When you drag w/ this machine you can't just peg the throttle. You have to ease into it so the front end doesn't raise OR if in grass / dirt the back tires will spin. There is a sweet spot you hit where the tires will raise slightly as you accelerate but you can still control it and not let off...then the Rappy will not get the hole-shot (PERIOD). I have raced time and time again w/ my buddy (03 limited Rappy stock).

When to Raptor hits third gear....if you don't have a considerable lead from the hole-shot....you will get caught / passed. Get to top speed and then you'll stay ahead b/c the top end is so close on these bikes.

lean way over the handle bars...and I like to hold my front break sometimes to engage the CVT just before lift-off.

If you talking cross country....there's no comparison in my opinion....The Force is way more comfortable / stable / and sturdy...it will out ride many other bikes on the trails.

BUT I still love to DRAg from time to time.

 

You guys think the V-Force should have won, it's not like that. Everything manual you race it depends on the rider, they are controling 100% of the take off with shifting and hand cordination. With a auto clutch theirs little about a "bad start" becasue it does all the work for you. With an experienced rider on the Raptor I bet it could get the holeshot easily.
I'm not favoring the Raptor, I own both auto and manual and that's just how it is. V-Force is excellent quad and I would love to own one.

 

Xtremest First off I must confess to flat out stealing your Icon. I hope you don't mind. You seem to be very knowlegable in racing the V-force. I have been experiencing the problems that were described with the tires spining and losing the holeshot do to tire spin. I just know if the tires were to grab righ away the outcome would be different. On the flat beach, the v-force is untouchable. It spins a bit(w/ stock tires) but since it is on flat ground the weight isn't working against it as much, so the speed is there. As soon as I try this on Comp hill, I spin tires and leave such a rut you could plant crops in my tracks. What do you recommend I do to help me on the hill. Should I be leaning forward over the bars, like you suggested or should I be throwing my butt back over the rear wheels? Lil. background on me: 6'3" 230lbs. I am going to the dunes this weekend and I just picked up 22" paddles. I do expect different results this time, but any advice would be appreciated.