My '05 owners manual says the Std and TLD's 1st gear is the same, but that article says the Std's 1st gear is lower.
Anyway, my personal track is sand and tight, and I have no complaints with the Std.

 

I'd take the standard, spend the $500.00 I saved on a pipe, and have a better looking, stronger running quad. That orange is hideous, the red is nice. The standard front shocks work fine, and the tiny differences in gear ratios are negligable. Just my 2 cents.

 

Each one with his own opinions...
I rather spend a few more bucks to know i got the best stock form of the quad i want...

A Better and lighter shocks wouldnt let me worry about hard MX and the gear ratio and the tires would help me on the racetrack!

 

quadaddiction,

yes, you do shift while the front end is either in the air, or weightless, because it doesn't take long enough for it to level off. i'm sure in a drag its not going to be a HUGE difference, cause its the same motor, but paired with this higher rev limiter, i think the takeoff feels better than my '03.