I am going to be a new rider. Me and my wife are going to by 2 4-wheelers and play on them in the sand mud water all of it. I am about 6'3" almost 300 lbs. and I would like to know do you think the raptor is a good onefor me. My cuz has a 1997 Banshee 2-Stroke and I would like to try to out run him he has been wantting me to get something and keeps sendding me to BS places and when i told him about this he started getting upset becuse he is not sure if it will out proform his. Can you help????

 

If you can afford it by all means buy one!!

 

Don't worry about what is faster than your Cuz's machine. Get the machine(s) that best match you and your wife's riding level + ATV requirements. Good luck!

 

You don't mention your riding skills. I started out on a Warrior and it was good for me. If my Raptor was my first bike, I would have broke my neck for sure. This is not a newbie bike in my opinion. Some riders claim they have walked away scared from their new Raptors. My wife won't touch my Raptor.

Example:
Riding on trails, you pick up a little speed then your right front tire rim hooks on the end of a log that is sticking out (this happens often). This pulls the handle bars to the right and all newbies end up jamming the throttle. The Raptor will lauch you right into a tree! I had several narrow misses on my bikes early on. The Raptor will power through most of what stopped me.

 

You did mention you will be a new rider. The Raptor may be a little much, but you can really learn on any quad as long as you are safe and responsible. I started out on a timberwolf, sold it (hated it) then went to a blaster, the blaster is way to small for you by the specs you gave us.
The warrior would be a good choice but cant really compete against the Banshee. A Banshee would be good for you and a Raptor could do fine as well, but, be warned, it has tons of power.
Ride safe and responsible and you should be fine.
Now, did you say one for the wife too? If so, dont get her a Raptor, may be wayyyyy to much for her, but who knows.