My wife told me I can have one more toy. Now for the dilema. Either I can buy a Raptor and put a couple grand of mods into it OR I can trick out the 440 I already have BIG TIME. What would you guys do?

You can see my 440EX at
http://community.webtv.net/carothers/Robbys440EXPage

99 440EX with 2 many mods 2 list

 

What is reverse to you? That is the only thing you will gain by going the Yamaha route. Ever notice how few complaints or problems you see on the Honda forum?

 

First of all, does she have a sister??

I was in the same dilehma and for me the answer came the day I was able to get on a mod 440ex and a Raptor with a pipe. For me the answer was in the feel and handling, and honestly the honda feels alot better to me. As for power, in a straight away or racing up a hill, the raptor will still beat my minor mods, but I just like the feel of the Honda not to mention the unquestionable reliability. Even with the Mods I've done, not one thing has been put on my quad that I didn't initiate. Where as my freind just replaced the bent axle on his new Raptor. (I'm 30lbs heavier).

I have never taken it easy on my 400ex and it consistently gives me every bit of enjoyment. I think I might change my mind if I started shelling out hundreds on fixing problems rather than increasing performance. Don't get me wrong, I really like the Raptor, but my choice was to stay with the Honda and increase it's options. Plus I'm money ahead.

Good luck in your quest.

 

440EX WILL beat a STOCK Raptor but with a few mods the Raptor will smoke the 440. The Raptor is capable of more power modded.

 

I'd trick out the 440 more. I get off watching smaller bikes whoopass. I heard that 505 stroker that Sparks built kicks serious butt dragging. How about a 505 nitro stroker.

 

Hey, Robby

My friends and I have been tossing around the same question for the last couple months. I cannot justify selling my bike at a loss,$9000 invested,just to turn around and dump a bunch of cash into a Raptor. However my friends Raptor w/ Graydon pipe no airbox lid is almost an equal to my 440. We've all agreed the Raptor needs help in the suspension dept. as does the stock 400. My money is on the Honda. Even if the Raptor is faster I think the Honda will prevail in the trail.

 

Install a XR650R all you need is new front engine mounts, a radiator off a 250R, an oil tank and a custom exhaust. The engine does fit the 400ex frame.