Looking to buy a new sport quad and not really sure what to get. I don't know whether to get a 450(yfz or kfx, no trx or lt-r) or the Raptor 700. I do trails that have some big hills and some tough spots and will hit the track every once and a while. What are some advantages and disadvantages?? which does better in different situations etc. Im 16, 160lbs and have been riding for about 6 years.
Any help much appreciated

 

i whould get the raptor 700 because it is going to be by far the best trail quad, do pretty well on the mx track (not as good as the 450s on track but does pretty dang good). the 450s will not trail ride very well at all because there engine like to run at high rpms. i have a been riding for close to 20 years (24 year old now) and have the raptor 700 and love it. it is probaly the best "all-around" quad i have ever rode.

 

Well I saw a guy last night riding where i usually go, and he say's that his yfz 450 does pretty good on those trails except for it being a little wide, and these trails aren't easy, they're really ruted and there's a certain hill that honestly almost goes stratight up, and he did it with ease. With seeing this and hearing what he said, it makes it sound like the 450's can do pretty well on the trails. Is it a big problem that the 450's like to rev on tight trails?? Which do you think is a better quad, the yfz 450 or the kfx 450r??

 

Dude get an outlaw. Love my 525. The 450 is sweet too.

 

out of curiousity whats quicker outlaw 525 or raptor 700, sorry its off topic, but the outlaw is a great trail quad

 

Personally, I have never liked the Raptor's ergonomics. I find it carries its weight high in the frame, so it is less stable than any of the 450s. It is however the best trail quad from your list. But...on the othe hand, it is also the worst for the track...

All of the 450s like to rev, so none of them would be my choice for a trail quad, but the Honda with some gearing changes would make an acceptable trail quad and wicked hill climber (I speak from experience!), yet still be descent at the track.

 

Ive raced many a 700 and never lost once. Stock for stock the 525 is lengths faster than a 700. And it too carries its weight low and forward for better steering performance and handling. Its an awesome all around quad with a bulletproof engine. Ive raced it through the woods and Ive raced it on a dirt bike track with 50ft triples. It will take whatever you can throw at it.

 

both are good quads. i dont like the irs outlaw 525 but the str8 axle model is pretty nice. another reason i bought the raptor 700 over the outlaw is parts avability. and i love the efi. btw the 700 will be a less maintince engine.

 

I beat all my friends out of corners on the IRS. Once you learn how to use it, you come out of the corners way faster because it hooks up immediately. IRS also makes for very smooth jumping. And when you are done riding you dont feel like your body is about to fall apart. And now that Doug switched to Yosh, we will be getting a full yoshimura system. And the Bomb Squad signed with polaris so we will get lots more aftermarket parts very soon. This is the end of the first year this quad has been available, aftermarket parts take some time to design and test. Be patient and soon there will be just as many parts as there is for anything else. EFI has its advantages and disadvantages. Ive heard my share of people complain about it that it isnt the cure all everyone makes it out to be. And you lose the cheap customization that you have with a carb and its more electronic parts to go bad. 525 does have maintanence yes. Oil changes every 10-15 hrs, valve adjustments every 15. But if you buy high performance, expect high performance maintanence. That engine will scream. And I enjoy taking care of my quad. Take care of it and youll destroy raptors.

 

The 450s have way too stiff of a ride for trails...even if you set them all the way to the softer side.