Which used sled to buy for my wife?

Knotty Woodworker

Knotty Woodworker

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Dec 3, 2004
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Conception Bay, Newfoundland
Hi,
I want to buy a sled for my wife, ...something under 500cc for sure. The most she'll be doing is 40mph. She's a trail rider that takes her time and enjoys the scenery.

So which used sled would be good? I'm looking to spend around $2000 (US), so I assume something from the mid-90's?

Also, when did oil injection start apearing in Yamahas? I would like her sled to have oil injection too.

Thanks...
 
Last edited:

Knotty Woodworker said:
Hi,
I want to buy a sled for my wife, ...something under 500cc for sure. The most she'll be doing is 40mph. She's a trail rider that takes her time and enjoys the scenery.

Thanks...
Click to expand...

So you think, wait until see gets some seat time, I thought my wife was that type but she out grew the phazer in 1 year. If your looking for a good reliable decent riding sled for under 2000$ you might get a good deal on a pro-action phazer 500 or *don't shoot me* a Polaris Trail with the 488 fan engine (good reliable sled that rides decent.
 
If at all possible, get her on as many different sleds as you can. Keep in mind a properly adjusted suspension is more improtant than everything else except for riding at her pace. My better half prefered a Rx-1 over a lightweight sx, and a year later hated (nice word) a improperly set up Rx-1. This year I am getting her on everything possible, so she can have her own for next season.
 
For $2000 you should be able to find a fairly clean 94-95 VMax 500 or 600. I owned a 94 600 new and rode it for 4 seasons with only 1 problem. The 2 piece jackshaft can wear at the spline, it was replaced under warranty when the sled was 3 years old. Put over 15K on it with no clutch or engine work. Might seem like more power than needed, but as has been written already the desire for more power doesn't take long to develop once a new rider gets comfortable with the machine.
 
I think they had oil injection from day one 196? or close to it.
choices?
340 ovation
Phazer 500
The vmax I think would be a bit bulky and tough steer(I have one)
Like they said above, If she can try them out, that would be best.
You would probably want electric start and possibly reverse also.
My wife will be on a 500 venture this year, who knows??
My 2 cents.
 
You could find a sx500r for close to 2000 and soften it up for the wife and she would love it. Mine Does. Brent
 
i would find a leftover or used vmax 500 deluxe, sx 500r, or phazer 500 in the Proaction chassis, not the pogo's. The deluxe would probably be the best, with electric start and reverse
 
Ya, I think that a Vmax would be too much for her (thanks for the suggestion though). The Phaser or the SX seems about right, ...since I have a SX Venom, I might be even leaning towards the SX500.

Thanks for the responses...
 
I wouldn't buy your wife a 94-95 V-max. They are too heavy. I have a 94 V-Max Long Track and when you get that thing stuck you start wishing you were riding a Phazer. Im 6 feet tall and almost 200 pounds, and not a bunch of bones, and that thing can tire me out when stuck..

They are fairly nice sleds, but ride rough IMO. Great for us younger guys that like to open them up on flat lakes. But for trail riding they are not the best sled.

Ovation are slow, good sled, but theres better...

Phazers are great. Reliable. Good power for the $$$. Pro-Action ones are better then the pogo's, obviously. Thats what I would buy my wife...if she was interested in sledding enough to want to drive one..

1999 was the first year of the Pro-action Phazer I do beleive..
 
1999 was the first year for the proaction phazer, and the SXR 500 was first built in 2000 (for the long travel suspension)
 
Check around for a 1999 Vmax 600 Deluxe. This sled offers long travel suspension with a Triple 600 engine and electric start and reverse. I rode one of these brand new in 99 and sold my exciter the next year. I bought a Vmax SX but it all goes back to that one ride on that deluxe. Real good on gas and oil too. Yamaha has had oil injection since its first sled introduced in 1967 as a 68 model, the SL351 was oil injected. Good luck finding a sled. Seems the guys that bought them dont want to get off of them. Phazers were introduced with a 500 liquid or a fan depending what you wanted. Those also are good choices but the twins either 500 or 600 get terriable mileage and oil consumption is also enormous compared to a Triple engine. Either way good luck in your choice. ;)!
 
2000 SXR 600 for 2 grand

Too bad your not here in Michigan...I have a 2000 SXr 600 in great shape, bone stock, other then 144 studs for 2K. I know you may not be interested in a 600, but chances are she's going to want a better ride then old phazers and v-max's
 
I agree the deluxes are the way to go. My wifes is for sale right now 1999 600 electric start and reverse. Believe me get them reverse and a good suspension and you will be happy.
 
My wife has owed both the 2000 Sxr 500, and she currently has a 2000 Phazer 500. She likes the ride, and the clutching of the Phazer alot better. I would strongly reccomend to stud the track of the phazer. If you go with the Sxr 500 i would re-clutch it and have Maxxium performance revalve the shocks. She would always complain that her thumb would hurt on the Sxr??
Just my past experience, for what ever its worth.
:yam:
 
Mines on a 01 SXR700 and loves it. Other than maybe cost, if you are looking into the sx/sxr chassis they all weigh close to the same (500,600,700CC's) just a difference in power. Plus if its the 600 or up, you won't mind riding it either.
 
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