Curious about what the top speed is? Haven't been on a Raptor but it looks like it'd be a hoot to ride.

 

Despite this being a post from 2008, I have to ask you both...what is the basis of your answers? Is this your opinion because this is what you ride or have you actually done some research? If it is top end, neither the Polaris nor the Raptor are the fastest. As far as factory quads go, the 4-stroke quad with the fastest top end speed (700 cc and under) is the Honda TRX700xx. In shorter drag races, however, the KTM 505, YFZ450, and Polaris 525 are the ones that shine.

 

No, I don't own one of the top speed type quads. I'm just curious as to what kind of top speed the quads can get up to. Just a curiosity at best. I've gotten my Outlander 650 up to 68 mph on the gps twice when I had long smooth trails where I could see for a mile. Guessing the 1000 cc quads could get up to 80 mph???? Have no idea about the Raptor 700 or Honda 700xx. Anybody got any top speed numbers just for comparison? I'd like to know. And, I mean bone stock quads from the factory, not ones that have every hop-up available to mankind.

 

Probably the fastest thing out there now is the new Can Am Maverick X3. Its got the most power stock, im sure it can easily do 85 mph unless its governed to go slower. Though not a quad obviously. A Scrambler 1000 might very well be the fastest stock atv ever built. The Renegade is quicker but the Scrambler has a little more on top end. About 80 mph.

 

These things are usually hampered on top end by gearing any way. You can make them faster by changing gearing, but then power at actual riding speed suffers.

 

Well, when we're up on the Paiute Trail, I'll ask my son, Moose One to see how fast he can get. I'll remind him about the several hundred foot dropoffs later...

 

If I understand correctly, no current, stock ATV will go over 80 mph. Not even the 1L UTVs. It was either DirtWheels or UTV Action that tested this. Many claim that their stock machines will do 90 and above. Sorry, but that is BS. Based upon independent testing from the ATV magazines and others with calibrated speed measuring equipment on flat ground, the TRX700XX will top out at 78 mph. The fastest production, stock quad was the Suzuki LT500R (Quadzilla-2 stroke) at 83 mph. The TRX700XX and Raptor 700s that are set up for desert racing will go crazy fast. Now get ready for the "Uh uh, my quad is much faster" replies.

 

Once you get above 70 mph, let's just say they're all fast. I think my Brute Force will top out at around 65 mph, that's plenty fast enough for me. I saw in Dirt Wheels magazine years ago an Outlander 800 set up for racing for Mike Penland. They basically spent enough money in the engine and suspension to buy another Outlander 800 but I bet it was the fastest 4x4 quad in existence at the time. They raced it against a stock YFZ 450 and it flat out smoked it. And I know how fast even a stock YFZ 450 is, its another 80 mph quad. I bet that Outlander would easily top 100 mph.

 

Maybe, maybe not on the 100mph. A stock yfz is more in the low 70s anyway. It really is all about gearing, and most of the 45p and above class sport quads run out of gear before they run out of power at the top end. I suspect the same for the utes and side by sides as well. I know the wildcat and yfz runs strong right up til they bounce off the Rev limiter. Like you said though, 60ish is plenty fast for most of us unless you are trying to drive the thing down the road like a car. These tighter eastern trails running 15mph is fast enough to get you hurt pretty good when you run out of talent.

 

That Outlander was heavily modified for racing so it wasn't your standard rotax 800 vtwin. I'm sure when the 1000 came out they did the same to one of those to get even more power. But for trail riding, nobody needs that kind of power or speed. In mud and snow, the big v twin power is nice to have to power through and turn big tires though. But on the trail, you'll never get a chance to really open them up. But the big hp makes them very quick and responsive. Steep hills are no challenge to some of these 80+hp 1000cc 4x4 quads. I don't have any trouble climbing any hill I'm brave enough to attempt with the 42 hp my Brute Force 650 v twin has. Now if you live near sand dunes or desert, then top end speed might be something you really want. The turbo 1000 class utvs can really stretch their legs in that environment along with 450 class sport quads and dirt bikes.