i am looking to get a new for me but used quad i have it narrowed down to the grizzley 660, sportsman 500 or 700. i will mostly be doing work around the farm, hunting and fishing. My 15 year old son will also be driving it. Are there any things or years that i should avoid. what are your likes and dislikes.

 

Both would probably do just fine. On the Grizz's, some '02/03's had overheating problems so Yamaha issued a kit that replaced the side panels with vented ones(2004+ come standard with this). Also 2003's were supposed to have the weakest axles. Any 2004+ 660 should be fine, but the older ones could be good too as long as you watch out and the quad was treated right.

A buddy of mine uses a 2002 Grizz 660 for moose/deer hunting every year and has never had any problems from it.

A Sportsman probably would be better for work.

Another thing with some Grizz 660's was sputtering when entering water. It usually was one of these: a jetting issue, steam from water hitting hot engine and entering airbox and choking out engine, or water hitting the electrical difflock connections and 'fooling' the quad into thinking it was in difflock, hence the rpm sputtering. Put die-electric grease on all electrical connections with a Grizz 660.

Some 660's also seemed to use more oil than normal, also sometimes needed valve adjustments a bit more frequently. Also the rear axle design wasn't the greatest, a circlip holds in the axle to the diff, and the circlip wears out sometimes. Gorilla Axles has a better designed circlip to help prevent any problems.

Don't let any of this deter you from a Grizz, Sportsmans all have their own problems, I just know of some Grizz issues. My buddies hunting partner has used his 2002 Grizz 660 with NO problems whatsover that I know of. Some ppl still consider the 660 to be one of the best/tough overall big bores ever made.

Someone else should chime in with any Sportsman issues to watch out for.

-Krait

 

It all depends on how lucky you are. Both quads could be very reliable but then again you could end up with two lemons. I have a friend who had a Griz 660 that was afraid of water but his buddy could take his up to the gas cap without issue. He since about a new 700 and it is water tight no matter how deep he goes but then others with new 700's say they have water problems. I am not much of a mechanically inclined person but my family ATV mechanic said that if we get another Polaris in the family we should take it somewhere else for work because they are a pain to get to anything on. I would test drive each one and see which fits you better. Good luck.

 

Well as far as which ones better it's like asking which ones better between a Ford or a Chevy everyone will have their own opinion and that will varry depending on what your using it for.

I have a 02 660 that I love and I will most likely be buying another when I'm done bolting everything I can I think of on this one. I've never had a Polaris but the guys I know that do seem to like them.

My only advise is PLEASE PLEASE make your son wear a helmet the 660's a big bike. I too have a 15 year old and the second time he wrecked my bike he spent a weekend in the hospital with a preety serious head injury and some short term memory loss. Just last night he was pissed because I made him get his helmet to move his 400 from the bottom of the driveway into the garage but I'm not taking any more chances.

Good Luck

 

My only advise is PLEASE PLEASE make your son wear a helmet the 660's a big bike. I too have a 15 year old and the second time he wrecked my bike he spent a weekend in the hospital with a preety serious head injury and some short term memory loss. Just last night he was pissed because I made him get his helmet to move his 400 from the bottom of the driveway into the garage but I'm not taking any more chances.

Man that is the smartest thing any one has said in a long time. I cant agree more with you. My kids are only 6 & 8 but they dont even look at the dirtbike or fourwheeler without their helmets.

 

I don't have any experience with a grizz but I do with a polaris. mine was an '03 700. they did have a recall on the waterpump (just look for a silver backing plate on it, then the recall was done). I never had any trouble out of mine and it would take anything I could dish out. it is a true workhorse. I pulled my uncle for 3 miles through some rough trails and it never hesitated at all. as for your son riding one, it is a real heavy bike. around 800lbs and will do a wheelie with no problem. mine had 1700 miles with 270 hours on it when I sold it and the guy who has it now has since added another 300 miles to it.

 

youll prolly be happier with the 660 as for they have well known reliability and parts are mostly cheaper than polaris, i love polaris, there like the cadilacs of atvs but when it comes to replacing parts it gets pricey. some polaris bike will last forever im sure but it would be a better chance that the 660 would be more reliable than a polaris

 

Yea go with the yamaha the reliability on all the polaris quads iv encountered are absolutly horrible thare always in the shop