Slower

 

Hello Fishslab,


Looks like you spend some time looking over the Phoenix, would you mind giving me your thoughts on this machine for a 9 or 10 year old boy/girls. I like getting young kids involved in riding and I'm curious if you think this would be a machine for younger riders to learn on. I keep a pretty tight rein on the younger, inexperianced riders, so its not like their out running amok.

Thanks

 

It will depend of course on the individual, but yes I think 9 and 10 year olds could probably handle it.

 

Momma gave permission to get a Phoenix when I get rid of the Eton and the Yerfdog. Should only take a couple of weeks to get that done I hope. I'm looking forward to adding it to the stable. Hope Rick gets his soon so I can find out what the potential is for when we need it. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]



On a side note. Polaris is raising the MSRP of the Phoenix which will change what the dealers pay which will raise new buyer prices. Need to have a purchase date before March 1st for the lower MSRP.

 

The Phoenix is in the slab's stable. I'll keep ya'll posted on the goods and bads. My dealer is interested in helping me find the go fast goodies that work for it. Kind of a test platform. May mean stuff at their cost. We'll see. Rick, did you get yours yet?

 

I have not gotten one yet . I have passed on two . The dealer has had other buyers lined up and with a supply that is weak I am waiting til a few more get out there before I get to wound up about ripping one apart . There needs to be a few more of machines out there before it makes good business sence to make parts for them . I am keeping an eye on the supply and when they are readily available I will have parts ready .

I have test drove and spent a little time with one . I am ready as soon as the machines are readily available .

We are looking now at the end of February til I pick one up . The date may change , it really suprises me , I have never seen Polaris not able to have a machine readily available .

Rick

 

Just to put this out there. The dealer here has 4 phoenix's with torn up trans in them. Don't know if it is just a bad batch that got shipped out here (Dubai), or what. The tech guy does not speak very good english, so I did not get all the details on the broke trannies. I am not sure if they get built at the same place, but the broke ones have the Maxxis tires, like the Pred, on them and the ones with the Duros, I think they are, seem to be fine. Could just be coincidence.

Thanks Chris

 

So far so good. Had it out for some good times yesterday. Power was definitly getting better the more it broke in. It started to impress me a little on top end. The bottom end continued to be very low powered. With a good run a most hills it went right up. If it did not have a run forget it.

As far as Dubaipolaris concerns. I can see where there may be a problem. The tranny does not lock into gear right away like newer Polarises. It's like the older Trailbosses and Cyclones that shifted under the seat. You have to rock it to get a positive shift into gear. If not it would grind or pop out of gear. Also my daughter a couple of times would try to jam it in back in gear while the motor was still reved up after it popped out. I'll keep my eye on this one in particular.

 

Oops, Sorry for the empty post. First time using a newsgroup.

Anyway,

I bought a Phoenix 200 for my beginner wife (Can't seem to talk her into riding on two wheels). We went out last weekend for the first run with it. It is kinda hard starting and cold blooded, which I can live with (sorta). However it started cutting-out pretty bad when she tried to climb a little incline. Plug inspection showed that it may be running a little fat, a new plug helped, but it still sputteres at higher RPMs, and backfires coming downhill. I'm hoping it's as simple as air/fuel mixture. (Ive never had a plug fouling problem with a four stroke before). Is this a problem anybody else has had right out of the box? Any easy fixes or am I headed back to the dealer?

Thanks

 

I'm sure it's something that needs to be adjusted in the carb. One of our Phoenix's the throttle cable was too tight and the ETC (electronic throttle control) thought the throttle was sticking and would make it cut out. The same bike also backfired quite a bit on deacceleration, but it ALMOST went away once the idle mixture / idle speed was set correctly. We haven't been able to get the backfiring to completely go away on any of our Phoenix's yet, but it's pretty minor with exception of the one mentioned above.

That being said, it's brand new and under warranty. Let the dealer fix it. For three reasons: 1. It's brand new and under warranty. 2. You don't want to do anything that may make the dealer think YOU caused the problem and 3. Any warranty claim is reported to Polaris and if enough consistant reports come up they will realize it's not isolated problems and work on preventing future occurances.

I think Phoenix is great for what it's designed to be: A value-priced entry level machine. It's no motocross or hillshooter, but it is fun. Decent power, decent suspension, basic maintenance and good value. My biggest gripes are lack of positive gear engagement and brakes. The front brakes are incredible, will make it stand up. The rear brakes are as bad as the front brakes are good. If that makes sense....

Compared to a Trail Blazer? I think the Trail Blazer has more power, and better suspension. It also cost more though... And for smaller riders the Phoenix is easier to handle. I see more hop-up potential in the Trail Blazer as well.