Welcome from Colorado.
Get a 700.
Get a 700.
Can’t decide between a 450 or 700. Help please.
I live in the PNW and plan on using my quad for mostly trail riding and exploring on Jeep trails or forest roads. I have been looking for a reasonably priced 450 and I’m having trouble finding one. Lots of 700s for sale though. I see people say that the 700 is a much bigger machine so I’d avoided them.
I happened to look at the dimensions on Yamaha’s website and they aren’t really much different at all.
Does anyone here have one of each? Can someone explain why everyone recommends the smaller 450 for trails when it would appear that the 700 is virtually the same size? Is it the turning radius or am I missing something else?
Thanks for any input or advice. Pictures of the two side by side would be awesome as well!
I happened to look at the dimensions on Yamaha’s website and they aren’t really much different at all.
Does anyone here have one of each? Can someone explain why everyone recommends the smaller 450 for trails when it would appear that the 700 is virtually the same size? Is it the turning radius or am I missing something else?
Thanks for any input or advice. Pictures of the two side by side would be awesome as well!
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Welcome to GC from Maine. If you can find a 700 in the right condition for the right price, go for it. They are pretty much the best trail riding machine out there. Very little difference in size physically from the 450, much more torque and power for those time when you want or need it. Virtually unlimited availability in parts for upgrading or modifying from stock if you want to. Starting in 2010 Yamaha had rectified a couple issues that some of the '07 to '09 had, so 2010 up is a good range to look for. Have fun!I live in the PNW and plan on using my quad for mostly trail riding and exploring on Jeep trails or forest roads. I have been looking for a reasonably priced 450 and I’m having trouble finding one. Lots of 700s for sale though. I see people say that the 700 is a much bigger machine so I’d avoided them.
I happened to look at the dimensions on Yamaha’s website and they aren’t really much different at all.
Does anyone here have one of each? Can someone explain why everyone recommends the smaller 450 for trails when it would appear that the 700 is virtually the same size? Is it the turning radius or am I missing something else?
Thanks for any input or advice. Pictures of the two side by side would be awesome as well!
I have a 660, turning is a little shorter but I will take that for the power difference any day.
I have a 2016 700 and think the power difference is the reason to get the 700. Trail riding is mostly what I do and it does really good
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Welcome to GC I had an 03 Kodiak 450 for awhile and it is noticeably smaller and turns tighter also. There is so many reasons to buy a 700 for trail riding that it is too long to list. I never compared the specs of the two but I remember when I got my 700 it felt much bigger when sitting on it. I'm not sure the difference between the Kodiak 450 and the Grizzly 450.
"There's no replacement for displacement"
Seriously, I have experienced this. More than a few people will come up with hogwash to influence to into a decision that makes THEM happy because they are envious of your ability and willingness to get something better than they have. I can't tell you how many clowns I had get almost offended when I was talking to them about getting a 700 Grizz before I got it. Get the 700, you will love it.
700
No one ever says, “I wish I would’ve got the one with less power”.
It’s a great machine. You will love it.
No one ever says, “I wish I would’ve got the one with less power”.
It’s a great machine. You will love it.
What issues did the older 700s have that the 2010+ resolved? I’ve got a line on a very reasonably priced ‘07 700...
The '07 and '08 did not have a cooling line to the stator( generator). Many go thousands of miles with no problem. But many have experienced pre-mature stator burnout especially when idled a lot with a high amp draw, like when winching, or a lot of slow crawling in higher temperatures. Many guys run their oil level about 1/8" high on the dip stick which allows the oil to splash up onto the stator better and keep it cool. Yamaha re-designed the stator cover for the 2009 model year to fix the problem. I am not as familiar with the other issue, but I think there is some kind of vent in the power steering motor that can let water get in under the right conditions which can cause corrosion and failure. I never run mine in deep water so I think mine will be fine. Apparently Yamaha solved that issue for the 2010 model year. The upgrade to the stator can be done by anyone with average mechanical skill for about $400 including a new heavy duty stator. I don't know about the power steering fix, but I do not hear or see much about that on this forum, so I think it is not a very common problem. The 07 Grizzly is a fine machine, and if you can leverage this knowledge to get an even better price then do some upgrades yourself, you still win. Or, just keep your search to a newer model.What issues did the older 700s have that the 2010+ resolved? I’ve got a line on a very reasonably priced ‘07 700...
I’ve had a 450. Nothing wrong with it at all. I just wanted more which is what I suspect will happen to you. Many before you have found themselves in this boat. Usually it’s a 550 that leads to a 700. Guys show up here asking how to get more out of their 550 and the answer is always the same- Sell it and get a 700. Not sure who told you otherwise but 700 is a great trail machine! You won’t be disappointed. And power steering is worth every damn penny IMO.
I’d recommend 2014+ models (if you can swing it) for the reasons Maine cited and in 2014 the Griz got a wider stock stance. I believe the PS was improved in 14 as well.
I’d recommend 2014+ models (if you can swing it) for the reasons Maine cited and in 2014 the Griz got a wider stock stance. I believe the PS was improved in 14 as well.
I think my main concern was the physical size of a 700 as well as turning radius for sharper turns.
My friend recent got a steal of a deal in a 2005 Rancher 350 which is even smaller than a Grizzly 450 and he took it up some single track motorcycle type trails and he said it wasn’t an issue but a big machine might have a lot of trouble. I just don’t want to end up with something that can’t go where I want to go. The more I think on it the more I realize that it would mostly be used on Jeep or Toyota style 4x4 trails and the 700 would obviously fit fine.
We don’t have much mud here, even though everyone thinks all it does it rain. The trails are mostly technical trails with roots, rocks, off camber situations, switchbacks, etc.
My friend recent got a steal of a deal in a 2005 Rancher 350 which is even smaller than a Grizzly 450 and he took it up some single track motorcycle type trails and he said it wasn’t an issue but a big machine might have a lot of trouble. I just don’t want to end up with something that can’t go where I want to go. The more I think on it the more I realize that it would mostly be used on Jeep or Toyota style 4x4 trails and the 700 would obviously fit fine.
We don’t have much mud here, even though everyone thinks all it does it rain. The trails are mostly technical trails with roots, rocks, off camber situations, switchbacks, etc.
[Better] sealed power steering unit, changed mid year 2009. Older model would leak (through vent) and rust out resulting in no power steering, it would still steer like a regular quad, though.
-Opie
-Opie
Lace up your boots and walk
I have to say, I've turned around more than once and a spill or two, or three will give you more respect for the machine that is able to do more than you are able to control.
Get a 700, be safe and don't be stupid.
I'd go with the 700 everyday of the week. Just know what you are comfortable riding and go for it, and if you don't know what it is, then lace up your boots and make sure you can make it or turn around and don't get hurt.I think my main concern was the physical size of a 700 as well as turning radius for sharper turns.
My friend recent got a steal of a deal in a 2005 Rancher 350 which is even smaller than a Grizzly 450 and he took it up some single track motorcycle type trails and he said it wasn’t an issue but a big machine might have a lot of trouble. just don’t want to end up with something that can’t go where I want to go. The more I think on it the more I realize that it would mostly be used on Jeep or Toyota style 4x4 trails and the 700 would obviously fit fine.
We don’t have much mud here, even though everyone thinks all it does it rain. The trails are mostly technical trails with roots, rocks, off camber situations, switchbacks, etc.
I have to say, I've turned around more than once and a spill or two, or three will give you more respect for the machine that is able to do more than you are able to control.
Get a 700, be safe and don't be stupid.
hey @OpDawg, do you know how big of a deal it is to change out the '08 eps unit to the sealed unit? and cost$? I might do that at some point if it's not another $1000.
hey @OpDawg, do you know how big of a deal it is to change out the '08 eps unit to the sealed unit? and cost$? I might do that at some point if it's not another $1000.
I don’t know cost to change it... For me it was ~$5k, cause I traded it in on a ‘14 back then!
A buddy I ride with did the swap, he said it was a chore fitting it in there - but doable.
-Opie
When I was having trouble with my EPS I considered changing to the new vent less motor and it seemed like it was going to cost like $900!! I didn't shop around much because I found the thread about putting WD-40 or the like down the tube to lube the gears. I've been doing that now for a couple of years and just consider it part of my routine maintenance. My EPS works awesome as long as I keep it lubed up.hey @OpDawg, do you know how big of a deal it is to change out the '08 eps unit to the sealed unit? and cost$? I might do that at some point if it's not another $1000.
My experience on when my EPS went out it didn't steer like a regular quad. It was like I was turning against the electric motor or something like when a car with PS goes out. My buddies Grizzly don't have PS and steers way more easier than mine did when it went out.[Better] sealed power steering unit, changed mid year 2009. Older model would leak (through vent) and rust out resulting in no power steering, it would still steer like a regular quad, though.
-Opie
@jvictory1974, thanks for the tip. Mine is working fine, but I am going to find that vent and keep it lubed. I like to do preventative maintenance much better than breaking down on the trail.When I was having trouble with my EPS I considered changing to the new vent less motor and it seemed like it was going to cost like $900!! I didn't shop around much because I found the thread about putting WD-40 or the like down the tube to lube the gears. I've been doing that now for a couple of years and just consider it part of my routine maintenance. My EPS works awesome as long as I keep it lubed up.
1 - 20 of 49 Posts
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