Although I am extremely disappointed at the lack of a decent new sport quad, Honda knows what its doing. This is exactly what the market needs. Here's my example: last spring I was in the market for my wife, I wanted something for her that's easy to ride/learn, and something sporty. Guess what, there wasn't anything. We settled for a recon. Sure its easy to ride, but she has trouble with the bumps that I want to ride with my 400ex.

When the Lakota sport came out Honda saw what they had, and went after it.

The engine/driveline choice is bulletproof, but slow. Would I have got this machine if it had been out last spring? You bet. Now we're looking at a 300ex though, time to learn how to shift a manual.

ogre

 

honda would have been developing that bike for a while

there is obviously a market for these bikes, muchs to the dissappoint ment of die hards (and me!)

looks ok.....drum brakes though
push rod motor
shaft

i suppose were lucky it wasn't another auto or utlity or stick bike

sounz like it would have suit you quite nicely.....the lakotas are a good machine....i wanted one myself....but my 250x was cheaper

 

Yes, motor, driveline, everything is basically taken from the recon (so it appears). The suspension travel is longer, disk brakes on the front, and the chasis looks like a 300ex/400ex style. At least it'll be interesting to see how it handles, and if they modified the driveline to get a little more top speed from it.

ogre

 

Honda's watching the Raptor closer than we are.There WILL be a new machine.Next spring maybe.

 

I just wish my dealer hadn't told me that the new machine would be in direct competition with the Raptor. Glad I didn't wait.

I might buy my wife one of these though, I'll have to let her ride one first, but I'd rather get her one of these than a Trailblazer I think.

As far as Competing with the Raptor, I think your right, next fall will bring some Honda Excitement, if Honda knows whats good for them, or the Yamaha Raptor will just keep gaining market share. The Raptor is only 700 bucks more than a new 400EX, and it backs up.

I wonder if the SportTrax 250EX will come with Yellow plastic???

 

yeah, but in my opinion, the raptor isn't that good... they could have made it better...

If someone told me they'd give me infinite money to buy any STOCK machine, i'd still go with the 400 over the raptor.

 

Have you rode a Raptor, to make an informed statement?

 

Saw the Bomadier get smoked by the 400EX on an MX track and I'm waiting to see if the Raptor will stay with the 400EX on either the MX or XC racing. My money is on the 400EX. Maybe Honda doesn't need a BIG bore!! If I had a 400EX, I wouldn't be selling it yet! Yeah, the big bores are going to be great for the guys who want to play on the roads & sand dunes, but the rest is yet to see.

 

its a recon without the utility factor

BOOOOOO BOOOH BOOOH
I am severely disapointed.

 

Youd still buy a 400EX over a Raptor?? MAn some people are loyal to a fault... The 400ex is a good machine, but the Raptor is 10 times a 400ex. Ride Red, Ride Polaris!

RoostKing...