Hello Everyone,
So I really do not know anything about ATV's, but am purchasing one and need some of your pro advice. I really am just purchasing a sports quad to keep up with the dirt bikes I go riding with about 3 maybe 4 times a year, so minimal investment is key. This has brought me to the 2001 Yamaha Raptor 660R for $2,250 including helmet and ramps. Guy tells me he replaced the read shocks last year, changed the fluids this spring and replaced the battery. He also tells me he has rode it only a few times a year over the past two years since he purchased it, but hasn't taken it out this year. I try to take it for a spin, but since I have never driven a manual ATV before and cannot get it into 1st. After about 5 minutes and probably 15 tries, I finally get it rolling. I rip around the field flipping through the gears. Once satisfied with how it runs, I take it back and as I am downshifting it stalls out again. So far this is all me not knowing how to drive it. Problem comes it when I try to get it running again. The thing won't start or stay running. He comes over and tries too, but cannot either. We finally give up and push it onto the back of the truck. He claims its because it hasn't be run much this year. So while I am sure you all are now laughing at my noobism, I pose the questions:
1. Is that a good price for what I am getting?
2. Is he telling the truth and it just needs a good run to get it going again?
3. Is there anything I should be looking at to see if something is broken?
a) I am bringing a compression tester tomorrow when I go back to check it out. So I will make sure it is where it should be.
4. Should I move on and wait for something else?

Note: I am fully aware I am not going to get much for that range. But considering I am just using it a bit here and there I really just need something that isn't going to be constant grief. Cheers all. Any advice appreciated.

 

As an update I am also looking at a 2006 Polaris Outlaw 500 with IRS for $2,600 and a 2002 BOMBARDIER DS 650 also for $2,600 and finally a 2001 Polaris Scrambler 500 4x4 for also roughly $2,600.

 

The Raptor probably has old gas in it. The carb may need cleaning.

The Outlaw being newer is the best deal IMO if it's in halfway decent shape.