That grinding is a common problem on 660s from what I hear. For $1500.00, I would go for an older 400EX. Plenty of power once you get in the tighter stuff, although it may be a bit of a let down on top end. Still, it is a great machine, done right the first time. If you want a little speed, good handling, and rock like reliability for under 2K, nothing else can touch a 400EX.

 

If a 400EX is sure to haul my a$$ around and be comfortable at the same time I'll look into it, my buddy just gave me a heads up on a 2001 that's not too far from here. Guys asking 1650 supposedly.

 

The largest,tallest chassis for a 2wd sport ATV is the 660/700 raptor or Can AM DS650,the 400ex is far from a full size chassis with less power also.

The 660 had a tranny problem but it was only on the first models,2002 I think. People say there on the tippy side but thats because there so tall,which is what your after right. Motor are great,they are in the 660 Grizzly and have been in the XT660 on/off motorcycle in Europe years before Yamaha but them in ATVs and they can go for 30,000 miles.

 

Dang well I'm kind of in a bind, I could get the clean 2001 400EX and have it be ride ready, or get the 02 660 but have to deal with the staring problems and possible tranny problems? Funny because the 660 is actually cheaper than the 400EX. I kinda want the Raptor because its engine but the legendary 400EX is drawing me in too.

 

From what I've read the Raptor tranny issues were for the 2001 model year. 2002 and up should have the stronger transmission. I've also heard that the stock starter one-way is a weak spot in all of the 660 Raptors. That may be the grinding you hear. Going with an aftermarket one is supposed to fix this problem.

 

Clearly you want ride ready. More symptoms = more problems, not just the obvious. Not to be a pest, but the 400EX seemed awfully close in size to the YFZ 450 in the showroom (used section, so no year to year comparison here). Both seemed small to me. Again, just 6'2" and very thin. My King Quad 450 is SO, SO, SO much bigger feeling. Not a sport though. My daughter (a tall-ish 11 year old) is a little frightened by the size of the KQ and wants desperately to get the "her size" machine she saw in the showroom. One was the YFZ and one was a Honda 250 of some sort I think, I didn't take much notice, but she liked it because it "fit." Wasn't a rancher, I remember that.

 

It should feel big it the exact same Full size ATV as the 750 King Quad just with a smaller motor.Its as big as Suzuki makes.http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/en...e2=54169&go=Go

Why would Yamaha not just use the same starter as the 660 grizzly? They have the same motor.
I think your right it was one the first 660 Raptor with the weaker tranny,then Yamaha changed it.

 

I'm still debating but do you think any 2 stoker's would be a decent fit, my neighbor has a banshee and he's 6'1" with it. Never asked him how it was but he's been driving it for a while.

 

Well, it is actually the one way assembly that is a poor design on the 660Raptor, not the actual starting motor itself. I researched it, and in fact, Yamaha does use a completely different one way, starter motor, etc for each machine. Yes, they have the same motor, but not the same tranny or purpose. I believe the Grizz has a pull start backup? The Raptor is electric only, which by itself is enough reason for a different setup.

 

I'm 6-04 and about 278lbs. My Suzuki LTR450 takes me on it just fine, the pegs fit my legs great with no major fatigue from standing up and down on the pegs over the bumps. The gear shift fit my high boot toe perfectly from the factory with no alterations. The only change to the quad structure was I put a thumb throttle extension in place and a re-enforced Moto handle bar after I bent the factory bar with my ribs. The new bar is about 1 inch taller than the factory handlebar and that made all the difference in the world. Other than that I have all the power I could possibly want for desert riding; however, as usual its all a matter of what do you want? what are you willing to spend? My Suzuki LTR450 is an 8K investment before I start adding things onto it, 400.00 for a full set of bead locked racing rims and then another 400.00 for the matched set of "Hole Shot desert racing tires, 400.00+ for the skid plates and front bumper. The wife lovingly calls the local bike shop our new crack house because we never leave the place until we drop at least 200.00 on something.