Hello, I know this topic has been done to death but I am going to bring it up again. I am seriously considering selling my 400ex to buy a Raptor. I really see nothing special about the raptor compared to the 400ex except for reverse. Let me explaine what I would be using it for. I have a snow blade on a really old suzuki 125 2 wheeldrive and it does plow alright. So I would put a plow on the raptor (with chains of course)
Another thing. I have a POS snowmobile and I think i could sell it for about $800 and purchase a rip off model of snotraxx (www.snotraxx.com) to put on it. I have alot of mods on my 400ex and it has been taken care of and looks excellent. I see 2000 Honda 400ex all stock going for $4800 around here and i was thinking i might be able to sell mine for about $5500.00. Does anyone else think it is worth this much? Just curious about the price. I have already made about $400 with the plow on the other quad so i dont doubt with the money from my quad and the money from plowing that I could have it paid off this winter. I am a big honda fan but they really should have added reverse on the 400ex. And if they are making a 650ex or something i might consider it later (when it comes out) but for now I can't wait. I would like some advice from you raptor owners and 400ex owners, and especially those who have owned both. Don't quad bash please. Thanks in advance.

 

Mods usually don't add squat to resale value. I doubt someone would give you that kind og cash for a used bike, when they could get a brand new one cheaper, and mod it to their likings.

Plow with a Raptor????????

 

I'm not going to say anything about a polaris scrmabler 400 2x4, but thats the closest "sport" machine that will plow efficiently.
The raptor even with chains will spin and they dont make a plow kit for it.

No one say a word this was my opinion for derek not the makings for a bash-a-thon.

2000 SCRAMBLER 400 2X4

SCRAMDADDY400

 

Yes plow with a raptor, I didnt say it would clear a parking lot. Mearly to do about 5 driveways. We don't get a whole lot of snow around here, a good snowfall is about 6 inches. I really have to have a clutch, and I was thinking the raptor is the ONLY step up. Everything else is equal or a step down.

 

Maybe you guys are forgetting that if you are plowing, you are pushing the snow out of the way, so the quad is basically driving on pavement (the plow only leaves a minimal amount of snow). Hell, I plow my driveway with my Kodiak in 2WD and the Kodiak has not much weight on the back tires and the tires don't have good traction. Plus, my driveway is long as hell and is uphill.

 

I plow my driveway with my riding mower. It's cheap, easy, heavy, the plow is cheap, and it has a hydrostatic tranny which helps keep my hands free to operate the plow. It hooks up really well and works great, plus it's not hard on the chassis of my quad (since I'm not using my quad )...

 

When plowing snow and you start to loose traction
never,Never,NEVER did I say NEVER, ask your wife to sit on the rear rack for better traction!!

 

With the Raptor you will push about 40 or more ft and the clutch will go out. @ of the 3 people that I ride with have had to replace the clutches in theres and that was with just riding. To push snow you have to have some low end. The Raptor has none. If you are going to do anything put the plow on the 400, but better yet get and auto to push snow.

 

It sounds like you are happy with your 400EX, except for reverse. Since it is unlikely that you will get 5500 for a used EX, you will probably end up spending 2500-3000 to bump up to the Raptor, which will not plow snow very well. I think you would be money ahead to use the 2500-3500 and buy a used 4x4 quad. Brand doesn't matter, but from what I have heard the old Suzuki King Quads are perfect for plowing, I'm sure the older Hondas would work as well. Then you can plow very efficiently, make some money, and have 2 quads instead of 1.

 

It is not just about pucshing snow. Like I said, we do not get that much snow around here, and I do have that old suzuki with a blade on it.