I, for one, don't really care what Yamaha builds. Or Suzuki, Kawasaki, etc. I can go out to my garage and wipe the dust off the 250R's sitting there and know that to me, I have what I think is the best ever.
I'm glad there is competition among manufacturers. Makes for a better product all around.
And. . .without bad-mouthing anyone else, I can still think I have the best.

 

Okay, The Raptor was faster. But only by a half a second. Now, for a thousand dollars (differnce in price) I could make my 400ex a half a second faster. So, I believe Honda is still the winner. 396cc versus 660cc's. and only a half a second. Honda must be doing something right....
I gotta say though, even though it would be a dream...I don't see a new Honda big bore sport quad in the next year or so. 400ex's are still selling fast. Why rush?

 

It was funny how the article elaborated on all of the 400EX's bad points, but when it came to the RAPTOR's bad points thay just swept it away.

And how many tests have thay done on the 400EX, the clutch was never a problem. And whoever said the Raptor handles better must not have red the article cause thay still gave the handling to the Honda.

 

I agree with shift that is a bunch of crap how they change their story. It makes them look bad, makes it look like they were paid to give a good review. And I remember all the reviews saying that the 400EX was the best sport quad out there and that only really experience riders should even look at one, now they say that anyone who knows how to run a clutch can use them, also crap.

 

I own a 400EX. I like my 400EX. I've never seen an MX track. I'll never race on an MX track. I also like to ride my 400EX. It is fun for me to ride on my 400EX.

 

Yamaha will probably always be faster than Honda, but nobody,and i repeat NOBODY,rather it be automobiles,lawnmowers,or atv's will ever make ANYTHING better than Honda. It is a fact lets face it!

 

MX is just one of the area's that the Raptor beat the 400EX in. Just think if they were to do an open road, drag, trail, or dune test between the two. Trapperb I own a 250R and think it a great machine also even though it has only 3 wheels, and is air cooled. I am just saying that if Kawasaki, Suzuki, or Yamaha is your preference you could also have a newer quad instead of the old tecate-4, LT 250 or 500 and last but not least the favorite the Banshee. Now our choices will open up a little more thats all.

 

Honda makes a decent generator, but their ATVs leave a lot to be desired. They should put more money into R&D and advertise a lot less.

 

Sorry to bust your bubble NoFear but they said the 400EX handles better than the Raptor. They also said the Raptor won't slide because of too much side bite. The only reason the Raptor won was because it has a bigger engine (260cc is alot if you ask me).

 

i'm sorry quad father, but you seem that you just want to start a fight. i'v seen your quad and it is a sweet piece of machinery (i liked it better with the red seat and nosepiece tho). are you just not wanting to admit that horsepower isnt everything?