From your other statements I think you kind of worry about the raptors reliabilty. I think especially with the newer ones they are pretty reliable. I like the ds a little more because it's a little faster plus it's different. At least were I live there ain't many ds's but there's a lot of raptors. If you want the power right out of the shop get the ds and the raptor next (the raptor still looks cooler than all of em). If you want pretty good power and to mod one up as you go along get a z or kfx especially if you don't care about drag racing. They'll get you up most hills especially with a few hop ups. The raptor is getting close to as cheap as the z and kfx but their still cheaper by a little so if you want one of them you'll save a few hundred bucks, peace. If you don't care about having a clutch then the 700 v-force is probably going to have as much potential or more than the ds or raptor and it's around the same price.

 

The Raptor is the king of the dunes for 4 strokes, no question. The '02s and up have no problems with the tranny like my damn 01. The Z400 is a good quad but doesn't have near the power that a rappys got. The 400EX is a good chassis with a horribly dated motor but cheap. If you have the money you should look into a DS because they are great dune quads but are too big and heavy for trail riding. There is no question in my mind, go with the raptor. Later when you get the urge to hop it up, you will really start to have fun with the rappy. Have fun!!

 

OK, well, Raptor then.