2007 Yamaha Phazer GT Long-Term Trail Test (part three)
2007 Yamaha Phazer GT Long-Term Trail Test (part one)

From 500 to 1,000 kilometers

Break-in is over
The odometer now reads 500 kilometers. Thanks to a substantial snowfall and the unrelenting trail maintenance work by the dedicated voluntary people at the "Marauders" snowmobile club, we were able to complete the break-in period recommended by Yamaha. For the second part of our long-term trail test, we benefited from near-perfect conditions in the surroundings of Duhamel, Quebec.

Near-perfect conditions allowed us to complete the recommended break-in period.

Small yet high-performing
Despite its small displacement (499 cc), the engine of the Phazer GT never ceased to impress us. We never got tired of its energetic performance and unique sound. In fact, when you exceed 9,000 rpm, the engine sounds so much different that it's almost as if there was suddenly a third cylinder kicking in. Power becomes extremely sharp beyond 10,000 rpm, though it's always backed by a good dose of torque. This perfect combination of power and torque is always delivered progressively and proves to be a great match for this snowmobile.

The Phazer easily reaches top speeds of up to 135 kph; with optimum conditions, it can go even faster. At 135 kph, the engine revs at more than 12,000 rpm, so it's a good thing that it comes from a manufacturer with such a great reputation with regards to reliability.

In our minds, the performance delivered by the new Phazer is somewhere between the 2001 model's and the old 2-stroke, 3-cylinder engine's. With an amazing power-to-weight ratio, sprints from 80 to 120 kph easily stack up against those of any 600-cc, 2-stroke mill. However, at even higher speeds, the Phazer quickly runs out of breath and often tops out at 130 kph when the snow is soft.

Phenomenal fuel economy
The question that most often came back throughout our trail test was: how's the fuel economy? Well, the Phazer exceeds anything else ever produced by snowmobile manufacturers. Despite a 30.8L fuel tank, this sled offers a remarkable range of about 275 kilometers. Aggressive trail riding still resulted in an average of only 10.7 L/100 km. In normal riding conditions, you could easily drop this figure below 10 L/100 km.

Stability 101
Even after hundreds of kilometers, our opinion on cornering stability did not change: with the Phazer, you have to remain careful upon attacking sharp turns, shifting most of your weight toward the inside so as to get the same kind of track-holding capacity as other models with a lower center of gravity. This riding technique requires some experience, meaning that the Phazer is not suited for beginning riders.

The Phazer is not suited for beginners.