I'll copy my post from the kawi forum...

I raced a stock 400ex last night! It had 23” SpiderTracs, and stock gearing, and I had my stock tires on. There was also a Rubicon, and a Prairie 400. Off the start, I jumped ahead of them all. The 400ex slowly caught up to me in the midrange, and then passed me in the top-end. The Prairie 400 and Rubicon didn’t have a chance. With stock tires, or better gearing, the 400ex might have had a better start. I rode the Rubicon for a little while, and it had nowhere near the power that the 650 has on tap. It also didn’t have the nice smooth ride of the Prairie. As a side note, I only got around 8mpg driving mainly in 4 wheel drive. I really hope the gas mileage gets better.

2002 KVF650 – Green w/27” 589 M/S’s

 

I have read that the 400ex is only 3 tenths slower than the Raptor in a drag race. Let's use some logic here, if the Raptor only beats the 400ex by 3 tenths of a second, how in the world is a machine that has 10cc's less than the Raptor and is 200 lbs heavier going to beat the 400ex? As far as the top speed goes, which ever gets out front first and gets to top speed will win. Once they both reach top speed, whoever is in front will stay there forever if the top speeds are the same.

I will line my 400ex up against it anytime!

 

650vtwin- i believe the reason the kawi out accelerated the 400 was because of the 23in. tires with stock gearing. the 400 runs 20in tires stock. the bigger tires will lower acceleration and require more power to turn thus making it slower to get up to speed.

 

TextI am pretty sure the 400ex wood beat the 650..FROm what i have heard the 650 should be about the same speed as a scrambler 500!
IS anyone here getting the optional stiffer springs for there 650 beast?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

my buddy just bought the 650 so i will be lining up very soon! there is a lot of country roads for traction...the 650 is fast cuz i have ridden it but im sure the ex will edge it out at least where traction is 100%( road) i will be sure to write back asap!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

This is really something, isn't it. Here is everyone wondering if a 606 lb. automatic utility quad can out-accelerate a true sport quad. It says alot for the Kawasaki, no matter which one is faster.

 

Juggalo, your scenario makes no sence at all. First you say <<<"the reason the kawi out accelerated the 400 was because of the 23in. tires with stock gearing">>>>........Then you say......<<<< "the bigger tires will lower acceleration and require more power to turn thus making it slower to get up to speed.">>>>>

Explain to me how 23" tires (which lowers acceleration) can out accerlerate a machine(400ex) that is known for it's voilent, off the line, low end acceleration? As it sits right now, the 400ex is dead even through the first 3 gears with a stock Raptor, then the Raptor pulls away. If you put 23" tires on the Raptor, the 400ex would kill it in acceleration.

Considering all of that, add 23" tires to the Raptor, and then add 200lbs to it, wht do you think the race would be like? I'll tell you.....the 400ex would win hands down!

Maybe you got confused and explained it wrong.

 

Racer18, don't get too hung up on the c.c. thing. If that and weight were the only things that mattered, the Raptor would kill the Cannondale---it doesn't. The fact that the Prairie 650 is a V-twin with tremendous torque has a lot to do with it, plus, having instant throttle response and 43 hp.. Also it is automatic, so you can't miss a shift (although it usually takes away a bit of power). The rider on a standard transmission equipped quad can make a big difference---he better know how to take off and when to shift without hesitation. There are many more factors to consider here too. Anyway 650vtwin said that the 400EX beat him. You read that a Raptor is only 3 tenths of a second faster than a 400 EX---in a drag race how long? Just curious. I'm assuming it was a very short race as the top speed of a stock Raptor is quite a bit more than a stock 400 EX.

 

Racer 18J...3 tenths of a second is alot. Lets not kid anyone here, a Raptor will put some serious whoopass on a stock ex.

 

I have never raced a 400EX that was even with me through first gear, let alone the first three. Even when my machine was stock.