Currently I have an '88 warrior (mods below) that runs like a top - no issues at all. Overall I am pretty happy with it. It has low hours for its age and I kind of like sporting around on a 21 year old quad that looks and runs as good as everyone else's 4-5 year quads. But...I have been thinking about selling it for something with a slight bit more power and better handling/suspension. So, I have been thinking about the newer Raptor 350. (My best friend has a 660 and I love it, other than its a bit too powerful for my tastes).

How do these bikes compare? Is the raptor 350 engine identical to what I have, in terms of power? My guess is the biggest (if only) advantage to the raptor 350 is in terms of handling since it shares the same frame as its bigger brother. My warrior handles okay, but it does feel like a heavy tank sometimes. Isn't the front tires/stance on the raptor 350 wider than the warrior?

 

the raptor 350s are barely any faster, there pipe design is a little better and the carbs are a little better of a design, also there a little more comfortable in some ways specially with the clutch pull,its not worth taking one over your warrior though thats for sure, ive raced one back when mine had like half the mods it has now and i still smoked it and didnt even get into 6th yet, it was on asphalt, if your considering a little newer and little bit faster of a quad get either a 400ex or a z400, otherwise you might as well keep yours.

 

Thanks 91Warrior357. Sounds like engine power wise, there are no real differences. In terms of suspension, is the raptor 350 different than the warrior? ie. different/better shocks, longer A arms, etc? Or is all that the same too?

 

yea only engine differences were the exhaust and carb as for suspension the fronts are same with 7.9 inch travel and the back shocks on the raptor 350s have a tad bit more travel 7.9 vs like 8.3, the raptor 350 is a tad bit wider with like 2 inch more seat height and the raptors have less ground clearance also, so the changes were just real small...they just updated the raptors with a new look and better controls and such...

 

The Raptor is lighter and handles much better, and has better ergonomics....but the engine is exactly the same for the most part.

I had a 2001 Warrior that I gave to my Wife, she hated the handling but liked the power. As soon as she rode the Raptor 350 she wanted it, so we traded in the Warrior for a 2006 Raptor. It is much easier to handle and made her a much better rider right away.

She was a beginner at the time and the Warrior was just too heavy for her, the seat was too low etc.....but the Raptor addressed all those problems which was why Yamaha made the changes.

However, you don't sound like a beginner, and the 350 it is still not as good as a 400ex and a new 350 won't be as fast as yours with the mods you have......

I would personally think about a 400ex or a z400 if I were you.......both of those would be a nice upgrade in stock form and would keep you happy for a long time.

 

Good info guys...thanks for the replies. ss97 you are spot on with my thinking. I would love to score something in the 400 class, but that would require a little more cash outlay from me. And it wouldn't make sense to get a raptor 350 and then keep spending more $ modding it to make it a little faster.

So, it sounds like a raptor 350 would probably only make me happy at first with the suspension/ergonomic improvements, but the same (or possibly less if stock) power would very soon cancel that out. I'll keep my eyes open for a 400ex or a z400 and keep saving my pennies until I have enough $ to add to the proceeds of my warrior sale to get one of those. Thanks!!

 

Here some pics I just took of my warrior...

gonna start another thread with them...curious to see what folks think its worth.

 

You know you can probably find a slightly used 400ex, for the same price as a new Raptor 350. I saw one at my local dealer, it was a 2006 with probably 30-50 hours (I'm guessing but it looked really nice) on it and it was $3400....... that is cheaper than a new 350 and you can still usually get financing from Honda for something like that.......

 

The 350 is a great quad but since they have the 700 now wouldnt a raptor 450- 500 be awsome! I know they have they yfz450 but a cheaper version for us none racers would be nice seems everybody is falling behind on the mid level stuff just upgrading plastic on an old model hell i have a 08 raptor 02 warrior and a 87 moto 4 350 all same motor! Would it kill yamaha to design a new motor even a well built 400(just in case anyone from yamaha is on here) just my two cents......RIDE EM HARD AND LONG?....Jeff

 

Nice quad. However, I prefer the Raptor.