ok, I know there is another thread about this but I wanna know for where I ride what would be better. I go down to mexico now and then and its mostly wide open beach with some trails but none are narrow with sharp turns, I keep the little 250EX thats down there topped pretty much all day long. I might mod the suspension and race flattrack for fun cuz my gf does that and let me practice on their prepped 300 and I got hooked. I will be going to the dunes at moses lake around here, possibly some trails but mostly flying across sand is where I think I will be. I really wanna get the 06 450 a cuz I really like it but also cuz ive told so many people I am going to and so many people dont beleive me. I know no matter what either one will absolutely blow away the 250. but will I really notice a big difference between the two? also when it comes to modding them, will the 700R's ECU automatically recognixze the filter/pipe and adjust fuel acordingly or do I need ot get some kind of pigyback ECU? the honda alll I gotta do is jet it. and I dont know why but I like the fact that the TRX is kick start. but almost 250cc's more seems like it will pull way harder. I thikn ive seen a test where the 660 topped out at like 79 or so, and the 06 TRX tops out at 74 according to dirt wheels. so that isnt a big enough difference to sway my oppinion, raptor has reverse which Il admit is nice but I dont think I need it really. I think what I really want is one that fels more comfortable throwing around on jumps and offcamber stuff. even though the raptor isnt that much heavier it just seems like its bigger and wont be as nimble? am I wrong?

 

In the modern scheme of things, displacemant means nothing except when you are comparing engines of identical design, which these aren't. Those extra cc's that the Raptor has, don't mean a thing. The stock 06 R will be a little faster, and with an HRC kit way faster.

I think you went through all the pros and cons pretty well. For me, I always want the lightest machine, so that is the kick start R by some 50 pounds. That's a 50 pound handicap that the Raptor has in any race, and 50 extra pounds it has to lug around a corner on a trail.

You have to ask youself how you want to ride??? If you want a machine that you can just put in gear and have it pull, that will be the Raptor. If you don't mind working a close ratio transmission and keeping on top of a two-stroke type powerband, then the R might be ok.

The 06 R gets a lot of crIticism for having a very stiff, big hits kind of suspension, where the Raptor has a reputation for being cush. That might make a difference to you???

 

The Raptors EFI doesn't have an oxygen sensor, so when you pipe it, it most likely will run lean. The best thing to do for that, is to get the Power Commander III. You can download different fuel injection maps to remap the Raptors fuel injection system.
I have an '04 450R that is piped, jetted, open airbox and has a Stage II Hotcam. Two friends of mine have the 700 Raptors. The one with the Power Commander would be me evey time in a drag race, the stock one would not.
If you have been riding a 250EX, both the Raptor and 450R will blow you away with the amount of power and suspension they have. You will notice a HUGE difference.

 

yeah, most powerful machine ive been on was the built 330. ive been on stock 300's and stock old warriors but they have nothing on that 330.

about the suspension, I LOVE to jump. I dont mind it being a little stiff. isnt the compression dampening adjustable? since I mainly ride thos 250's and thats it. how would the 450's suspension be compared to that, probably softer than that right since it has twice the travel; to work with os they can afford to soften it up a bit and not bottom out everytwhere. I am always bottoming out the suspension on the 250's off of jumps, mainly because almost everything I jump from there is no landing to shot for, you land on flat ground so nothing eases the landing. and on the street I drive modified little integras and such where its the same deal, always gotta kep the revs up to have fun and I love it. my gf's dad has a 660R(how much faster is the 700), but last time he l;et one of her friends ride it he had to pay like 2100 bucks to get it fixed os Im not sure hes too eager to let me out and test it. and I havent goten to rie her YFZ450 yet either. im sure that will help my decision alot, maybe when Im ready to actually go in and sign the dotted ine they might let me. but now Im swaying towards the 450R, and I wasnt gonna get the HRC kit, back when I was gonna get the 04 I was thinking hotcam stage 2, LRD pro 4 pipe, dynojet jet kti, and the procom rev box. but sicne ive found this site ive seen statements that the HRC kit is very good for the money, I might just go that route when it comes time to mod it. between the HRC kit and what parts I chose, would the bikes be similar in power or would one be way ahead? also anouf the o2 sensor thing. do you know if the LTR450 is gonna have an o2 sensor? that bikes already wider by 3", and I have always liked the center-up on sportbikes. now its on a sport quad.

 

just looked and hondas site only lists a HRC kit for the previous years?

 

Nope, you can get the HRC kit for the '06 and from what I'vre read and heard, it makes it a real screamer!