I am thinking about buying an ATV. This is the first quad i have ever bought. i will be riding in Co and NM. I weigh 270 lb, 6 FT. I have a honda xr 400 I am down to two a 05 yamaha Raptor 660 and 05 KAWASAKI KFX 400. I can get them for $ 5500.00. which is the best for the money/first time rider?
Thanks

 

I'm no big fan of the Raptor. It is VERY narrow, and the weight is kind of high in the frame, making it a bit tippy. If I bought one, I would have to spend thousands widening it. No thanks. The motor will pull to the moon though.

The Z400 and its clones are the best all-around machines available. They do everything pretty well. A little underpowered in stock trim, but they hop up real well.

At your weight, you may be looking at aftermarket suspension, no matter what you get.

 

Well...........hmmmmmm, let me first say that I think you are making a bad choice with either. IMO the 400 is way too small for a 270lb rider. IMHO the Raptor is to wild for a beginner rider, although it has more than enough power for 270lbs.

I would get a V force or a DS. The DS is great for BIG riders. Super smooth and very good power. The V is the best for a beginner ridder. No shifting, just stab and steer. It's not as smooth as the DS but it's great for a beginner ridder because of the no shifting deal.

The only downfall is the price of each. You won't find a new DS or V at 55, not even close. You could buy a used one for under that, but that's up to you.
I'm sure others will disagree with what I have said.

 

The DS and V are both huge, heavy machines. Not exactly nimble handlers. He is a bit heavy, but not all that tall. I think he is better off on a regular size bike, with some aftermarket suspension.

 

What kind of riding are you going to be doing? Any of the bikes mentioned will be good for you. Although the Raptor is tippy, you're big enough to have good control on it. If you are going to be riding trails, I would stay away from the KFX700. IMO, it's just too big for the trails. Z400 is a good all around quad. The Predator is also a great machine and is the most comfortable on the market.

The problem is going to be getting any of those for $5500 OTD. You might have to get last years models. If you have to go to an '04, stay away from the Predator because the '04's don't have reverse.

Good luck.

 

I'm not tall, and I'm 270+ and have no problem on the KFX400.

I had come down to the very same choice between the Raptor660 and the Z-clones. I went with the best all around deal and the best all around quad IMO.

As has been said a zillion times, the Raptor is a bit tall and tippy. You sit almost the same on the KFX, but the center of gravity is lower and the quad is wider.

And as far as his weight goes, I've not ridden on an 04 Z-clone but my 05 KFX suspension is great for me, but I'm not really into jumping big and racing MX. Even with my weight the pre-load is only set about 3/4 and most of the rest of the setting are just about in the center.

And as far as power goes, this thing in stock for picks me up in 1st and 2nd gears out of the corners. It doesn't even seem the slightest bit interested in my weight. I know I won't be doing any engine mods for many years. This thing is more than fast enough for me.