brute force 650 reliability

idahotruckman · January 10th, 2010, 03:10 AM

I currently ride a 2007 grizzly 350 4x4. Mostly forest trails and through a few streams. For an old guy of 56 I ride pretty agressively. I noticed my back hurting lately so I am looking at atvs with independent suspension. A bit more power wouldn't hurt either. I am real interested in the Yamaha Grizzly 550 EPS, but the price seems more than I want to pay.

I started looking on the net and discovered the brute force 650i. Looks like a great quad, but I wanted to ask you experts some questions:
1. How hard is it to steer the 650i? I realize it is non-power steering and may not have the ease of the grizzly in handling, but is the steering light enough for tight trails? How tiring is it to ride long distances? How is the handling in general? My little grizzly is very easy to steer, but my arms can get somewhat tired riding fast through rock trails.
2. On occasion I am on off-camber trails (which I hate) on the side of a mountain. Does the 650i do ok on these types of trails if I take it slow and easy?
3. I read that the original tires are only two ply and should be replaced. Can I just replace the tires and still not make the steering any harder?
4. I take care of my machines. With regular maintenance, how is the reliability of the 650i?
5. Do the brute force 650i's have shift on the fly from 2wd to 4wd or do I need to be stopped to engage or disengage 4 wd?
6. I can get a left over brand new 08 for about $6500. Is that a fair price?
7. How far can I travel on a tank of gas taking it fairly easy?
8. I know the brute force has lots of power. Is that a negative feature climbing steep hills? I don't want the machine to flip back on me - not really into wheelies.
9. Any ex grizzly owners want to chime in with their opinions

Thanks for answering my questions. This is a great forum
Idahotruckman

atvnut · January 10th, 2010, 04:26 AM

i have an 06 750i brute. i just bought an 09 700 grizzly efi, eps. as far as the power steering its great and you dont realize how much better it is til you compare side by side. the brute has got the power advantage. i am close to the same age as you and any of the 4 mentioned has all the power ill ever need the indepen dent suspesion is a lot better once you get use to it . but the best bv far is the EFI which isn't available on the brute 650. the brute 750 has no power steering yet.in my area the 700 grizz and the 550 are so close to same price you would be silly to get the 550. i have had several different YAMAHA & KAWASAKI and you want go wrong with either.

IMO ( its not worth much)
#1 700 GRIZZ WITH EPS & EFI
#2 750I BRUTE WITH EFI
#3 550 GRIZZ WITH EFI & EPS
#4 650BRUTE

THE DEALER IS VERY IMPOTANT. THESE ARE 4 OF THE BEST QUADS ON THE MARKET AND YOU WONT BE SORRY WITH ANY OF THEM

tonyride · January 10th, 2010, 09:32 AM

hi there I own both grizzly 700 eps with elkas .Also have the a 05 brute force 750.The brute does not have the stock body role the grizz had when stock. Or the front end dive .Note im only 167 pounds.I do have after market wheels with xtrs.which is a must do.I love the power of the brute. it rides like a mean old truck from the old days.The grizz is a caddy do to the elkas. Im up in the air if i want to put elka on the brute.Cause the stock brute just a jet kit and filter in it feels like a tank.[a mean machine]As far as hills you will love it .Its easer with a big motor tires spin.I also wonderg anybody put entry leval elkas on the brute how are they?ride hight etc.They did make the griz handle like night and day. lost 2 inch in height though.

skip nay · January 10th, 2010, 09:37 AM

If I were you I would try and take the different ones for rides and see what you think. I was really surprised you didn't ask about a honda since most older guys around here thats all they want and have. On a full tank of gas you should get between 40-60 hard miles.... EPS I'm sure is nice but its something that can go wrong if your going about 45 and hit a rock or tree really hard instead of just breaking a wheel and tierod. You can keep the front end down on the Brutes its not like it wheelies just because you give it a little gas. I would also change the tires on any machine you get...

hayneser75 · January 10th, 2010, 10:30 AM

I have an '08 650i and LOVE it! Wish I woulda got efi but no regrets. Lots of power and handles great. Do yourself a favour and work out a deal with your dealer and get a tire upgrade. Stocks are garbage on both brutes and grizzlys. I find the Yamaha lines to be mostly over priced. Brutes are definitely best bang for your buck. My biggest complaint about my brute was the stalling when splashing in water or mud. I picked up a mud lid which has worked out extremely well.

I've rode grizzlies and found them to be a little tippy but could have been the owners setup. I don't do much hill climbing but power won't be an issue. you will love the extra 100 cc and twin will be a big difference. On top of that it comes with a built in growl!

GEARSLAYER · January 10th, 2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idahotruckman

I currently ride a 2007 grizzly 350 4x4. Mostly forest trails and through a few streams. For an old guy of 56 I ride pretty agressively. I noticed my back hurting lately so I am looking at atvs with independent suspension. A bit more power wouldn't hurt either. I am real interested in the Yamaha Grizzly 550 EPS, but the price seems more than I want to pay.

First of all...WELCOME! I have experience on both of these machines. I have a lot of time on the Grizzly 700 (for the little extra...700 over the 550). I built this site and also Grizzlycentral.

Lets try and answer your questions...

Quote:

Originally Posted by idahotruckman

1. How hard is it to steer the 650i? I realize it is non-power steering and may not have the ease of the grizzly in handling, but is the steering light enough for tight trails? How tiring is it to ride long distances? How is the handling in general? My little grizzly is very easy to steer, but my arms can get somewhat tired riding fast through rock trails.

The Brute will not be as easy to steer as your little Grizz. A set of Rox risers and decent bars will make either much better to steer...especially the Brute. Handling in general with stock tires is okay on both. The stock tires have flex but the Grizzly's tires have more. I would replace them on either machines with some 14" radials. I personally believe 14's are a MUST on a Grizzly if you ride in the winter with nice rims. Either machine will tire you if you ride real hard. The Brute will first. Rocks will tire anybody out. The Grizzly has more spongey bottom end power than the Brutes more instant on power. Either way...rocks are doable on both machines. I like the Grizzly's locker better all the way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by idahotruckman

2. On occasion I am on off-camber trails (which I hate) on the side of a mountain. Does the 650i do ok on these types of trails if I take it slow and easy?

Yes it does. A set f 1" spacers on the back will greatly increase stability on either machine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by idahotruckman

3. I read that the original tires are only two ply and should be replaced. Can I just replace the tires and still not make the steering any harder?

Answered above and not really.

Quote:

Originally Posted by idahotruckman

4. I take care of my machines. With regular maintenance, how is the reliability of the 650i?

Decent. You'll smoke a belt before you break an axle usually. The Grizz is the other way around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by idahotruckman

5. Do the brute force 650i's have shift on the fly from 2wd to 4wd or do I need to be stopped to engage or disengage 4 wd?

Yes and no.

Quote:

Originally Posted by idahotruckman

6. I can get a left over brand new 08 for about $6500. Is that a fair price?

Not sure. Haven't shopped around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by idahotruckman

7. How far can I travel on a tank of gas taking it fairly easy?

Not sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by idahotruckman

8. I know the brute force has lots of power. Is that a negative feature climbing steep hills? I don't want the machine to flip back on me - not really into wheelies.

Either machine needs it's respect on hills. I would say about the same. The Grizz's seat hight is higher so that equals out the Brute's snappiness.

Quote:

Originally Posted by idahotruckman

9. Any ex grizzly owners want to chime in with their opinions

Thanks for answering my questions. This is a great forum
Idahotruckman

I've done a lot with the Grizzlys. I built one to be fast and one for mudding. I love them and still call them the best all around machine. But...the adrenaline factor of the v-twin is awesome. As said above...ride them both in more than a parking lot. I am done with singles personally because I am competitive in nature and hate losing in drags. For what it's worth...I'd get the 750.

idahotruckman · January 10th, 2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skip nay

If I were you I would try and take the different ones for rides and see what you think. I was really surprised you didn't ask about a honda since most older guys around here thats all they want and have. On a full tank of gas you should get between 40-60 hard miles.... EPS I'm sure is nice but its something that can go wrong if your going about 45 and hit a rock or tree really hard instead of just breaking a wheel and tierod. You can keep the front end down on the Brutes its not like it wheelies just because you give it a little gas. I would also change the tires on any machine you get...

Just out of curiosity why do you believe most older guys like Honda's? Should I be looking that direction? I like a locking differential and did not think Honda offered them. Honda's are probably bullet proof but I find them rather uninspiring. However maybe I should give them a second look??

NMKAWIERIDER · January 10th, 2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idahotruckman

Just out of curiosity why do you believe most older guys like Honda's? Should I be looking that direction? I like a locking differential and did not think Honda offered them. Honda's are probably bullet proof but I find them rather uninspiring. However maybe I should give them a second look??

Naa I wouldn't. I ride with some guys on Hondas and although they are nice and smooth, they can't even start to climb what I do or cross what I do. Mind you they are stock and no mods..but... And hell...I'm 54 tomorrow...and I'm still looking for mo-power!!

I did put a stabilizer on my steering to take the stress off the arms and shoulders on long rides, but I would have done that even if I was 20. That's a great mod by the way. And the Precesion is bullet proof.

skip nay · January 10th, 2010, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idahotruckman

Just out of curiosity why do you believe most older guys like Honda's? Should I be looking that direction? I like a locking differential and did not think Honda offered them. Honda's are probably bullet proof but I find them rather uninspiring. However maybe I should give them a second look??

I was saying alot of older guys around here/ where I ride and live seem to like the Honda's but I can tell you unless your going from garage to garage or going down the lane to get the mail I don't think Honda's hold up very well. I would say you would be better without a honda then having one if you ride.

skip nay · January 10th, 2010, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idahotruckman

Just out of curiosity why do you believe most older guys like Honda's? Should I be looking that direction? I like a locking differential and did not think Honda offered them. Honda's are probably bullet proof but I find them rather uninspiring. However maybe I should give them a second look??

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMKAWIERIDER

Naa I wouldn't. I ride with some guys on Hondas and although they are nice and smooth, they can't even start to climb what I do or cross what I do. Mind you they are stock and no mods..but... And hell...I'm 54 tomorrow...and I'm still looking for mo-power!!

Totally agree with you but even when mine was stock they seem to be afraid to ride them.