I have had 3 200sx's, a 300ex, a 400ex,and a 250ex. We grew up on Honda products and my first 200sx was never in the shop. Oil changes and gas is all it ever took. I love my 400ex. They are comfortable and fly well. I don't think Yamaha has perfected the raptor yet. They slamed it in the market to compete with 4 stroke sales and the bombardier sales. The gearing proves this. I know that Honda perfected the 400ex in 1999 with the first release. Honda won't overproduce a model just because the sales are there. For instance the 2001 250ex is out of production right now. The raptor you will see for the next 15 years with no changes just like there other bikes. Yamaha makes a good product but the first years seem to suck and the resale values drop because of the limited changes to them.Don't rely on opinions which one is better here. look in the papers and call to see what is selling the fastest, and if they get what they ask. You will find more competitors than you will hondas in any classified section.

 

I know I'll get bashed here because this is a honda lovers room, but I have didn't care for my 400ex. Don't get me wrong it's an excellent bike, but it had terrible ground clearance for trail riding. The rear skid plate seemed to play music over the rocks. It also ran horrible in cold weather. It's a very warm blooded machine. Lastly I'm rather tall and felt cramped on the 400. I sold it for a Raptor, and I'm much more happy now.

 

Ya right run bad in cold weather my a$$!!

 

I won't complain about your post, at least it wasn't some childish "shut-up you stupid head, your 4-wheeler is junk" type of comment, just your opinion of a quad that you owned. I too had a problem with the ground clearance of my 400ex, but solved that problem with some 22 inch rear tires, and lower gearing. Is the raptor any better, ground-clearance wise? The raptor looks like a real nice bike, and on the 3 min. ride I took on one, it seemed like a great machine, but I'm happy with my 400ex.

 

if you spendabout $1000 on a 400ex you would smoke any stock 660R and still save about $1000 if you would of bought a stock 660R out the door yet any 1987 banshee with about $1000in it will smoke both of you and 250R's,DS's ect. people the banshee is still the king of all, drag,hills, dune's,ripping,speed, thrillssss,

 

From what Moe4's original post read i would say the 400ex is the quad he want's. My friend has a 400ex and his dad has a Raptor, my friends dad went on vacation and my friend had pick of the quads and he took the 400ex. It's better for where we go riding here, everything is wooped out and lots of trails. I rode the Raptor and thought it was great but the 400ex is smoother, i can flick it around and jump anything with confidence. The ground clearance could be higher but i dont have many rocks where i ride, i think derekhonda and nc400ex bring up some good points as well as others in here but you want an all-round good quad right? The 400ex won't let you down!!!!!!!

 

OK OK Now that I have time to reply (I work 12 hr days) my comments are... I rode blue and now I'm not riding at all because I rode blue!!!Seriously I love all quads my fav. are banshee's but they are too expensive and a pain in the butt to work on. Raptors would be nice but it's their first year and I know they have some problems. So I'll go with the Yellow 400 EX as a matter of fact, I am picking that bad boy up tomorrow!!!!!!!Too bad they don't have reverse though. My cousin bought a Raptor, maybe I'll check it out.Next quad???

 

Children Children!! Can't we all just get along?!?!