I have been riding a honda 300ex for awhile and feel its about time for an upgrade.

the only concerns i have are handling whoops and reliability... anything over 350 will be plenty of power for me, i just need better suspention and slightly faster top end.

i do 100% desert trail riding in red mountain and barstow, CA area
I'm also a small guy(5-5 165lbs)

The 700 raptor and honda 400ex are the ones im looking at now but wanted to hear some other opinions since most forum posts just seem to be about power or zealot brand loyalty, lol

 

You might look at the Honda 700XX

 

Go for the 700, I have the 400 and would not want it for the desert. The front shocks arnt that great and its air cooled.

 

that would probably be pretty close to being on the bottom of my list

 

i dont know. if i rode in a desert I'd get me an older honda 250r or a banshee, put some fox shox, carbon fiber it up, hiper beadlocks, nerfs, boy i'd fix it up... of course i'd need some more money to ,, I seen a 250r fixed up like that.. was certainly nice... a 2 stroke would be nice to scream in the desert with.. you know "scream in the desert" ..
... anyway..

 

I don't know about a Banshee for the desert. I like the high RPM hit that feels like a 125cc dirt bike and lets you skim across the tops of the whoops, and I think it is one of the most fun ATVs there is. But, two stroke gas mileage isn't that great. They make a 5 gallon gas tank for the Banshee, and you'll need it for any respectable fuel range. It looks kind of odd, and it really gets in the way for aggressive riding.

I ride in the desert all the time. The best ATV I've had for desert riding was a 2005 DS 650. Too bad they don't make them any more. I think the original posters two initial choices of either a Raptor 700 or a 400 EX would be good, with the Raptor being the better choice. I also think a DS 450 would be a good choice. The ergonomics, handling, and suspension are better than the other 450cc sport quads.

 

I would also look at the Outlaw 525 either the IRS or the straight axle, I ride with a guy with a 2007 IRS model and that thing is one of the nicest quads I been on. Has more power then a 700 or a 450, wheelies like no tomorrow, and has a really nice seat height as I am only 5'8'', I mean I ride a DS650 and a KFX700. Just an option that not many people will point out as its not really a big seller!