I think IF Honda brings out a 450 or 650 it will be on top and then I don't think there will be anymore new sport quads for a while

 

I agree BermBanger, IF honda comes out w/ something new, it will be on top for a while!

 

Lot of "ifs" in this whole thread....[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

yamaha's problem with the yz426 isnt the motor. it is the steel frame. the cr has aluminum, and is as light as a 250cc machine. the 426 could win with sheer tourque. the 450 engine will never be as reliable as a ds650's because it is very highly tuned. i think a 650 engine would be better. same hp, gobs more torque.

 

You guys are living in fantasy land. I don't think there will ever be a high performance machine that blows away everything in every category. I mean if Honda put the 450 in a heavier 4 wheeler frame and detuned the engine for a more user friendly powerband, then it would be making less power than the Raptor again, thats the way these things go. Look at a YZ 250, it makes around 40 HP at the wheels. Then look at the Banshee, a twin cylinder 350 2 stroke only makes around 35 HP because its in a 4 wheeler package. The Raptor engine in whatever motorcycle it was in before the Raptor, made alot more power than the 38 HP at the wheels it has now. I think if Honda comes out with a new High Performance machine they will do just what Yamaha did and suprise everyone. Did Yamaha use the YZ426F engine in an ATV frame, NOPE. Just the same I dont think Honda will use the CR450F engine.

 

Heres one, Honda, in most cases, is on the smaller side of its class. The 400 has a smaller engine than the Cannondale FX400, Bombardier DS650, Polaris Scrambler 500, and Yamaha Raptor 660R and it is a litte slower. Its a real brain-buster, right. Since it already has what is most likely the best chasis in its class, a bigger engine could make it by far the best. Oh yes, liquid cooling wouldn't be a bad idea for a Honda either.

 

When the 400EX came out in 99, the FX400, Raptor, and the DS650 were barely being thought of, so it was a lot of cc's when it came out.

 

honda needs to quite being such tree huggers and build a counter balanced 500 2-stroke, throw it in a 250r style frame and sit back and watch it smoke everything out there

 

This cracks me up... What an absolutely absurd post! Talk about complete conjecture with no basis on reality.

I have owned Hondas, I have ridden a couple different 400EX quads with different states of tune, and I own an almost stock Raptor... The 400EX cannot touch the Raptor powerwise and handling is a toss up, although the EX is easier to slide (stock vs stock). Neither touch the overall effectiveness of an '89 250R.

So, please, before doting all over a quad that isn't even reality yet, just SHUT UP AND RIDE!!! It is idiotic posts like these that make people that come here for actual bike information leave. In essence, it is kids like you, and your ilk, that drive the rest of us away...

Honda hit it right on the head with their slogan (listen close, kids)... Stupid Hurts!!! Make worthwhile posts... not this "crap"...
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img]

 

Dont Flip out or anything. But seriously, part of the fun of ATVing is the rumors about the next big project by a company. How will this one match up with the present Hi-Per quads? It is a question asked very often in this sport. So dont go bursting people's bubble about something that is fun to do. It is called an imagination buddy[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img].