Greetings all,

I am looking at a used 2008 Yamaha Rhino 450 Auto. 4x4 Special Edition it has 900 miles on it.. It appears to be in good condition and not abused.. They are asking $5700 for it..

What do I need to look for on these units and how are they holding up? Does the 450 have enough power? (I would probably build a small trailer to put the camping gear in). Anything else you can add would be appreciated..

TIA

 

I don't know much about them but I rode in a 450 and vibration was unbearable. Maybe something was wrong with it, who knows....

 

I would get on www.highlifter.com and ask in the yamaha section, you'll probably get some good responses.


I'd would avoid carb'd models now days since FI is so common and makes things so much easier. 450 kinda seems small for a large UTV but if it's geared down enough then it probably would be cool.... I think they are speed limited anyway.

 

^agreed, awesome ATV forum. Either that, or Nyroc, thats a good one, too. 450 seems a little weak in that big ofa vehicle for my personal taste, but as a utv its probably geared down to pull loads

 

The 450s are good for light loads and its decent on hills, you have the 4lo option if you need that little bit more to make the hill when loaded... there was a recall on the rhinos but I do not remember if it was the 08 or 09 year model that required it.. The only thing the recall did was add wheel spacers to the rear and removed the sway bar, people were rolling them over and that was the fix. What are you going to be using it for mostly?

 

Yeah you've got low as well which will probably get good use since he plans to work it as he stated in the OP. Probably some clutch mods you can do as well to help gear it down even more possibly. A good set of tires does wonders but without gearing it down going up in size will kill power.


As far as the value goes check KBB.com they have ATV values on there.

Pull the airbox and and look for signs to see if water has ever got into it. Check the fluids to see if they are milky or dirty. Pull a connector or 2 loose to check for mud and corrosion. Check the CV joints by turning it in tight figure 8 type of turns to see if they pop and examine the CV boots. See how clean the radiator fins are of mud.

 

Thanks for the input and links guys, Sounds like I need to jump up to the F.I. 700 to get some extra power.. To bad these things did not come with a 4bt..

The KBB shows the price to be fair..

 

I would steer clear from the 450. I find my 700 FI to be under powered quite a bit of the time. If Yamaha doesn't get their act together I'm going to look elsewhere. Can Am just released the Commander in 800 and 1000 cc motors with big power. My 700 Rhino makes 23 HP stock on the dyno at the wheel and with a pipe, intake, Dynatek DFS, Dynojet Power Commander and clutch mods it makes 26.

 

If you seriously want a diesel, look into Kubota UTV. Those little 3 cyl 'botas run forever. My sis's fiance drove one down in GA thru the mountains, creeks, mud, and it was a tough little ute he said. I guess New holland is making a UTV, and well as Massey, and Case IH http://www.utvguide.net/utv_models.htm

 

Only thing about the diesel is if you sink it say good bye to the engine, gassers on the other hand some of them seem to like eating water and mud

 

From what i see the 450 owners are happy with what they have. IMO, the only way I would roll is with fuel injection. I find myself in quite the predicament sometimes like mud, high water, sharp inclines and declines. And it sure beats having to choke the darn thing or it get flooded in just the right conditions. I love my rhino, its not the most powerful but its nimble and i havent found anything it won't go through. I have also did many mods to mine to get it where I wanted it. Snorkels, radiator relocate, music setup, wheel spacers, etc.

 

Thanks for the input and keep it coming folks..

Here is the Can Am 1000 staarma spoke of... 85 HP

http://en-us.can-amside-by-side.brp....r-1000-XT.aspx

 

Those Rotax engines are sweet. You can swap a rotax into a Rhino easily. Or you could just do this:

 

I've thought about the R1 motor too but I'm switching gears to something like the EFI and turbo'd Z1 Arctic Cat or the Ski Doo E-tec 4 stroke sled motors that were meant to still turn a secondary clutch and still have over a 100 HP. Polaris makes a nice EFI turbo'd sled motor in 4 stroke that's over 100 HP too. Then you have to go with Gorilla axles or the equivalent and whatever else breaks the first few times out.

Yep, that's it. I would love to take one out and flog it for a whole day.

 

I on the other hand would love having a 5 or 6spd tranny with a smaller sprocket, the rpm range would be phenomenal.