Ok here is the deal, my son will be turning 16 in June and is outgrowing his dirt bike. He wants to get a quad so I figure that he can have my KFX 700. That means that I will need something new. I have been eyeing the KFX450R, sounds like it will be a fast machine however, I am worried because it is a new model for Kawasaki and they may not have all the bugs worked out.

Furthermore, my friend just got a new Outlaw 525 and he is smoking me on my KFX 700 so I need to be able to keep up with him. Can you all give me your honest opinions concerning the Raptor 700R GYTR?

I know that I will get a lot of the Yamaha rules, Kawasaki sucks type of messages in response to this post and that is NOT my intention, I am looking for valuable feedback. Additionally, I know that there is not a lot of information concerning the KFX450R, so comparisons will not be available.

I plan on doing all trail riding, mostly with my family but sometimes with friends. The trails behind my house are tight and a little technical, so suspension is critical.

Thanks in advanced for your time and help.

Sincerely,

Jeff

 

Well since the kfx is not out yet we dont really no what to expect. But here are my two cents. I WANT ONE.

 

Its a gamble anytime you buy a bike that hasnt been in production long. Thats just a risk you have to take. But you know Yamaha's quality is about as good as it gets in the ATV world, but you have to ask yourself if you're happy with the quality of your 700? You know Kawasaki should put the same amout of quality & detail in the 450 as they did with the 700. I like the Yamaha 700, BUT you could be one of the first with the Kawi 450, AND youd have a nice set of father/son Kawis in the garage!

 

i agree with prairievenom on this one. we really don't know what to expect on the kfx. to be honest i would go with the raptor 700 and plus you would definitly leave anyone in the dust. you might also want to consider the honda 450r. i bet you it can keep up with most of the quads out there. keep shopping man.

 

I just got the 700 gytr this past saterday and love it!!!
I also considerd a race breed 450 but I didn't like the way you sit on them and they felt too stiff.
The raptor 700 rides great and handles pretty good also (it will handle better then your kfx 700).
Plus it has reverse.
These are my oppions.

 

Unless Kawi takes a different road suspension wise from the other 450s, the Raptor is going to give you a MUCH better ride and be all day comfy although it sits higher and you do give up some handling over a 450. The new Outlaw is at roughly the same state of tune as the 450's, but has a 60cc advantage so it is going to be fast. I own a YFZ, and have ridden a few 700 Rappies. Most of the guys I ride with prefer the 450's because we trailride fast or mx, but if my wife and kids were going to ride and the pace would be anything less than 75%, the Raptor is a much better choice imho. Bottom line is that these two quads are similar but different enough that you really need to try and get a little seat time in. That is the only way to settle the wheat from the chaff.

 

Yea, i heard those new 2007 yfz450's and trx450's are really badass and are the 2 fastest bikes off the showroom floor available. I mean, its not like i have one of them yfz's...by the way, i heard the gray and red ones were really effin sweet.

 

Huh?

 

Do you really think the outlaw compares to the 450s? I would think that it would be more like the raptor. I've never riden one, but to me it seems that with IRS the outlaw would push (it would be harder to turn). If the outlaw handles like one of the 450s currently available, that would be a dream come true. I know the power is there as I've had some seat time on a KTM 520exc dirt bike.

 

Boosh71, I can't personally tell you how the handling will compare, I have never ridden one. What I meant is that the ENGINE is in roughly the same state of tune, but is 60cc larger and therefore puts out more power. I know stock the 450s and 700 Raptors are close, so I can see a 525 Outlaw being faster in a drag. Someday I would like to get some seat time on an Outlaw to check out the suspension for myself. I like the Raptors cushy ride compared to my quad, but not enough to buy one anytime soon. With the Polaris having such a different setup, who knows?