OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[Yamahaha]

Hi everyone i've been reading this forum for a while now and have joined to get what i know will be reliable and sound advice on buying a good second hand quad. I like the 660 raptor and Banshee and have ridden both but I am at a loss as to which one i would rather have. Due to this forum I have learnt of the great reputation the YFZ450 has but why in the trading post is it listed as automatic?? I have a few questions that i'm sure when answered will not only help me, but other Yamaha enthusiasts aswell:

-I live in Sydney but when looking on the net many quads are in other states, I have found one business in Sydney that inspects quads but they do it as an offshoot to motorcycle inspections. Are there any dedicated businesses that inspect quads, like nrma inspects cars, that operate in the various states so that an interstate buyer can be confident in buying a quad they have not seen, or do most people wait until they find a good buy in their own state? Also if these businesses do not exist what are some good reputable mechanics/dealers (In Sydney) that if i was able to bring the quad to them would be able to give the bike an inspection. Due to my inexperience i would only buy if a qualified mechanic/inspector says it is a decent second hand bike.
-Now what also goes with this question is transportation. Who are the best companies to deal with in the various states and what sort of costs are associated with it?
-Back to the decision, i ultimately want the quad which will not eat my wallet in the long run and if that requires higher maintenance on my part then so be it. I have been told 4 strokes are better because they don't need to be torn down and serviced all the time like a 2 stroke, but then i hear 2 stroke engines are a lot cheaper to replace if they do go and this negates any benefit of trying to find a 4 stroke engine in good condition. I really now have no idea and i think all i need is a general rule of thumb and i should be right.
-I will be riding mainly in bush trails and any open area i can find but may hit the sand in the future. Does this affect what quad i should get?
-Where's the best place to get decent riding gear and where should i be spending my money there, ie helmet spend a lot on then in what order after that.
-If i have asked too many questions where is a trustworthy reputable quad dealer or store i can go too so i can interrogate the bloke behind the counter
-I seem to be in the iffy price range of wanting to spend 5-6K on a bike. It seems so close to the amount needed for a new banshee (seen one advertised at 8K) Am i wasting my time on a 2nd Hand bike and should i go all out and get a new banshee.

All these things are eating at my brain and i want to make the right decision the first time so i do not regret it. Any help would be much appreciated and thank you to anyone that can answer my questions.

[OZ_450]

hi welcome to the forums
with 4 strokes remember ya have oil changes regular ( bout 3 to 5 hrs usually on a 450) but as u said when they do go bang they are alot more expencive to rebuild

alot of diff types of quads to choose from out there but also you need to take into account to what sort of riding ya will be doin?
if you want to race ? and that type of thing

riding gear well any mx riding gear is ok just make sure you get stuff that ya find comfy

hope that helps a little
_________________
black covered in 5.7 powered oversize quad
model vx ss 350 hahaha
enough bass to compensate for lack of skills
Empty Wallet Racing proudly on track for GM Motorsport

[Dingo555]

Quote:

Back to the decision, i ultimately want the quad which will not eat my wallet in the long run

You have chosen the wrong sport there Yamahaha Like anything mechanical the more maintainence you give it the longer it will last..... As Oz450 said the biggest question you need to ask is "what will you use it for" If you have racing in mind you need to put a LOT of thought into it. Actually scratch that no thought at all needed get staight onto a winning bike and buy Suzuki LTR
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10 LTR 555 Dingo
06 LTR 94 Kay
Thanks for all the support and good advice
ATVPRO
Colac Motorcylces
Luke Beechey Motorsports
Proud supporter of Team Ironpot
No skills or good habits, just point it and stab it..!!

[Stock As A Rock]

Welcome. little something to calculate into your decision about 2 strokes, Castrol TTS 4L around 33:1 = 600mL per ride=$13, 20L premium fuel @ 1.30L=$26, It costs me around $39 Per day riding, give a bit more with the way premium is going, , 4 stokes use way less and need no Oil mix but they do need $15 oil change every 3rd 4th ride. but if ya like me and love the sound of the twin 2 stoke and the feeling of that famous powerband then paying a little more to keep her rolling is well worth it in my eyes, but if ya on a tight budget just remember this when deciding....Good Luck...
_________________
"Its Only A Flesh Wound !!!"
_________________

[fossil800R]

Stock As A Rock wrote:

( , 4 stokes use way less and need no Oil mix but they do need $15 oil change every 3rd 4th ride.

You guys are talking 4-stroke race bikes right. This is the oil change schedule straight out of the Raptor Owners Manual. My oil generally only gets changed at service. I check the oil level prior to every ride and check to see if it is dark or contains contaminant but so far have not had to touch it.

The Yamaha service manual (page 3-2) reads:
Oil:
(Whatever comes first)
First month, 20 hours or 200 miles
Month 3, 800 miles or 80 hours
Month 6, 1600 miles or 160 hours
After that every 12 months, 3200 miles or 320 hours

Filter every 6 months
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I'm not suffering from insanity, I'm enjoying it!!!

[ReD HeaderZ]

Yamahaha wrote:

Hi everyone i've been reading this forum for a while now and have joined to get what i know will be reliable and sound advice on buying a good second hand quad. I like the 660 raptor and Banshee and have ridden both but I am at a loss as to which one i would rather have. Due to this forum I have learnt of the great reputation the YFZ450 has but why in the trading post is it listed as automatic?? I have a few questions that i'm sure when answered will not only help me, but other Yamaha enthusiasts aswell: -I live in Sydney but when looking on the net many quads are in other states, I have found one business in Sydney that inspects quads but they do it as an offshoot to motorcycle inspections. Are there any dedicated Ibusinesses that inspect quads, like nrma inspects cars, that operate in the various states so that an interstate buyer can be confident in buying a quad they have not seen, or do most people wait until they find a good buy in their own state? Also if these businesses do not exist what are some good reputable mechanics/dealers (In Sydney) that if i was able to bring the quad to them would be able to give the bike an inspection. Due to my inexperience i would only buy if a qualified mechanic/inspector says it is a decent second hand bike. -Now what also goes with this question is transportation. Who are the best companies to deal with in the various states and what sort of costs are associated with it? -Back to the decision, i ultimately want the quad which will not eat my wallet in the long run and if that requires higher maintenance on my part then so be it. I have been told 4 strokes are better because they don't need to be torn down and serviced all the time like a 2 stroke, but then i hear 2 stroke engines are a lot cheaper to replace if they do go and this negates any benefit of trying to find a 4 stroke engine in good condition. I really now have no idea and i think all i need is a general rule of thumb and i should be right. -I will be riding mainly in bush trails and any open area i can find but may hit the sand in the future. Does this affect what quad i should get? -Where's the best place to get decent riding gear and where should i be spending my money there, ie helmet spend a lot on then in what order after that. -If i have asked too many questions where is a trustworthy reputable quad dealer or store i can go too so i can interrogate the bloke behind the counter -I seem to be in the iffy price range of wanting to spend 5-6K on a bike. It seems so close to the amount needed for a new banshee (seen one advertised at 8K) Am i wasting my time on a 2nd Hand bike and should i go all out and get a new banshee. All these things are eating at my brain and i want to make the right decision the first time so i do not regret it. Any help would be much appreciated and thank you to anyone that can answer my questions.

I have been riding since I was 3-4 years old, last year I bought a Raptor 660, I can say a Banshee is good for flogging, keep up the revs and it will fly and keep on flying, if it had wings it would take off..Get a bit tired and lazy in the rev range and you will not be nice to you....Not good for tight stuff and not real forgiving... I also don't like the shape of the banshee, but it is my personal opinion....
However, the 450 will sit you in the saddle closer to the ground and is set up for racing therefore harder in the saddle and if your a tall guy it will feel small to ride but quick off the mark, much lighter than a raptor 660 and very snappy when you give it a gutful... hence a racing style...
A 660 twin 33mm carbs or 700 (fuel injected) is more of a recreational bike with plenty of power and is very forgiving, good for a long day in the saddle, plenty of power, higher off the ground for clearance and a better package for overall riding IMOA... If you get tired and miss a gear, it has the torque to compensate....not a lot of difference in a drag race...
For trail riding I think a 4 stroke is better for engine braking, hill descents, tight areas... a 450 is punishing on your thumb also with the FCR carb instead of the twin 33's mukini in a raptor 660....even better on a 700

I have owned tonnes of 2 strokes and this is why I bought the 660....as I could not afford the 700, which is a better package for sure.... more stability and the fuel injection makes life better and easier, my mates own them....

I know explosive racing www.explosiveracing.com.au could check out a bike and give you reliable info on what you need to make the quad better and quicker if you wanted that later....or a service etc as very reasonable rates, they deal a lot with Yamaha's Zak himself has a 660... worked off it's head...

Get a helmet, googles, boots, pants, shoulder pads if your trail riding fore sure..
Don't ride it unless you have at least helmet , googles and boots, never...not on a quad...
Kidney belt is perfect for rough terrain and the price is at what you can afford, there is heaps of bargains on ebay for this type of gear....

I think buying one that you can see with your own eyes is always better and around sydney you should find one for a good price that someone has bought and hardly used, also check out the buy and sell area, ebay and bikesales.com.au....

2nd hand bikes are the same as cars.... If you see who owns them and how they are looked after, you can tell if it will last... usually or ask any family friends/mechanics to go with you, or mates who have their own bikes... they should know what to look for...
I bought mine for 4K, looked like it had been looked after...but oil looked like it had been a while before he had changed it.... no smoke, ran well..
I thought worst case I can rebuild the motor if I have a problem and still save on the new bike price...

If it looks rough, it has hard a hard life, self explanatory I guess.. check the oil, plug etc and ask how often the oil gets changed and ask for receipts for purchase/accessories etc....

New bikes will always be better, but much more expensive, but a with piece of mind to go with it....

All up to you now..... hope this helps, not trying to make you go anyway, just what I have seen and found by riding all of them....and riding with other guys on all of these bikes.....

[OZ_450]

Stock As A Rock wrote:

4 stokes use way less and need no Oil mix but they do need $15 oil change every 3rd 4th ride

is that per litre lol i think it costs me around $28 plus the cost of filter per oil change which is $9
_________________
black covered in 5.7 powered oversize quad
model vx ss 350 hahaha
enough bass to compensate for lack of skills
Empty Wallet Racing proudly on track for GM Motorsport

[BRIAN]

OZ_450 wrote:

Stock As A Rock wrote: 4 stokes use way less and need no Oil mix but they do need $15 oil change every 3rd 4th ride is that per litre lol i think it costs me around $28 plus the cost of filter per oil change which is $9

Have had the 08 Raptor for a few mths now, never looked back.....( mind u, it the only atv ive owned lol ). The idea of having a reverse gear ,was a big bonus I thought , and for $300 less than the 07 450. Good luck.
_________________
08 YAMAHA RAPTOR 700......MY FIRST ATV .

[Yamahaha]

Thanks everyone for reponding in particular raptor rider. Also when i spoke about wanting the quad which would not chew out my wallet in the long term i meant to have said which one was going to chew it out the least! I forgot to mention i'm only using the bike for weekend riding so racing is out of the question, for now anyways. I think raptor rider summed it up pretty well and since i am what i consider an average height (just under 6 ft) i don't think i will discount the idea of a yfz450 just yet. I think i still will be affected by the best deal around so if anyone who knows anyone who is selling any 3 of those quads pm me on this thread if it is not in the buy/sell category on this forum. Ohh and Brian jealous as "profanity removed" mate i'll blow out my purchase limit for a 2nd hander and buy it off you for 8K if you change ur mind Don't think you will though......

[ReD HeaderZ]

BRIAN wrote:

OZ_450 wrote: Stock As A Rock wrote: 4 stokes use way less and need no Oil mix but they do need $15 oil change every 3rd 4th ride is that per litre lol i think it costs me around $28 plus the cost of filter per oil change which is $9 Have had the 08 Raptor for a few mths now, never looked back.....( mind u, it the only atv ive owned lol ). The idea of having a reverse gear ,was a big bonus I thought , and for $300 less than the 07 450. Good luck.

Oh yeah and as mentioned here, the reverse gear is great and saves your back and energy throughout the day, my mates with 450's I always laugh when they have to get off and bust there gut to move there's around, while I go flick, click, and am in reverse...it pisses them right off. But all in a days fun !!

Reverse does not come on a Banshee or a 450, but is standard on the 660 and 700...

But if you want to launch into the heavens in jumping, (they are so much easier to launch off the ground), go a 450, if you want a harder ride and better handling go a 450....

But the ground clearance on the 660 and 700 I always find in the bush and on the sand is so important, along with the reverse makes it a better all round bike.... for me anyway as I am 5'7...I hate lifting any quad when i'm in a bad position..especially when I have had a long day !!

Good luck, hope you find your little rocket... I have been offered by heap of guys to buy my bike, I say for 20K you can have it.... I love the rocket I have bought....

Cheers