ok...here are the questions(that need to be answered):

1. which one lands smoother from LONG, HIGH jumps? which can handle HARD landings?
2. which one has off the line power?
3. which one can go longer maxed out before overheating?
4. which one is easier to maintain?
5. which one will wheelie better?
6. which one has better lighting? (headlights for night ridin)
7. what problems should i be worried about on each bike?
8.which can fly around tight corners and is more stable? (when jumping and flying throw tight places)
9. which has the least amount of maintaince on it?

ok...i am REALLY looking at the Raptor. here are the reason:
1. it is LQ cooled (400ex doesnt have)
2. it has reverse (400ex doesnt have)
3. i can get a temp guage from HL and keep an eye on my temps.
4. it looks d.amn good
5. i havent heard any problems with them.

ill THINK about the 400ex. here are some reason:
1. light wieght and good reviews.
2. good power
3. very good suspension
4. looks real good
5. its a honda
6. more mod. for them
7. i havent heard any problems with them


please tell me any MAJOR or small problems with these machines..i dont feel like paying alot of money for it to be in the shop gettin worked on.

Thanks,
William

 

1. which one lands smoother from LONG, HIGH jumps? which can handle HARD landings?

I THINK THEY ARE BOTH ABOUT EQUAL. RAPTORS FRONT SHOCKS ARE A LITTLE BETTER THAN 400EX'S. I HAVE SEEN WHEN RAPTORS LAND THE MIDDLE HITS THE GROUND ON THE SAME JUMP I WENT OVER ON MY 400EX WHERE IT DIDN'T.

2. which one has off the line power?

I GOT THE HOLESHOTS WHEN I WAS DRAGRACING A RAPTOR. THE RAPTOR HAS A LOT OF POWER BUT IT WHEELIES IN FIRST OR SPINS WHERE I HOOK UP AND GO. THERE IS A BIG GAP BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. SECOND IS REALLY HIGH.

3. which one can go longer maxed out before overheating?

OVERHEATING IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH EATHER MACHINES WHEN THERE STOCK. I HAVE NEAVER HEARD OF ANY PROBLEM I RODE ALL SUMMER LONG AND HAD NO PROBLEMS. I AM GUESSING RAPTORS ARE BETTER BECAUSE THEY ARE LIQUID COOLED BUT THEY ALSO HAVE A LARGER MOTOR.

4. which one is easier to maintain?

RAPTORS HAVE GREASE ZERKS THAT NEED GREESED AND 400EX'S YOU DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THAT AND THE CHAIN AJUSTMENT IS EASIER ON 400EX.

5. which one will wheelie better?

I THINK THERE EQUAL. ITS EASIER TO GET THE RAPTOR UP BECUASE OF THE TORQUE BUT IT IS EASIER TO KEEP IT UP WITH THE 400EX BECUASE IT HAS A SMOOTHER POWER BAND

6. which one has better lighting? (headlights for night ridin)

RAPTORS HAVE A LITTLE BETTER HEADLIGHTS AND THEY LOOK COOL. ALSO A BRAKE LIGHT

7. what problems should i be worried about on each bike?

SOMEONE ELSE ANSWER THAT

8.which can fly around tight corners and is more stable? (when jumping and flying throw tight places)

400EX. IF YOU BUY A LONGER AXLE FOR THE RAPTOR IT WILL BE THE SAME.

9. which has the least amount of maintaince on it?

I THINK THEY ARE ABOUT THE SAME

I hope this helps.

 

Wow, an unbiased reply about the Raptor by a 400ex owner. Those types of posts are getting rare on this forum.

 

1. which one lands smoother from LONG, HIGH jumps? which can handle HARD landings?
400EX

2. which one has off the line power?
equal

3. which one can go longer maxed out before overheating?
dont know

4. which one is easier to maintain?
400EX

5. which one will wheelie better?
Comfort issue

6. which one has better lighting? (headlights for night ridin)
dont know. the 400EX does a great job for me

7. what problems should i be worried about on each bike?
Raptor: axle, a-arms, carb, tranny, loose bolts.
400EX: if there ever are any i will tell you

8.which can fly around tight corners and is more stable? (when jumping and flying throw tight places)
400EX

9. which has the least amount of maintaince on it?
400EX

just my honest opinions, hope they help

 

1. which one lands smoother from LONG, HIGH jumps? which can handle HARD landings?
400EX

2. which one has off the line power?
equal

3. which one can go longer maxed out before overheating?
dont know

4. which one is easier to maintain?
400EX

5. which one will wheelie better?
Comfort issue

6. which one has better lighting? (headlights for night ridin)
dont know. the 400EX does a great job for me

7. what problems should i be worried about on each bike?
Raptor: axle, a-arms, carb, tranny, loose bolts.
400EX: if there ever are any i will tell you

8.which can fly around tight corners and is more stable? (when jumping and flying throw tight places)
400EX

9. which has the least amount of maintaince on it?
400EX

just my honest opinions, hope they help

 

1. which one lands smoother from LONG, HIGH jumps? which can handle HARD landings?
400EX

2. which one has off the line power?
equal

3. which one can go longer maxed out before overheating?
dont know

4. which one is easier to maintain?
400EX

5. which one will wheelie better?
Comfort issue

6. which one has better lighting? (headlights for night ridin)
dont know. the 400EX does a great job for me

7. what problems should i be worried about on each bike?
Raptor: axle, a-arms, carb, tranny, loose bolts.
400EX: if there ever are any i will tell you

8.which can fly around tight corners and is more stable? (when jumping and flying throw tight places)
400EX

9. which has the least amount of maintaince on it?
400EX

just my honest opinions, hope they help

 

1. which one lands smoother from LONG, HIGH jumps? which can handle HARD landings?
400EX

2. which one has off the line power?
equal

3. which one can go longer maxed out before overheating?
dont know

4. which one is easier to maintain?
400EX

5. which one will wheelie better?
Comfort issue

6. which one has better lighting? (headlights for night ridin)
dont know. the 400EX does a great job for me

7. what problems should i be worried about on each bike?
Raptor: axle, a-arms, carb, tranny, loose bolts.
400EX: if there ever are any i will tell you

8.which can fly around tight corners and is more stable? (when jumping and flying throw tight places)
400EX

9. which has the least amount of maintaince on it?
400EX

just my honest opinions, hope they help

 

sorry about all the posts my internet was tweekin out on me,

technology.. what a blessing... what a curse.

 

There might be more mods out for the EX at this time, but you could spend thousands, buy every one of them, and still not have the power of the Raptor.

The EX is the king of handling, and wheelies.

The Raptors dependability is questionable, at best.

I've ridden both, the Raptor gave me a better feel, due to its size. The ergonomics seemed perfect to me. It had so much power, it was almost unusable power, but it's there if you need it. The EX seemed too small for me, and the power just wasn't there. If someone gave me either machine, I'd be happy. But, if I was going to spend my own money, I'd have to go with the Raptor, and hope like hell that I got one that was built on Wednesday.

 

thanks for everyones reply! anybody have anymore? does any think the 02 models will have as many problems as the 01's? from what i am readin..i think i might wait and gett he 02 models. i already have ALL my accessories (from diff places) on a piece of paper..all i have to do it get my dad credit card and call the suppliers up...so far i have about over $800 in modification (for looks and protection) and i MIGHT get the big gun exhaust cause that MFer sounds GOOD. anyone else have any suggestion on an exhaust (i want it to sound like a Z71 with dual straight pipes...a DEEEEEP rumble!!!)

thanks,
William