2008--2009 Honda TRX 700 quad info/experiences wanted

[Sherpa]

My son is desperately trying to get me interested in quads. His latest find/recommendation for me to buy is a lightly used 2008-09 Honda trx 700 bike.

supposedly lightly used, parked for about 5 years, vet rider owned.

I'm curious why honda would only build this quad for 2 years. anyone have info about this quad I'd be in your debt.

--Sherpa

 

[Angler]

If you want a quad, buy a Yamaha YFZ 450, Honda TRX 450, I have both.
If your under 5' 10", buy the Yamaha, taller buy the Honda.

Both great bikes.

 

[Gelcoater]

I never even knew that existed?
Never seen one.

I’d imagine parts might be hard to get.

I’d love to see and ride one, or at least hear about and see some pics of you doing it

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

My son is desperately trying to get me interested in quads. His latest find/recommendation for me to buy is a lightly used 2008-09 Honda trx 700 bike.

supposedly lightly used, parked for about 5 years, vet rider owned.

I'm curious why honda would only build this quad for 2 years. anyone have info about this quad I'd be in your debt.

--Sherpa

Stay away... far far away!!

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

I never even knew that existed?
Never seen one.

I’d imagine parts might be hard to get.

I’d love to see and ride one, or at least hear about and see some pics of you doing it

No you wouldn't.

 

[Gelcoater]

Stay away... far far away!!

I had to do a search.

That’s kinda...interesting.

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

I had to do a search.

View attachment 1329292

That’s kinda...interesting.

Yes they are an IRS. The chain is on the wrong side. The tranny sucks.

If they would have built the engine side platform on a standard tranny and swing arm platform it would have been a contender. But as they built it they are terrible!

 

[rivermobster]

I had to do a search.

View attachment 1329292

That’s kinda...interesting.

I don't remember those either.

@Sherpa

What kind of riding are you going to be doing? Where do you live?

 

[Kbach]

I was heavily involved in the development…and no way in hell I’d own one!!!

It’s heavy, doesn’t turn….makes decent power. Did I say it doesn’t turn

I have so many stories about that damn thing it still gives me nightmares.

I will say, there is a loop at El Mirage where it’s untouchable only because most of the settings were based on testing there and the fact we put in so many miles on that loop we could do it blindfolded so we knew everything that was going to happen.

I guess what I’m saying is look for something else

Only good thing I can say is it landed me on the cover of a magazine from the press launch. That’s about it.

 

[Dalton]

I was really into quads/dirt bikes in that time period, and don't remember these at all. Thinking they were crazy expensive for the era?

 

[CLdrinker]

450’s eat that 700 alive in the dunes.


Like said get a 450 or Raptor 700.

 

[TPC]

Honda never seemed to figure it all out.

 

[Sherpa]

Seems to be the consensus. Stay away. That thing weighs 505. Is slower than a raptor 700 by far.

I watched a bunch of YouTube stuff last night about the Honda.

Thanks ya’ll.

Sherpa

 

[69hondo]

Get a YFZ450. They are animals and so fun.

 

[SOCALCRICKETT]

IRS on a sport quad never made sense to me, as mentioned I'd go a 450 with live rear axle

 

[Joe mama]

Never seen that quad. I started out with 75 ATC 90 and ended with 660 Raptor and everything in between.

 

[Orange Juice]

My son is desperately trying to get me interested in quads. His latest find/recommendation for me to buy is a lightly used 2008-09 Honda trx 700 bike.

supposedly lightly used, parked for about 5 years, vet rider owned.

I'm curious why honda would only build this quad for 2 years. anyone have info about this quad I'd be in your debt.

--Sherpa

Fuel injection is a big start.

I would expect all 4 cv boots will need replaced before you leave the driveway. You did say it sat for 5 years.?

Do those rear tires have steel studs?

 

[RiverDave]

I had never even heard of one of these before this thread?

It looks bad ass.. I'm surprised the IRS isn't a plus instead of a minus?

I kinda want it..

RD

 

[Mototrig]

YFZ450 hands down. If you can get a hold of an 04 they had the good head and higher compression. Lots more torque than the 06+.

Just my $.02 worth of crappy advice

 

[NicPaus]

The 06 YFZ450 had like 100 changes compared to the 04. A memory popped up on FB from when I was selling mine. Had +2 a arms with elkas and a ton of extras. Couldn't give them away back then. I also had a built banshee and a LTR450. Quit going to Glamis and sold all 3. Got 2500 for my Banshee and 3k for the LTR. All 3 never gave me any issues.

 

[Angler]

The only real problem with the early YFZs was not getting enough oil to to the upper rod.
There was an easy mod for that.

I have an white 04 YFZ that I'm going to sell. Big bore, stoker engine with one weekend on it.
extreme Paddles and and nobby tires. I bought this bike new.

 

[Dalton]

I had never even heard of one of these before this thread?

It looks bad ass.. I'm surprised the IRS isn't a plus instead of a minus?

I kinda want it..

RD

sounds like it has the xr650r engine, which was the standard for baja for many years. Seems like they were trying to make a quad version of that

 

[TPC]

Rolled by the Yamaha dealer and they claim the YFZ 450 will return to showrooms.

 

[rivermobster]

I had never even heard of one of these before this thread?

It looks bad ass.. I'm surprised the IRS isn't a plus instead of a minus?

I kinda want it..

RD

It looks like it Could be a good rock crawler. Be totally unstable, without some Real stiff springs. Then at that point, it would beat the crap outta you!

Would take a Real good shock guy to figure out how to make it work.

I sure wouldn't wanna haul azz on it though...

*shivers*

 

[81Sprint]

I had a Suzuki LTR450, and a Raptor 700. The 450 was way better IMO.

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

sounds like it has the xr650r engine, which was the standard for baja for many years. Seems like they were trying to make a quad version of that

No. It is the same bore and stroke as a raptor 700. They are 686cc. 84mm stroke and 102mm bore if I remember correctly.

 

[CLdrinker]

IRS on a sport quad is a bad idea.

The rearend is meant to slide and being able to pitch it sideways is a must.

I have IRS on my hunting quad. I try to ride that thing fast like I would a sport quad and it gets sketchy quick.

Off camber whoops are really bad.

 

[endobear]

Pretty sure these Hondas were more popular on the East coast. The IRS helps with center ruts in the woods.
They were competing against the Raptor 660, DS 650 and the ugly as sin kawasaki kfx 700 thing they made a few years.

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

The only 700 quad to get is the Yamaha Raptor 700r. I don't even like Yamaha, but I will make that recommendation.

I do have a Bombardier DS650 and the Kawasaki 700 which everyone will say are garbage, but I actually like them. The Bomb is a couch on wheels and I have ridden them since they came out. The Kawasaki 700 does not have any gears and I bought it for my wife....she's never ridden it. They are actually pretty dang fun and have plenty of power, but no suspension.

I'll eventually get my son a Banshee and keep it for the rest of my life as a project. They are just super cool.