Reverse,liquid cooled,Bigger badder moter = better overall high performance quad. But your posting in the honda forum so what do you think your answer is going to be ??????

 

I LOVE THE HANDLING OR THE SPORTRAX BUT ID GO WITH THE RAPTOR CAUSE IT HAS REVERSE ITS FASTER HANDLES JUST AS GOOD AS THE SPORTRAX AND JUST LOOKS WAY MEANER...ALSO THERE ARE ALOT OF BIG BORE KITS COMIN OUT SOON LIKE A 724CC KIT!!
RIDE SAFE!!!

 

People change the shocks because the stock shocks on all production quads are extremely poor, they are only one part of the big picture. I beg to differ on the tires (see end of the post). Looks are subjective - I still like the classic styling of the 400. Long post??? You haven't seen any of mine

Raptor owners, please don't take offense, or call me "baised", remember I am the one that researched and posted many of the specs on my webpage for the Raptor long before it was even announced. The following is what I looked at before making the decision to not buy a Raptor for myself...

I feel with the Honda you have a much better starting point if you want to go fast in adverse conditions. But your decision needs to be based on what kind of rider you are, and what kind of terrain you generally ride in. The Raptor is a pretty fast machine, seems really torquey, but somewhat lacking in the RPM building dept (explained later).

The Raptor has a tendency to dive in the corners pretty badly. This is caused by many factors. Narrow overall width, soft suspension, tall seat height, lots of weight mounted high. Rider ability can make up for some of this, but the more of your ability the machine demands, the less you have to dedicate to more fun stuff...

It also has a tendency to wheelie out of corners or pull just enough weight off the front tires to cause a severe understeer condition, due to it's torque and short swingarm. When wheelieing (on any bike) it is somewhat difficult to maintain a high speed turn or make a sharp low speed turn with good, controlled acceleration out.

Many of these factors cannot be changed. The Raptor's seat height is approx 2~2.5" taller than the 400EX. To get it to 400EX levels you will have to buy a set of expensive "zero preload" style shocks. Then with the desired frame to ground clearance you are sitting at stock 400EX level. To get it to the 400EX width (which works well on the track as well as for the woods) you will have to buy some aftermarket control arms and axle. In other words it will be difficult to compete with a 400EX with similar mods, unless the track or trail is strongly biased to high speed straights.

The Raptor has virtually no frame rake. The 400EX has 15 degrees, a 250R I believe, has approx 22 degrees. Frame rake is good, and is something that can't be changed without an aftermarket frame.

The Raptor has a short rear swingarm as well as low swingarm to ground clearance. The short swingarm causes problems hillclimbing and holeshotting. Low swingarm to ground clearance causes problems straddling debris in the trail.

The rear shock is mounted at almost a horizontal angle with linkage. This allows for little rear shock travel which is not a desirable trait.

The Raptor also has funky, streetbike gearing, many are switching to a 12T front sprocket which helps, but still doesn't cure the problem.

Then there's the widespread issues of axles, carbs, control arms, etc. I won't go any further into that because it insights really negative responses from some.

Personally, I really dislike the CV carbs, this is also, in my opinion, one of the big reasons (along with the narrow/tall issue) you will see Raptor owner complaining that it is hard to get a nice powerslide going on a Raptor - you don't have that instantaneous throttle response you have with a real carb. I feel that a set of non-cv carbs will be a lethal upgrade on a Raptor as far as HP & throttle response goes.

The only problems I have with the 400EX is I wish in stock forum it had more power, but it's not as bad as many may make it seem. I have done very well racing mine with a stock engine this season before I modified it (I haven't placed worse than 3rd in a race that I finished (didn't finish 1 race due to a flat tire)).

The front shocks aren't very good, but you're going to have that problem with any ATV that can be purchased today. I also wish it had more 250R like frame rake.


If all this weren't the case there is absolutely no reason you wouldn't find a Raptor in my garage. I'm not trying to be down on it, just realistic from a very aggressive rider's perspective.

Raptor likes... The liquid cooling (I can think of advantages of air cooling as well though), availability of reverse (although geared way to high). Lots of torque. Plush stock suspension (although it's a compromise, you lose jumping ability and cornering). I go back and forth on the styling. The narrow seat/tank junction is a nice touch. The descent control layout...

The best part of the Raptor - competition in the marketplace can only bring better things .

I do have a friend with a Raptor and we have been talking about which size and brand of tires to run for XC and such, it will be very interesting to see what he'll be able to make of the machine & what mods it likes and doesn't like. So far we've found that the stock tires and plastic swingarm skidplate don't mix well with Ozarks rocks

 

comon, your comparing apples to oranges, get the raptor. for the 600-700 dollar price difference, you'd be asleep at the wheel not to get a raptor.

rayz400ex
14t sprocket, s-bend, renthal bars
Honda 400EX RIDERS site:
http://home.elp.rr.com/hipo/atv/

 

Gabe this was one of your finer post.Strait to the point.Very well put although I do not agree on everything you said.I hopped on my old 400ex the other day and it felt like i was riding a blaster.It felt very cramped and the power just was not there.I guess I have really just truley grown into my Raptor.Ill admit though i like the 400ex much better then when I owned my DS650.But i dont think ill ever give up my Raptor.For me it has EVERYTHING I could want in a quad but remeber I Never do any mx racing so that could be why I love it so much.If i did race MX i may just still have my 400ex.

 

86atc250r "That" was a loooong and very informative reply....If I didn't already have one or the other and I read your reply I could make a decision with one more bit of info.For me that is..Do I want to go Very fast in a straight line, or do I want to play in the the turns and etc.?I could then combine the info you gave and answer that question and buy a machine I could be very happy with.Everyone has a choice to make and if you are honest with yourslf, it doesn't really matter if it is in any one of the forums now does it?Thanx again 86atc250r for a well informed reply.I enjoyed it!!!!!!!

 

GET A 250R NOTHING MORE NOTHING LESS. IF YOU HAVE THE COMPITION TRADE IT IN!!!!!!!
2STROKE 4 LIFE!!!!!!

 

The 250r would beat them both. I agree with the guy who said we are capible orf kicking over our bikes and don't need reverse. The 400ex is under powered just as a warrior is. But I think the 400ex would beat a raptor.

2-stroke will never die!!!

 

i have ridden the 400EX many times (one of my friends has one nd we go ridin everyday just about) also i have ridden the raptor about 3 times. and even though i've ridden the raptor way less it is better than the 400EXin just about every department. its true the 400 handles better though. the 400 is great but if u ask me the raptor is better and cooler lookin too. however if u don't have a lot of experience i say get the 400 EX cuz the raptor isn't for beginners! to be sure go to the dealer, ride both machines, and see wha u like better.

 

The 660 motor is great, but the rest of the bike stinks.