Im new to this site and I'm in the woods looking for a new quad "2006 Raptor 700R " . I need some input from people who own the Raptors the 700R.. They say they love to be short shifted is it hard to adapt to the short shifting? I had a Yamaha Banshee and the RPM's was always way up there so I'm use to that.. Will it take me a while to adapt to the short shifting.? I'm a lil confused..So any help would be helpful. Thank's Guys/Girls

 

If thats the most of your worries, than I wouldn't stress over it. No, it wont change much and Yes, it's very easy to get used to. If your coming from a Banshee I would say a better transition from a 2 stroke would be to a YFZ450, they love to be revved and are much more zippy than the Raptor.

 

thank you for your info so i should go with the yzf450.? how are they in the trails and i will be going to glamis a few times out of the year how are they on the dunes? People say that the Raptor 700R is more comfy what do you think? Im bout 6'2 & 225-230... I was just reading about how they say the controls on the bike or more better and the 450 they had a lil far in reach or somthing to that affect.... Just a LiL Confused

 

Let's put it this way...I am 6'3 and 265 and was uncomfortable on an 05 yfz450 and now own a 700. the easiest way to take care of your question is go sit on them. Oh buy the way the 450 was great in the dunes, just a little stiff for my taste.

 

With your size and what you are riding I would strongly suggest the 700R. Plus if you are going to Glamis you may want or need to rejet. That EFI will be real handy not having to rejet. I am the same size you and have an 05 Raptor660 and absolutely love it. The 450 is way too tiny for me. The Raptor is perfect for trail riding. I can't wait to hand mine over to my wife to get the new 700R someday. With all the new features, it will be only better! From what everyone is saying now is that the 700R kicks the yfz450's butt.




If you do decide on the 700R you won't have to buy a jet kit for your new mods, but you will want to buy a power commander to change your fuel mapping so that you get the extra horsepower your looking for. Way way easier then jetting!! I can't fricking wait!

 

I think the 700R will be perfect..i hope...So when they say you have to short shift it.. Since you guys own the 700R... Like what RPM's to you bring it up to b4 you shift it yadda yadda... Im sure i wont have to wurry about it when i get it i guess i will get use to it. Im looking to buy another quad soon after i pay off some bill's and a bike that i dont have that got stolen out of my driveway. Hopefully i will get a good deal on both yamaha products when it's time to get them...700R Raptor & GP1300R Jet Ski so see what happens.. I was reading the 700's arent as tipsy like the 660's use to be i guess thats a +...

 

Its very easy to short shift. Its not notchy at all like the Banshees are.

 

Seriously there is no doubt in my mind that you will love the Raptor. As far as the Raptor being tippy, I have the 660 and have no idea what all the crying is about being tippy. And now they lowered the center of gravity and widened it which makes it even more stable for the 700.

As far as the shifing goes. You are worrying about nothing you will see. The power band is perfect. Shifting fast is sweet on the Raptor, but you can rev the hell out of this big bore engine. I can't wait till my next ride just talking about it.

 

The 700 doesn't kick the YFZ's butt at all, they are pretty dang equal in speed and performance if you ask me. The YFZ's tend to be faster in the quick drags and hillshoots while the 700 tends to have more top speed and a much more torquie, low revving, and smooth powerband. They are much different in power characteristics though with the YFZ's being much more high strung and quick. Since your 6'2" you might feel a bit cramped on the YFZ, but you should really go sit on them both and take them for a good test ride before deciding. The new seat on the '06 YFZ's are very comfy compared to the old ones.
With my 660 I could notice the tippyness a bit, but if you know what you're doing you can easily figure out how to conpensate for it with little body english (but a wider axle is best). After riding the 700 I noticed immeditially that it was much less tippy and handled much better than the old 660's, although the tippy feel was still very slightly noticable. The YFZ's handle a bit better than the 700's and I feel I can go much faster on tight and/or tricky trails due to the lower center of gravity, better frame/susension ergo's, quicker acceleration, and the smaller/lighter design is much easier to throw around and manuever. You absolutly can't beat the ease of use that the Raptor now has though! The upgrades were well thought out, Yamaha did a great job with the R&D on the new Raptor!