"i dont mean to bash the raptor but its WAY too under powered for the engine size"

ha? ok we will use the hp ratings given for the 400ex in this thread

18.7hp @ 400cc = 400ex
38.5hp @ 660cc = raptor

The raptor engine is 1.65 times bigger than the 400ex motor, but creates 2.05 times more HP. If your theory were true, the raptor would have less than 1.65 times the HP of the 400ex. Or maybe we can compare it to the motor on your fourtrax350? This tells me you have never ridden a raptor and base your facts on how you feel about your brand but this guy is trying to make an "educated" decision on what quad to buy. To say the raptor doesnt handle well is simply not true.

 

Well fist of all guys the 400ex makes 28 ponies stock not 18. The 300ex makes 18.

 

18HP? Come on people, were not talking about a Warrior here.
The stock 400 makes about 26-27 HP at the wheels.

And...yes, the raptor is not as fast as it should be givven the 260CC (!!!) advantage over the 400EX.

-Matt

 

OOps, Keyracing... you beat me to it. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]


By the way, to the fella who thinks a pipe and a pipe ALONE gives 10 HP.
come on man, you CANT be serious. or, ARE YOU?


Give me a break

 

Your right 28 hp on a dyno with a yoshi pipe so say 26-27hp. That brings me down to 1.45 times the horse power, your right a little less than it should be to be 100% comparable to the 400. But in this case less is still 1.45X more and I will take it.

 

Well you can correct me if I am wrong. But if the 400 ex is so much better in the woods than the raptor, Then why is there a basically stock raptor in the top 10 in the GNCC pro class and no 400ex's or canondale's? Curtis Crump and his raptor must be doing something right to be able to run that well against all those high dollar custom framed 250r's. And then what about mister Khunle and his banshee (stock framed) running in the top 10 all those years? As far as running a lobo front end in the woods, Doug Roll make a moto-x and a cross country lobo front. As for as the engines go, Raptor 40+ hp, pump gas and great gas mileage for less than $500.00. Compared to what $1000.00 dollars, Race gas and a low gas mileage. I think I will take the Raptor anyday. Plus you get reverse.Yeah I know you don't need reverse on a race bike, but then again you don't really need reverse on your car do you? Sorry but I am just getting tired of people that haven't put much seat time on a raptor keep giving it a hard time. Just my 2 pennies worth.

 

After owning both, I would recommend the Raptor. I trail ride the Raptor quite often and it's a blast. Ideal situation would be riding each and buying the one you like best.

 

key racing, actually, my 300ex dyno'd 22.1 HP at the rear wheel when it was bone stock, but i may have just gotten a really good bike out of the factory though, cause I've read that the 300 was only supposed to have
18-20.

back to the subject, i've ridden my freinds raptor a whole lot, and my other freind owns a 400ex. i've got plenty of riding experience, and when i ride and compare them, i go for the 400ex. all three of us do, even the guy with the raptor wishes he had bought a 400ex instead. the raptor just feels akward, and it doesn't handle anywhere near what the 400 does. and if you ask me, in the woods, handling is very very important when you're flying in top gear with trees wizzing by you a few inches from your body. i'd say go with the 400ex, that's what i'm getting ready to buy next.

 

the raptor is not a good starting point for a entry level xc racer.
I agree I think a raptor could be made into a fast xc quad. Butt you would have to make a ton of modds to it. and then you have to adress the reliability factor . back to the honda thing . the honda will way out perform the raptors in the xc woods . get the motor up to around 50 hp and get the axis shocks . your set . dont get the larger valves .there for top end . also run a moddified stock carb there the best for bottom end grunt . and yes if you can aford to do it get the rod and crank trued and welded . also get the viton valve stem seals if you can . when your pounding the crap out of that moddifed 440 it gets alittle warm . also (lol) stay with low comprestion 10-1 max . the ex's wont restart in the woods when hot.

 

thanks guys but my cash just went out the window. house need a new roof and my wife is holding me to my promise to buy her a toy next/first. i can't believe she is holding me to it. i made that promise in a fit of extreme duress, its blackmail and extortion. this is crazy!! help me out guys! but seriously i want to thank you for your help. i'll keep posting questions to gather info for when i can get started on my quad (she wants a dirt bike-new of course.)maybe i can find a wrecked 250r and start from there? the only local 250r for sale is an 89 in very good condition. almost new but he wants 4000. fair price? but it is still 12-13 years old and 2 strokes are on the way out... i don't know i guess ill just keep putting up hypotheticals (sp?) and pick your brains 'till i know exactly what i want. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]