500$ isn't really a rip off. The parts are worth every penny if you want a IRS. If you don't then you do save your self 500$
Some plus sides to IRS would be more ground clearance and a better ride.
But like they said it's all up to you...but 500$ more isn't very much for IRS.
Ride it before you deem it a ripoff... My raptor is solid axle, and if I'm not careful I can get hung up pretty easy since it only has 4 inches ground clearance, they make a "spyder" kit for it to have IRS and it's $3500.00
Now I'm thinking of just getting a 2nd quad (4x4) for hunting and fishing and for those days I really wanna tear up the mud...

hey 04 red lairiet. your Brute 750 looks nice as hell. How do you like those Bighorns?

 

The "ride" might not be a positive thing. Like hmfic said, some people think the ride of the independent rear suspension is too loose in corners and they don't like the movement of the suspension (has a boat rocking movement to it). And in regards to ground clearance, there is only about a one inch difference between the 650 and the 650i.

 

Your right on that. It can have a boaty feeling in corners. That's why I went with the raptor as far as sport quads, compared to the outlaw wich has IRS. Over bumps and stuff it will be softer. . But some people arn't looking as a sport ute for cornering. Also, per the Kaw page the Ground clearance is 10.1 in on the i, and non i is 7.3 at rear axle so it's well over an inch. It may not be enough to stop you from going places, but can have some effect. Like I said, it's all up to the rider/owner. But 500$ isn't really a big difference in price for the IRS option if that's what you like. And by far is not a "ripoff".
Just ride both and see what you like better.

 

thanks for the input everyone. i'm trying to decide between the Kawasaki Brute Force 650i or the Yamaha Grizzly 660 right now. if anyone else has any preference let me know

 

How come the grizzly 660?
The 700 with efi would be better for power and the efi is smooooooth as could be. On June 12th Yamaha will annouce their 08 line up. So if you wait till after that the 07's will come down a bit on price.
After I went EFI I'll never turn back. I hate re-jetting. But I like to go all over to ride at different elevations so to me it was a good option.

 

the 07 700EFI? i was looking at that since i posted the last part about the 660. that looks like a nice machine. any pros/cons about that machine?

 

Yeah the 07efi. they have that and an 07 660.
I havn't rode it, but that's what I'm looking into getting. My buddy I ride with. His dad just bought it and loves it, has power steering, which can be a big plus in deep mud and ruts and the 700 engine is better than the 660 as far as power and TQ.
If you ride in winter the efi will start a lot easier as well.
My rappy 700efi I started in -25f and my buddy couldn't get his yfz450 even close to started.
I am going to take if for a spin next time I ride with him and see how I like it.
To really get the scoop you should join a yamaha forum, I'm sure they will be able to list all the ups and downs of both.
www.raptorforum.com is a decent one, it's geared towards raptors, but I'm sure plenty of people on there own grizzlys as well. I don't know of any sport ute forums..

 

Here's mine. Just got it about a month ago. This thing rips..




James

 

very nice if you ever upgrade your front shocks and wanna sell your old ones let me know

 

Thanks.

The Bighorns are a good tire. They ride good and pull well in mud. I have about 2000 miles on this set and the edges are just now starting to turn.

 

No problem, I'm looking to maybe get different one's come the fall. I haven't even put this bike through it's paces yet. I'm heading out to Breezewood Proving Grounds in PA the weekend after the 4th of july. Then I'll get to really see what this bike can do.


James

 

After seeing yours and talking to everyone else i have a few questions.

1) how are the racing/sport atvs on gas?

2) do they do well/can they go through mud holes/a lot of mud?

3) are they worth getting compared to a sport ute if i'm doing trail/offroad riding?

 

1. If I fill up my quad and a five gal can it will last all weekend.
2. Depends on how deep the mud is?
3. That is going to depend on what you like better? I would find someone that has what you think you might like a ask if you can take it for a little spin.
If you just want to ride and look at the birds and trees and run some deep mud with no problem,I would say get a 4x4.
If you want to tear it up and throw some dirt around, Get a sport quad.

 

'96 Blaster. Bored over, HC piston, intake, exhaust, reeds, jetted. The thing hauls for a little 2-stroke, but I'm getting rid of it in favor of a YFZ450. Sport quads > Utility quads. They're just a lot more fun in my opinion. If you like going through mud holes at 5 mph with water up to your thighs, then by all means get a 4x4. Sport quads can be setup to do anything a utility can (woods/trails, ect.), but deep mud is where a utility will leave a sport quad in the dust... or I guess mud.

 

what do you ride?