'93 Phazer help

[Wingr1800]

I have my sights on a '93 Phazer LE with around 3500 miles. It's in really nice condition. When compressing the suspension it does seem to come up slowly, not just pop right back up. I am thinking this is a good thing and that the shocks are doing their job. I believe the stock shocks are a pretty basic gas shock. Would upgrading the shocks make much difference in ride? The track looks pretty good, although I don't think the stock track was not a very aggressive design. Would it be worth putting a new, more aggressive track on it be worth the $500 to $600 I am guessing it would cost? I am told it hasn't been ridden for a couple years. It started very easily and sounds good, like the '93 long track that I rode for several years back in the early 90's, so I am thinking the carbs are in good shape. The rubber boots on the carbs look very good, no sign of deterioration. I remember the Phazer to be a fun sled to ride, but probably no where near the ride quality of more current sleds. I can buy the Phazer for around $700. It does need a new battery. Several years ago my wife and I sold our Vectors thinking it was time. Last year we realized that maybe we were not ready to get out of riding and found a good deal on an '05 Venture. She rode that last year and I borrowed a friends sled. I have been looking for a mid-90's Phazer thinking that would do me fine. We are both 60 and live in West Central Wisconsin. Winters here have been pretty sporadic, that's why we thought several years ago we would sell the sleds and enclosed trailer. I just found this forum and though this would be a good place to pick some brains. We have ridden Yamahas since the early 80's and I have had as many as 5 at one time. I started on an SS440. My past sleds have been SS440, Phazers, Exciter (Phazer style), VMax 600 & 700, Viper, Vector, as well as 250 and 340 Enticers. Thanks for listening to my condensed story.

 

[Yamaha Nutz]

sounds like a great machine for a good price ....if you just plan on trail riding they way it is ,it will work just fine ....the stock shocks are oil shocks and work very nice ...I have a 91 LE that is a spare sled and I love it ...........but like anything and being much younger is has gotten my clutching, jetting, pipe and gearing to give it little more

 

[PZ 1]

I agree with the above, run the sled until the shock is worn out, and then if you want buy a better shock. It will make more difference to have the suspension set correctly than you will notice with a different shock.
I don't even know if you will find a better shock than stock for that sled anymore. The stock shocks are better than something like a high performance Kimpex shock. And I thought that the stock shock was a gas shock (gas shocks are gas/hydraulic - air shocks are not hydraulic).
As far as the track I would keep that too and stud it if it does not already have them. I assume most of your riding will be on hard packed trails - where studs will be of more benefit than a deep lugged track.

 

[Wingr1800]

Thank you for your replies. The more I think about it, the more I think I will concentrate on '05 or so Venture, Vector, or RX1. In fact today I looked at an '05 RX1. I have to do some research because I don't remember much about them. It is in pretty good shape and the price is reasonable, although much more than the Phazer. Don't know how many more years we will ride, but the first rough conditions I am sure I wouldn't be happy with the Phazer. Again thanks!