They would both be good. New a z is a better deal, but you could pick up a used Raptor for a decent price. I like Raptor on the trails because the powerband is wide and smooth so you don't have to shift, it might not handle quite as good, but it doesn't take a lot a work to ride it.

 

You could wait for the new yfz450, if that don't work then definately go with the Z/KFX.

Chris

 

on a raptor it feels like your along for the ride, on a z it feels like your riding it.
feels like you sit on top of a raptor, feels like you sit down in the z.

 

Go with the new YFZ450

 

Im with moto, wait just a little bit and see if you want the new Yamaha quad. See how it compares to the Z and KFX, the best thing to do now is wait.

 

ME TOO, I would wait for the new YFZ 450, Yamaha ussually doesnt screw up on new quads, i take that back, any quads.

 

ok heres the deal ...................... Raptors suck, they sit way to high and u feel like your gonna flip the thing .... all a Raptor has is a motor ..... Those Z400's are so smooth ... i love em I have a 250R and i wouldnt give it up for the world!!!!!!! Ive ridin all the big 4 strokes and the R still beats them all !!!! I say go ride a R and see how you like em.

Yami just came out with the YZF450 engine in a quad frame ... just came out yesturday its a mix of a Raptor / Z400 ... It has a raptor frame tho looks badars

Sry if i offended all you Raptor fans Just my 2 cents

Beat em on 4 wheels

~Andrew~

 

Definitely the Z.

 

The Z400 handles good, but so does the Raptor. If your a pee wee guy, then the smaller bike and it's seating position will be better. But if your a three hundred pound rider like me, That bigger Raptor and it's taller seat, is going to be the Ticket.....

It's like the other day my XR600 had a flat, twenty miles from camp..... My buddy weighs in at about 175, so he volunteered to ride my flat tired bike back to camp, figuring that we could at least save the rim...... Well I got to ride his KTM520EXC back to camp.....Man it had all kinds of power compared to my XR, but it also had a skinny little seat that I would not sit on again, and it had really harsh suspension.

SO I guess what I'd tell you is "what do you want in a quad?" The Raptor is bigger has more seating room, has gobs of power, handles great, nomatter what others say... The Z is fun, has plenty of power, handles great, but the seating position for me is a compromise, because I'm so big.

But for me, the bottom line is I couldn't buy a Z400 after riding a Raptor. Nor do I suspect I will be able to sit comfortably on the YZFR450 thing. either.

 

I have a raptor and ride a Z all the time. They are both awesome ATV's and have their strong points. The deciding factor is if you plan to add lots of upgrades to it. The raptor already has lots more power but the upgrade potential is endless. You will never get the power out of a Z that you will get out of a Raptor. Also wait and see if the frames get fixed on the new Z's!!