What is different about the old 660 Grizzley and the new 700 Griz? Besides the engine obviously.

 

Yamaha moved just about everything lower in the chassis. The shocks attatch to the lower a-arms instead of the upper a-arms. The gas tank is under the seat. And the engine has been laid lower in the frame. All of these changes make for a drastically lower center of gravity, and much improved handling. Fuel injection is also really nice if you ride in the mountains and typically change altitude by several thousand feet each time you ride. Power steering is also a nice improvement.

 

Yamaha also improved water resistance by locating battery, electronic control module, and fuses higher and in front of handlebars; by improving airbox and locating it higher under tank cowling; and by improving and raising tranny intake and exhaust snorkles and air box inlet. Rear brakes now twin hydraulic disc wheel mounted. The 700 is about 1.2" wider to improve stability and is about 1.2" shorter for improved manuverability. I also really like the way the racks come off for the cargo boxes to be mounted.

 

They also redesigned the rear differential. I noticed that because I had constant problems with leaking seal on my diff. on my 05 Grizzly. Also the tires are diferent. Rear brakes.The control display.The seat is shorter and much softer and it has more dry storage too.

 

I was really intrigued by the way they redesigned the rear suspension. The way the angled the rear A arms. That should make a big difference on how the rear suspension works. It comes the closest to what Can-Am does, which in my opinion is the optimum way to set up the rear in an IFS ATV. The Grizz should really handle outstanding with the way they set up the rear arms compared to the old way.

I have talked to a couple of guys around my area who have new 700 grizzlys and they're raving about the handling when it compares to their old machines so they must have done something right. I'm dying to get some seat time. Probably be one of the best handling ATVs out there based on what I've been hearing.

The only gripes I've heard from them have been heat issues, that include boiling gas and some melted wires and some electrical issues have been cropping up. Pretty much first year teething issues from the sound of it though one would have though the EFI leanness and heat issues should have been sorted out pre-release due to the known quantity of the 700 engine and EFI gear.

 

I want one! Some how I've got too get one. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]