I met a guy at Hollister Hills OHVA this last weekend, and he had bought a YFZ-450 for one of his kids.

I asked him how he liked it, and he said, "I dunno" and shrugged his shoulders. I asked him why and he said, first he was the 4x4 utility quad kind of guy and didn't like the seat, said his knees were too high, and the bars too low. Now this was a big guy, guessing about 250 lbs 6 ft or better, so yeah, I could see that.... And he said it goes fast and has lots of power, but really sort of acted like he didn't like it....?

He let his buddy, who was riding a DR650 check it out, and when he came back from the track he said, Seats too low, bars too low and the whole thing was really squatty,( is that a word?). But it hauls A$$. Now this guy was a big guy too....

And I looked at it real hard, and I gotta tell you, I think it's a really low to the ground, smallish bike... If your a big guy, like me, I don't think your gonna like it..... Yeah OK it flies, so does a Raptor, DS 650, etc...

So what I think, is if your a big guy, the YFZ ain't for you, but it's all in the individuals taste, isn't it...?

And if Honda comes out with a 450 classs bike, that has better ergonomics, and the power too, it could be a better choice, if it's big enough for the big guys.... I'd really be interested to see Suzuki/Kawasaki, and Honda come out with 650-750 class quads, built for the fat boys..... That might be really interesting.....

Makes me glad I bought the Raptor instead of waiting for the YFZ 450, I wonder now about that rumored Honda, will it be a small bike?? The Suzuki z-400 has plenty of room and power, and I really, really like riding it, and now that I've seen the ergonomics on the YFZ appreciate the Z even more...

More later!

 

Also, I really found it hard to choose the Raptor over the Z400. The Z definately handles better, but the sheer power of the Raptor is awesome. And it handles pretty good too, but not like the Z.

Maybe the decideing factor for me was the physical size issue, with the Raptor winning....

But it's OK, cause my buddy has the Z and I got the Raptor, so we can trade, no sorrow there.

 

For my taste, the Raptor is a bit top heavy and way to narrow, but the power is fun. The Z is a good all-around machine, and does everything well. With some mods, it will keep up with a stock Raptor. Take a good look at the 450's.

 

These 2 quads are in completely different classes, but are compared to each other all the time. Mostly because the Z is an overachiever. It has a 40% smaller engine that makes 10% less power, it handles better, and costs less. Clearly the better value.
On the other hand the Raptor has a larger motor with more potential if you spend a bunch of money on mods.
If you’re looking for the best multipurpose sport/trail quad it’s hard to beat the Z.
If you’re looking for a Sport quad to make lots of power after you spend lots of money on the motor then get the Raptor.

 

Where are you planing on ridin it CAM? Trails/Woods get the Z Sand/open desert? get the rap And like some other people said...size does matter! Im short...so i fit better on the Z [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Dirt Wheels did a shoot out between the 2 machines, they took the Z, mostly because of the $800 difference. With that extra $800, the Z could be one sick machine. Full exhaust, intake, cams, piston, maybe an ignition in there (all that is over $800, but go with me here), that would walk away from the Raptor. The Z400 is so restricted as it is. The YFZ is pretty much at its limits, go any further and you may mess the engine up. The carb, intake, exhaust, and even the cams arnt all that great on the Z. It makes a great machine to build up, to yur own limits. I find working on these machines a blast. All in all, the Z is the better buy, but then again, a quad is a quad, no matter what you get, youll be happy with it. Good luck man, remember, you ant always go with what people say. I got my Z, people said dont buy Suzuki, but I did, I couldnt be any happier.

 

go with the kawazuki you wont be disapointed.

 

Do the Z and KFX still have the frame cracking problem for 04? If they fixed that then I would go with the Z, but if they haven't, I would go with the Raptor if you like to jump a lot.

 

I rode a yfz450 this weekend, and it would be my choice. Might wait to see what honda is coming out with.

The yfz was very impressive.

 

well u could compromise and go with something thats GREAT and right in the middle of both. yep u guessed it folks the PREDATOR!!!!. lol go ahead and lookinto it im sure youll be more that pleased considering its stock HP is more than the rappy and it handles muuuch better than a Z-400. its wider lower and its just all around better STOCK. ok -PEACE-[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]