well i decided to go look at some quads today and here is my opinion on some of the quads i looked at, first was the warrior nice quad but to small and uncomfortable, next was the eiger and the vinson both of these quads are like trucks i dont see how you could trail ride in the woods with these things same with the kodiak they just didnt suit me, next was the almighty raptor i liked the was it felt it was the most comfortable gave you a nice feeling standing up or sitting down but heard to many horrible things about the tranny's so scratch that one, next was the banshee again too small and its a 2 stroke yuk! and last but not least 400ex i really like this one the best! good feel kinda of a dual sport machine (unlike the raptor which felt like a race quad) if it only had reverse i would have bought it but i really like being able to back out of sticky situations so my conclusion is i will be keeping the lakota for awhile longer so i'm gonna do the trans overhaul and go with the kevlar plates and better springs this should tie me over until spring then will see about that new suzuki! i know gaff your thinking the same thing!!!
these are just my opinions.

Diffrent 4 strokes for different fokes

 

GMtech,
I did the same thing, except I didn't have horse power in mind, due to the fact what ever we buy the mods will come.
A slippery clutch will make any bike or quad suck.
The mods I have now with the 13T sprocket makes my quad run real good, very sharp.
The only want I have is to get some higher rpm power out of it, and I know how to get it but money isn't thier quite yet.
I think if you get the clutch fixxed it will make a huge difference.
The best part of the lakota for me is the chasis, I always liked short wheel base and low seat hieght, the engine we can make what ever we want.

I'll tell ya I was riding last wednesday and could wheelie pretty easy just power shifting to second, I know I was a little scared of flipping it but I can hold second in the air all the way through and if I hit third I could still hold it but my bottom is very strong and I'm sure I would of flipped it.
I'm not trying to brag I just like every one to know the little lakota can become very sharp and quick.
Now it faids at about 6000 or 7000 rpm, I blame this on the head, as 98lakota state the head is very rough.
I have the 10.5:1 piston at my house now, if I can't afford the cam I may stick it in and port the head myself. But realy I'm concentraiting on tires and skids, the quad is running real good and some one will have to embarris me to touch the engine for now.
But I hope you get the clutch done I would like to hear what you think then, maybe even throw the 13T back on!!!!

 

Gaff- where did you get the piston and how did i cost you.

 

I had got it from my brother, he has a machine shop and they did one for a bayou that never was picked up, cost me nothing.
Mickey at FST sells them for $165, I believe this includes gaskets!