I have to admit that I really love the new Raptor. I, and my wife too, have had time to really test it and compare it to what we have been riding (Polaris)since our debut in ATV'ing. I have heard so much hype on these forums that I needed to get a "real" high-performance quad for myself...thus the Raptor. Here are some of my deductions:

Handling: The Raptors handling is far superior in most cases. Steering is 10x easier and lighter. I tested them at a stand-still on the road. The Raptor could be turned with one finger...the Scrambler took both hands and arms to turn the front wheels.

Weight: 100 lbs less makes a miraculous difference in every riding situation. I can even hop off the quad and throw it around...not on the Scram. The Raptor feels like I am riding a mountain bike. I cannot feel (or see) the front end at all. I actually jumped without realizing it!

Wheelies and jumps: Raptor...period. That thing has so much low end grunt it's fun and much less scary to wheelie than the Scrambler. Jumping is easy but I am still getting used to it. The seat is narrow and I feel like the rear end sits higher than the front so I tend to fly forwards on small jumps. Practice will make perfect!

Drag racing and fast runs: Scrambler all the way. It kills, yes I said kills, my Raptor and feels much more steady at high speeds. Without a pipe, the Raptor is not a contender.

Power: Scrambler once again. I feel the 4-stroke 660 was a bit over-rated power wise. Maybe because I am used to a fully trail-modded 400. Even my wife says it's not as strong or fast as the Scrambler. She is not an agressive rider and still kicked my a$$ every time in the drag races... It is a blast but I can tell my Scram has over 55 H.P. and the Raptor has much less. Pipe coming soon...

Sand hills and sand pits: Scrambler by a long shot. It feels much better to slip, slide and roost around the sand and up steep hills. I have yet to attempt "huge" sand hills with the Raptor. Maybe a stock Scrambler would be a different story but the modded one is amazing for this type of riding. So much power to throw around. As long as the sand isn't bumpy.

Whoops: Raptor. I just have to get used to having a motor with compression. The Scrambler used to just roll when the throttle was let off...this thing stops you almost. Fun though.

Logging trails at slow-moderate speeds: This one goes to the Scrambler once again. It just soaks everything up well and in comfort. Perfect for riding with my family and there utility quads at camp.

Very bumpy trails full of ruts: Raptor. So light-weight and nimble it's hard to beat...except that narrow seat.

Basically I love both these quads. I have been riding for two days strait and am going to ride every day for at least another week. The Raptor is funner even if I am going slower most of the time. When I hit a bump in the trail I can jump it much easier too. Getting back on the automatic after a day on the Raptor seems less stimulating...until I hit that 2-stroke power and whoooosh!

Sorry to be rambling on... later.

 

How does it compare to Zorro's Banshee?

The reason that I ask is because my friend went to a dealer just after the Raptor came out for some regular maintanance on his quad. He asked the dealer which is faster...Banshee...or Raptor. The dealer told him that the Raptor will kill the Banshee in every category. Recently another friend brought his Banshee to this dealer to get his carbs cleaned and stuff. He noticed a Brand new on on the floor and asked about it. The dealer told him that he'd better get his hands on it before the end of the summer cause this is the last year for them (his first story that is not confirmed). My friend asked him how the compared to the Raptor, and this time the dealer told him that the Banshee would smoke a Raptor as far as speed goes, in any situation. Now the same dealer has told two different stories about the Raptor. Needless to say, my friend believed every word and bought the New Banshee. It's funny because when he bought his last one in '98 "That was the last year they were going to make them". Guess it's partially his fault too. Anyway, just wondering. Enjoy your new toy. Take care.

-Josh

 

I tested the Raptor before crashing the shee (dislocated shoulder and no riding for 3 weeks ).
Handling and suspension is by FAR superior to the shee. I don't know if the smoothness is due to the fact that the Raptor was right off the dealer, but when jumping, you barely feel when you're landing, and it didn't seem to want to bottom out. The steering is very very light at low speed, and I didn't do any high speed test.
Now the engine. The Raptor engine has low end torque, whereas the shee doesn't have any. I'm used to 2 strokes and "torquing" my way rightabove idle...the Raptor doesn't like that (hits and vibrates like it would stall). On the Raptor, there's no power rush to speak about, everything comes smoothly.
Wheelies are piece of cake (Xplor, when I'm back to riding, you better be good at wheelies!).
The Raptor feels lighter and much smaller than the shee. The seat is pretty high, giving a sort of confidence (you feel like you're dominating the machine), bt it's not wide enough.

I really liked it. If I had to choose now between a Raptor and a shee...I'd take the Raptor...it is and FEELS 15 year more modern.

 

Did you guys get a chance to race? The mags give the Raptor a greater top-end speed, but I've learned not to rely on everything they say. Anyway, I read about your crash on the Yami forum. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Later.

-Josh

 

Pirana, Zorro's Shee is most likely faster due to the pipes he has. We will test speeds when I get used to shifting.

One final comparison: My Raptor is fine after 1 tank of gas and my Scrambler had a midrange burn down after only 3 tanks! Bummer.

 

I hope your not blaming Polaris reliability for your Polaris burndown. If somebody didn't read all your other posts they may get the wrong impression.

 

Rob, Not blaming Polaris. The only person I blame is myself...for overlooking that darn jet needle. I was sure everything was fine. It was bound to blow one day anyway...it was just too soon!

You never know...maybe the dealer will call me tomorrow and it won't be that!