Looking at getting a new quad next year for hare scrambles here in pa. Wondering what would be a good reliable, cheap and easy to repair? Open cc class

 

Most people will mention the strung out 450 class with there stressed out motocross motors.
But for more reliability a 700 Raptor makes the same power 45hp but with more low rpm bottom end grunt .
A 700cc does not have to be pushed to the limit to make 45hp like a 450cc.

 

No offense to TLC, but I don't think he is a racer. There is a major reason you just don't see many 700's lining up and even fewer winning classes. They are heavy pigs compared to the 450's and tire you out after 1.5-2 hours trying to thread a 47" quad through 50" trees at speed. The 450 class all have plenty of low end for what is needed to run a scramble pace. Especially after you add a slip on(which is all the motor mods most scramble guys ever do.)

 

I go to motorcross races the 450s are the same motors and their rebuild suggested time is 120 hrs.
Your not getting 45hp out of a 450cc without paying for it somewhere.
The guy did want reliability. Not that the 450s are not reliable but the 700 will go much longer before needing a top end job.
Another option is a 400ex and 400z almost the same cc but with 10 less hp so there not under the same stress.
A Suzuki DRZ400 motorcycle can run across the country a few times I doubt a RM450 could before it pops a nut.

 

I don't think a 700 is what I was thinking a whole lot more weight then I'm used too. Plus not a lot of people here run 700's way too big in size

 

XC can not be equated with MX.

I feel bad for the guys running 400 class machines because I pass them in the field/grass track sections regardless of how fast they are in the woods. Heck, a healthy 450 outruns a similarly modded 500 Pred as well. While I have a healthy respect for the 700 Rappy, I also know at least 4 guys that dumped a bunch of $$ into a scramble build only to either sell and start over with a 450 or just get out all together because they weren't competitive. I have seen guys in my class(and I am old and slow, not bragging) that blew multiple 400ex motors in a season trying to keep up.

Time2fly, XC is a ton of fun if you keep the proper mindset. You certainly do not NEED a 450 to compete and do well. Since you are going to be running the Blaster for a bit, you will learn for your self what works and doesn't. Talk in the pits with guys in your next class too. Most of the WNYOA guys are willing to talk racing all day. Not sure which series you are going to run, but the District 6 guys I have raced with all seemed pretty cool/laid back as well. Success doesn't need to be measured in placing, many races I am happy just to finish in one piece. If you can only afford 4 or 5K to race a year it is OK to run a used 400EX held together with zip ties and bailing twine(j/k, you should use safety wire instead of twine, lol.)

That being said, it is hard to podium without some mad skill and 450 power.

 

Scooter you just answered my question thanks

 

The other thing to remember is that XC is very hard on the machine. True you may not need to rebuild certain motors as often, but you will hit trees, you will have to replace rims, tie rod ends and tie rods, tires, axles, fenders, bumpers, skid plates, clutches, silencers(there is a direct ratio to how much your exhaust costs to how soon some goon not even in your class center punches your shiny new can. I had a carbon fiber full HMF system that only made it about 20 minutes!) cables, brake pads, bearings, and on and on. These are costs you will incur regardless of machine choice.

 

i've got to agree with Scooter86 on this one. I started racing seriously this year( 2 fulltime local series and select national race) raptor 700 is way too big of a quad for woods. At ironman, there were ALOT of raptor 250's and they were just as fast as the 450s in the woods( c class guys) but of coarse once we got in the open sections it wasn't even a comparison. It all comes down to suspension setup and physical endurance in the end. Honestly the best option for someone getting into it is a honda 450r, there is a crap ton of aftermarket support and they pretty much have them figured out. I am on the opposite end of the spectrum, i ride a kfx450r and feel i am a ground breaker since there really isn't anyone who runs em, though this is slowly changing now that more are coming up forsale.

 

Nice looking machine Speedy! A local legend around here runs the KFX for scrambles and swears by it. I almost bought one in '09 when every one was blowing out the new stock for around 5K. What mods did you need to do for reliability?