my raptor review (a little long)
Oct 31, 2000 | 12:17 AM
#1
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Trailblazer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 88
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i got my raptor 2 weeks ago. it cost me $6499+$400 worth of other paper work crap and setup(rape). i rode it a little the first saturday i had it, then thrashed it yesterday. here's how it went.
the trip:
three of us went; atc250r and his 416ex, another budddy on my 310r and me on the raptor. we went to the ozark national forest in cass arkansas, mostly well traveled, rocky, hard packed trails.
the good:
the power is excellent, it pulls hard off the bottom like a 350x, then when you think it's done pulling it revs a little more. the engine feels like it has a lot of potential left in it though.the suspension is very plush you hardly feel any small rocks and branches on the trail. for fast or slow trail riding/racing i feel that the spring rates are ideal(at least for a seasoned 240lb rider) although the valving in the rear shock needs some help. the steering feels great like a 250r with a steering stabilizer not heavy like a banshee or like a stock r which tends to wonder around in rocky sections due to very little caster. i feel that the postion of the relationship between the bars, seat, pegs, and controls to be perfect. i think the seat is plently plush, you don't have any reason to be setting on the back of the seat. i am very happy with my purchase and feel that this is the best stock quad availible, but will continue race my r and never part with it.
the bad and ugly:
first the destruction. 10 miles out i discovered the right rear tire leaking around the bead. being the hardcore haresrambler's we are(w/o an air supply) we proceeded around the loop we were on and destroyed the tire.we got back to camp and plugged two holes. discovered an inch cut through the first ply of the tire and blisters all the way around the inside of the tire, due to over heating(70 mph flat on pavement is not good on tires). then we aired the batered tire and proceeded on a 15mile loop(the tire held air for about 2 mile then the cut blew out). by the time we got back the tire and plastic rear skid plate were completly junk, but the wheel survived(yamaha has the best stock wheels).the front end dives very badly in hard corners. but i think stiffer sidewall tires and possibly different offset wheels wound correct this.
when crossing fallen trees and cresting very steep hills the clutch must be worked very carefully or the engine will stall. the skid plates are only good for patterns and a chain wear strip. the grab bar is not stout enough, especialy on something so easy to wheelie(mine is bent along w/the muffler).if you ride in anything but loomy soil the tires are junk, but they do have very good traction until they go flat. i love the way it wheelies but this leads to scary hill climbs(those old enough to have riden 175 yamaha 3 wheelers, 200x's, and 350x's can relate).
conclusion:
absolutely the best quad availible today, although i would like to ride a cannondale when it's availible and the now 86'd husaberg, gas gas and atk. put aluminum skids, offset wheels, 6-ply tires, zero pre-load shocks, bumpers, 12 tooth sprocket, nerfs, and stronger bars on a raptor and it will be very competive with all but the leagers in the woods. i don't think the space between 1st and 2nd is bad but for tree crossings and hill climbs a 12 tooth is manditory.
the trip:
three of us went; atc250r and his 416ex, another budddy on my 310r and me on the raptor. we went to the ozark national forest in cass arkansas, mostly well traveled, rocky, hard packed trails.
the good:
the power is excellent, it pulls hard off the bottom like a 350x, then when you think it's done pulling it revs a little more. the engine feels like it has a lot of potential left in it though.the suspension is very plush you hardly feel any small rocks and branches on the trail. for fast or slow trail riding/racing i feel that the spring rates are ideal(at least for a seasoned 240lb rider) although the valving in the rear shock needs some help. the steering feels great like a 250r with a steering stabilizer not heavy like a banshee or like a stock r which tends to wonder around in rocky sections due to very little caster. i feel that the postion of the relationship between the bars, seat, pegs, and controls to be perfect. i think the seat is plently plush, you don't have any reason to be setting on the back of the seat. i am very happy with my purchase and feel that this is the best stock quad availible, but will continue race my r and never part with it.
the bad and ugly:
first the destruction. 10 miles out i discovered the right rear tire leaking around the bead. being the hardcore haresrambler's we are(w/o an air supply) we proceeded around the loop we were on and destroyed the tire.we got back to camp and plugged two holes. discovered an inch cut through the first ply of the tire and blisters all the way around the inside of the tire, due to over heating(70 mph flat on pavement is not good on tires). then we aired the batered tire and proceeded on a 15mile loop(the tire held air for about 2 mile then the cut blew out). by the time we got back the tire and plastic rear skid plate were completly junk, but the wheel survived(yamaha has the best stock wheels).the front end dives very badly in hard corners. but i think stiffer sidewall tires and possibly different offset wheels wound correct this.
when crossing fallen trees and cresting very steep hills the clutch must be worked very carefully or the engine will stall. the skid plates are only good for patterns and a chain wear strip. the grab bar is not stout enough, especialy on something so easy to wheelie(mine is bent along w/the muffler).if you ride in anything but loomy soil the tires are junk, but they do have very good traction until they go flat. i love the way it wheelies but this leads to scary hill climbs(those old enough to have riden 175 yamaha 3 wheelers, 200x's, and 350x's can relate).
conclusion:
absolutely the best quad availible today, although i would like to ride a cannondale when it's availible and the now 86'd husaberg, gas gas and atk. put aluminum skids, offset wheels, 6-ply tires, zero pre-load shocks, bumpers, 12 tooth sprocket, nerfs, and stronger bars on a raptor and it will be very competive with all but the leagers in the woods. i don't think the space between 1st and 2nd is bad but for tree crossings and hill climbs a 12 tooth is manditory.
Oct 31, 2000 | 11:45 PM
#7
Pro Rider
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
Dude, Do you wanna go to the Arena cross and race with me in the Amateur Open 4 stroke Class in Ft Smith. It will be sunday. I am needing someone to ride with me on a stock raptor, since mine is stock also. I was going to modify it but I had to spend a load of money on my truck and pay a few tickets. I just dont want to go get spanked by some real race quads on my bone stock quad, but If there is another Raptor there I would feel more comfortable have an equal to race against.
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Oct 31, 2000 | 11:58 PM
#8
Pro Rider
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
Id agree with you on everything.I took out the stock tires myself on the first trail ride.Anyone who keeps those tires on for trailing will sooon fond out the hard way I guess.My raptor is almost to the point where I want it.I think i dumped at least a grand into it at this point to get it where i wanted it.Great reveiw though.Two thumbs up 
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