Hey guys looking to get back into the sport and not sure which quad to buy. I have been out of it for a few years and since then the 450's have come out in full force. I am pretty sure i want to stick with Yamaha. I am an aggressive rider that likes to trail ride maybe a Hare Scramble or two. No MX racing. Want to keep the motor stock. Whats some pros and cons of the Raptor 660, Raptor 700 and the 450? Are there years of these quads to stay away from? Are there things to look for on these quads when buying used? I just want some good advice from guys who have ridden these quads....
Thanks in advance.

 

Hey there. Well imo the 450 is better then both. I dont like the 660 not very fast and the frame u might as well ride a blaster. Thats how it feels. The 700 not much faster then the 660, does however handle much better and the frame is close to the same on the 450. they say that the crank bearings go bad on the 04-06 yfz?? Imnot sure, I have a 05 and have not had a bit of trouble from it. I do change the oil about every 6 or 7 rides now that i uses ams oil full synthetic before that i was changing every,3 or 4 rides. I think that you would like the 450 or the 700, you may like the 660 but from personal experiance u have to ride the 660 a lot more on hills and holeshot. Stock for stock 450 on speed 700 for torque. 450 doesnt have reverse the other 2 do so if u want that dont get a 450. if you get a 660 or a 450 imo you will need to jet it even if left stock. My elevation, about 7-800 feet they are too lean from the factory. 450 very very easy to jet. Not sure bout the 660. i found my 450 this past summer for 3450 dollars and couldnt turn it down. I was ded set on a honda 450 till i rode my yamaha and all i had to do was hit 2nd gear on it and had made my mind up, and both were stock at the time. I hope this helps lol. GOOD LUCK

 

Stick with the 700 if you are not raceing you don't need a 450. The efi on the 700 makes it a more every day/trail bike not to take away from the 450 but the 700r
is more comfortable than a 450 for all day rides. All year 700's are good quads!

 

I'd say the 700. If you're on a tight budget the 660 is a good choice, but the 700 is much better than the 660. The 450 handles better but has a hard seat.

 

I agree with guys above mostly. I would stay a way from the 660. It's not that strong and it just feels short, narrow and tall.

The 450 is designed for MX. I have an '04 and ride no MX. They are really fun, are great hill shooters and like to rev. I have heard complaints with the seat but, I don't have any problems and not sure what exactly the deal there is. I love my yfz450 do death. The thing rides awesome and takes high speed turns like none other.

The 700 has efi which is a plus and will make power down low. That seems to be the biggest difference between it and the 450 IMO. The 450 wants to rev and the 700 feels fine at low rpm's. The 700 (to me) feels like the center of gravity is a little higher than the 450 but, not much.

I think either will fit you the way your describing your riding. Sit on each and feel her out. And remember that biggest difference is the 450 wants to go ***** to the wall all the time and the 700 don't much care either way.

 

If you decide on the 660 stay away from the 2001 they have allot of problems with second gear going out and it takes out second and fourth gear and the shifting fork.

 

Thanks guys for the information. What quad would be best for tight woods??

 

Yikes. 700's get hot quick and 450's get hot quicker. Tight, slow riding is not for the 450 it's to high geared. 700 can handle it a little better but not good. I know you said yammy but the air cooled Honda 400ex is the trail king if ya ask me.

 

I RIDE MINE IN THE TIGHT WOODS OF COLORADO AND IT DOES JUST FINE GOING 2MPH OR 65MPH IT DONT CARE EITHER WAY.

 

i live in the mountains in kentucky and very tight trails. i live 2 minutes away from big rock atv park here in maysville kentucky. if you can ride a quad pretty well, then i would say the 450 not to talk down on the 700 but. On hills and things i just love the yfz i saw one of my good friends on his 700, nice bike very nice actually. Till he thought he could out climb my 450, there is a hill at big rock called the widow maker and if anyone has been there knows that its a very very steep and tricky hill. You have about 10 feet to actually get speed. Well he makes it about half way up the hill and end over end she comes. He is a very good rider we got our first quads together. He said it just came up and i couldnt handle it anymore so. Well i tried it just after he did same gear 2nd every thing the same only i got to where he was and i jumped up the hill actually the whole quad came off the ground and the back was up so high that it was almost like not climbing a hill at all. SO not saying the 700s are bad at all and they are very cumffy. its like a big bore harley with tuns of torque and cumffy then the 450s like a liter bike just waiting to be held open. so its all in what u will like