does anyone know if the gearing in a raptor 80 can be modified? first gear is worthless and third is like overdrive

 

No, I don't think theres anyway to modify it with out having someone make you custom gears. The older quad 4's and Badgers were 4 speeds. They had a gear above 3rd. The hills and hollers of Southern Indiana make 1st gear a must in alot of places, so I geuss it just depends on where you live and how hard of trails you ride.

 

We are talking a mini quad here, and not one designed for speed.. in fact the safety classification guide for this class of quads has a very limited standard.... With the shaft drive, you are pretty much screwed.... about the only way to make it have a higher top speed is 1) larger diameter tires, or 2) increased rpm capability.

Not sure the weak powerplant can handle larger tires... at least not too much larger or it will not be able to pull the tire....

Option 3) Buy a new quad

 

top speed on ours is about 30mph. plenty fast enough for a 9 y/o with lots of experience on quads and dirtbike. we very rarely ride something that requires that speed. Only on logging roads can he open up a little. on trails we ride, not a chance to get going that fast, not even for adults.

 

Yeah you are right there... I just wonder why people think that higher speeds will increase the fun factor... It has been my experience that just the opposite is true. First you end up with something that is beyond many's ability to ride.. and it exceeds teh manufacturers design parameters.. so you end up with more maintenence, and broken parts. Higher speed increases the danger factor, and you have to thing that the survivability factor if they have an accident is reduced the faster you go...

I'd sure like to see kids/parents/riders of all ages change their mind set from beating the guy next to you to just having fun and enjoying the ride.
It sure beats playing golf or mowing the grass...

 

If you go back and re read his post, it does not sound like he wants it to run any faster. Sounds like he thinks the gears are spaced to far apart. I would have to agree with that to a point. But then again if the gearing was closer, it would mean alot more shifting for Jr. I'd say, Yamaha tried to make the best of what they could.

 

i thought first was good and low, and 2nd was a good transition. 3rd is pretty high tho. I agree asfasasu (everytime I read your handle, I think of Taliban, or some other middle-east terrorist[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img] ). I think Yam. tried to do the best with what they had. Even the Moto-80 was similar, 3rd & 4th were all about speed. We were rarely in 4th on that one.

I think 1st definitely needs to be as low as it is. Jr. went down a steep hill in 1st and was just flying. I wish it woulda held him back more.

 

I again agree with Confusedbuyer... first gear is low for several reasons.. First, remember that when designing a quad, especially a youth machine, that several things are at work. Not teh least of which is the audience that will ride this. If you think about it, the Raptor 80 will probably have big people, and little people on it... even really big people that should know better and who exceed the recommended max weight by over a hundred pounds (insert sheepish grin and blushing face) will eventually find themselves taking a quick run around the yard on them. So the low gear is really appreciated when trying to get all that mass moving.... Then there is the engine braking that occurs with a low gear. That has really come in handy with the 9 year old.. especially since we have a pretty good slope to our lot.. so he needs the extra help.

Can't say how the upper gears react, as my son to teh best of my knowledge (AND YES, I HAVE BEEN RIGHT BESIDE HIM EVERY MOMENT IT IS IN USE) ( I have the key with me on my key ring at all times.) has never even used high gear. His highest speed so far has been in second gear.. and right now, that is fast enough as far as he is concerned. So I am OK with that.

 

Middle-east terrorist?! Come on now!!! I'm as AMERICAN as you can get!! Heck, shot gun, rifle and four wheel drive, MAN!!! (still don't have that blue tick hound yet) I first signed in on this forum in 95 I believe. Back then I was just Asfastasu. Since then I've switched jobs alot, and had to switch my names some. I got my name from the guys I used to work with. They said I should get me a cowboy hat like Dwight Yokem since I'm folicly challenged. About the same time He came out with his song "As fast as you", and it stuck. I'm just an good ole boy from the country, thats it!
I believe the yamaha does have a fairly large jump from 1st to 2nd. But it is only noticable when someone of slightly heavier porpotions rides it. When my 8 year old rode ours it was never really noticed, but when I would ride it, oh my gosh! Of coarse the whole quad said that with me on it!! Like I said before, I believe it is pretty decent for kids. Its not like the ole Muncie's where you could get wide ratio and close ratio, sorry!!


p.s. I'm ready for this election to get over! Sooner I can go vote the better!
Anyone have any good ole apple pie?

 

ya, I sorta figured the name out..., it's just i deal with tons of people with real names with very similar letter configuration that are middle-easterners or from India, etc.. so it always throws me for a loop when i glance at it and don't say it out loud. glad I gave ya a rise for the day, but I wasn't serious about you being one. but careful, I'm such a smarta$$, I'll keep using it if I know it really bugs ya. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] That's okay, cuz I get a better laugh when someone gives me a better jab back, so feel free to launch [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

so do I understand correct, you've had the rap80 and an LT80? which do you like better, and under what conditions? I've got both too. Uh oh, we're more alike than we realize. do you like to finish all your sentences with 'eh?

draggin, LMAO on your comment about the oversize folk/insert blushing face here comment. It's so true. Ever seen a PW50 without a bent front rim? they all get bent from the fata$$ parents and friends jumping on and riding around on 'em, when they're almost triple the weight the bike was designed for. My sister -in-law got really angry when i refused to let her ride our son's PW50.