Is the 400ex better than the raptor on a mx track and open trails with jumps in them or is the raptor better. I am also looking for a reliable quad. I heard the raptor has a tall 1st and breaks please give your opinoin thanks.

 

the new raps - 02 and 03 fixed the gearing and tranmision problem

 

but if your going to get the ex get a z

 

i wouldnt be too hasty to get the Z.. after all, he asked which one is better, the 400EX or the Raptor...

 

The Raptor is not very good on the MX,XC, Or and racing except in a drag race. the EX is very good but it has to be modified to run real good. The best deal is to get a used EX with a lot of mod, You can get then for around $4000 or under. There are even some dealers selling them very cheap new. I had a kid that told me that he just got an 02 last week for $3500, but I don't believe him. The Z is a much better quad at the present time stock.

 

Today, I was riding with a Raptor owner, who has a lot more experience than me by about a decade. He said that (riding behind me most of the day) he noticed that my quad seemed to be hooking up better than his, and that it felt top heavy (tipsy was the word) in the corners. He also said that he has trouble keeping the front end on the ground in the corners and this guy weighs about 250. The front end getting light by power may not be that big of a deal when riding flat out. But the rinding I do (MX tracks and trails) I don't often get my 400EX out of 3rd gear. Side note: this guy has a lot of suspension mods too, I have none.

 

Since I own both, I'll give you my opinion. I think my Raptor (with a +4 axle) handles nearly as well as my EX. However it is more tiring to ride. It takes a lot more effort to powerslide. As for power differences, my EX has more mods but my Raptor still kills it in any form of drag race. They're pretty even till about 3rd gear. Then the Raptor starts to pull away rather quickly. As for reliability, I haven't had any problems with either one. I've owned both for about two years. Both are pretty much dune ridden only.

 

i ride my bike pretty much only on the mx track and it does great. ive never ridden an EX on a track so i dont know about it. as far as the tippiness goes, its all a matter of how you ride it in the corners. you really have to get behind the raptor in the corners and gas it enough to get the a$$ to slide around...seems to work good for me. Reliability shouldnt be an issue as long as you dont get the '01. wheelying out of corners can be slightly remedied by getting up on the tank a bit more. my bike is stock except for a few protective pieces and other non-power adding or performance modifications and it does awsome. a pipe, pro-flo air filter, carbs jetted and itp mx tires for stability and your ready to role mx, trail or dunes.