Post-ride care: 15 minutes that keep a Raptor running

A Raptor 700 is a tough machine, but it rewards a little attention. Most of the expensive problems we see started as something small that could have been caught in the driveway. Here's a routine that takes about fifteen minutes after a ride.

Wash it — gently

Mud holds moisture against bearings and bolts, so wash the quad while the dirt is still soft:

• Cover the airbox intake before you start.
• Keep a pressure washer away from wheel bearings, seals, the radiator fins and electrical connectors.
• Use a low-pressure hose and a soft brush for the rest.

Let it dry properly before you put it away.

Air filter after dusty rides

The air filter is the engine's first line of defense. After a dusty day:

1. Pull the filter.
2. Clean it and re-oil it.
3. Wipe out the airbox.

While it's out, check the intake side for dust. If there is any, the filter isn't sealing properly.

Chain: clean, lube, check

Once the chain is dry, clean off the grit and apply chain lube. Check the slack while you're there. A chain that's too tight wears bearings, and one that's too loose can jump the sprockets.

Walk around it

With the quad clean, problems are easy to spot:

• loose bolts, especially on the footpegs, nerf bars and skid plates
• oil or coolant leaks
• torn boots on the ball joints and CV areas
• cracked plastics
• tire pressures and damage

Fluids

Check the engine oil and the coolant level the way your owner's manual describes. If either keeps dropping between rides, find out why before the next one.

If it's going to sit

For anything longer than a few weeks:

• Battery: keep it on a maintenance charger.
• Storage: store the quad dry and covered.
• Fuel: follow the manual's advice on fuel storage.

A little prep now saves a no-start in spring.

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Need parts for your routine? Browse air filters and intake parts, or ask our team which parts suit your Raptor.