250R4LIFE - Glad you could be mature enough to see that I wasn't trying to start a fight and that you didn't resort to starting a fight yourself. These forums need more members like that. Looks like we both have the same point of veiw.

This is kind of a tough topic. Usually I would have agreed completely w/ Sand but I don't know. The Z/KFX motor is still being used in bikes but Suzuki opted to go with the XC style motor and then tune it down a little. Actually it's not VERY tuned down... I think they just went with a smaller carb and more restrictive exhaust and intake (easily retuned). The 400ex was just raped of everything that hinted decent power. Can you blame Honda though? Their last sport quad was attacked relentlessly by treehuggers and drunk retards that got themselves hurt. The next quad (DS650) had good power but so much weight that it kind of cancelled out the power. Then the Raptor came out and although it doesn't make a lot more power than the competition, it didn't have much to compete with. Then the C-dale came out and shocked everyone but didn't worry the big 4 to much because it's a new company and didn't effect their sales much. Now that the Z/KFX and Predator have been released and are smaller bore quads putting out close to the same power as the bigger bore quads, the other companies have more to compete with. I think now is the time that you will see some fast quads being released. The 400 class quads are going to start being more up to par w/ the Raptor and DS, and the 600+ cc quads are gonna have to be on a new level if they want anyone to buy them. Think about it.... if Yamaha made a 400 class quad, it would have to be about as fast and powerful as the raptor just to compete w/ the other 400 class quads. Well, if they decide to keep their Raptor, they'll have to give it a lot more power and speed because it would be retarted to offer a 660 that was just as powerful as their 400 (hopefully 426). If Honda wants to compete w/ the popular market (which is the 400 class) they'll have to release a quad with the 450 motor. I don't know though. Honda seems to be kind of weird and they probably won't release that.

Well, I'm gonna quit rambling. I've got an infection in my throat and am on medication for it, so I may not be making any sence. LOL

 

"Think about it.... if Yamaha made a 400 class quad, it would have to be about as fast and powerful as the raptor just to compete w/ the other 400 class quads. Well, if they decide to keep their Raptor, they'll have to give it a lot more power and speed because it would be retarted to offer a 660 that was just as powerful as their 400 (hopefully 426). "

Although I'm a Raptor owner I agree 100%. I really don't think that the +600cc class will be a dominate class in the future. Like you said, the 400-450cc bikes aren't that much lower in horsepower (which I think everyone will agree a 45 hp 450 is very doable) weigh a good 30-50 lbs. lighter and currently there isn't a racing class with much publicity for them except desert racing. I think these bikes will end up like much like the 500cc 2-stroke dirtbikes, no clear place for them in the market or racing.

Wait and see what happens to the 650XR dirt bike when the enduro version of the CRF450 is released. Why would anyone want a 300lb. 45h.p. motorcycle when the 450 will make almost the same h.p. and weigh 220-240lbs! The +600cc class will go extinct just like the 500cc 2-strokes.

The first manufacturer to build a light weight I.R.S quad that works will dominate the market the same way Honda has with the 250R!

 

the bombardier motor was already pre-existing when it went into a quad frame...

 

wes660R - I'm glad you understood my post, lol. I'm taking pain pills, and some prescription stuff for my throat, so I'm a little out of it and wasn't sure if I was making any sence [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img].

 

DaBeechMan is right, the rotax motor in a ds is from the f650 motorcycle

 

My local dealer said an XR 650 engine in an aluminum perimeter frame will be the new Honda sport quad, The CRF is too high maintenance for many riders, with frequent valve adjustments necessary, and trail riding is much more popular than MX racing. He expects it to be a late '04 or early '05 model, out within the next 12-18 months. He expects it will compete with the new Bomb DS 650 coming out in June, which will be 80 lb lighter than the current models of DS. That should raise the bar on big bore single cylinder quad performance. Talk is cheap though, we'll know when they show up in dealerships. ---Tired of waiting, looking at a Predator.

 

Honda needs to come out with something new in the sport/racing area, they keep coming out with more utes, we all know about the new rancher but have no info on a new sport quad, are they that secrative or is there nothing coming?

 

scosho,

that rumor about the XR650/aluminum framed sport quad has been around since Yamaha came out with the Raptor. While I don't doubt that Honda R&D has one (among many cool prototypes), it isn't at all a new thing and shouldn't be counted on.

 

Yeah, you can't really fault Honda on the XR650R engine design. It might be a little heavy, for sure no heavier than the Raptor engine, but the thing is rock solid, bullet proof, and it has won the Baja 1000 in near stock trim (I think with just a slip-on exhaust). HRC did their homework on that one...

Someday, who knows when, if Honda does shoehorn that engine in a quad, I would seriously look at it. I don't even care about the chassis, the engine alone would be worth it, even if it is in just a modded 400EX chassis. That actually would be a pretty good package...

 

Hey everyone...I am going get a quad six weeks from today (5/25/03). I am allowed to get any ATV I want except for Bombardier or Cannondale cuz there is no dealer within 100 miles of me. But, If i do...should i not get a z400 and just wait longer for the new and acclaimed TRX450 or TRX440??? WHAT SHOULD I DO?!?!?!?