Just like another fella on this forum I am 30 years young and I am just getting into racing. I have been riding for a long time just not racing. I finally figured what the hell. I came away from my 2nd race ever with a 3rd place trophy. I was one of two Raptors racing that weekend (not in the same class). I had a little kid come up to me and tell me that he has never seen a Raptor clear the finish line. I ended up proving him wrong but that just ate at me for a while. Long story short, why do we not see more Raptors at the tracks and in competition?

 

I race the Raptor and see plenty of them at Glen Helen, CA. There are at least 5 others in my class alone. (30+). Other classes have the Raptor, so it must be the racers choice in your area. What type of tracks do you race??[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

Well, we do have plenty of Raptors racing locally in VA. One of my friends races one and he does very well on it on TT. I guess the Hondas are so popular is why you don't see more Raptors.

 

I am racing on the same tracks the bikes race, usually about a mile and a quarter long or so. I have raced in north Texas, east Texas and practice there too. Most of the guys I practice with are on Hondas. Most of the guys on the Raptors seem to be beginners and completely clueless as to how to run them, not that I am some expert, don't get me wrong. Also "quadcross" is not as big down here as it is up north. My main concern is can I make this a competive bike or am I wasting my time?

 

A class competitive? C class competitive? Competitive until you need to get sponsored? How much money are you williing to put into suspension?:-)

 

I just started racing. I have been in two races so far. Never finished last. I finished 14th outta 16 the first moto (got too close to the gate and hung up when it dropped)stiill caught two riders. Finished 12th outta 16 in the second moto. I had never even seen this track before either. That was in the 30+ novice class. The second race I was in a Begginner class. I got 2nd in my heat and placed 3rd in the main. Again, never seen this track either. My cards I bought the Rap on are all maxed at this point but believe me suspension, a-arms, rear axle, swing arm and exhaust are definate musts when I can afford them. I wanted to get a couple of trophies under my belt before I start knocking on local doors here for small dollar sponsorships.

 

Kooch,

The raptor is just fine as a racer, any type racing. Modding anything cost huge $$$.

Small things I did see helps them out. Just flip the front wheels around, it gives you like 47" up front. Pull the air box lid off and do some jetting. By all means get a steering stabillizer first.

Two wheeling is the worst part of a raptor, but after market tires will help that alot when you get the money. Building HP at 4000 rpm is the name of the game with raptors. No matter the raptor has all the power you will ever need

 

My boyfriend races a Raptor in the Pro class - he's fast on it, and very competitive - I think it boils down to the fact that the Raptor is just not as easy to ride as the other quads - it takes alot of muscle to control that beast - but if you can do it - you will be a force to recon with....mods make it track friendly - like the other quads. Only thing - be prepared to replace tie rods like toilet paper if you flip the wheels out........speaking from experience! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Even the expensive ones will bend - don't waste your money. Just get the a-arms and appropriate tie's to go with them! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Kooch - Where do you race? I might have seen you at some of the tracks. Were you racing any of the TQRA winter series races? Quad racing is getting pretty big in this area though. At the beginning of last season, there were usually only about 15 people showing up at the races and by the end of last season there were usually about 60 at just the regular races. The TQRA races usually see well over 100 quads at each event. Yesterday I was at Village Creek though and there was only a few quads there. There's not usually a big turn out at Village Creek for the Lonestar Series and the extremely muddy weather didn't help things much either. I ride a red Cannondale, #71. You ever seen me around? There aren't many C-dale riders around, so if you've ever seen a red one w/ black Carbon fiber headlight delete covers, it was probably me.

 

I have been in the last two TQRA Winter series races at Nocona and Athens. I think I remember your bike. I was so nervous I didn't really pay attention much. I raced the beginner class black with a red grill. It felt good to place. It does take everything outta me to keep that thang on the track. (I maybe just outta shape tho)Thanks for advice and the reassurance Sandhopper. I don't think that I will flip the fronts at this point. It can wait. Spending the money on the new ITP MX Holeshots was the best move thus far. It dropped the front and rear down 2 inches. That helped a lil on the stability. Thanks for the help guys.