I was thinking about getting my first quad I'm 17 about 200lbs and have ridden a quad a long time ago but it was auto. I have been looking at either a 2001 raptor 660 or a 2000 400 ex. I would be mainly using it for trail riding (mud, dirt, rocks here and there, crossing small cricks) with the occasional ride in snow in the winter. Which one would you recommend why or why not?
Thank you, Steven

 

660 - Tall, tippy feeling IMO. Early models had transmission problems. I'd check into that. Dual carbs <----Can be a HUGE PITA. Will make more power.

400 - Great all around quad. Check for ticking. The timing chains tend to stretch. Can make good power with aftermarket exhaust. Make sure all electronics are working. The wiring harness's under the headlights tended to cause issues. Alot of them tend to burn oil due to the trickiness of filling the oil or vavle seals drying up when sitting.

 

Would i be to big for a 400 or am i fine?

 

Wasn't the 01 raptor the one that had all the tranny problems? Any other year I'd feel comfortable with it, but that one not so much.

The 400 has been about a bullet proof quad as they make. Plus lots of cheap aftermarket upgrades and plenty of parts on places like ebay for that occasional oops.

 

you would be fine. I'm 6'2 250 and it hauled me around no problem. Often I'd take the wife. She's about 5'4 125. (King of Queens Scenarios do happen) She's smoking hot I might add. (Psst. She may read this.) Anyway.. Ya it had power to haul both of us fine as well, although that wasn't just casual easy riding around the house.

 

Would the 400ex be fine in snow?

 

Should be as fine as the 660 would be.

 

Do i need different tires for snow vs mud/dirt?

 

I never went through the hassle. I'm sure it helps. Then again we get lil snow mostly ice and sliding is the fun part for us.

 

2 completely different quads here. if i were you, as my starting quad i would absolutely not get a 660, it will throw you off if you're not careful and you will easily get stuck in snow if you don't have great throttle control. the 400 looks like a better choice and i would go with something more stock. people like to customize their quads to their own needs, which there is nothing wrong with, but everyones wants and needs are different. the 400 will haul you perfectly fine and will motor in the snow as well, and is also small enough for a beginner to whip around. coming from someone who owns a CR500, there is a such thing as too much power.