Anyone into ATV riding?

[imq707s]

In addition to my boating and sportbike hobbys, I'm thinking about getting into ATV's. I went riding with a friend over the weekend....and I'm hooked. I'm thinking about getting a used "sport" type ATV.....but like everything I want to buy, I have to do plenty of research first.

After looking around a little, I found that might be worth looking at. It's an 03' Raptor 660, great shape, original tires , full two brothers exhaust w/ jetting, also has after market bars, shock covers, and some other goodies.

It's advertised for $3200...but like anything else, I'm sure they will go down some.
Anything that I should specifically look for when I go and check it out??

Any reason why I should stay away from the Raptors?

Thanks again for the info.

****UPDATE****

Well...now I'm in a little bit of a dilima. I found another ATV that looks really nice.

If you guys had to choose....what would you get?

1. 2003 Raptor 660. Full Exhaust + jetted, aftermarket front/rear bumpers, after market bars, great shape. $3200

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/5268/raptormw3.th.jpg (http://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=raptormw3.jpg)



2. 2004 Sukuzi Z400, aftermarkket slip-on, aftermarket bars, skidplates, Great shape. $3000

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/1771/z400vw5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Thanks

[cat06]

I'd go with the Raptor, unless I could find a Banshee

[johnt]

don't know much about ATV's but theres a Banshee listed in Joplin, Mo. You might check out Craigslist..Its listed on Craigslist- Tulsa but should be listed in Joplin also..

[jay1]

i personaly dont like the raptor...it does have good power. but its not very agile.to me it seems to have a very high center of gavity.that and it feels like an absolute tank to me.. ive owned .. 3 trx 250r 's 2 banshee's ,one of wich had alot of work to the motor but had stock suspension. a worrier .a 400ex and a quadzilla 500 w/ a trinity motor , roll designe suspension , and a few blasters ... my friends and i ride regurly on the state trails in black river falls wisconsin and ive raced for what seems like ever... i guess it really depends on what type of riding your gunna do...and most of all how aggressive you are.. ive seen just about every sport quad on the track and most of em can be converted for racing , but like anything else, depends on your pocket book...as far as what hot right now ... that new suzuki 450 .. seems to be the best all around race ready quad out right now... and i would think for a sport trail model .. with longgevity the 400 ex is forever. handles well stock, fairly resonable priced ..a friend of mine has a raptor its always ran great. and its pretty fast on pavement.. but in the tight trails its always last no matter who's on it... thats just my oppinion.... jason

[stvhelm]

I have a raptor and love it. when i first rode it I had the impression it was a tank too. It took a while to get used to but after sometime now if I ride some of my friends kfx 450's or a banshee they feel like kids toys. just my .02

http://i26.tinypic.com/mt8l6x.jpg

[jay1]

hey stvhelm love that pic...now i see what yer saying...raptor= ROCK CRAWLER....

[Raceman]

I'm more into ATV's than ATV riding (go figure:rolleyes: ) but in any case, I've got a Banshee with chambers, another one that's pure stock, and a pair of ATC250R Honda 2 strokes, one stock and the other ported and with a chamber. To me, the stock Honda ATC 250R is the most fun by far............ big punch right off idle and good handling.............. but of course they've been out of production so long now that most anything available used is likely to need MAJOR attention. I also have a Yamaha Rhino (side by side) that is about all I ever ride anymore.

I bought a 450 Yamaha motocross style 4 wheeler when they first came out about 4 yrs ago and hated it when I got it home. It didn't seem to have the punch of the Banshee or the 2 Hondas and had tremendous vibration for something I was planning on woods riding, PLUS even though it was fast, the powerband was so flat it just wasn't fun to me. It took it back to the dealer with about 30 minutes total time on it to trade for ANYTHING. I rode a Raptor around on his demo field and didn't like it. It felt top heavy, and also like the swingarm was too short (wanted to wheelie too much and the backend felt loose turning) and the power was mediocre. I REALLY liked the styling of it though, and the smoothness in comparison to the 450, and tried hard to convince myself to buy it and do some minor engine upgrades and put a longer swingarm on it, but didn't. I ended up tradin' for a Grizzly instead and was amazed what a good high perf woods toy it was in spite of it's 4WD, automatic clutch, and lackluster suspension. (the dealer said that the Grizzly was for Hunters that wanted to jump, and I don't hunt, but bought it anyway) When the Rhinos came out I swapped the Grizzly back for one of those and REALLY like it. Polaris Razr is a fun haul ass side by side also, and I may try one of those shortly.

Incidentally, my son who's really into Grizzly's now and has lost all interest in 2 stroke 4 wheelers is helping a friend of his get an ATV website up and running. They have visions of it turning into a Scream and Fly for the dirt. WWW.ATVtorture.com (http://www.ATVtorture.com) There's a forums line at top of page.

[Casey]

My wife races quads and has had 3 Yamaha's, all have had zero problems. For Christmas i bought her a new 08' YFZ 450 to replace her 05' Raptor 660. She likes everything about it better then the Raptor. I'm not saying the Raptor was a bad quad, it's just not the best for racing, they're more for trail riding.

08' YFZ 450

http://cgudgell.smugmug.com/photos/261401705_49Lu5-M.jpg

05' Raptor 660

http://cgudgell.smugmug.com/photos/243779001_eX2Nt-M.jpg

[Raceman]

I've had Yamaha stuff since I was racin' dirtbikes in the 70's, startin' with a '71 250 enduro converted to MX with gyt kit, and the natural evolution through the YZ's and finally into the 4 wheelers. I've always had EXCELLENT luck with the Yamaha stuff, both in the bikes and the 4 wheelers.

As far as the YZF450 I bought I really don't know why I didn't like it, except it didn't have the explosive punch I was used to from the 2 strokes. I'm the ONLY person I ever ran across that didn't like em. At the time I bought mine they were just introduced and REAL hard to get. When I traded my new one back in the guy that bought it was already on the list to get one, so he was appreciative, and told me later he thought it was the best quad he ever owned and thought I was nuts for not likin' it. I guess I just like 2 stokes.

[jay1]

raceman i remember them atc250r's the first ones were free air .. the later ones were liquid cooled.. after they stoped production of the three wheelers .. that same liquid motor went into the trx250r.. 4 wheeler..even after the trx had stoped being made they still dominated the motocross track for what seemed like another 10 years.....either ones you have ... there very cool atc's........jason.....

[1BadAction]

its a damn shame they didnt push the 2-stroke based platform farther. I've been on a modded 440cc banshee a few times (actually back to back with a 660 raptor) and its just downright brutal. theres no comparison.

[fastlane35]

i would go with the raptor their fast fun and have a lot of power even in low gears and are awsome to ride

[Frank G]

I have had a few quads and found the Yamahas to be very dependable. My Banshee was an animal in it's stock form, But got tired after a few years of the 2 Stroke . The Raptor is a great over all performer ,Fast ,handles great. The YZF450 is an out of the box racing machine but no reverse.Tough when trial riding. My choice is the Raptor,but ANY YAMAHA is the better choice.

[Raceman]

raceman i remember them atc250r's the first ones were free air .. the later ones were liquid cooled.. after they stoped production of the three wheelers .. that same liquid motor went into the trx250r.. 4 wheeler..even after the trx had stoped being made they still dominated the motocross track for what seemed like another 10 years.....either ones you have ... there very cool atc's........jason.....

I bought my son an ATC250R 3 wheeler when he was 11 or 12. It was air cooled and got stolen from the garage. I think we replaced it with another air cooled one, and then the first liquid cooled one a year later. He always prefered the 3 wheeler for some reason, and still has the last ATC250R 3 wheeler we ever bought about 20 something years later. It's got a chamber and the jug was ported by somebody that was doing some stuff for the Honda privateers back then, and it's scary fast and peaky, even though still only 250CC's. My 250R 4 wheelers haven't been cranked in probably about 3 years. When Helmut was down here for the boat shoot on the Extreme Marine TV shoot he rode one of em, and it may or may not have been cranked since. The Banshee was out of gas and I didn't have any then............ it's a shame he didn't get to take a shot at it.

[ssent]

Which one to choose? Either one are great trail models. I've ridden both models you have questions about. For me I liked the feel and handling of the suzuki better. The suzuki feels a little more agile in tight woods maneuvering and overall easier to handle. Power is good but not as strong as the raptor, but by no means under powered either. My weight is about 195lb. When it comes to power I liked the raptor better. The raptor does have more power, but to me it seemed to have a high center of gavity compared to the suzuki. It doesn't have the feel of a utility quad but it's not all that easy to throw around cause of the higher center of gravity when compared to the suzuki. The raptor takes more body english when riding aggressively compared to the suzuki. The raptor felt like it would barrel role on me a lot easier when getting crazy on it. If ya like to climb hills the raptor has the power but that higher center of gravity can come into play. As far as the suspension I'd call that about even, but I think the raptor has a little more travel. Unless you do a lotta jumping that shouldn't be an issue. As far as durability goes I'd call that even. The only thing I have heard bad about the suzuki is people bending rear axles from doing drop off jumps from 8 or 9 feet high to the ground. That was on the first and second year models though. The raptors had a lean issue just off idle and would sneeze and blow the carb loose from the intake rubber boot, that was on the early models also. That was corrected with later models. From my experience yamaha parts seem to be a little higher priced, but I haven't had to purchase any suzuki parts recently. Maybe some else could comment on that though. Like other people have said it depends on your riding style. I would try out each one and see what you like. Just remember that riding each model in a straight line down the street won't tell you what you need to know about making a good decision that fits your riding style. If ya like all out power, the raptor has it. If you like easier handling, the suzuki has it. Either one will hurt when it flips over on you. :D

My ride is a honda 400ex.
Good luck with your decision.:)

[Ziemer]

I bought my son an ATC250R 3 wheeler when he was 11 or 12. It was air cooled and got stolen from the garage. I think we replaced it with another air cooled one, and then the first liquid cooled one a year later. He always prefered the 3 wheeler for some reason, and still has the last ATC250R 3 wheeler we ever bought about 20 something years later.

Me too. I rode a 110 as a kid for years when my friends had 125 Quads. In high school I traded up to an 85' 250R (water cooled) and that thing was a lot of fun. :cool: I used to race my buddy in his 5.0 Mustang. Couldn't keep the front tire on the ground. :eek: :D :D I can't get over the prices people are getting for them today. I paid $1000 for mine back in 92 ish with an extra block, and sold it 5 or so years later for the same without the extra block. Only ones nowadays for $1000 are rough, and most go for $2k + :eek: :eek: :eek:

[skydog]

Hey buddy i have had about every ATV out there they are fun but, the last toy i bought is a Polaris Ranger 6X6 boy is this thing fun!! You can have your buddys right there with you doing some crazy stuff!! :) :) I have never like Polaris but this toy is well built very happy with it!
Skydog

[Evolution Marine]

i rode both and i like the suzuki better... but thats just me dont like 4 strokes mutch... i would like to ride one of the 450s though... here's my blaster with a couple of mods....:D

[imq707s]

Well, I ended up getting the Suzuki Z400. I've had it on the trails a few times and it's a blast! Plenty of power for me, and it seems to handle great. I'll agree with you guys that it seems to handle better than the Raptors. I rode my friends Raptor, and it does seem to have a higher center of gravity. As far as power goes, it's not to far off from the Raptor....but the Raptor still will pull away on the straights.

Overall I'm really happy with it. The guy took amazing care of it. It was so clean when I got it.....after having in covered in mud it made me realize how much time the guy must have spend keeping it clean. Now I just need to start investing some more money in gear! After taking in out in the woods a few times.....it really makes me want to have plenty of protection on.

Thanks for all the info guys!



Here are a few pics!

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/3152/1009739syi9.jpg

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/7350/1009738skl9.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4535/1009944slu8.jpg

[Evolution Marine]

good choice and looks like very good deal..have fun.

[Casey]

i would like to ride one of the 450s though... here's my blaster with a couple of mods... Blaster, dude are you gay? maybe i'll bring Amanda's YFZ to one of our races so you can try it out. ;)

[Evolution Marine]

Blaster, dude are you gay? maybe i'll bring Amanda's YFZ to one of our races so you can try it out. ;)
:D why dont you do that... and I'll bring my li gay blaster and we'll see who leaves laughin:p look closely ?????:confused: and watch what u bite on:D ill bet you"ll ride home w/ 1 of those rainbow stickers on yo window:D:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Reaction19]

i have a 1992 banshee ported and polished on avgas with huge carbs and cpi pipes this thing rocks and will drag the rear tires 1-3 gear. on the top side i have been 112on gps and never had a problem i trail ride it and drag race it. But like all things it's for sale.

[jay1]

i never followed this post ... now i wish i would have .... ....:D why dont you do that... and I'll bring my li gay blaster and we'll see who leaves laughin:p look closely ?????:confused: and watch what u bite on:D ill bet you"ll ride home w/ 1 of those rainbow stickers on yo window:D:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
__________________ thats funny......

[skydog]

112 GPS HA HA HA You so funny!!

Skydog

[king gill]

Yea Banshee's tear it up hears my 95, I bought it new in 95,snes a $PIT,but a rocket!!!!!!My wife drives a 95 Blaster!:eek:
http://i34.tinypic.com/xppixk.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/16m39qb.jpg

[skydog]

Yea they run good if they hook up. But my fourstorkes eat them up! ( the 450s)

Skydog P.S. 112 ha ha i might give you 85 with a gear change...

[Raceman]

Sky, you know I ain't one to buy into BS, but I radar'd a guy's Banshee at One O somethin' about 7 or 8 years ago with my Stalker. There've been a bunch of em in the magazines that are heavily modified that have run over a hundred. Mine is pure stock except for Toomey TR6 pipes and rejet and it'd run right with my pure stock YFZ 450 through the gears when I had it. I kept the Banshee and sold the Yamaha. I like those 2 strokes also.;)

[skydog]

Yea they can but VERY VERY VERY BUILT!!ANd the gearing must be NUTS!! ! Gearing is gearing dont care how much HP you got! But yea buddy you said it right you had pipes and could run right with a stock 450. Open the air box, cam,jetting head work and the 450s are NUTS!!

Skydog P.S. I did not mean to say a banshee can not run that fast but they need HUGE mods and to be set up just for that. (top end) When he says he is roasting the tires 1-3 gear that tells me know way he has the gearing for that speed no way.

[Raceman]

In all honesty I never gave the YFZ a fair chance. Keep in mind that I'm old and fragile, so my riding style is probably a LOT different from 99.9% of the people that've bought the YFZ's, and I never ran across anybody else that didn't like em. I probably rode mine a total of 30 mins, and took it back to the dealer within 2 weeks and traded it for a Grizzly (which I really didn't want, but really liked it after I got it home and actually tried some slow speed stuff in the woods). I'd gotten usta' the sudden hit of the 2 strokes and the flat powerband of the YFZ450 just didn't do it form me, and as you pointed out, it didn't have any of the stuff done to it that the dealer recommended, just box stock. It did seem to have way too much engine vibration also, and I didn't like that either. Of all the ATV junk I've accumulated over the years, the old ATV250R Hondas are still my favorites. I've got two of em, one pure stock with the old quiet stock exhaust, and a hot one that a guy that was sponsored by Bill's Pipes had when he was racing here and in Holland that's a lot faster. I like the old stock Honda better than the modified one OR the Banshee just for screwin' around. My son has an old 250R 3 wheeler that's got the Bill's stuff on it too (his port work, plus chamber, reed block, head, etc, etc) that he's had for 25 (since he was 12:eek:) years or more and it's a fun toy to play with two if you don't try to exceed it's limits.;)

[king gill]

So were comparing a 350cc to a 450cc:confused:Lets make it a little more even ....put the 420 kit in and I bet the underdog still takes the cake!!!
I raced enduros and woods,I had no problems competing with the 4 strokes except in the real tight turns that ya cant rev it and dump it!!If it was a high speed sweeping turn no problem.You gotta be an aggressive rider to handle a V TWIN!!!And lets not forget the Banshee has not been changed since 1986 except from electrical and suspension.Theres a reason that was the last 2 stroke to survive!!! That vtwin lacks low end torque but has some crazy top end power,and the RRRRRRRRRRRR,RRRRRRR sounds so much better than the BLAUGHHHHH!!!!!!!:thumbsup:

[skydog]

Twin to a one banger?? Sounds fair,,, ha ha

[king gill]

Arent we talkin CC's:confused:350 to 450 ,Fair???Who the hell on here plays fair:confused:

[king gill]

Oh yea you got 2 motors on your boat, wanna talk about fair!!!I read your post before ya deleated it on that other thread about "coming up and crushing me" MR 2 motors, is that fair????:D:cheers:

[racerx]

Just got back from the dunes awhile back,and the banshees are the king....dollar for dollar a banshee wil. crush any new quad made,probally with less mone...

[jay1]

psssssssttttt... hey king gill.... that aint no ( VTWIN).....AND I GOTTA AD THIS... NOTHING SOUNDS OR FEELS LIKE A MODDED BANSHEE... THEY ARE STRAIT UP BAD TO THE BONE ONCE YA GET THAT LOOPTY LOOPED STOCK EXHAUST OFF THERE....BUT EVEN THEN THE THROTTLE BECOMES AN OFF AND ON SWITCH ... ALL OR NUTHIN YOU NO DANG WELL IF YO CLICK INTO THERD FEATHER THE CLUTCH TO GET IT MOVING.. AND LET THE MOTER LOAD WITH OUT SLIPPIPPING IT YOU AINT GOIN NO WHERE... GET UP PAST 7000 RPM'S AND IT DONT MATTER WHAT GEAR YER IN OR HOW BIG THE LOAD .ITS BAKEIN THE TIRES OFF ... ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO I ENTERED A QUAD DRAG EVENT IN SOUTHERN WISCONSIN .. AT THE TIME I ONLY HAD MY ZILLA W / THE TRINITY MOTOR .. I RAN AGAINST EVERYTHING MADE AT THAT TIME AND THE ZILLA BEAT THE PANTS OFF EVERTHING THERE. 660'S MODDED 400 EXS , BANSHEE,S MODDED BLASTERS THEM DS,S EVEN A CANNONDALE THEY DID THE RUNS SIDE BY SIDE RUN WHAT YA BRUNG.. FINALL RESAULTS WERE AS FOLLOWED....1ST TRINITY ZILLA....2ND 440 BANSHEE... 3RD ALKY BURNIN 250R FOURTRAX...

[king gill]

psssssssttttt... hey king gill....
that aint no ( VTWIN).....AND I GOTTA AD THIS... NOTHING SOUNDS OR FEELS LIKE A MODDED BANSHEE... THEY ARE STRAIT UP BAD TO THE BONE ONCE YA GET THAT LOOPTY LOOPED STOCK EXHAUST OFF THERE....BUT EVEN THEN THE THROTTLE BECOMES AN OFF AND ON SWITCH ... ALL OR NUTHIN YOU NO DANG WELL IF YO CLICK INTO THERD FEATHER THE CLUTCH TO GET IT MOVING.. AND LET THE MOTER LOAD WITH OUT SLIPPIPPING IT YOU AINT GOIN NO WHERE... GET UP PAST 7000 RPM'S AND IT DONT MATTER WHAT GEAR YER IN OR HOW BIG THE LOAD .ITS BAKEIN THE TIRES OFF ... ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO I ENTERED A QUAD DRAG EVENT IN SOUTHERN WISCONSIN .. AT THE TIME I ONLY HAD MY ZILLA W / THE TRINITY MOTOR .. I RAN AGAINST EVERYTHING MADE AT THAT TIME AND THE ZILLA BEAT THE PANTS OFF EVERTHING THERE. 660'S MODDED 400 EXS , BANSHEE,S MODDED BLASTERS THEM DS,S EVEN A CANNONDALE THEY DID THE RUNS SIDE BY SIDE RUN WHAT YA BRUNG.. FINALL RESAULTS WERE AS FOLLOWED....1ST TRINITY ZILLA....2ND 440 BANSHEE... 3RD ALKY BURNIN 250R FOURTRAX...

So true,vTwin:confused:Well at least its a TWIN :DI dont have any idea how that got on there???I would edit it out but people would think your sniffin race gas or something,so ill leave it just cause your a Banshee rider!!!Ya I always thought the trinity Zilla kit would of been AWSOME!!!!!Just couldnt afford its alot of $$$$$!!I bet that would sound like GODZILLA roarin!!!
My buds always called my Banshee Double trouble cause ya had 2 carbs etc.. to work on,but I always felt it was worth it...Banshee's Rock n roll:reddevil:

[skydog]

Yea they are kings in the dunes. My Modded Zilla was pretty mean too.But what crap,trans,vibations,fit and finsh crap.... But the best hands down was my new off the show room floor 1988 250R man what a quad! Had a few 85-86 Tri-Z. WOW where has the time gone!But in the woods the 450 4 strokes are kings! So smooth and fast!

Later Skydog

[skydog]

Oh yea you got 2 motors on your boat, wanna talk about fair!!!I read your post before ya deleated it on that other thread about "coming up and crushing me" MR 2 motors, is that fair????:D:cheers:

One motor is for looks!:thumbsup::cheers::thumbsup:

[skydog]

Oh yea you got 2 motors on your boat, wanna talk about fair!!!I read your post before ya deleated it on that other thread about "coming up and crushing me" MR 2 motors, is that fair????:D:cheers:


You know what 2 vs 1 is pretty fair i am more than two times the size and weight. :thumbsup: Kind of funney a few years back i raced a Allison SS with a 260 on it from about 50 up to about 100 or so he was so happy to run with me?? I thought that was funny he should have killed me if you ask me!! HA HA I would have been pissed if i had the SS and could not pull by my big tank at thoses speeds. :)

Skydog

[venus79]

i'll stick with my banshee. i've rode almost all of them and prefer the banshee.

[Evolution Marine]

:thumbsup:banshee awesome! love 250r's. i started off on blaster and wanted 250r then i found all the mods for the blaster from tengra racing put just about every bolt on and topped off with 240 kit from CT beefed up trans brgs and long rod. it runs with 250r but its a blast to see the face on all the big 4 strokes boys when a blaster smokes um..:D

[dorton]

I've had 400exs,raptor 660s,ds650s,and ridden my brothers banshee, and zillas, and as far a sports go I loved my ds the most. Looked stock, but had lots of stuff, made over 65hp to the tires.
None are as fun as my Rhino 660 though.
http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/53/53/7/4/80/514270480oZNGwc_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1514270480057707121oZNGwc)

[Frank G]

Does any one know where to ride in the NY, Long Island area???

[stvhelm]

http://www.liorv.org/

[2 fast]

As of right now I have a 400EX with stock bore and quite a few other things done to it and I love that bike. I have rode just about all the newer bikes out there and they all have there pros and cons. I decided on the 400EX for its logevity and the price. But my al time favorite bike would have to be a banshee and a honda 250R.