I am trying to decide bewtween the brand new 400ex( Which im really considering of getting) and a raptor 660 2005, both would be completely stock and i would probally never put any mods on it which one would you choose and would be the overall better quad, and i mean not just how fast they are, there handling and overall performance to. I would mostly just be riding thru woods and open fields.


Thanks

 

I have never been able to warm up to the Raptor 660. It is to narrow and tippy for my taste, and it carries its weight high in the frame.

The 400EX is a nice machine, but underpowered by todays standards. Handling is excellent and ballanced. It (along with the 300EX) is probably the best trail quad of all time! The engine doesn't mind being lugged down, and ridden slow, so it is my choice for tight trails.

 

Yeah i feel the same way, does anyone have the new 2007 400ex?

 

The rappy has some much more power... the suspension is great and if you decide to mod out the rappy it responds to mods great!

 

I find the Raptor suspension to be "mushy". I could ride one, but I would have to spend thousands of dollars on a wider axle and a whole new wider front suspension.

Have you looked at the Z400?????????

 

The Raptor i have never liked (the 660) simply because of its chasis. The raptor has the power there while the ex is underpowerd but has better handling...between these two you are going to choose between power without so good of handling or handling without so much power. A balance point in between these two would be the Z400.

 

what do u think the top speed of the 2007 400ex would be if it was stock?

 

Top speed is gonna be mid 60's. I had a mild 416ex and the local boys in blue clocked me at 67mph....that was in a 35mph zone by the way [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img]. Why would you even consider a 400ex when a Z400 is better in every way and about the same cash?
If you are dead set on a Raptor or 400ex I can give my opinion on both since I have actually OWNED both with plenty of seat time on both. I primarily trail ride on the Hatfield / Mccoy trail system....mainly the fast trails that lend to wide open riding. After you adapt your riding style by leaning more in the corners on the Raptor and ditch the non-sliding stock rear tires they both handle about the same. The Raptor seat-tank junction is much more narrow and lends itself to more body english than the 400ex. The Raptor in stock form has roughly 10 more horses but feels like there is even more of a difference than that IMO. If you pipe them both the difference is even more pronounced. I know you posted that you will leave them completely stock but stock gets boring quick. Ride quality for both is about the same and they jump about the same as well. You will just have to position your body a little different to keep the 400ex level in the air since the weight distribution is favoring the rear of the quad.....where the Raptor is more evenly balanced. The 400ex ran much hotter than the Raptor and the Raptor did'nt start up with a puff of smoke after a year either. Maybe that was because I had to ride it like I stole it to keep up with my riding buddies....who knows?
I watched a bone stock Z400 smoke a piped, cammed, compression increased 400ex like taking candy from a baby. You could eat lunch between this kid shifting gears on the Z400 as well. The 400ex guy knew he had the race in the bag as well...lol. When your buds challenge you to a drag you have to at least run respectable. We are talking guys calling you up in the middle of the night laughing hysterically....for years to come. Good luck on your purchase.

 

I totally agree with garyc660R saying that they r basically the same price. Why does the 400EX cast so much anyway. Isn't the cost supposed to come down on something with an outdated motor. The Z is such a superior machine, price and ride both.

 

Just checked 2007 suggested retail on the manufacturers web sites.....
400ex = 5,999
Z400 = 5,899
WOW!