The Yamaha Rhino 660 definitely has an aggressive look. As the name ‘Rhino’ suggests, this is one hell of a workhorse. No other 4×4 utility off-road quad is like Rhino 660. This is a mixture of beauty and brawn.
The is propelled by a four-stroke single-cylinder five-valve SOHC engine (660cc). And this liquid/oil-cooled engine combines with a reliable Yamaha Ultramatic® V-Belt automatic transmission to generate a decent amount of horsepower.
There is almost nothing to dislike about the Yamaha Rhino 660 except for some common problems. That provoked us to highlight the most common problems with Yamaha Rhino 660 in this article.
The Most Common Problems with Yamaha Rhino 660 To Watch Out For:
After deep research and analysis, we have found some common problems with Yamaha Rhino 660 that should be taken into action before buying.
A Major Starting Issue
Yes, the Yamaha Rhino may have a major starting issue, especially in the older variants. All of a sudden, the engine may shut down, that’s the main sign of this issue.
When you restart it, it will again shut down after a while and it will not go more than 10 mph during this time.
This problem can rarely occur only when you neglect the battery for a long time. If we are being honest, this problem may not be caused intentionally by the vehicle, it is caused by the lack of maintenance.
Luckily, changing the battery fixes this problem most of the time.
Engine problem
This problem is not only common for the Yamaha Rhino 660 but also for most 4 x4 off-road utility vehicles.
However, we haven’t heard of any engine problems with the latest versions of the Yamaha Rhino i.e. Rhino 700.
A rider shared his experience with us. He owns a Yamaha Rhino 660 and he said – “I was riding with my Rhino probably at 40 mph for about 40 minutes. Suddenly, the engine just left me by shutting off. At first, I thought the problem occurred due to the piston slap. But that was not the reason. So, I changed the crankshaft and the piston rod.”
Hopefully, this will fix his problem though we are not 100% sure. If you are facing a similar problem, you can either follow his steps or take your Rhino to a mechanic.
Idle Problem
Most of the time, the idle problem can be seen in Yamaha Rhino 660 that is used or reconditioned. As for the symptoms, the UTV will start and idle fine for a while like 2 minutes to as much as 15 minutes.
Then, it will die suddenly, and restarting it will be harder than before.
Hence, identifying the cause of this problem is the challenging part. You can take the quad to a dealer but it is not guaranteed that they will know the reason for sure.
All they can do is clean the carb or change the spark plug. If the dealer is corrupt, he may suggest you replace the fuel pump so that he can earn extra bucks without fixing the problem.
Prone to Suck Dirt
Users say the Rhino 660 is prone to sucking dust. That might be true for the 660, but we are not sure if the Rhino 700 has the same problem. Too much dust or sand can jam up on the engine area by easily penetrating the poor air filter.
This can severely damage pistons, valves, cylinder walls, and other internal parts of the engine.
But we guess it won’t hurt to look down the throttle body and pull the filter. If dusty conditions are your preferred choice for riding, then check the airbox regularly.
Experts suggest – Applying filter grease around the outer edges of the engine, then carefully placing the filter. This enhances the resistance of the filter to block dust or debris.
Tottering Clutch
This problem is not common. Yet, we decided to talk about it just for awareness. Perhaps, this problem is more familiar when your Yamaha Rhino gets old.
After running for around 20 mph or something, the clutch may not function appropriately. Even one of the clutches may tip over creating extra weight inside.
The solution to this problem is easy. Just clean the clutches and put some grease on them. After that, secure them in the right positions.
The Yamaha dealers may recognize this problem. And when they do, it will be a piece of cake to fix it.
4WD Wiring Problem
To troubleshoot this problem, some may go through the user manual. At first, the manual will suggest you check the servo motor as this is the most common issue that folks have with 4WD.
Then, it will suggest you check the relays next to switches. Finally, it will tell you to check the wiring.
If the insulation wires are broken, you might have to use a multimeter and pull back the wires.
To check the wiring problem, you better take the battery out first. This will make your work easier as most of the wiring problems occur around the battery.
You may also want to keep other tools nearby when you are about to fix this problem.
We think, instead of describing the solution in words, watching the following video will give you a clear instruction –
General Pros and Cons of the Yamaha Rhino 660:
Now that you have learned the common problems with the Yamaha Rhino 660, you should get to know the ins and outs as well.
Pros
- Excellent engine performance and throttle response with 42mm Mikuni CV carburetor.
- It is a unique 4 x 4 “side-by-side” UTV.
- It offers more pulling power with its dual-range drive.
- The new variants feature an LCD display including a speedometer, odometer, etc.
- The engine has a patented five-valve cylinder.
- It offers excellent handling with hydraulic front and rear disc brakes.
- Get the maximum underbelly protection with 11-inch ground clearance.
- The hitch has 1200 pounds of towing capacity.
- To ensure a comfortable ride, the Maxxis tires offer great traction.
- It comes with a patented stainless steel exhaust system.
- The battery is free of maintenance and works well in cold weather.
- Aftermarket parts are very available.
Cons
- This UTV feels heavy to many riders.
- May give a bulky riding experience on bouncy hill roads.
- The front suspension may be fairly fragile.
- The frame near the rear diffuser may get cracked.
Quote Reviews:
After going through deep research, all find positive reviews of the Yamaha Rhino 660. It’s like almost no one dislikes this particular UTV. A user was confused about whether he should choose an Arctic Cat or a Rhino. Another user suggested going for a Rhino. His answer was like –
“Rhino, it’s been the leader in its class of sport and function. Others are copying or just catching up. To me, the cat seemed kinda tankish all the way around and do I dare say kinda rode like a Ranger.”
A user has both an Arctic Cat and Yamaha Rhino 660. He likes to ride both of his rides from time to time. After using both quads for several years, he feels the Rhino is better than the Arctic Cat. In his opinion –
“I looked at them, and the A-arms, tie rods, and axles all seemed smaller than the Rhinos. They are also longer (61″) wide. That’s the only negative I’ve heard about the Cat. It is just too wide for my liking where I ride.”
As for negative reviews, one user found cracks on the frame. We couldn’t know whether it was his fault or the vehicle’s, he just said this –
“Cracks in the frame where the rear diff is mounted.”
One user found his Yamaha Rhino 660 is prone to sucking dirt. Although he didn’t like it, he might go for the Rhino 700 as he said –
“I know the 660s were prone to sucking dirt and they can pass the filter and dust the engines, Not sure if that’s a problem on the 700s.”
Conclusion
No matter how you judge, we will say the Yamaha Rhino 660 is still one of the best UTVs on the market to provide the smoothest ride in the industry.
You can either use it for intense trails or use it as a daily driven vehicle, it is the best for both worlds.
Then, if you ask – “What about these issues?” Well, all these issues may not be apparent in your case. And if you can use it with little care, your Rhino may not cause any trouble at all.
It’s a long-lasting UTV offering both style and comfort while you ride.
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