I don't think honda cares they aren't on top any more.Yamaha came out with the raptor not long after the DS650 came out.It is honda's turn and they do nothing.Sure the 400ex is a great qaud.But we need more!Maybe even keep the same chassis(it's a great one now)even the same engine.Raise the compression,different cylinder head,different carb?something to give it some more power.


I don't think that it is that they are afraid to get sued.bombardier's put out 42 hp at the rear wheels and raptors 38.BUt what does the 400ex put out?27 measely hp.I mean come on!



I would still rather have a 400ex then a raptor though.I think

 

From what I read they are still selling tons of 400's, they will probably wait till sales are hurt before they redo it, why spend money on R&D, when they are making tons off the current 400EX, which is still the leader in sport atv sales. So in sales they are on top, in performance they are not. Profits are what they listen to not the consumer.

 

...dude, read the magazines! the 400ex wins all of the rider choice awards... why? because it's the best handling bike! That's why all the riders run the best lap times when on the honda.

You can't make a rapter a better handling bike... but you can alway make the engine bigger in a 400ex. There's no need to change the 400ex. -well, I take that back- REVERSE would be nice.

-plus.. it's fun hopping up the 400ex- That's why I love this hobby- there's so much you can do to a honda.

 

HMM "You cant make a raptor handle better" Well that shows how much you know! Its all about what you want to do build a motor or change handeling. My Raptor handled great with the TCS shocks and LOnestar axle which is all you basically need to get it to handle good! The TCS shocks lower the ride height and and the axle made it reall stable. So I would say you cant make a raptor handle better because it really takes no effort at all just some $$$ as does a 400ex to make it run better! Both are great quads and with some $$$ they both become even better!

 

...you don't get what I'm saying- of course you can make bikes handle better- but you can't make a bike handle as good as a 400ex. Sure you can adjust the suspension (as well as the 400ex)... but the Honda will always be a better "ride". Yea, it's not the fastest on a drag- or quickest up a hill- but nothing beats the confidence in handling and comfort of the bike.

 

actually i recently beat the crap out of piped raptors cuz all they do at the start is wheelie. i'm sure if they didn't wheelie they would kill me.

 

RE: "you don't get what I'm saying- of course you can make bikes handle better- but you can't make a bike handle as good as a 400ex"

How do you figure that? Are you trying to say that one of those race ready 250r's like tim farr rides doesnt handle as good as a 400ex?
What about the raptors that have longer a-arms, shocks, etc....do you think a 400ex with stock suspension will outhandle one of them? Personally, i doubt it. There's no way a stock machine, even one that handles as great as the 400ex, can ever handle as good as a quad with race ready parts like i just mentioned.
Sure it's one of the best handling quads out there but it doesnt outhandle all other quads.

As for honda not caring...
Sales are up so things will probably stay the same for at least the next few years. Yamaha didnt come out with the raptor just because bombardier came out with the ds650. It takes years of development and testing to make a new quad (from start to finish) which means that yamaha had to start designing the new raptor before the ds650 came out.
One other reason they dont make a bigger motor'd quad is because the public has spoken. Most people would rather have a fast, reliable, great handling quad than one that just wants to flip over backwards and cant handle for crap...Not to say that the raptor can't handle for crap...it just doesnt handle as good as a 400ex....A HONDA of course...LOL

 

im not tryin to kindle the fire but i think hes tryin to say that the 400 has a certain feel to it that u cant get with other bikes. i might be wrong though. i think that honda has something big that theyre working on. i hope so anyway. id love to see maybe a 500 or 600 EX come out with the same chassis and handling and maybe better (more travel) suspension as the 400. id buy it anyday.