LASHER,
I agree with you on the loudness. Them 4-strokers must think louder is better or faster or something. I like the deep rumble of a 4-stroke but I also can only withstand so much. I think us 2-strokers should ride around with our silencers off,(to prove a point), now thats loud! Do they have to be loud just to get more power? I still think if Yamaha would have used the YZ400/426 engine in a decent style frame(250R or 400EX), they would sell more(and us people who like race quads would be happy).
ERIC

 

True that the Raptor has only been out for a few days, but its specs speaks volumes about the potential of this machine. I'm not sure where I heard or read this quote, but it says alot" The Raptor does to the DS what the DS does to the 400ex" OUCH! Nad Ive seen the DS vs. 400ex race, and its NOT a pretty site... And why could you not race the Raptor? The ds was keeping up with a full race 250R and there project 600ex, so I dont see why,( unless the suspension stinks it up, which I doubt) the Raptor would do any worse.. As far as the Cannondale, Im not going to be in line to buy an over priced quad from a manufacturer that has never even built a motor before this one. Someone else can be the guniea pig on that one. That is if it is ever actually released. They have had many delays on their dirtbike, and it was being built first... Perrsonnaly I doubt we will ever see the Cannondale.

RoostKing...

Ps. the 400 EX bigger and better? My "outdated" Banshee still waxes the FLAGSHIP 400 ex...

 

Retro, you must be a god or something. Wow I wish I could be as cool as you! I'm obviously not as "with it" as you are. Gee can I polish your boots for ya? I'm so jealous... get a life!

 

I read that quote too - "The Raptor does to the DS what the DS does to the 400ex" and the one about the Raptor beating the DS by a second in a 100 yard race. I think we should know the whole story before concluding that the Raptor will smoke a DS. Any number of things could have slowed the DS down - no traction/poor tires, carb jetting off, gearing too low, etc. The motors have about the same HP so they could be pretty even in a race, if the DS is setup correctly. I'm running a 38 tooth rear sprocket, have done some carb work, changed tires and the DS runs much faster now - power wheelies in first, second or third.

I like the Raptor and might buy one.

 

THEY MIGHT HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT A POWER BUT THE RAPRTOR WEIGHS ALMOST 100lbs LESS. BIGGG DIFFERANCE. PLUS ITS A YAMAHA. BOMBARDIER BLOWS. LOOKS LIKE THE BIG YELLOW SLUG WILL LOSE ALOT OF SALES NOW

 

On the contrary...

The DS is still a great quad. Rotax motor, 12" of suspension travel ALL around, .190 aluminum wheels, built like a Chevy and only about 65 pounds heavier than the Raptor. Bombardier has a great procuct out in it.

I would still choose the Raptor over the DS, but would'nt say it blows. At this point it looks like your EX, with it's meager 400cc, is the one that blows.

I see you live in St. Louis, where are you getting your Raptor at?

 

Oh, now who's offended? Didn't mean to get you too excieted.

 

I agree with A400L And Scooby, among others. I did not intend to dis the DS, it really is a great machine. I just thnk that with its smaller dimensions and reverese, the Raptor is going to be more of my type of machine, IF, and I stress IF it runs like the specs read. I take the Raptor vs. DSvs. 400ex comment with a grain of salt. In the end I am just grateful to be living the second coming of high performance quads. So lets all chill out, enjoy our current rides, and look to the future, its on only getting brighter and faster!!!

RoostKing...

 

Looks like the Raptor mania is dying down..

RoostKing...

 

Amen to that! We really do have a lot to look foward to in the next few months. Actuas testing of the Raptor, Kawasaki's 2001 model lineup, etc. Very good times for us no matter what we ride.