Let's face it, guys. Yamaha struck gold. The 660r is the fastest production ATV ever built and has reverse. It has the same handling characteristics as the highly acclaimed 400ex and is priced $500 less than the DS650 and FX400.

What is my reaction? I bought one today and it should be delivered late August. I have no question of Yamaha quality, but if any part should fail, it comes with a 6 month factory warranty.

 

Back to my original point.I am very impressed overall but have concerns regarding stability due to narrow width compared to what is accepted standard given other dimensions.Front to rear measurements,length and wheelbase,are close to preferred standards for tracking,jumping,balance.however it is 2" narrow on width which will make it less stable in turns,slides at moderate to fast speeds,especially when combined with a 2" higher sitting rider plus high mounted radiator.Basic frame geometry. no way around it.Experienced riders (like the guy in their video)will be able to slide and turn machine well but will prefer to have it wider and will get a-arms and axle to do so.My main concern is that newer less experienced riders will not be able to control the machines top heavy feel and end up rolling this quad over and getting hurt.Next thing you know its 1989 all over again with the Gov coming down on us.My point is if any manufacturer is going to make a high performance quad(especially one with this much power)then they should at least keep it on a very stable(well balanced handleing)frame setup.If I do decide to get a raptor the first thing will be +2 a-arms and +4 axle.But for now I will continue to enjoy the superb stock handling of my pumped 00400ex.

 

I think we have a right to be a little upset. If Yamaha worked so long and hard to make the best sport quad available then it should be on par with thier competition dirt bikes which are light, powerful, and have lots of suspension travel. If there wasn't a damn good reason for a competition machine to have that much, then bikes would have 8 or 9 inches and they would turn better. Yes, I like to jump and I do go big. Don't get me wrong, I am no pro level racer, BUT I don't see the raptor going around a track. Yamaha engineers said it will smoke anything out there, they were very optomistic. I am glad there is new interest in this catagory but I don't think this is the machine I want.

 

ridzhard, that is EXACTLY what I'm thinking.

 

I know there have to be lots of people out there with the same feelings. It is tempting to get one because it is a good looking machine and it will be fast. But I will resist temptation and wait until December when all of the manufactures have all of the 2001 models available. Remember Honda only announced its "first wave" of new models, they might just be waiting to unleash something killer. It is a long shot, but Kawasaki should have something new also. If I had to choose between a DS650 and a Rapter, I would put some wider a-arms and axle with some TCS shocks on my wife's Banshee and buy her a Raptor.

 

Okay guys, first people complain that the Bombadier is to big wide tall and heavy. Then people complain about the Raptor being to narrow. What gives, if everyone wants a quad between the two I suggest you go buy a 400EX. Me personally I like a quad that is not to big with a big motor. Hey, I was going to put a KX500 motor in my Tecate-4 (which is sold, tired of tring to find parts). After riding the Tecate the Raptor (just ordered) will seem wide to me. I know what the main problem is, that Yamha and others need to build more of a variety, just like motor cyles. The Raptor to me will be like a Kawasaki ZX-12 street bike, maybee not the best all around but screams, but if you want major handleing get the ZX-6 or 7. To solve everyone issue they need to make a YZ 426 quad with similar handling to the 400ex. Hey, I'll even admit Honda has the best chassis of all.

 

I am not complaining, just a little disappointed. By the way, non counter balanced, open class 2-stroke motors are no fun to ride in a quad chassis. I looked into that. Laeger makes a chassis to do that with a CR500 motor into a 250r style frame. Alen Knowles of CT Racing(very nice guy) told me that they vibrate and crack frames from harmonic vibration. Great hill shooter but that is about it.