Well, I just don't know what to buy...A 400EX or a Raptor. Does anyone here ride either one in the woods? I live in West Virginia, so I need a 4-Stroke with a lot of bottom-end, can handle well, needs to be able to have good lights for night riding, and can run a pretty goods ways without refilling the gas tank often. So, give me a reason to go with the 400EX or Raptor, also, is there going to be any changes in the 2002 Raptor?

 

i have a raptor and a friend has the ex. the reverse on the raptor is definetly awesome. however i think it takes more skill to drive the raptor aggressively in the woods because of the way 1st and 2nd gearing is. it wants to wheelie up steep hills and stuff. i am getting a 12 tooth sprocket and i will see how that goes. stock for stock the raptor will flat out outrun any quad out there!

 

A 12 tooth sprocket makes a world of difference! Even on hill climbs, it is a huge difference because the power is so much more controllable.

The lights on the Raptor are the Krypton bulb if I remember correctly, so needless to say, they are very bright.

Of course, the 400ex isn't too shabby either, especially if you don't need the extra power, reverse or good looks!

 

I have owned both and for woods riding either one is pretty good. The Raptor definetly has more power from top to bottom. It is geared a little high but that is an easy fix. If fact, the Raptor has so much power I find myself steering with thet rear end more than the front. Just a little stab at the throttle and flick it. The Raptor has some pretty good lights and goes a suprisingly long way on gas for such a big engine. Mostly because it is a little lean from the factory. Haven't really heard anything on the 2002. My guess is maybe a color change if anything. With either machine you can't go wrong. It just depends on how much speed you like!

 

I really like my 400EX. The lights are good and the suspension is great. In all the atv magazines the shootouts between 400EX and Raptor say that the 400 wins bc of the suppior suspension witch makes supperior handleing, steering, and overall ride. I really like it, especially once i drop one tooth in the front to 14... i hear it makes it a woods animal! As for reverse, i dont miss it to much, you really get used to not having it.
jsut my 2 bits on the 400

 

What's your level of riding experience? The Raptor is definitely not a bike you'd choose to learn on. The 400EX would be much easier to learn on and is much more forgiving. The Raptor on the other hand, more low end power than you know what to do with and plenty to hand out a$$-whippin's on the top. I've owned 2 LT250 Quadracer's (one pretty heavily modified) and have ridden many number of Banshee's. I thought I knew what power was so I jumped on my Raptor when I first got it broken in and thought I could just ride it like any other bike. Needless to say, the power of this bike comes on early and it comes on hard. I've learned to damn near use the gas tank as a seat when coming hard out of corners because the front end WILL come up if you don't respect this bike. If you've got a decent amount of riding under your belt you can't go wrong with the new Yammy. Oh yeah, reverse is nice too! None of my riding partners have it and they cuss me at the end of a dead end trail.

 

if you are gonna do a lot of woods riding go with the 400ex you cant go wrong. but if you are gonna get in to places with a lot of room and straight aways the raptor will be faster unless you modify the ex.

 

i own a slightly modded 400 ex,i i love it.i got a chance to climb on a raptor tonight and that thing is wicked.how in the sam hell do you guys ride that thing in the woods with out dragging the grab bar on the ground.i hate to talk up on yammys but that dinosaur is one bad dude,just wish it was about 1000.00 cheaper