2014 Yamaha Phazer XTX Review – Video

Tucked away inside Yamaha’s factory cupboards is a reliable can of chicken noodle soup that cures the common backcountry fever. If you putt around the backcountry, then you are looking for a light, simple, reliable and easy to maneuver crossover snowmobile where speed and power are tamed. And that snowmobile for you is Yamaha’s Phazer XTX.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the Yamaha Phazer MTX

The Phazer XTX, new for this model year, is a fun little crossover snowmobile that will amuse many who have the desire to gently explore backcountry trails and powdery meadows on a snowmobile with a small and quiet motor that burns little fuel.

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Yamaha’s Phazer XTX is essentially a stretched out version of the ubiquitous FX Phazer chassis that was introduced as a lightweight liquid-cooled 500cc twin cylinder four-stroke snowmobile. Over its production years, the Phazer has received reliability updates, but what was designed and built almost a decade ago, remains as is.

At just $8,599, the Phazer XTX comes fully equipped with the following:

2014 Yamaha Phazer XTX Features
Price	$8,599.00; no price change from the previous year’s (2013) MTX
Engine	Two cylinder liquid cooled four-stroke with a displacement of 499cc, and bore and stroke of 77 X 53.6
Fuel Delivery	Two 43mm fuel injectors, one per cylinder
Ignition	Digital with throttle position sensor
Exhaust Valves	Two at rear dump
Clutches	YVRC
Disc Brake	Dual-piston hydraulic with lightweight ventilated disc
Front Suspension	Independent, double wishbone
Tuner Dual-Keel Ski	Yamaha designed and new for 2014
Front Shocks	Gas cell
Rear Shocks	36mm High Pressure Gas
Rear Suspension	ProMountain 144
Track	14 x 144 x 1.5-inch Camoplast Freeride

For those of you keeping score, the difference in lug height between the Phazer MTX (for mountain) versus the crossover XTX is a half-inch; the MTX spins two-inch lugs.

The new Tuner ski with dual keels consisting of a runner for each keel (dual runner ski) prevents the XTX from darting on the trail and assists the XTX in carving out S-turns in deep powder. This is a good ski and we learned firsthand that it does hold the nose steady when on the trail.

From our previous experience on the 2013 MTX, the new 2014 XTX may equal the current MTX in deep snow ability since the XTX spins its 1.5-inch Freeride paddle track quicker than the MTX spins its two-inch mountain track. Since we did not have an XTX and MTX side-to-side to compare during our annual preview of new models this past March 2013 out in West Yellowstone, we therefore surmise this based on our extensive evaluation experience. With that, the 144 track makes the Phazer XTX playful in the powder. The XTX’s 499cc motor can momentarily break the Freeride track loose from powdery snow conditions only to be gathered back up; the driver will always generally have track hook-up.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the Yamaha Viper XTX SE

Due to its lightweight, narrow track and overall vehicle length of 125.7 inches, the Phazer XTX is an agile crossover, but a small crossover nonetheless as compared to a Nytro XTX or a new RS Viper XTX SE. Because the Phazer XTX uses the same ProMountain rear suspension as its more noble siblings, it has Yamaha’s “XTX” crossover feel. Because it has such a small and modest horsepower motor, don’t expect the Phazer XTX to cut up powdery trails and farm fields like the Nytro XTX or Viper XTX, or any other crossover snowmobile. But do expect the Phazer XTX to be delightful for any novice, youth or pleasure rider.

The Phazer XTX comes equipped with electric start and it pops to life with a short twist of the ignition key. Surrounding the rider is a spacious cockpit that provides good wind and snow protection; the windshield rotates with the handlebars. The cockpit, in our opinion, is roomy for such a small crosser. Runningboards are wide, giving the rider room to plant his boots for standup riding or sitting for a trail burn.

Even with about 80 hp, the Yamaha Genesis twin has sufficient torque to carry the sled and its rider. But the sled is best suited for the buck-seventy-five rider or lighter; it is not built to haul heavy riders and their loads up a hill or through a powder bound meadow. Yamaha knows this and the manufacturer does not promote the Phazer XTX as a crossover that is in the same class as its Nytro and Viper XTX. Yet, Yamaha does communicate the Phazer XTX as a simple sweet boondocker, which it is.

We regard the Phazer XTX as a beginner’s boondocker crossover. Will it play in the backcountry? Yes. Yet, the Phazer XTX has limitations due to motor displacement and track width. On the other hand, the Phazer XTX, in its boondocking element, will deliver a ride that allows its driver to enjoy nature’s best winter-time beauty with great satisfaction and minimal operating cost. This is the snowmobile I would start a child on, when teaching them about backcountry riding.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the Yamaha Nytro XTX 1.75

During our ride review time with this Yamaha, we found ourselves enjoying the recess the Phazer XTX gave us. But, one Yamaha test rider did not see Idaho’s mountains as a place to recess from class. For him, it was time to learn from the schoolmaster. So on an early morning, the Yamaha test rider threw out some sliders, spitballs and a few fastballs off a cornice near Island Park, Idaho’s Two Top peak. The little white and gray XTX looked good as it flew past some richly flocked trees. We suspect even ol’ Santa would be proud how the XTX defied gravity.

From a personal perspective as seasoned test riders, we enjoyed our time on the Phazer XTX. On the trails to and from the mountains, we rode it wide-open throttle at all times. It could not keep up with the 600 and 800 two-strokes or the larger four-strokes. If you expect it to hold the same speed as these, you’ll be disappointed.

Yet, if you allow the Phazer XTX to be what it is, then you’ll be pleased; there are no other similar snowmobiles to compare the Phazer XTX against.

We pushed the XTX through some deep powder, but as we learned last year with the MTX, by keeping Phazer XTX within its design frame, we had fun with no difficulties. When taking the XTX into an open meadow filled with fresh powder and allowing it to have its way was a treat as it swayed right and left with every little command.

As we wrote last year about the Phazer MTX (which holds true for the new XTX), you want a Phazer XTX “because you are a simple rider with no complications in your life to unravel, and the only thing you want to prove is that [powder and trail] can be enjoyed with little cost and weight.”

2014 Yamaha Phazer XTX Specs
Engine	Yamaha Genesis 499cc four-stroke twin; throttle body electronic fuel injection with 2x43mm injectors; 2-into-one exhaust under seat side rear exit
Horsepower	80 (claimed)
Drive	Yamaha YXRC drive and driven
Front Suspension	Dual A-arm with high pressure gas shocks; up to 8.7 inches of travel
Rear Suspension	Pro Mountain 144 parallel slide rail with aluminum body 36mm shocks; up to 14.3-inches of travel
Brake	Two-piston hydraulic brake system with lightweight ventilated disc
Ski Stance	42.5 in
Track	15 x 144 x 1.5 Camoplast Freeride
Weight	N/A
Fuel Capacity	7.0 US Gal (Regular fuel)
Features	Digital gauge, push button reverse, electric start, hooked end handlebar, Tuner dual-keel ski
MSRP	US$8,599