Yamaha Raptor 660 or CAN-AM DS 650?

[NorthMNSledder]

So I’m looking at buying a used sport quad to add to the stable. I have narrowed it down to a Yamaha Raptor 660 or CAN-AM DS 650. It’s mainly going to be used for trail riding, running some old logging roads at the cabin and a trip or two a year south to the sand dunes. I have ridden the Raptor before, but not the Can-AM. I like the styling of both and the used prices are very similar also.

Does anybody have experience with both and have any opinions on either model…good or bad?


Thanks for the help!

 

[Blu Du]

i had a raptor when we went to glamis and a buddy had a ds. we both agreed the raptor was a better machine by far. the ds seem to be alot bigger

 

[NorthMNSledder]

i had a raptor when we went to glamis and a buddy had a ds. we both agreed the raptor was a better machine by far. the ds seem to be alot bigger

What made it better? Was it the power or the smaller nimbler size or something else?

Also when you went did you swap the rear tires to paddles and run the stock fronts?

Thanks Blu.

 

[Doo37]

both good quads! ds has a bigger chassie and the bigger guys love em! both run hard and are super reliable, ds is better for loggin roads and trails raptor better for dunes raptor has a short wheel base and wheelies with ease but is not as stable in my opinion

 

[Doo37]

.....to make the ds better in the sand go with a angle pattle design helps with the stearing a ton

 

[Blu Du]

What made it better? Was it the power or the smaller nimbler size or something else?

Also when you went did you swap the rear tires to paddles and run the stock fronts?

Thanks Blu.

yes 9 paddle skat tracks. stock fronts. another buddy had the sand sharks (paddles molded right in the tire)on his raptor and couldn't hang with us for sure. the 660 is a bullet proof motor i believe. i have 3 of them. are you looking at the 700 or 660. yamaha all around is a better machine i believe. the ride on the raptor was better then the ds.

 

[Stuck]

Get an 800 renegade!

 

[NorthMNSledder]

yes 9 paddle skat tracks. stock fronts. another buddy had the sand sharks (paddles molded right in the tire)on his raptor and couldn't hang with us for sure. the 660 is a bullet proof motor i believe. i have 3 of them. are you looking at the 700 or 660. yamaha all around is a better machine i believe. the ride on the raptor was better then the ds.

I'm going 660, maybe an 03-04. They are all selling around $2,500 to $3,000 here in the Minneapolis area.

Get an 800 renegade!

Already have one and it's a sweet ride but way too big to be a true sport quad. Lot's of power and the 4wd is nice for most of my riding but in the dunes it was a pig compared to my brothers Raptor. Even with the extra power it had. For running logging and dirt roads it's a blast, but then again so is my Sportsman.


Thanks for all the thoughts!

 

[Chubbydog]

I'm going 660, maybe an 03-04. They are all selling around $2,500 to $3,000 here in the Minneapolis area.

Be careful, I think it was the 03 that had problems with the reverse on the Yamaha. I've rode both several times, and would take either one.

both good quads! ds has a bigger chassie and the bigger guys love em! both run hard and are super reliable, ds is better for loggin roads and trails raptor better for dunes raptor has a short wheel base and wheelies with ease but is not as stable in my opinion

That pretty much sums it up. The DS is for bigger people, but seemed to handle ok in the dunes. Now the Raptor 700 is in another league. For some reason, that thing just hauls azz. I'm sure the EFI helped it a little. The DS does seemed a little heavier than the 660 IMO. My buddy has no problem jumping on it though.