Hello Len and others...question.

Came accross a Yamaha Phazer short track. Any thoughts on those.

Oh No ! Lets hope Alaska Cajun doesn't see that question.

Is it one of the new phasers? I had long track 90s phaser that I loved, good machine. No thoughts on the new phaser, but I'm not a fan of short tracks.

No experience with them. I wouldn't own a short track for myself. The short track bravo looks to be staying as my daughter will be bringing up the rear.

Know several people who have older phazers and love them, and some of them bought shorttracks and longtracked them. Most of those who own them swear by them, and they do get around fairly decent, and will take off slow and not spin the track. But my experience is that everytime I talk to those that own them, or they go with me and ride one, is that they are ALWAYS broke down.

Bearcat2...do you mean Phazers in general or short track to long track breaking down.

Yes this is an older machine 1988 with 4000 miles on it. Engine sounds good and rode it around the yard and it seems to be ok.

One thing I noticed is the tracks do not have much bite to them. It is not wore down just not very deep ribs.

I meant Phazers in general, like I said the people who own them swear by them, but I hate breakdowns and wouldn't own one myself. Wouldn't worry about the track to much myself. My old tundra has the same type or even less aggresive track, never had a problem with it, and the guys who make trail sets with footholds in their snowmachine trails won't own one with an aggressive track, because it will set their traps off when they run over them.

thank you BC.

Okay, I'm going to chime in here. First of all I'm no sled expert or anywhere's close and all the sleds I have bought in the last few years has came from info on THIS SITE. A couple years back I bought a beautiful Tundra II, like almost new after serching a couple years & forever, found out had medical issue so put it on craigslist, gone before I knew what had happened.Sight unseen and didn't care if it even ran [yikes] and when they picked it up I asked them to aleast start it which they finally did. Then after kicking my rear end started looking for another one a year later. Finally found a 2006 Skandic LT that was hardly used and just happened to be the first guy to call on it. He was receiving calls to buy it while I was picking it up. Said he didn't realize how popular the machine was AND he was even offered more then the asking price. Still haven't rode it but my son Kenny has and thinks it's tippy compared to the Bravo I bought for him after I got the Skandic. The Bravo has a long track and he loves that thing.

So the bottom line is they are all a sought after sled for the purpose of chasing cats, trapping and the bravo has a big following of parents wanting a sled for their children.

I am still up in the air on that Phazer...for 500 bucks who can go wrong ?

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelvideo/513/1034/0/video.aspx

One day I will buy a new snow machine...one day.

One day will come...just do it while you are young

I too am not a favorite of short tracks...but I am having a tuff time locating a solid long track and so I am still thinking about this short track to get me on the trails...if it ever snows I might even get to use it

Nice review AK.

Been riding two two long tracks and the short track this week with the kids. Mine is nearly ready to unveil. Model Bravo FT.
The short track is a huge pain in the but in deep snow and even going up an incline in soft snow is iffy. Just can't compare the two for getting around. Limited to hard trails.

Found a gold mine this week in Soldotna. They have a lot of used Bravo parts as well as a lot of other machines.
If your looking for parts give them a call. Great to deal with.

Verbas Hilltop Machine

1.5 Mi Past Big Johns
Soldotna, AK 99669
907-262-5020

Len, and all the rest of you!, I am saving this thread to be able to refer to it whenever I start to have any problems with my new Bravo. I have already learned that I need to give it some time to warm up - like about 5 minutes when it is about 15 below. I am thinking about the modification that will transfer the heat from my left boot to my hands and face. What a GOOD idea!

It is also my aim to get better at tilting the beast on it's side and getting the track running with no resistance before I try to take off. It takes a couple bounces on the running board at this point to get that baby to roll over ;o) I'm eager to get back home and get back into practicing that.

All this information is great and I really appreciate all the contributions. Thanks for the education!

Ol' Blister, i found that when i get home from riding and i am putting it away for the day i always tend to lift the back over onto a wood block, jus be careful while running the track when you are warming it up/ spinning the track. Seems to work alright vs bouncing around on it to get it to turn over sideways.

I never do anything. Just push the throttle and go unless 30 below. Run synthetic in your gearbox.
I tell you all you bravo riders. After riding Garrity's with the high seat and box and then getting on a stock seat bravo is like a joke. I can't believe the difference. I was worried about being top heavy and tippy. Just the opposite. It is a lot more stable to ride. When your your so low on the seat you have little opportunity or ability to compensate like you can when you are up high. It is an amazing difference in machines. Feels like your riding a lot bigger machine now. A lot more fun.

Len voted...... engineer of the year.

What will he come up with first

No engineer just like to play at making things better. Barb I am going to play with a hose that can distribute the heat to where ever my seven year old needs it. IN her coat or down her snow pants. Girls are tough to keep warm. Hopefully going to get something worked out eventually.

Yes engineer...You might know the old saying "necessity is the mother of invention". And a girl that needs to stay warm sound like a necessity to me .

Interesting idea about ducting working heat !

My buddy sits out in the extreme cold sitting near moose kills to shoot wolves, He bought an iditarod snow suit. To make it warmer he sewed in a bunch of snap closed pockets where he can put handwarmers to help keep himself warm. Kidney, lower and upper back etc. I think he put like 8 spots to add heat. Hose is great for heat while riding, but for added assurance the packs help out. I use them in my bunny boots and mitts when its real cold out there.