I am asking this only because i want to know, from your opinions what is better for racing, trailriding,jumping,and most fun to ride. I know what the magazines say but i am asking u. Never can really believe the mags.

 

i think the 400ex handles alot better, which makes it better on the trail and track in my opinion. it might not have the topend speend of the raptor, but if you take the money you saved buying a 400ex insteed of a raptor, you could make it faster

 

I totally agree w/ u. RIDE RED!

 

I own a 400 with the mods below, and I no that a raptor would beat me top end. I don't really have a problem with that. But what you gotta realize, is that you don't always just go straight on a fourwheeler. For my type of riding, I think it would be hilarious trying to see a raptor keep up with me in the woods. Not taking anything away from a raptor, they are perfectly fine quads, but I would rather buy a 400.

 

Of course you know that asking this sort of question in a Honda Forum is foing to give you a biased answer. What do you think these guys are going to tell you?

Best to find out for yourself what you think, or find someone who can give an unbiased answer.

 

Coming from an unbiased position(you see what I own) I would have to say the Raptor.The 400ex is a nice bike, but it is underpowered and not everyone wants to modify their motors.The reverse and electric start era we are in now sucks, I think we are all capable of kick starting our bikes, but the Raptor would provide you with more fun from more power.

 

with the raptor you would need better shocks, wider a-arms (like +3) and a new axcle. mabey rear tires too. on the 400ex, you need to hop up the motor to reach raptor standerds. i think that the 400ex can stay reliable with mods. the raptor is 1,000 more than the 400ex, and you would need to put at least that much into the raptor more stable and handle like the ex. that is the only reason i say 400ex. i know the raptor guys will fire back saying "the mags say that the handleing wasnt that much worse than the 400ex!" well i just got the new atv action and it says that the ds 650 is the better handler between the 2 big bores. the 400ex wailed on the ds in handleing, so just hush your mouth all y'all!

 

The ONLY things the 400EX has over the Raptor are handling, a LITTLE weight(which is because of the extra goodies the Raptor has), and price (which shouldn't be a big factor when choosing a high performance quad). If the Honda handling is so darn good, why do I see half the people here have aftermarket shocks? I know the shocks aren't the only thing that affect handling but they are a big part of it. The Yamaha suspension is also said to be super plush and comfortable. Now lets see what the Raptor has over the 400EX, 1) POWER! 2)Better, bad @$$ looks, IMHO 3) Reverse 4) better stock tires 5) VERY tuned down engine thus being very modifiable 6)Did I mention power?? Sorry for the long post, but this is what I strongly think about the two and I'm sure Yamaha and Honda riders alike will agree with me.

 

I have a raptor and I love it also i would love to have a 400ex as well as a ds650 and a banshee etc. etc. Its all for FUN!!! Choose what you like for what you ride. I feel that all quads are fun and I am not out riding saying my quad is better than yours. I just want to ride thats why we have them!
Hell I enjoy screwing around on my son's lt-80!

 

I have a 400ex and my friend has a Raptor I have rode both I would pick the Raptor for the trail and the 400ex for the track. In the trail I can ride the Raptor almost as fast as my 400ex. The Raptor does seem alittle tippy in the corners but this can be compensated in the rider ablity. I love the all around power of the Raptor. To match that all around power from shopping around for a 440 kit it will cost alot more then $1000.( to do it right). Why modify when you can leave it stock.