doo 500ss it has a 597cc tried and true motor and if you get it without electric start you can get it out the door for under 7k. I have had 2 of them a 10 and a 12 with zero issues , just a blast to ride , I burned blue marble in it and it did not smoke , Yamaha has walked away from this market segment., you wont be able to hang with the Apexs but on Saturday when the trails are beat you will walk right on by them.

 

[actionjack]

I spent a day on a buddies Phazer and there is no way I could live with that little power as a primary sled. Turbo or supercharged ok but that is beyond my means.

I hope Yamaha irons out the viper gremlins and offers a range of power or even better a variable tune machine like the 900 ACE otherwise I would agree on the SS or one of the Ace sleds.

 

[Gone Blue]

It is my guess that those who have ridden a Phazer and felt they could'nt live with one were ridding stock sleds. I found that with my stock RTX the track would just spin at 60 mph and it didnt pull hard in any situation. That all changed with the new taller lug and longer track. The sled feels like it has 30 more Hp. Combine the new track and Ulmer's clutch kit, it will now pull your arms back at 50 - 70 mph when you hit it which is perfect for corner to corner riding. It still falls on its face above 70, but this sled is never going to be about top end. Even though the the Phazer does'nt weigh much less than a Nytro, it sure feels like it does when you ride it. Again, it all depends on how you ride and what you enjoy.

If you are still thinking about a Nytro, check out the new 2012 on Fleabay at a dealer in WI for under $8,000. Not sure what the OTD pricing is though. Good luck with whatever you decide.

G.B.

 

[couch]

Have owned (still do) phazer mtn lites / fx / RTX / GT as well as nytro fx (stretched to 144" x 1.75"). Phazer was more nimble and great for 0 to 50. Nytro motor was addicting but was a major PITA to handle in slow and deep / tight. Sold the nytros this year and picked up a pair or pro rmk 600's ... handling difference is night & day! Phazer is better balanced than the Nytro but riding in the deep snow past week (3' +) its really noticeable that a track upgrade (stiffer paddles) and better approach angle would enhance handling. Personally I do not ride trails (boring) and have no interest in hitting 100+ down a lake so I kept the Phazers and dropped the Nytros.

 

[Sevey]

I'll start by saying I have never ridden a long track phazer, but when I rode a short track version I noticed it was not a passive ride. You really have to throw yourself into that machine to get it to ride decent. Otherwise it was a terrible handling machine, high centre of gravity, skis don't bite and doesn't take much to tap out the power.

Now if you treat it like a motocross bike it responds well, but to ride like that all day seems a bit of a stretch. It's power range is best under speeds of 80kph. Lots of low end, but after 80 she's tapped. So lake running is a joke when hanging with 130 hp machines. And the gas tank is small, so when you are wot chasing your friends on lakes, your mileage goes out the window.

I've enjoyed my nytro, some tweeks here and there and it s set up not bad. It will handle great when aggressively ridden, and is a nice trail sled if you want to tone it down and chill. The motor is solid. Won't leave you wanting.
Ms

 

[Ohiohntr]

Well fellas....I upgraded tonight.

First of all thanks for the help and passing of knowledge, much appreciated!!!!

I ended up buying a used 2009 Nytro XTX from a local retired guy....sled is MINT and I couldn't be happier. The only updates are, tall windshield, tuner skis, and deflectors. This will give me a pretty blank slate to start with although I'm not sure I am going to go crazy with mods....just ride and enjoy it.

Again....thanks for the advice

BTW....that little thumb thingy on the right side is addicting...lol