Hello, I am interested in buying my first quad(sport type). I have riding experience from riding other peoples quads and my motorcycle. I was wondering what people thought about these models. I was thinking about buying a used 660 Raptor or Predator, or a new Honda 400EX or 350 Raptor. If anyone owns these let me know how you like them. Thanks

 

The 350 is a worked over Warrior which isn't out yet, so nobody knows about it yet. The 400EX is a fine machine, particularly for trail riding. The Raptor has big power, but is a bit narrow and a little tippy for my taste. Never ridden the Predetor, but I don't like its ergonomics, just sitting on it. Check out the Suzuki Z400 also!

 

350 raptors are in the dealers showrooms right now... Like others have said, they are nothing more than an updated Warrior, which has proven to be a rock solid sales leader and a reliable tank. The motor may not be the fastest, and the chassis may not be the most modern, but it WILL give you solid performance and reliability second to none. They flat will not leave you out in the sand somewhere.

As for purchasing a used machine, I think it is important to find out who rode it, and how it was treated/maintained. If it has been thrashed, or a lot of speed modifications have been done on it, then it starts to get into the grey area... as typically, a machine like a Raptor 660 has probably spent more time at full throttle and flying/landing/crashing than say a utility machine...All that wear and tear can cause parts fatigue etc... maybe even failure.

If you can't get the documentation you want, I'd look elsewhere.... A beater is a beater, and although you get a price that is lower than a new one, you almost always end up spending money to fix little quirks to make it seem like you have the same amount invested as a new one...

 

Find out if you want reverse or not...that will narrow your choices to two...if it were me I would get the raptor 660...big power..narrow(great for trails) and it gets best performance out of mods..as for the tipsyness...after you ride for a while you pass that issue by getting use to it...plus some new rear tire really helps.

 

Thanks all for the great info. I am going friday to look at the Suzuki Z400.