I took my son out today for a ride. I let him take the Raptor 700 (as it is easier to ride) and I was on the clutchy rev happy Honda 450R. I was quite pleased with the aggresive riding I can put the 450R onto. After a while of riding, I asked my son to swap bikes. I could not believe the poor throttle response I was getting out of the Raptor 700. I just did not want to ride it anymore. Yeah it had power (and crap tires from the previous owner) but the throttle response was much more response on my 450R. I know, I may be comparing apples to oranges here but I always felt the Raptor 700 did not have the low end grunt like the 660. Before I sink some cha-ching on a pipe and EFI I would like to ask anyone with experience on stock and modded raptors if this is normal. One thing I'd like to mention I replaced the stock filter with a UNI filter (with lid on). Would this have any impact?

Any response would always be greatly appreciated.

 

the power delivery on the 700 is much smoother than the 660 and also the frame setup is better so actully makes the 700 feel slower than the 660. and the 700s really wake up with pipe, intake and programmer

 

You hit on the reason I prefer the 450's. You are experiencing the run and gun nature of them. It wants to be driven that way.

The 700 has plenty of power but, as bigned says it delivers it smoothly over the entire power band rather than at high rpm's like the 450s.

 

450 powerband I hated at first, but I like it now. Raptor 700 is an easier ride. I actually prefer the low end torque of a big bore. Easier input and you can lug it freely everywhere. A 450 tends to tire you down and requires more rider input. Both bikes are a blast, but both are ridden very differently.

However, the bottom end seems lacking on the Raptor. I am going to look around for the best bang for the buck exhaust and fuel injection controller. Debating on Dobek or Power Commander III.

 

Once you get the exhaust and fuel mapping setup on the Raptor you won't feel your lacking on bottom end. A friend of mine has one with LRD exhaust and it has low end to spare.

 

tell ya what.. the 700 has a nice smooth powerband.. i was doing a yamaha "test ride" at Silver lake sand dunes and we got to a nice open stretch and i was in 3rd gear, leaned back a little and gave it some throttle and it came right up and was very easy to hold there.. i carried it for about 500ft+ and put it down, we got back and the guy leading the pack( i took off in front of him a little bit so i have enough clearance around me to do it.. ) told me " so you're never ridden before huh" lol. I had just ridden a yfz450r before that and the 450 has a very eratic power delivery and isn't very easily controlled. On the 450 you gave it a tiny bit of throttle and it raced off out of control(it seemed like) but on the 700 is was just nice and smooth. Which is great for trails IMO.

But agreed, once you do a pipe and powerprogrammer they really wake up and have tons of power

 

Speedy, I am dying to go back to Silver Lake. I envy you.

Okay I am convinced time to get a pipe and programmer/chip/efi controller whatever it's called.

One guy had a newer 450R and begged to ride my Raptor. When he got off it, he said "this thing needs a pipe and exhaust". It just feels lazy. 450's aren't for everyone and the power you actually have to keep it in a certain powerband, but they can be a blast to ride.

I just feel the 660 had more of a seat of the pants feel. Once I get those two items I'll post here on the results. I'm considering Looney Tunes exhaust. There is something about dual exhausts that do for it for me.

Thanks guys,.

 

the 700 was designed to be "lazy" It's designed to be a trail quad and you don't want ***** out rape you with no lube power all of the time, this is great for MX or drag racing, but around tight trails you don't want to be in a constant wheelie. On a tight trail you could EASILY out power a 450 with pure low-power torque

 

the power delivery on the honda trx engine is second to none, the yfz on the other hand is a handful to ride. i used to work at a yamaha dealer and have done some work on the 700's. only problem so far has been 2 con rods that were bent 90 degrees about halfway up. fear not though, these 2 were clearly abuse. the pipe/programmer/intake will give it a lil more bark but not the night and day difference of pipe/jet/airbox lid remove on a 450. i think it is a lil apples to oranges, the 450's are race bikes and the 700 isnt...

 

I'm not expecting the same powerband, perhaps I didn't make a proper post. What is eating me is that the 450 is carbuerated and the throttle response is spot on. The Rappy 700 which is EFI feels boggy and delayed in it's throttle response. Just want it to be "snappy".