im not talking about when they FIRST came out(because obviously no one had seat time on them) ...but more recently...for those of you who had a choice in quads to buy, but bought the 450r, did you get to ride one, or just buy it?
i have quite a few hours on the yfz...but have found its not for me (three riding buddies have them, and i dont like twitchy power band and having to rev really high like a banshee just to cruise...) i currently have a DS if it makes any difference.

I have seen a few people on 450r's (mostly at the badlands) but at the time i wasnt interested in one so i have never swapped with an R owner. I am currently looking into a new quad (be it an 05 bomb, an 05 predator, 05 R, or wait for somthing else to come out new) and so far i havnt ridden the predator or the R so its hard for me to decide.

anybody live in northern IL? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

im just worried if i were to go grab one, i would be dissapointed with a few things (if i knew about the +/- of both quads before hand it would make my decision a LOT easier) and of course no dealer around here wants to let people test high performance quads.. (not that i blame them...i wouldnt want some punk kids to have thrased my "new" quad...)

 

I got my 450R about 2 or 3 weeks ago and I paid for it before I even started it...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] EXCELLENT quad and as a previous DS650 owner you will be VERY happy with the 450R. MUCH better quad than my DS could even think of being.

 

i think you and i got lemons.. (you 10 times more so than I) im just afraid it will happen again, because i do like the ds. I dont like the weight, which is why the 450 is so appealing.... hmmm ive heard people talking about that lag in the bottom end (kind of like in the yamah, where it stumbles a bit at low rpm unless you really hammer it) and im a big fan of flat out torque (not rpms to get it, lol)

 

I bought my 450r without riding it first, and I love it! I did sit on all the other atv's that i was considering(predator, yfz450, z400), but i just felt that the R suited me best. About the bottom end power it does need to be reved kinda high, i guess like the yamaha(never ridden one), but i'm probably going to put a 13 tooth sprocket on it. If you don't mind kicking an atv then you won't be dissapointed.

 

Get the 450R they kick A$$![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I bought my R two months ago without ever riding one or even seeing one on the dunes. I couldnt be happier, and I sold my 250r to get this. With the stock cam the key to immediate power is short shifting, more casual riding doesnt require this. Also I havent noticed any bottom end lag, maybe the 13 tooth sprocket eliminated that. I also dont feel like mine is at all to tall or tippy.

 

the most i did was sit on one before i bought it. i sat on the yfz also. the y felt a little lower or i should say the honda felt a lil bit high in the seat but nothing bad. i knew what all the mags said in all the shootouts but i chose the honda becasue of past reputation and past quads i have ridden or owned. i am completely ecstatic with the quad and have had it for over a month.
it dont look to stock anymore though [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
cut fenders, omf scoops, pro design kill switch, ac pro pegs, dg v-pro bumper, dg skid, renthal 13tooth, trail tech bars and clamp (in transit),
prm grab bar. she looks so purdy [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Bought one with out riding one first. Very nice quad.