Quads
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Grande Prairie, AB
Quads
Hmm, Havent been for a while (work 
) I see things have been moved around a little.
Anywho, I think i may buy myself a yamaha raptor 700 (white &silver
) I see that it is chain driven.
Therefor my question is regarding the advantages and/or disad over chain versus shaft. I imagine they are relatively close in comparison, but if anyone has any info id like to hear.
thanks guys
) I see things have been moved around a little.Anywho, I think i may buy myself a yamaha raptor 700 (white &silver
) I see that it is chain driven. Therefor my question is regarding the advantages and/or disad over chain versus shaft. I imagine they are relatively close in comparison, but if anyone has any info id like to hear.
thanks guys
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2005
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i don't have an answer for the chain vs shaft, but i can tell you that rapture is awesome!!!!
my neighbor in WA had one, he would take it to some park in oregon once a month, he jump, do this and that with it, never any problems at all.
i had a banshee once for a few years in highschool, no problems at all with that either, as far as chain stuff goes.
my neighbor in WA had one, he would take it to some park in oregon once a month, he jump, do this and that with it, never any problems at all.
i had a banshee once for a few years in highschool, no problems at all with that either, as far as chain stuff goes.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 457
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From: Pittsburgh
The chain would be a little lighter, and maybe easier to work on. Could have a tendency to snag on things, but that's what a chain guard is for. My guess would be that a shaft is a tad more reliable for real hard riding (extreme jumping or racing), but for regular use I don't think it matters.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 235
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From: Long Island
i've got a raptor 350 se (the black and grey one) and it's almost paid off!
i ride trails, jump it, take it through mud and sand. never had a problem with the chain. just clean and lube it every once in a while.
probably the biggest disadvantage of the chain is the low ground clearance. i'm always getting hung up on rocks and and stuff, and forget about trying to ride over fallen trees that don't lay square across your path. nothing's ever broken, but i've been meaning to get a stronger chain gaurd/skid plate for it. you could even try taller tires.
i'm pretty sure that shafts are only used on 4x4 quads that mainly see low speed, high torque use and chains are used on sport quads that mainly see high speed, low torque use.
my friend just got a 660 raptor se like mine. i haven't gotten a chance to go riding with him yet to compare the two.
i ride trails, jump it, take it through mud and sand. never had a problem with the chain. just clean and lube it every once in a while.
probably the biggest disadvantage of the chain is the low ground clearance. i'm always getting hung up on rocks and and stuff, and forget about trying to ride over fallen trees that don't lay square across your path. nothing's ever broken, but i've been meaning to get a stronger chain gaurd/skid plate for it. you could even try taller tires.
i'm pretty sure that shafts are only used on 4x4 quads that mainly see low speed, high torque use and chains are used on sport quads that mainly see high speed, low torque use.
my friend just got a 660 raptor se like mine. i haven't gotten a chance to go riding with him yet to compare the two.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Jerseyville,IL
Also, the chain drive allows you to change the gearing too if you want either a higher top end speed, or more get up and go with a lower top speed. An advantage for the shaft drive would be if you were gonna ride in the mud and water a lot. Otherwise, the chain will be just fine, even if you do occasionally play around in the mud.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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Shaft is great, if your fine with the same gear ratio, id say if you never plan to race your quad the factory gear ratio is fine. Ive never had a problem with shaft, NEVER, i havent even changed the oil ever in my old beartrackers axle like it sez to in the manaul. Its sorta like a cars axle, do you ever change the lube in that? prolly never.
Chains just require the occasional tensioning, and libe here and there, otherwise it pretty much just as reliable as shaft drive.
Chains just require the occasional tensioning, and libe here and there, otherwise it pretty much just as reliable as shaft drive.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,290
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From: Edgerton, WI
The only real advantage to shaft drive in low maintenance.
I personally like chain drive better. You dont lose as much horsepower through the drivetrain with chain and with chain drive you can easily change the gear ratio.
I personally like chain drive better. You dont lose as much horsepower through the drivetrain with chain and with chain drive you can easily change the gear ratio.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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Dont you mean NO maintianence LOL
i didnt really think you lose much horsepower, actually i think the horsepower loss is so minmal oyu wont really even feel a differnce at all.
The ratio changing abilty is the major plus though, i liked that alot
i didnt really think you lose much horsepower, actually i think the horsepower loss is so minmal oyu wont really even feel a differnce at all.
The ratio changing abilty is the major plus though, i liked that alot
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: fremont ohio
I'm thinknin the same as what someone said before, chains are on I think every sport quad, and ute's all get shaft drives. Shaft drive is for 4x4. I don't think you could have a quad in 4x4 with a chain. Not sure about all of em, but my buddy's Z400 has the chain guard and a chain guide on the bottom to make sure it keeps on the rear gear, he hasn't popped it off ever I don't think.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 382
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From: WI
As others have said the shaft drive has the maintance advantage, and a ground clearance advantage.
The chain drive is really a better set up for a sport quad than a shaft drive. It transfers power better, has less unsprung weight, and makes gearing changes relitivly easy. While they do require more frequent maintance, they are easy to service.
Personaly none of my machines have chain drive. Then again all three are 4x4 and are not only worked hard around the farm, but see more than their fair share of deep mud and water. I have had a few chain driven sport quads in the past and the maintance was never really hard, nor did it take very long.
The chain drive is really a better set up for a sport quad than a shaft drive. It transfers power better, has less unsprung weight, and makes gearing changes relitivly easy. While they do require more frequent maintance, they are easy to service.
Personaly none of my machines have chain drive. Then again all three are 4x4 and are not only worked hard around the farm, but see more than their fair share of deep mud and water. I have had a few chain driven sport quads in the past and the maintance was never really hard, nor did it take very long.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
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Advantages of chain drive are leight weight, simple, stronger than shaft, more rear suspension travel, easier to modify and change ratios.
Disadvantages are they need maintance, collect dirt, lower ground clearance, short life compared to shaft.
Advantages of shaft drive is its all sealed, no maintance (with the exception of gear oil), higher ground clearance,
Disadvantages are ratios cant be changes, or changed easilly, extended swing arms really can't be done, rear suspension travel is less
Disadvantages are they need maintance, collect dirt, lower ground clearance, short life compared to shaft.
Advantages of shaft drive is its all sealed, no maintance (with the exception of gear oil), higher ground clearance,
Disadvantages are ratios cant be changes, or changed easilly, extended swing arms really can't be done, rear suspension travel is less
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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trust me, unless you got water in the shaft drive, you really never need to change its oil....
Dose anyone ever change the oil in there cars axle, or even manual transmission oil at regular intervals???
Unless you know you have gotten water in it, you never need to change the oil in there
I beat the living Crap!!! out of my old beartracker, everysingle day...... for about 3 years. The top end was on its way out, with other things, but i did look at the gear oil and it looked new. I even got the quad so deep in water it hydrolocked, yet, that gear oil was good as new, never been changed.... so yeh, the shaftdrive is maintnence FREE
Dose anyone ever change the oil in there cars axle, or even manual transmission oil at regular intervals???
Unless you know you have gotten water in it, you never need to change the oil in there
I beat the living Crap!!! out of my old beartracker, everysingle day...... for about 3 years. The top end was on its way out, with other things, but i did look at the gear oil and it looked new. I even got the quad so deep in water it hydrolocked, yet, that gear oil was good as new, never been changed.... so yeh, the shaftdrive is maintnence FREE
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Grande Prairie, AB
The KFX 700 is shaft driven, its a racer. My buddy just bought one.
Cool, sound slike id rather have the chain drive so that works out alright.
I just payed off my 05 yz250 few months ago, but seein his quad makes me want one so, what the heck.
Thanks for the info guys
Cool, sound slike id rather have the chain drive so that works out alright.
I just payed off my 05 yz250 few months ago, but seein his quad makes me want one so, what the heck.
Thanks for the info guys