Well, the Wife is ready to sell her Raptor 660 (2003) and wants a new 700 Raptor.

First things first, I'm not getting her a DS. She isn't big enough to lift the back end if she got it stuck and has a bad back as it is.

So, I know there are a few in the DS community that have 700's and I want honest answers.

Anyone have any issues with the new Raptor?

I'ld like to wait for next years model but, we've got this little trip to St. Anthony coming up and the new ones won't be out before then.

Should I have her ride the old 660 (was running rough - cleaned the carbs this weekend - hope that was it.) OR, should I bite the bullet and get her one now before the trip?

I've heard so many stories (and seen them first hand from a buddy) on the 2001 model I'm just real scared of the first model year of the bike. I think even the YFZ had a few little items (decompression plug) that were overlooked and could spoil your day.

Any issues you guys have had on the 700's?

Should I wait or do it now?

 

After seeing a video of a Barker built 700r i would say yes....380lbz and that thing was cooking up those hills beating alot of the 450's....

 

No probs at all..... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] I love mine....

 

Mark, although I dont own one. This last weekend we had a friend up with us all that did. It was completely stock, with paddles. Nothing had been touched. With my light butt on it, it was beating the stage two Ds's. It runs good. Also the power is very linear, so its nice and smooth. It still had a hard seat, and felt a little nose heavy coming down the dunes, but other than that, I was impressed. Bite the bullet and get her one.........................................cuz I want to ride it when I come up,lol!!

 

Mark,

Just gotta ask, if she is a lightweight gal, who doesn't need /want the weight of a DS, why not one of the smaller 450s instead of a bigbore? I guess it just seems more apropriate but then I don't know your situation either.

 

I sold my wifes 2003 660 and bought her a new 700R last fall. It was one of the best moves I ever made. She has so much more confidence now. Everything is better about the 700R and it is worth the money[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

IMHO

 

Good question Blackhawk!

The 450's are more like a two-stroke. . . require you to be in the powerband. Also, she doesn't have a great back and the Raptor's ride is a little better than the YFZ's. After jetting the Raptor (yep, she can do it herself! - that's HOT!) she is DONE with carbs. She tells me once she gets fuel injection I can't call it a Craptor anymore. . . we'll see [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] Anyways, I think the big-bore will better suit her riding style and comfort and the FI is the excuse she is giving me to get her a new one.

Thanks for the report NUT. My Wife is pretty comfortable on her quad but, if your Wife got more confident I'm sure mine would too and a little more confidence would be great for her. She usually leads when the gals go out on rides but, I see a lot more of us riding together. Just got the daughter a 250EX and I can definitely see in a couple years the daughter going on rides with us. . . that'll make life a lot easier. . . no more taking turns going on rides.

 

DuneMe, get the wife a 700R, I've owned the old Raptor and spent some quality time on the 700R, and hands down the 700R is one refined machine. In completely stock form with the pea shooter removed, its as fast or faster than my old 660R, piped, jetted, and Pro-Flow. My wife just upgraded her quad, and I really wanted her to get a 700R, but she is a small person, with a seemingly good back, and she felt much more comfortable with the YFZ's, more nible, and lower to the ground. I've learned a longggg time ago just to get what the wife wants, that way she has no one to blame if things are not as anticipated in decisions like this
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Anyhow, the 700R has very smooth linear power, and did I say LOTS of power, decent suspension, and very neutral upright sitting position, FI, and reverse, can't go wrong.

 

I hear that! EXCEPT. . . if it doesn't work out, regardless of what it is. . . it's still my fault!

 

Does a Raptor 700 have that low end grunt like the 660 Does? I too and fed up with the carb issue on mine. Considering a 700... however seems like there has been no issues with the 700. Any known problems?