OK, I'm just about ready to trade up to the biggest and most bad *** quad out there. So which one is it? The 660R? The Vforce 700? Predator 500? Which bike will make anyone with an ounce of testosterone go OOOOOO! Which one will make them ignore the fact that a girl is riding it and just focus on the atv and wish that they had one? I ride both trails and dunes and don't get too crazy but want to get up comp hill faster! Let's assume for the moment that price is not an object, nor is the type of transmission. Simply put, who is currently the quadzilla or the king of quads?

So far I've ridden a friend's raptor and me likey!!!

 

That would be the Yamaha YFZ450 from what they say. I never riden one myself. Are you sure you could handle a beast like that? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

the vforce I would say, It has a faster top speed that the raptor and the yfz

 

I'd go with the big bad green machine. Yes, it is an auto but when you ride one, you'll love it. And it does smoke a lot of atvs out there stock. It climbs dunes really good. Don't have to shift so that helps you get up the entire dune. I've made it up all the dunes I've done with no prob and they are really steep ones. Thats with no paddle tires either, just the stock Holeshots. Its a wheelie monster too. Just feather the clutch and ride a wheelie forever. Its got shaft drive so no damn chain, and its got wet disc internal rear brakes so no wearin out pads. Tons of accessories too. Its fast out of the crate but if you want to really fast, rejet it and put an exhaust on it and hang on!!

 

I guess you want a sport quad. I think if I were in the market I would be looking at the Predator 500. My brother has the Raptor and he loves it but said the weight was something to get use to because he traded up from a 250cc quad.

 

Hi katstoy! Tired of the little Lakota? So are you living out in the desert now?

Definitely one of the 450's! These engines use Formula 1 technology, to milk big horespower from a light little mill. In my mind, the Yamaha is a MX machine that can be adapted to the trail, and the Honda is a trail machine that can be adapted to the track. Both of these machines are more high maintenence than your average bike, so be aware of that. My choice is the Honda. But, the Honda is geared tall, and in stock form, can be a handfull out on the trail.

If you want the absolutely best ALL-AROUND machine, get an 05 Suzuki Z400! This machine does everything well. Easy enough to ride that a beginner can start out on it, yet an advanced rider can be happy, once the engine gets hopped up a little.

You mentioned the Raptor. Tall and tippy, and a little heavy. I would have to spend $2,000 to widen one. I have a friend who just bought one, and he is not particularly happy with it! The motor does pull to the moon, however.

As for the V-Force, I have two friends who own these. Lots of power, but they weigh 516 lbs., compared to a 450 that weighs only 350 lbs. This is a bike for a BIG guy.

 

Raptors not that heavy reconranger. Only about 10lbs heavier than the banshee & 400ex! Sure they are 45lbs heavier than the yfz/trx but it has reverse and alot more low end!

Anwsering your question here, i'd get the Raptor660 for trails/dune. A z400 is great quad to, a better all around quad, but not as much power as rappy

 

Formula 1 engine technology from 40 years ago yeah... There is more tech in your average grocery getting 4 cylinder compact car engine than either of the 450's or any other atv for that matter.

 

So maddog/blindside, you didn't answer her question! What bike do you suggest and why?

I think pretty quickly, everything but the 450's type technology is going to become obsolete (except for entry level machines). Look at Honda......it has happened already to the dirt bikes. They have dropped the XR's, and for off-road, already all you can get is a CRF450X or 250X.

 

This comparison/topic has been posted dozens of times and I've made enough suggestions and comparisions that I dont feel the need to make anymore. If someone really wants more information they can search for it.

Yes, honda is improving the technology in their machines for the better as are the rest of the companies. But dont act like its anything close to cutting edge, atvs are decades behind other motor industries.