okay, here is the deal. I am a big guy. six foot eight inches tall and approaching 300lbs. I have a 2003 400ex right now. I want something different because I just do. I am having trouble deciding between a 450 or raptor. i have ridden a raptor pretty extensively in the woods and know how it handles and what i can do on it. The raptor has no problem with my weigh t and i have even jumped one on mx style jumps and into fields from pastures. I enjoy riding the raptor but the 450 looks really good. All of the mags say that the 450 is not good for a big rider because the footpegs are so close to the seat that when standing up the rider has to scrunch over. NO BIG DEAL TO ME, i just won't buy low rise handlebars and maybe I will put a longer steering stem on the quad. my question is, will the 450 be able to handle the weight I will put to it?
I am not a big jumper, i just jump from time to time but I ride trails hard and some trails have rollers in them to slow people down(whoops). They don't slow anybody down, but anyways.
The quad I buy will be with me for a while so I want to make the right decision. Any help would be great. I don't get a lot of chances to sigh on so if I don't respond immediately keep coming with your feedback.

 

i would say get the rappy its more comfartable and has reverse but is not the most reliable quad ever unless you put a honda sticker on it lol but you sound like a beast that could carry the quad on your back for reverse or if it breaks and i do not know how reliable the yfz is but no one really does because they havent been around very long to tell

 

oh and how do you feel about the ds650 my friends dad is about the same size as you i think and he has one and likes it very much

 

Hi BigBlazer,
Im 6' 240lbs in riding gear. My yfz 450 is fine for me, but ur a pretty big fella. First gear ratio is pretty high in the 450 and the rest of the gears are really close. I find myself more confortable riding fast and hard with it rather that doing technical woods type riding. Most of my buds are as big or bigger than me and they all ride Raptors and are happy with their purchase. Those big quads like that DS650 look interesting. I liked sitting on one. Good luck with your purchase.

Plad

 

Your a big dude, the Raptor will fit you better.

 

Check the Ds like rad fast said.. The yfz is not a good decicion beacuase you are such a big man.. DS or Rappy

 

i think yer too big for the yfz.... honestly...

 

This reply is going a different direction. I think a smaller cc engine can't handle weight as well as a bigger cc engine. It seems like it's compounded proportionately. In my head it's like a powerstroke vs. a 302. They both can be built to scream when empty, but hook onto a gooseneck trailer with a couple tractors on it and see what happens. Just my 02.