Daneyo,

Spanked isn't the word I would use for the DS racing the Raptor. Where we drag race (anyone is invited to come and see) in Albany, Georgia The DS 650 is really only a touch faster, And that might be the riders skill some too. If you really wanted to know. Buy all 3 400EX, DS650, Raptor, and get a GPS tracker. Race 10 times on each and average them together and see times over an 1/8 mile on the same day under the same ground conditions. Then run on different surfaces, Gravel, hardpack, sand (with paddles), and clay. The Raptor hooks a little better than the DS (right off the start)where is it very slick (really dry)because it has a shorter swingarm and is a little bit lighter. The DS650's are winning in sand where a longer swingarm is the way to go. There are endless different conditions to swing either one way or the other. If I had known this post would cause a WAR I wouldn't have posted it in the first place. I just thought you might be interested in my tests this past Saturday. It was only to compare 2 Stock bikes and give an HONEST opinion of the results. The 400EX in slick conditions WILL come off the line quicker than the Raptor period. Then the Raptor WILL catch and pass it. By the end of the road, the Raptor had pulled ahead by 2 lengths. That is what happened. I know somebody said I am lying and there is no way and for whoever that is I just may go get a video camera and make an MPEG for all to see. (Probably a good Idea anyway, you can't argue with what you SEE.) And I will finish by saying the Raptor is a very cool bike. I liked it very Much. If I had the Money I would own a 400EX, DS650, and a Raptor and then I could test them all and tell you the truth about each unlike the paid off magazines who blow "feel good propaganda" up your butt.

 

Gabe: You couldn't have said it better, it's almost scary. maybe the exhaust has crack in it causing the riders to become eager for more, and wanting to defent it soo bad.

yamaharaptor: you act like you ARE the raptor, and people ARE saying stuff about YOU. Dude, quit preaching, cuz no one is really listening. You know that people will not defend you, especially in the honda forum. So save yourself and some others the agony.

 

Yamaharaptor well said with intelligence because it sure lacks in this forum. The bible does say that jealousy is one of the ten deadly sins. But like you said those honda fans can't wait for a bigbore quad. Unfortunately it won't be out for 2002 or even 2003 because of hondas commitment to producing a 4 stroke dirtbike line and a new watercraft line. Seems like their following in Yamahas footsteps again just like when they came out with marine engines. All you have to say is how can they defend Honda when all there performance quad $ went into a girls bike the 250ex! What a joke it makes me laugh. The honda fans don't have much to say there but they're sure quick to bash the new liquidcooled 660r aren't they. Honda fans spare us all!!! Keep talkin aboout your 13 year old bike 250r because thats all ya got anymore!

 

 

YOU GUYS GOTTA REALIZE THAT ITS IN THE RIDER, ALL THE PEOPLE ON 400EX THAT BEAT THE RAPTERS WERE PROBLY JUST RACING A GUY THAT GOT THE RAPTER THE DAY BEFORE AND JUST LEARNED HOW TO RIDE .
I DONT CARE WHAT ANY ONE SAYS ABOUT THE 400EX SURE THERE FUN TO RIDE TO PLAY AROUND ON BUT THERE NO RACE BIKE , NOTHING GONNA REPLACE THE 250R, I RACE A 250R IN 250A , I THINK YOU SHOULD JUST GIVE YAMAHA SOME CREDIT FOR FINALY COMMING OUT WITH A NEW BIKE

 

war99, how many times do you have to post the same thing? ive seen this same info from you in 3 other topics! we get the idea!

 

I have a 99 400EX and 00 YZ426. I think that Honda and Yamaha rock. The point is my YZ426(slightly modified) has almost twice the power of the 660. So if you think that it takes a 660 to beat a 400 I'm sorry to say but I'm sure that if Yamaha was to mount the 426 on this quad frame that it would spank the hell out of the my 400. In fact if anybody has a line on a used Raptor frame I would be interested. I have had this planned since I found out that they(Yamaha) did'nt use this powerplant in the first place. So keep your eye's open for a Raptor 426 (coming soon to a dune or MX track near you) . In the same thought though could you imagine if Honda put the 650R engine on the 400 frame (although they would need to lighten it slightly). I just had to put my 2-cents in. They both RULE THE INDUSTRY!!!!

 

I have got to say this HOnda does have the upper hand on handling. I rode my friends Raptor and its greaaaatttt. But my 400 does handle a whole lot better. I also think that what was said earlier makes alot of sense. That the Raptor was mad eto compete with the DS not the 400. So if it can hang with both or maybee even beat one occasionally than its gotta be pretty good. Although I think Yamaha's designers may have been dropped on their heads as infants. Why OH WHY would you make tha A-ARMS so small and out of ALUMINUM. If you wanted to be different or even lighter use TITANIUM.