Auction for Yamaha Rhino 660 at SCI Convention
January 16th, 2006 David King - King's Outdoor World
We tested the Yamaha Rhino 660 in a Hunting Illustrated featured back in 2004
I received this press release from Yamaha about their new involvement with SCI. They are going to be auctioning off a new, fully decked out Yamaha Rhino 660 Side by Side. I have had a quite a bit of time behind the wheel of the Rhino 660 and have to say it is an awesome machine. If you are going to the SCI Convention this week I suggest you bring your checkbook.
Yamaha Rhino 660 up for Auction at SCI’s 34th Annual Hunters’ Convention
Yamaha Donates Vehicle to Raise Money for Conservation and Education
Cypress, Calif. – (Jan. 13, 2006) – As part of the company’s ongoing efforts to support the interests and activities of sportsmen across the country, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA is donating a fully accessorized Rhino 660 4×4 side-by-side (SxS) vehicle to Safari Club International (SCI) for auction at SCI’s 34th Annual Hunters’ Convention.
The 2006 Rhino 660 will be part of the evening auction following dinner on Wednesday, January 18, 2006. Revenues generated from the auction of the Yamaha Rhino 660 will support SCI wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian services in addition to protecting sportsmen’s freedom to hunt.
The donated Rhino 660 is adorned with a multitude of accessories developed with the hunter in mind. The vehicle will feature two deluxe gun boots, a 3,000 lb. winch, a molded sun top, full windshield, over fenders, a spot light and PIAA 510 wide lights, just to name a few of the accessories found on the auction vehicle. Of course, these accessories are in addition to the 660cc 4-stroke, liquid-cooled engine; Ultramatic© automatic transmission system; On-Command© three-way locking four-wheel drive system and fully independent suspension that have helped establish the Yamaha Rhino 600 as the ultimate hunting vehicle and most capable off-road SxS model available.
As a new sponsor and now the Official ATV and SxS vehicle of SCI, 2006 marks Yamaha’s first official involvement in the SCI Convention. In addition to the auction vehicle, Yamaha will also have a display area (Booth 1215) featuring the Rhino 660, Rhino 450, Grizzly 660 and Kodiak 450 models, as well as a sampling of Yamaha’s proven line of generators.
Entry Filed under: News and Stuff
28 Comments Add your own
1. Geoffrey Grice | January 22nd, 2006 at 5:10 am
I have a Rhino 660 and yes it is great. However, it catches dry grass underneath the back tray and, as it is near the exhaust pipe, the grass bursts into flame. So you need to be carfeul in dry weather
2. Mark | January 22nd, 2006 at 8:46 am
good post Mr. Grice.
Have you told the dealer? What did they say could be done?
3. Jim Hiatt | January 25th, 2006 at 12:01 am
I attended the SCI show and walked out on the Rhino auction after it had gone way out of my price range. It was definately a great looking ride that all the bells and whistles you could imagine. My only complaint about the Rhino is the bucket seats. As an outfitter, that kind of seating does me no good because I usually have 2 hunters with me. However, rumor has it that Yamaho is going to come out with a 4 seated rhino to compete with Kawasaki’s 4 seater. That should be an interesting OHV
4. King’s Outdoor Worl&hellip | February 7th, 2006 at 9:14 pm
[…] Yamaha is defintely jumping on board and becoming a big part of the shows this year. Not only did they auction off a Rhino 660 at the SCI Convention earlier in January, but they are now teaming up with SureFire and giving away a decked out Rhino 660 Side by Side at the SHOT Show. […]
5. Geoffrey Grice | March 21st, 2006 at 7:10 am
Yes, I told Yamaha Australia. I also explained to them that my Rhino had burst into flames in a tinder dry paddock about 20 yards from our barley crop on a sweltering day 40 degrees centrigrade. Fortunately there was no wind and I managed to put the fire out by smothering it with my shirt. Anyway, Yamaha Australia responded saying it wasn’t a design problem and that as grass is in Australia is different to grass in the USA there wouldn’t be any problem. I didn’t quite see the logic in this response. Yamaha Australia then said they were sending someone to the farm to have a look, but no-one turned up. So I asked Senator Judith Adams, who lives in our district and understands the danger of bushfires in the countryside, for assistance. I gather the Senator has written to Yamaha Australia but hasn’t heard back from them. I really don’t understand why Yamaha Australia is avoiding the issue. The fact that this happened has been a matter of public record for over four months. If another Rhino were to burst into flame and cause personal injury or property damage, or worse, whether in Australia or in the United States, then I can’t see how Yamaha is helping itself by pretending it didn’t happen. I’d like to add that I still think the Rhino is a great machine, save for this one small (design) problem, and that I am still a big fan of Yamaha.
6. King’s Outdoor Worl&hellip | May 8th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
[…] I just received this press release and thought it was definitely worth passing along since all of you have a chance at winning this thing. Before we have told you about two Yamaha Rhino Giveaways at the SCI show and at the SHOT show. This one you do not have to attend any show to have a chance. Read below for the details. […]
7. Jared Conway | May 10th, 2006 at 10:10 am
My buddy has one and I loved the way it rode and its acceleration but i was just wondering what its top speed is. Thanks
8. Billy | August 19th, 2006 at 8:55 am
GOTTA HAVE IT , GETTING TIRED OF WALKING
9. dave martin | October 23rd, 2006 at 10:11 am
my new 2007 660 seems noisey and vibrates alot, is this normal for previous models??
10. Sigrid Weber | October 26th, 2006 at 1:59 pm
Having problems with our Rhino carburator. If it sits even for 10 days it leaks. At first we were told that the special fuel mix would take care of the problem, now they tell us we nee to drain the thing each time it sits unused for any period of time. Is there anyone mechanically inclined who would know what to do?
Dealer unhelpful. I feel like suing for no one told me of this inconvenience.
Sig
11. Jason Patel | October 29th, 2006 at 3:57 pm
I think it would be stupid to sue over such a small issue. You would have to wait a long time for your money. But anyway, I am planning on getting a 2006 Yamaha Rhino 660, and I wanted to know the cheapest place to get the digital gauge for the dash, and the complete housing for the cab without the outrageous prices. I could not believe that on one website, they had the top cover for $599.00!!!! I would rather just make my own. And another thing, the front polycarbonate windshield was around $300 too. I would rather go to Home Depot and get some plastic cut and screw it on there. It would be nice if anyone had any sites for me to go to.
12. Ron W. | November 6th, 2006 at 12:53 pm
Have had our Rhino 660 for two months and it has been in the shop 3 times now. After driving at slow speed (quail hunting) for several hours, it starts to miss and we can arely make it home which is approx 2 miles. They have replaced the “stater”, new jets and checked the furel pump and filter, they are at their wits end. After it has cooled off (couple of hours) it runs okay again. Wonderingif anybody has had any similar problems with theirs?
13. JASON T | November 6th, 2006 at 1:57 pm
RON, SOUNDS LIKE AN EXHAUST VALVE CLEARANCE ISSUE. IVE HAD MINE ABOUT 14 MOS AND NOTICE A SMALL BACKFIRE AT SHUT OFF, A LITTLE TIGHT ON THE EXHAUST SIDE. ITS AN EASY ADJUSTMENT AND PART OF THE NORMAL MAINTNENCE ALSO IVE PUT MANY ACC. ON THE MACHINE NONE ARE CHEAP. TRY HUNTER WORKS.COM OR JUST ‘’YAMAHA RHINO'’ THERE ARE MANY SITE OUT THERE.
14. Charles Chapin | November 29th, 2006 at 2:52 pm
the answer to number# 12 is remove the carb. heat fuse, the gas in the carb. is perking, cost me over 1100.00 to find it out for my self, you just got it for nothing, I am putting a switch on the dash, for what reason i don’t no right now. the shop did the valve trick,Ha, did not work till i pulled the fuse.
15. Charles Chapin | November 30th, 2006 at 9:00 am
I don’t know why yamaha put that carb. heater in the carb. but sure cost me a lot of money, I dug into it my self, with the help of my son, we figured it out, the fuse is up at the battery, take the lid off, there it is, pull it out and go riding.
16. Tom W | March 4th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
I have a 2004 yamaha rhino bought it brand new had some issues but works good bigest problem is when the weather drops to freezig or below wont start have carb warmer I evrn put a primer like a ski-doo has still no good. any ideas ?????
17. JR | May 14th, 2007 at 11:39 am
I have a 2007 Rhino and love it. But I would love it more if I can get it to run a little quieter. I saw an aftermarket muffler made by Benz that claims it will reduce noise by 60% without any loss of power or performance. Any body have experiences with this.I appreciate any comments or recommendations.
18. Dean W | July 24th, 2007 at 11:31 am
Re: Geoffrey’s comments regarding fire. A friend’s Rhino caught on fire down low and he was lucky to get it out. Two days ago mine caught on fire on a low mountain road in Nevada and I didn’t get to it in time and my Rhino burned up causing a brush fire. Watch out for all that heat underneath.
19. Jack P. | August 22nd, 2007 at 7:42 am
Re: Tom W’s cold starting woes. I also have a 2004, and have nothing but trouble starting the vehicle at any temp.. It even shuts
off at high speed. Dealer claims my problems are unique, but I have to believe it is a chronic problem. I wouldn’t recommend the Rhino to my worst enemy!
20. Ken | October 5th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
#9 Mine is VERY noisy also. Only thing I have heard of that helps is to run a snorkel for the intake to the front of the beast.
#12 Your fuel pump is toast. Had the same issues on a new 2007. Depending on where you go for service, they MIGHT replace it. I am in arizona and have to deal with Ride Now Motorsports. They just bought out Tucson Motorsports and a few in Phoenix, and, because of the Sh@t poor service dept, nothing ever gets fixed. Hope they change their tune fast. Too many people tired of getting ripped off.
21. Rusty | October 29th, 2007 at 10:25 am
#20 My problem is same as #12. Is it the fuel pump or do I simply do as #15 says??
22. Peter Ostlund | November 23rd, 2007 at 9:52 am
I have lost a Rhino to fire previously but was not on the machine when it happened so didn’t know the exact cause. Yesterday I was watching my nephews driving through some grass and when they stopped I saw an orange fireball generate just behind the seats under the bed. They were absolutely oblivious to it and fortunately started driving back to me. I signaled them to drive right to the barn and was prepared wih a bucket of water. No damage caused this time but fire extinguisher is being installed immediately. It was not the muffler but what I would describe as “clutch plate” that rotates, gets very hot, and ignites grass that has been caught in a triangular pan that is right in front and under this rotating plate. Fortunately when you are driving at speed it stays embers. The problem is when you stop and flames erupt. Sorry this is so long but watch this and it will save you aggravation and money.
23. Rick J. | April 24th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I just purchased a new Rhino in January and I was told by the dealer that after running approx. 2 tanks of gas thru it, I need to bring it back in to the dealer to have the valves adjusted at a cost of $240 to me, and that if I don’t the warranty is null and void. Has everybody had to do this, or are they trying to pull a fast one on me? Any info would be of great help.
24. BILLY B. | April 27th, 2008 at 5:42 am
hi all you rhino lovers, and knockers. we have a new 700 (680 cc), great improvement on our earlier model. love the easy starting with efi ,and the ‘real’ handbrake lever, far better than the itsy-bitsy panytwaist designer’s previous effort. much quieter with the aircleaner under the hood,and easier to clean. the new doors are a great help in keeping us both cleaner & drier, and protection from intruding vegetation & branches. we treat our rhino as transport and a load-carrier for firewood&game (brought out 3 red stags this roaring season — 200 –250lb dressed each– 1 at a time. ) no problems even though our tracks are very very steep in parts, and muddy. great riding -useful vehicle — as long as u realise it is not a sportscar,and don’t try to drive it like one. down here in NEW ZEALAND the first dealer service is free, and we have a 12month warranty. check with YAMAHA USA? enjoy your rides ~~ fellow rhino owners, ~~ and all u other folks — try 1 –and buy 1
25. john j | May 6th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
i have a rhino with transmission problem when u put it in gear it grids somtimes stops then u have to floor it to get goin put new clutch on it but did not stop
26. C Paul M | May 16th, 2008 at 11:19 am
John, the same thing happend to mine. The belt was replace along with front clutch spring, weight rollers, and inner clutch springs. This did NOT help the problem. Just heard the shaft broke inside the engine which drives the clutch. This is going to take a while to fix, with a great cost IM SURE. Good Luck with your Rhino….
27. frank | August 10th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
2006 rhino with 2000 km somedays will run fine for3or4 hours trouble free other days 3or4 minutes and will backfire then cut out wont start for 20 minutes and also requires choke to start any suggestions
28. Joe Bruno | September 14th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
The brackets that hold the rear end keep braking.
Leave a Comment
Comment Post Guidelines
1. If you include swear words/vulgar language, your comment will be deleted
2. If you attack somebody personally, your comment will also be deleted
3. If you have something beneficial to add, please carry on...Thanks!
NOTE: All Comments are moderated and must be approved before being posted
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed