By Corey Brault

The Weapon: 2007 Yamaha Phazer FX

Retail Price: $9,199 MSRP

Online: yamaha-motor.ca

Test Location: Horseshoe Valley Resort, Barrie, Ontario

Meet and Greet

So it’s Wednesday, 6:30 in the morning and little Spark is heading out on his way for his first real bike test. Well, sort of. Actually, my first real bike test isn’t really on a bike, but it’s the closest thing to a bike you’re going to ride in the middle of a Canadian winter.

I rolled into Horseshoe valley around 8:30 a.m., greeted by Yamaha Canada’s Brian Hudgin, and was introduced to the all-new 2007 Yamaha Phazer FX.
This new four-stroke machine, which is sparking up quite a fire in the snowmobile community, is redefining the sport of snowmobiling.

First Impression

After a short meet and greet, we were suited up and ready to ride.  At first glance, it is apparent that the Phazer isn’t your average sled. With a super narrow seat, practically no front hood, and aggressive looking suspension, this thing looks like it means business.

Once I sat on the Phazer FX, I was impressed by how much it resembled the feel of a motocross bike. Now I am definitely ready to see what this Phazer FX can handle!

Track (Snow) Tested

Once I got warmed up and used to the feel of the sled, I couldn’t help but notice a huge hill with some massive drifts along its ridgeline. This looked as good as any obstacle to see what the Phazer could handle. From the first drop, I could tell this day was going to be nothing but fun. The Phazer soaked up the drop with ease, not to mention how nimble it felt in the approach.

Next up was taking the Phazer through a small rhythm section—a couple of big rollers and a few sharp-edged gullies. Pounding through the section (which proved a bit to much for the other models), was just a taste of blood for the FX; it absorbed hard hits better than I expected. I almost thought I was on a full on factory snocross sled!

The FX, with its 500cc four-stroke fuel-injected power plant (which in essence is two YZ250F blocks grafted together) proved to be a solid engine. Throttle response was excellent, as the fuel injection did a fine job feeding the beast.  With a smooth take-off, and great low end-torque, quick decisions were made easily when approaching sharp edged bumps and whoops throughout the trails.  The front end would lighten right up and skim right through the rough stuff.

When we hit the trails, I wasn’t sure whether the FX would live up to its hype. Being used to big bore two-stroke sleds, I must admit I wasn’t sure how it would perform. After a few minutes, I was impressed once again. The Phazer was just right for the trails—light and nimble through corners, and exiting was made easy with its quick reacting, torqued up little motor.

Final Verdict

All this fun has got me thinking. With the winter months posing as a threat to my MX riding time, there has got to be something to keep me going and I think the Phazer might be it. Take it to a nice spot, make a little track—maybe just a few jumps or something to entertain the FX—and any motocrosser could have a great time and feel like it’s not the off-season after all. At an affordable price and incredible value (considering the technology), the Phazer FX is just what we need to forget our “no motocross blues” and get out there in the snow pounding some winter motos!