for got to add that they do have better ground clearence so he can ride over stuff better.

 

Why so much debate about these two quads??? I wouldn't get either one! I'm not much of a 4 stroke fan ( I ride a Tecate 4 and also have an R....for backup and loaning) but I must say they are getting better. C-dales are definately on the right track. What was that quote I saw in magazine?..."looks like Honda and Yamaha (EX and Raptor) brought knives to a gun fight!" That ought to tell you something. And yes, the new Quadsport and Kawi Z400 Tecate...(PLEASE!gimme a break!)... will be superior to these old scool designs in many ways...first and foremost POWER!! They're liquid cooled for starters and with all the delay and gossip surrounding them, THEY BETTER BE GOOD! That's where I'd look. Suzuki's is due out like any minute!

Ofcourse you can always get a used 250 racer and REALLY get some bang for your buck...$2500-4000 gets you one in good shape, not to mention putting some of that money you would have spent on one of these thumpers into some hop-ups. Now you got something special that holds its value for forever. Just an idea....

 

meaniegreenie, i wouldn't mind having a 250r but i don't won't to deal with a 2 stroke. My friend has a 250r and he has it all fixed up. His will haul some serious @ss. I just don't won't to rebuild the top end all of the time. I ride about everyday and i ride hard so i need an atv that will hold up.

 

That's all wives tales! Ask anyone w/ a 2 stroke that's not hopped-up for 55-70HP at the rear wheel and they'll tell you that they're quite durable. The more power and strain you put any ANY motor the more maintenance it will need. And even if you keep it mainly stock...I'm talkin' maybe a K&N filter, a new reed valve like VForce and a better pipe and silencer...you got the reliablity of a stock machine w/ more power and thrills than those thumpers. It's only when you start messing with the internals to get even more that you MIGHT need a rebuild every year or so. But that trickery is for racing and it's worth for that. My buzzbombs basically have the mods that I mentionned and don't plan on rebuilding the topends all the time. But for what you get a little extra upkeep is worth it in my opinion! But if you're set on 4stroke, I'd wait for the new 400's from Kaw and Suz or one of the C-dales. They have benefited and will benefit from better technology.

 

Neither, get the new Suzuki Z400. Faster than the 400ex and has reverse. Handles better than the Raptor and 400ex and is cheaper than the Raptor as well. If I could I would buy this quad today.
Lakota300cr

 

if it wasnt for the raptors short wheelbase, the thing would be a monster. seems the front end wants to come up alot.....but it goes backwards....something to think about. I guess it just depends where you ride.

 

I have a 2001 raptor,port/polish,11:1 piston,webcam,fmf powerbomb w/powercore iv,ac nerfs,bumper,kn filters,dyno-jet,i am really pleased with.Not knocking any quad(most are great)but i would go with a water cooled with reverse.By the time you mod the honda out,its going to run some hotter for sure.Cant wait for honda to step up with something new.(hondas are definitely reliable)Would also like to see some of them come out with an updated 2-stroke.I went with raptor,so far i am pleased.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I'd go with the Z400 as I have one and it eats ex's, even ex's that are modified. Not as fast as a raptor, but not as tippy either. Your decision in the end, this just my .02.
peace

 

I say buy one of each! What the heck, then you can have speed and handling too.

I own 2 Raptors- 1 400ex - and even a Warrior so I can go slow too.

I think my next one will be the new suzuki 400 it looks like a Raptor but handles like a 400ex.
I just looked at one tonight.
You can be real different then.

 

Now there's an idea... If you can't decide which one, buy em all! Damn, I wish I had the money to do that [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]. Actually, I would just end up sellin them and buying a bunch of aftermarket parts for my Dale: Walsh a-arms, Elka shocks, dominator axle, Hi-Per Tech wheels all around w/ radials up front and grooved tamers on back, HMF exhaust w/ moto remapping (which I still can't afford [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]), Quad Tech seat cover, carbon fiber headlight delete covers, Pro Taper handle bars, steering stabalizer, polished gas cap, carbon fiber gas tank cover, carbon fiber radiator shrouds, AC front bumper, steel brake lines for the rear, silver plastic (but I would keep the black side plastics... like the ol' FX's), Roll design Foot pegs kick-up (a waste of that much money but if I could afford all the other stuff, why not?), and I think that would just about be all of it... now is THAT so much to ask?!?!?!?!?????? Anyone wanna loan me some money? I noticed that there is some 20,000 members of this forum, so I think everyone should just give me one dollar [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]. LOL J/K... unless you really do want to... them I'm not jokin... call me!