I am about to purchase a new quad and I have been reading all the reviews about the Raptors and Predators. I am leaning more for a predator but I have always been a honda person. Everything I have owned has been a Honda. What do you think about the 400ex? I know you can get parts like crazy for them. And they handle really good. But Honda has been using the same quad since 95 or something like that. How is it on the power side? How much to make it fast? I actually don't know what I want. The EX doesn't have reverse either. But for some reason I still like it.

I can't decide,


Helix

 

First thing... don't pay any attention to shootouts in the mags. Everyone will tell you that they are all lame, biased, to much personal opinions, and just all around retarded.

The 400ex has been around since 99 (maybe 98 and they just released it as a 99 model) and is a solid quad. They are very reliable, have lots of aftermarket parts available, and can be fun to ride. The problem is, they are very out dated and don't have very much power compared to what's available now. Ofcourse, whether or not you are having fun is what matters most. Test ride them all, see which you like the best. Don't buy something just because it's fast if you have a better time on another quad. If I test rode a Mojave and a Cannibal and had more fun riding the Mojave, that's what I would have bought.

Anyways, what kind of riding are you interested in? Do you think you'll need reverse? Do you do a lot of drag racing w/ friends or do you just like to ride trails?

 

I agree, I just bought a 2000 400ex with a full big gun exhaust, and ac propegs and it is plenty of power for me (my first quad) i mostly ride trails, so i dont need the most speed, it has awesome bottom end go, and top end screams, i can be heard miles away [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] , it handles well, and wheelies like a king, for any1 who isnt going to try and be racing and trying to beat raptors and preds and Zs , it is awesome, i am not competitive, and i dont plan to be , it is the perfect quad for me, i have loads of fun on it, and thats all that matters , oh, and its a honda , cant beat that

 

I was in the same boat last year. Which sport quad to buy? The Z 400 and Predator weren't out yet, so it was pretty much between the Raptor, EX, and DS 650. The DS was just too wide and big for my particular likes. The Raptor had power out the yang, but how much do you need trail riding, plus, it just seemed too tall and narrow, plus, it was like $6700 OTD. Then, I found a mint 2001 400EX used, for $4200. I sat on it, and rode it. Everything was right where I would have put it, ergonomically.It isn't a powerhouse compared to other big bores available now, but it has more than enough for trail riding, plus, the dependability is second to none. In the year that I have had it, I've had to get off and push it backwards one time. You really don't need reverse. Sure, it's nice, but if you don't have it, you wont be putting yourself in the position to need it.

The mags always rag on the EX when it comes to speed, then, when you read the drag times in a 100 yard drag, it is only a fraction of a second behind the others. Big woop. I have recently added a 416 kit to mine, with a cam, and really woke it up. I'm sure I could hang with just about anything out there now.

For the price and reliability, my vote would be the 400EX.

 

One of the main reasons I was thinking Raptor was I wanted wheelies on demand. I love to ride wheelies. Thats what I do most on my street bike. (99 CBR 600F4) I seen where one of you said it wheelies pretty good. But I guess it is mostly rider. I am going to trade my street bike in on a new quad. I am trying to sell it first so I don't lose the money on trade in. Should I buy a 2003 EX or look for a used one? I don't normally like used things because I don't know how the ower has treated it. Not as soon as I get it but, later on down the road how much money you think to make the EX scream? Like the 460 kit or 416? Do most of you have to take yours to a dealers service shop or small engine shop to get it done or is it something you can do yourself? I have a lot of experience with car motors. None with quad motors. I have all the tools needed. When do you need to change your jets? Whenever you add a pipe to keep the air/fuel mixture where it should be. I hear about people taking there jets in and out like crazy. That normal? How does an EX compare to a warrior or blaster?

Thanks,

Helix

 

wheelies take no more than half throttle with clutch, dump clutch and it is skyward and easy to keep it there, and roll on wheelies are a piece of cake in 2nd/3rd gear even. changing oil is a cich, jets are easy to get right , only need to rejet with pipe or engine/intake mods, weather doesnt require rejetting usually, it will smoke a blaster and a warrior in about every aspect. i would buy used, with some addons (like i did lol) because you think you can get the stuff later, but when you are making payments for 4 years or so, its hard to think about aftermarket, and i have about 800 in non-stock parts on my ex, all of which was on it when i bought it, its real nice, clean , a 2000 , and I paid 4200 for it @ the dealership

 

Honda: Bullet proof, excelent handling. Down on power due to newer larger/faster ATV's now being manufactured. Still a nice ATV.

Predator: 1st year made. Personnaly I never buy the 1st year of anything as I like to see them work out any bugs they may have. Also I've heard this model is having some shift problems. Tranny problems, would be a huge problem/expense "to me".

Raptor: Doesn't handle as good as 400EX, seems tippy, but has that extra power.

Like several have said if you want an excelent overall bike for all around riding/trails, get the Honda. If your gonna do a lot of dragging or hill shooting the extra power of the Raptor would be good.

P.S. Used ATV's in good to excelent condition can be found. Personnnaly when I'm looking, I check out: The sellers other vehicles to see if they look clean/maintained. How things look around their house, organized clean Etc. Any service records? and who they are IE: To me prime sellers would be people that didn't ride much, " meticulous, middle aged person, woman owned. Typically these people don't beat their equipment.

Rude Dog