Ride/Test report

cannondale27

Staff member
Moderator
Vendor
Joined
Feb 20, 2007
Messages
20,955
Reaction score
9,265
Points
2,083
Location
Manitowoc,WI
If you read my posts you know have been doing lots of updates to mine.Took a 3day weekend with goal of 600mi locally.I am at 525 right now.I did 110 on the SRX for total of 635.

Friday night and saturday during day were just awesome.Friday night we got 2-3"of fresh snow so kept speeds down below about 50 at night because of visibility.Trails were awesome though.Small drifts which were Powder that you could just POOF right through.At 50mi since trails were smooth I went back and got the SRX which I just put stock rear suspension back in.That thing just rips your arms off!Took a few stingers to the back and wrists.NEVER had that happen on Phazer but SRX does rock when trails are good.No problems with either sled.

Saturday in the morning I gave brother a call(he doesnt own a sled)took him out.By this time.35mph wind gusts and fresh powder was making some drifts.He prefered Phazer over SRX.Dropped him off and brought both sleds to a local Radar Run.All the snow made for slow times.Top speed for whole day was only 77mph I believe where last year it was well over 100mph.Phazer made 3runs all at 60mph.SRX made 3runs all at 64mph.All that power didnt do much.Saw alot of 50-55 mph runs.

Saturday afternoon was big ride.Goal was to go southwest following snow band.Rode with a Apex(Berge75),TNT 600,SXR700,and a 92ExciterII.By then the winds were at 35mph pretty steady drifting was big along fence lines and woods.Of course I chose to use the Phazer.Wise choice.Apex,TNT and Phazer did alot of waiting for the older sleds.We never lined up and raced I do have the freeride track and snow was never packed but I believe the Phazer is faster than that TNT600.They are close but even on river where he said he was doing 90mph I was only do 75 on dream meter and he could not pull me ever.I rode it a bit and was impressed with handling and suspension although a bit stiff initialy took the big stuff very well.But it felt bigger and heavier than it was.Apex was a tourer very easy to drive fast and comfortable but his rear suspension needs a bit of work.Neither had the FUN factor my Phazer does.I was happy to be on my Phazer.Phazer also got best gas mileage.

About 4:00 while eating we saw snow coming and visibility was begining to be bad.We hit a couple Railroad grades to make time.They were very whooped out.Phazer ate this up any speed although grades are boring.We started heading back north with West Bend in sight.Visibility was terrible with nightfall and was -5 with the huge winds.Couldnt tell what was snow or what was blowing but it looked like Antarctica.Was a few lulls though and they made the drifts very fun.By then they were firming up and getting air alot.Track was awesome and even Apex could not pull from me until 70 or so.

Was during one of these lulls where I was getting bored with following Berge75 on his Apex.Like a idiot I passed him.Was just getting settled into lead and fumbling for Highbeam when I saw a HUGE drop on the trail probably 40ft drop.I was going way to fast and would have flat landed.So I hit the brakes .I then turned it sideways to try to scrub more speed but wasnt able to get it back straight before I went over.When I hit bottom I couldnt hang on.Foot got stuck in stirrup.Sled was still upright but when dragging me it then flipped at least once.Berge said all he saw was snow flying everywhere.Windshield was shot one of 3 mounts for guage broke.Believe bars are either bent or down.Track derailed.Thats it!We got the track back on by pushing on it with a foot and giving it a little gas.If I wouldnt have had 4th wheel kit on I would have been stranded for sure.Most important of all Berge wasnt tangled up in my mess and I was fine.I paid price in my face shield constantly frosting over.Even at 15-35mph visibility was so bad and drifts were so big you couldnt help but hit huge ones that came up to soon and last thing you want is to let up or you get stuck big time.It was so bad even in the woods there were huge drifts.If my visibility was good I was having a blast.Keep in mind I started riding at 7:30am and it was 10:00pm by now.I reached my trailer at 12:30Am from HWY57 in Sheboygan this section normally takes less than a hour.Saw ALOT of Phazers including a group of 3 near 57.Sorry if I didnt stop to say hi.I would have liked to meet ya.If not for my windshield loss I had a great time the whole time.I was ready for more at end of day.Nothing broke at all except for crash and was still having fun.What more can you ask for?And yes all my work previous week did pay off.Family stuff to do today but I have all day Monday to ride some more.May do another 100 or so.Be careful out there and sorry for long report but I am pumped :yam:
 
Nice report. I did some fun rides this past week with some friends, but it has been crazy cold here lately and windy as heck. Too cold to get out and ride at all this weekend, unfortunately. All of the wind has really made things drift up nice, but has also shown me that I would really like a longer, wider track, much like the Nytro XTX is going to come with. Decisions, decisions...
 
Thanks.Oops!
 

Attachments

  • Oops.jpg
    Oops.jpg
    67.3 KB · Views: 121
Update

:o| *Failed test*

Sled pretty much thawed out overnight.Going over everything simple before riding this morning.Rear suspension 08 updated A+everything straight tight and no cracks.New slides still in great shape.A-arms with new bushings and grease zerks A+.Nice and tight everything straight.Spindles A+ bumpstop marks are bigger but no cracks.

Now the bad news.Took the boots off yesterday to check if I was getting alot of ice in there.It wasnt bad since recall.I give that a C since there was some.
Get out there this morning and find the bolt laying in there.It was under Ice yesterday so I didnt see it.My heart sunk since I had to figure out where it came from.Took pic to post to see if you all could help.Then I spotted it.Front frame mounting bolt!I have never touched this bolt.There is no Loctite on it.Hole is not lined up anymore also so either the frame is tweaked a little or all the rest are loose also.Sorry to say but my Phazer failed my little test.This means to me that it is MANDATORY that everyone remove,Loctite and torque to spec every single nut and bolt possible.Dont skip any since as evidenced from red paint mark this was supposedly torqued at factory.I need to go ride now to cool off.-15 deg should do it.
 

Attachments

  • Loose bolts 002.jpg
    Loose bolts 002.jpg
    64.2 KB · Views: 133
  • Loose bolts 004.jpg
    Loose bolts 004.jpg
    47.7 KB · Views: 118
  • Loose bolts 005.jpg
    Loose bolts 005.jpg
    41.1 KB · Views: 121
How did the 4th wheel save you when the track derailed anyways?
 
Turn the adjusters around, pointing forward, and alls you need is 2 wheels.

Why they sticky? Now noone will read.
 
I hope not.Turning adjuster around might work.It was made a sticky because of the bolt falling out.That bolt in addition to the left and right engine mount bolts that were previously loose makes a real concern that hopefully everyone takes care of.
 
Was going to start going over bolts but this is my last day off.So I hopped on SRX and went to dealership with bolt in pocket.After discussion will bring sled there tomorrow untouched to document the issue.I am requesting a new front frame member since it is now obviously tweaked from bolt falling out.I was warned not to get my hopes up since YES coverage will deny claims for loose bolts since they are part of maintainence.I would agree but this is not on a moving part and removal of radiator would be necessary for proper torquing.Am I required to torque every bolt on machine?We will see and I am confident my dealer will help the cause.

Obviously after talking again about it my 15mi ,-16 deg ride to dealer wasnt enough to keep me cool.So I headed out to make a 30 mi loop through Point Beach Forest back to home.Well the groomers were out in force!Double wide grooming made for fastest smoothest ride to date for me.SRX was a great choice the groomed trails led me to Kewaunee which wasnt groomed today because of broke groomer but they were still smooth from previous grooming in most spots.Railroad grade which goes to Door County was perfect.I saw 3 Bald Eagles one from 10ft away eating a rabbit.Countless Turkeys and only 2 other sleds both Yamahas.Turned out to be a great day and perfect end to 3 day vacation 110mi today but on SRX.Got a few pics one is a good shot of how far off frame is from bolt hole.Rest are some trail shots.Check your bolts but enjoy the pics that is what makes it all worth the trouble.Talk about fair and balanced eh!
 

Attachments

  • Loose bolts 003.jpg
    Loose bolts 003.jpg
    41.2 KB · Views: 112
  • 02-11-08_1340.jpg
    02-11-08_1340.jpg
    59.7 KB · Views: 141
  • 02-11-08_1342.jpg
    02-11-08_1342.jpg
    74.7 KB · Views: 146
  • 02-11-08_1451.jpg
    02-11-08_1451.jpg
    98.8 KB · Views: 139
  • 02-11-08_1452.jpg
    02-11-08_1452.jpg
    75.1 KB · Views: 138
Yamaha is covering it.New front frame assembly and labor.Y.E.S. will not cover this type thing.Part is on its way. ;)

Come summer my sled is going to get a complete teardown to redo every bolt and nut.
 
Got it back.Everything looks good including trails.Will see if she can make 3-400 this weekend.I hope so.
 
Wow near the house trails were pretty good then I got into some really rough trails near the Brillion,Appleton area.Headed towards Chilton in the marsh and they were bad/fun enough I had to turn the clicker up to 5 to stay on top good.Near Potter perfect.Took river to Collins after getting a burger in Potter.Then I hit more absolutley perfect trail.4 hours and a burger/soda stop 110miles.Is this WI or Canada?Unbelievable how nice riding is this year.Phazer is doing great and sure beats the SRX in the rough.I believe I developed some kind of issue with my thumb and hand from riding SRX.Dont even notice any pain while riding Phazer.Look what I rode for hours.Nobody out there it seems.Only met maybe 10 sleds.
 

Attachments

  • 02-22-08_1750.jpg
    02-22-08_1750.jpg
    50.3 KB · Views: 129
  • 02-22-08_1751.jpg
    02-22-08_1751.jpg
    65.8 KB · Views: 132


Back
Top