Yamaha Phazer for Wife?

[Viper Treats]

Hey Guys and Gals,

Do any of the gals or guy's wives ride a new 4-stroke phazer? My wife and I are considering one for her. She rides a Viper now and doesn't even come close to using all the HP. She is ready to go to a sled with elec start/reverse and rider forward. A couple questions I have for anyone with experience with a 4-stroke phazer.
1. With mods, tall windshield, cowling flares, how is the wind protection? I am concerned she may get cold.
2. With the tall suspension is the sled tipping or darty at all (could be worked on with susp set-up and skis)?
3. Any typical problems, failures, etc, known to look for on these sleds as we would buy used.
4. Does the narrow seat cause issues for sit-down comfort (I see the GT version has a different seat)?
5. Can the suspensions be set soft for a 105 lb rider (we are looking at the GT)?
6. Does this sled feel "light" to get through corners and bumps?


Any input would be appreciated. Used prices on these sleds are very reasonable.

Thanks,
VT

 

[S.S.Viper]

Hey there...

My buddy ended up picking up a phazer...altho he intended for himself...when they go for rides she ends up riding the phazer and he rides his ole Polaris XCR...from what I gather...she loves it...in fact...she out runs him in the trails...and I'll be the first to admit..those lil phazers handle awesome...I have a tough time even catching up to him on my viper when he's on the phazer...I'm really impressed...
My next "second" sled will be a phazer without a question...but I'll get him to post a reply for ya and see what his Fiance says about the Phazer.

cheers

 

[yamahagirl]

I went from a viper s to a phazer ... I love the phazer!

At times I miss the extra power, but love the lightness of the phazer.

A few things your wife might not like is the tippyness. From time to time in the corners the sled would fee like it wanted to roll on me. The skis wouldn't grab and when they finally would it would throw the sled over. I put curve skis on and now it corners with out effort!

1.) I can't speak on the added wind protection, since I have not added any. I ride with some who have added the wind protection and it seems to work for them. With out it the sled can be a little cold on the long open runs. I don't get cold enough to add the wind protection.

2.) As stated before I added Curve Skis and the tipping - darting was history. The guys at curve are great to work with ...

3.) There was recalls on the 2007's. The only issue I have had with mine is the snow build up on the running boards, I have since blocked off the tunnel with no further issues.

4.) The seat ... I personally don't have a problem with the seat. The bulk of my riding is off trail and standing. However, I do a full weekend of trail riding for charity and can't say the seat has ever been an issue. I don't notice it being narrow or firm as a down fall. Its nice to have a seat that props you up and puts you into position.

5.) I have have an fx, so I can not comment on the GT suspension. They are a rougher riding sled, not a cushy ride.

6.) Yes, the sled feels light enough for the corners and bumps. Before I changed the skis I felt like I was wrestling the sled in the corners when I would trail ride. The skis were unresponsive and when they finally did respond the sled would darn near roll over on me. After the new skis cornering is effortless!

I love my phazer ... it is a great light sled. I wouldn't trade it for anything else, besides new phazer. 2007's are cheap and easy to find!

 

[Viper Treats]

I went from a viper s to a phazer ... I love the phazer!

At times I miss the extra power, but love the lightness of the phazer.

A few things your wife might not like is the tippyness. From time to time in the corners the sled would fee like it wanted to roll on me. The skis wouldn't grab and when they finally would it would throw the sled over. I put curve skis on and now it corners with out effort!

1.) I can't speak on the added wind protection, since I have not added any. I ride with some who have added the wind protection and it seems to work for them. With out it the sled can be a little cold on the long open runs. I don't get cold enough to add the wind protection.

2.) As stated before I added Curve Skis and the tipping - darting was history. The guys at curve are great to work with ...

3.) There was recalls on the 2007's. The only issue I have had with mine is the snow build up on the running boards, I have since blocked off the tunnel with no further issues.

4.) The seat ... I personally don't have a problem with the seat. The bulk of my riding is off trail and standing. However, I do a full weekend of trail riding for charity and can't say the seat has ever been an issue. I don't notice it being narrow or firm as a down fall. Its nice to have a seat that props you up and puts you into position.

5.) I have have an fx, so I can not comment on the GT suspension. They are a rougher riding sled, not a cushy ride.

6.) Yes, the sled feels light enough for the corners and bumps. Before I changed the skis I felt like I was wrestling the sled in the corners when I would trail ride. The skis were unresponsive and when they finally did respond the sled would darn near roll over on me. After the new skis cornering is effortless!

I love my phazer ... it is a great light sled. I wouldn't trade it for anything else, besides new phazer. 2007's are cheap and easy to find!

Thanks a bunch for the info, especially on the ski's we may try a pair of Woody's Dualies before going to a new ski, we will see. Have you ever tried a softer spring to soften up the ride?

VT

 

[Mtn-Track]

My wife HAD the GT. The thing spent more time on its side and stuck than on the track and ski's! It was cold, tippy, hard trail-only, and had lots of ICE issues on the running boards. The bigger issue was if she tipped it over on the wrong side the airbox would fill with oil before I could get it picked back up. And don't get her started on the seat.....

Lost some bucks on the GT, but now she is VERY happy with her Vector. Unless you spend all your time on hard-pack trails in warm weather and she has an iron butt, you might reconsider!

 

[yamahagirl]

Viper Treats ...

You might want to check out the 4 stroke site in the phazer section for info on the spring.

Beware ... you will have to weed through the useful and useless information. Some just like to add negative input ... some think because it didn't work for them that it won't work for anyone else.

Everyone has their own opinions ... your wife will never truly know unless she tries it out. Too bad you didn't make it up for the demo rides ...

All I can tell you is my personal experience ... yes it WAS tippy, but fixed with skis. You have to learn how to ride the phazer ... its just not the same as the viper.

 

[RIVERRUNNER]

I have rode one on a couple rides and I can tell you that it is tippy but nothing new is going to feel like a 2 stroke!!!! I am 160 pounds and I never had any problems with a stock phazer so I would guess that you could soften up the stock springs and be just fine! I think that going with a little extra wind protection is worth it......expecially if you want to ride with her in cold weather(not much for hand warmers). You are going to miss the power of the viper but the reliability of a fourstroke is worth it. I personally would not buy the sled for myself, but for someone that it not out racing around the phazer is a great sled!!!!! If you have the money, look into a vector they are the ultimate trail machine. Go up to your local dealer and see if they will let you take a demo.....or aleast ride there....I would never buy a sled that I couldn't get her on!!!!! Your dealer has to understand that!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Viper Treats]

I have rode one on a couple rides and I can tell you that it is tippy but nothing new is going to feel like a 2 stroke!!!! I am 160 pounds and I never had any problems with a stock phazer so I would guess that you could soften up the stock springs and be just fine! I think that going with a little extra wind protection is worth it......expecially if you want to ride with her in cold weather(not much for hand warmers). You are going to miss the power of the viper but the reliability of a fourstroke is worth it. I personally would not buy the sled for myself, but for someone that it not out racing around the phazer is a great sled!!!!! If you have the money, look into a vector they are the ultimate trail machine. Go up to your local dealer and see if they will let you take a demo.....or aleast ride there....I would never buy a sled that I couldn't get her on!!!!! Your dealer has to understand that!!!!!!!!!!

Her Viper has 6900 miles on it and hasn't even sniffed a shop since it was put together!! So reliability isn't really going to be gained, can't get much more reliable than that. She only rides groomed trail so I am not worried about her tipping over. I am a still a little concerned about the seat. Not sure about the vector. That will weight more than the viper, not much gained there in handeling and bumps IMO.