Upgrade Phazer to Viper?

[benjamingvsu]

Who has experience with the Phazer, Nytro, and Viper?

If my latest Phazer modifications ( I'm pretty much out of options other than NOS, Turbo or supercharger) don't get me enough top end MPH - I don't see myself keeping the Phazer much longer.

I rode a Viper for a few miles on a demo ride last year - it felt huge! I plan to do a day long rental this year, but wondering what everyone thinks that went from a Phazer to Viper - can you toss around the Viper like a Phazer? How is it standing? I love the seating position and ride of the Phazer, but get bored when the trail opens up for a few miles.

So, I could go brand new viper for $10.5K, used for 9K, new Supercharged Nytro for 9K ( plus super install), or well set up used Nytro for $5 easy. I'm seriously wondering if the Supercharged Nytro is a better value than the Viper.

No matter what I don't think I can make a decision until spring just in case there is a new Cat/Yamaha chassis Phazer replacement or a 100+hp four stroke in the Axys chassis. And yes, I want that sled for less than $9k!

 

[cannondale27]

I haven't regretted my decision. Did feel bigger but Viper has that same balanced feel in the air. Nytro will never have that. I can side hill with one hand sitting down in same spots I would be hanging off Phazer like a monkey. No sled is perfect and the viper is no exception. After 7 years with Phazer I had it as good as it ever was going to get. Some things can't be changed without a huge amount of $. Front end geometry and power are what Viper has over the Phazer. Handling /suspension on Viper did require mods to equal my Phazer. Engine required clutching and 8dn to bring out satisfying power. Now I am as confident on Viper as I was on Phazer but a lot faster !

 

[stingray719]

I had a 280hp supercharged Nytro, then went to turbo Phazer, also had supercharged Phazer same time, went to Viper and you couldn't trade me 5 boosted Phazers for my modded Viper.

 

[TJ-R]

Phazer is like a dirt bike, Viper is like a snowmobile.
Phazer is like a 125 dirt bike, viper is like a 300.
I stand all day on the Viper, and more comfotable than on the Phazer.
Viper is more responsive to input from your feet then the Phazer so standing in all instances is no problem.
Sitting on the Viper is no worse or better than the Phazer as the Viper XTX is a little busy in the rear and could use to have more rebound dampening.

I own both but I'm pretty sure I'd take the Viper out for anyhting except maybe low snow were I'd rather trash the Phazer over the Viper...

Hope this helps.

 

[jedwards89]

I think you have heard it above but I will chime in. Rode a phaser that my nephew had a bunch of times when I had my Nytro with some additions to it. Bought a Viper last year, I would never go back to either, I would rather go to another brand and I have had a Yamaha since '88. The balance that the Viper has is incredible. I consider myself an aggressive rider and I feel much safer on a viper than I ever did on a nitro. Corning, small bumps, big bumps, deep powder, you name it, it would be well worth spending the money on a viper over a nitro. I will also say that the viper feels about 200 lbs lighter than a nitro when riding and you will be able to ride longer distances because you are not worn out. Viper all the way.

 

[Studroes144]

On the first trail ride with my viper the very first thing I noticed was just how fast you could ride the sled but still feel 100% in control in comparison to the previous sleds (apex, nytro and Phazer) it's not all about power, although that does make it extra fun, but the viper is such and easy sled to ride that it really takes all the effort out of riding and let's you really enjoy the machine rather than fight it through corners and bumps. It's not a rocket speed machine, but some little inexpensive tweaks and it will run phenomenal

 

[yamahaguy]

We are coming off phazers after 5 years switched to vipers and so far I love them. As far as being able to toss them around thats something I was worried about loosing with a heaver viper but the extra weigh is not a issue or noticed. We ride standing alot and the viper is just as fun if not better in that department also. I might suggest the rider foward bars like come on the mtx or xtx le model if you like standing so the bars stay level in a turn and a bit taller and more forward.

 

[benjamingvsu]

Well I pulled the trigger guys, found a brand new 2014 RTX in blue!

Took note of a couple of measurements: I moved the bars up from where the dealer had them and was able to get them to 36" approximately from the footwell to the bar. Doing this also put them in the exact fore/aft position relative to my feet when standing ( Phazer with 2" riser) . I didn't measure the seat height.

The 129 Viper track leaves 2 less lugs on the ground compared to the Freeride 136.

With the tunnel and track extension on Phazer I was surprised to see the sleds at exactly the same length ski tip to snow flap.