Guys lets face it, we won't have a new sport quad until at least 2003. I'm thinking more like 2004. Even though the sales for the 400ex have been good, you have to remember, that "platform" has to first be paid for. Think of all the adds, media releases at the shows, engineering costs, huge inventory of parts, and R&D costs. The 400ex has only been out since 1999. In 3 years of sales, they might have the engineers paid off. If they released a bigger sport quad, it would cut into the sales of the 400ex BIG TIME! It took Honda 6 years before they released the 400ex from the release date of the 300ex.
This is how the auto market works, and you can't overlook this.

 

Yea they will announce the 650ex on may 3rd....but it will be may of 2004! I think Honda will wait to see what Kawi and Susuki do first. With the 400ex, Honda still has a bike to compete, so I'm sure they will let the rest blow thier wad first, so then Honda can blow them out of the water!

 

Depressing, but all very true Mr.jcv400ex.

 

Just to let you guys no since a lot of you are fans of big quads, honda/yamaha dealers (meaning they are a honda and a yamaha dealer) are ordering 7 400ex's for every Raptor they order. Or maybe that is they sell 7 400ex's for every raptor. Either way it doesn't matter. Want to know why? Because more people would rather have a 400ex than a raptor. Thats probably why honda hasn't mentioned anything about anything bigger. And just incase your wondering about the 7 to 1 thing, it came straight out of the mouth of a Honda/yamaha dealer.

 

nothing yet.....9:00am est??????

 

Nothing yet as of 1:30pm est.

 

OOOOOOH,
Honda stepped up again, with a Recon ES.. HAHAHAAH. Electric shift. Man, Honda is WAY behind the times...

RoostKing...

 

That sucks......Ohh well.

Just wait, they will have one that will beat a Banshee and everything else

 

97300ex, about the 7:1 ratio of 400's to Raptors. Have you ever thought about the $1500 difference in price swaying consumers one way or the other? I know both my cousin and friend looked at the Raptor but didn't want to spend $6500+t&t for a 4 wheeler. That's why one bought a 400EX and the other bought a Banshee. They both got there's OTD at $5600 and some change. I went out the door at $7190 on my Raptor. Price definitely makes a difference in sales. Do you know they sell 10 Mustangs to every one Viper?? What the hell does it matter?

 

Ummm GuyRaptor...

VERY BAD ANALOGY. Mustang vs Viper is the same as 400EX vs Raptor??? I dont think so. Apples and oranges my friend. I'm sorry, but I ride with alot of Raptors and yes, they are fast...but not 400EX=MUSTANG vs RAPTOR=VIPER...try this analogy: 400EX=MUSTANG GT (With suspension mods) vs (some older big block chevy product with NOS)=RAPTOR, yes, you will be faster in the 1/4 mile..but lets hit some back roads. Your Raptor will be faster in a drag race, but not in the woods. I think that is a more realistic analogy. <rant off>

Eric