After a bunch of research and some help from a few folks here I ended up getting my quad. I bought the 03 Grizzly 660 I mentioned in another post. I thought I’d follow up and offer my thoughts and observations to those that new to this as well.
I was originally looking at a 450ish size machine. I didn’t want anything real big. I also wanted used because I just didn’t want to spend the kind of money it takes for a new one. Besides, I’ve never even ridden one before, it’s just something I’ve always wanted to do and I now feel as if I have the time to do it. I sat on a 550 and it seemed big but the reality for me was it was hard to find what I was looking for. I came across the 03 and it appeared to be well maintained. It was used as a hunting rig and had 3300 miles on it and 600 hours. I rode around on it in the street for maybe 6 or 7 minutes and decided I could handle it. I honestly didn’t see me on 550 and I figured at least this way I would not feel underpowered. As boat owner I know that “2foot-itus” all too well.
Last Saturday I took it out on my maiden voyage up into the hills above the town I live in. I have never ever been on a quad before. There is an OHV area up there and a lot of logging roads. I didn’t expect as much snow as there was but I rode anyway. I’m happy with what I got. Lots of power and really very comfortable. It’s a lot more nimble that I thought it would be once I figured out how to use my body weight. It went pretty much anywhere I pointed it. Some of the snow was getting soft and I did have to get off and push a couple times to get unstuck. Definitely need to respect the power as I almost threw myself off it once. After one short ride I’m hooked and I’ll have the grizz around for a long time.
This machine doesn’t have EPS and one question I had was if that was worth it. I see all of the posts about how great it is. I didn’t think the 660 was hard to steer at all and granted I only rode for it for 3 hours. The guy I bought it from said that when you engage the diff lock you’ll only go in a straight line. I didn’t really find that to be the case but maybe I’m sure the slippery snow helped that. The couple bare spots I was on in full diff lock didn’t seem that bad. I’ve got a fairly large upper body and I really thought it drove easy and I wasn’t very sore then next day like I thought I’d be. I guess I’ll just keep those thoughts and stay away for anything that has EPS.
I don’t have a trailer and so I just hauled it in the back of my f350. I learned I need some better tiedown points end the bed. Running it up and down the tri-fold ramp isn’t much of a big deal. On my truck I back it in so the rear tires are tight against the tool box. Otherwise the brushguard is going to rub on the toolbox. It crawls right up with ease. Being a greenhorn I did buy a helmet to wear. I do plan on trail riding as well as well as touring around the woods and maybe some hunting.
Anyway, there is a perspective from a middle aged dude who is new to this activity. I know one thing, As I was running around and goofing off, I was giggling like a little kid. It’s been a while since I had that much fun and I’m looking forward to getting out and about as the weather gets better.
Thanks to those that offered up some advice.

 

Great to hear you had a good time.I am sure the Grizz will last you a long time but I bet it won't be your last atv.I was into the sport when I was a teenager and then life happened and I didn't have much time for it. I bought my son his first quad when he was 8 and he got me back into it. That was 7 years ago We have since bought 5 atvs it's a great sport to be a part of. I had alot of fun teaching him how to ride. He is 15 now and has taught me how to ride motocross.he is much better and faster than me, it's amazing how good he has got in 6 years Good luck and be safe. ( make sure you get a helmet )

 

Glad you like the Grizz! As to EPS, there are some definite advantages, but it is far from needed. Remember quads were around for 25 years before EPS arrived on the scene. We got along just fine without it and 10s of thousands of units will be sold this year without it as well.

Good job on the helmet. Greenhorn or grizzled vet, we all need to buckle one on before heading out on the trails.

 

My friend has the 03 Grizzly since new,and it always ran great and has more power and speed he will ever need for our trails .
The only thing with it was once it boiled the gas in the gas tank on one very hot day while he was towing a heavy load. Turned out Yamaha had a recall for a "Summer KIT" its free and can be had at anytime even if your ATV is second hand.

You may already have it installed, you can tell by the side plastic side panels at the gas tank. The stock 02-03 panels are not vented while the new improve panels have shark gill looking vents to allows hot air to escape.

I also never rode a ATV that I though was hard to steer, Power steering might be a great feature if I,m still ATVing at 70 years old. LOL