Well, we'll soon have our answer to that question..."will honda release a new sport quad?" I just wanted to start a post for people to add KNOW FACTS about the situation after the convention tomorrow. I've got my fingers crossed for either an updated version of a 250r or a 500ex 4-stroke with reverse dedicated to trail riding. Dont get me wrong, I love my 400, but i miss the reverse on my old 300ex. Lets just wait and see.

 

I will be happy if it is a 440EX with reverse for now and take time (year or two)to try to make a low emisions safe big bore twin cylinder two stroke. I mean if Honda is doin what everyone is sayin and making a 650ex to compete with a Raptor the bike will not be much differant than a 400ex. They need to take there time and experiment with a hole new engine instead of the XR crap.

 

I was on Honda's webpage today. they said that they would release stuff on the 14th. I cant wait to see what's gonna become of this.

 

Dude, you are so transparant it is funny. How can you call the most reliable(and best selling)line of motorcycles crap? And what specifically, is wrong with the XR650 motor in particular? Could it be that it would make a better motor in a quad than your precious Raptor?
If There is a 650EX, look out Raptor owners.
Oh yeah, why would Honda competing against the Raptor and DS be bad, anyhow?

 

All these NEW Raptor owners don't want to see a new 650ex from Honda. They want to enjoy having the newest baddest sport quad on the market. The 650ex would burst the big Yamaha bubble.

IF Honda was to announce a 650EX it would put a hurting on Raptor sales since Yamaha hasn't delivered many of them yet & in many cases there is a long waiting list.

Two more days of waiting...............For now the Raptor is the disputed king of sport quads. They still need to beat the DS-650 in a shoot out.

 

I think Chris660R is right. Honda has been know for their time tables. Building it right the first time, so I think it would be Awesome if Honda put some serious time in on the Motor end of things, who knows, maybe it would seriously improve on some areas.

I don't know anything about the XR650 motor, I don't even know if it is liquid cooled. I just hope that Honda incorporates some Grease Zerks in the new quad. Besides a lack of reverse, the only complaint I have on my 400EX is that lack of any grease zerks. I don't mind the maintanance.

I'm a Honda guy too, but as far as I'm concerned, The Raptor is a better bike for "Me". I like the styling, the reverse, and the torque.

Does this mean I think the 400EX is headed for the scrap pile? Heck no! My 2000 400EX has over 120 Hours of serious riding in on it, and I have not had a SINGLE problem with it. It always starts in the winter, summer, spring and fall, does pretty good on gas, stands the front end up on demand, and looks good in the back of my truck. I'm just ready for a little change. So ready in fact, I'm driving 271 miles each way to get my Raptor in October.

I sincerely hope Honda is releasing a newer, big bore sport quad. It will only help the industry, and force more inovation.

Keep your helmets on, and ride sober!!!!!