Were planning a trip in a few weeks and I want to take the Raptor but with all the reading I've done mostly on Bear Wallow the terain is very rocky. Are all of the trail heads very rocky? I want to take the Raptor for the hill climbs but I'm not sure If I should opt for the Kodiac, could someone reccomend a trail head that would be best for the Raptor or should I just leave it in the garage?

Thank you,

 

Man,
I have ridden up three times. Twice with a warrior and once with a 400 ex...take the raptor!!! I have seen many there. The most difficult trails are not attainable with a 2wd anyway but you can ride plenty of places. There is actually places to stretch the ol girl out. Just remember the penalty for a mistake is death j/k well maybe not. My favorite is the rock house it well rocks...later

 

Raptors bounce off rocks very well.........hit the high spots!!

 

I have spent a week riding the Hatfield-McCoy trails 2 times, Nov 2000 and Oct 2002. The group I was with were all riding sportsman 500 or 700's. 90% of what I saw were Utility Quads. It is very rocky and rough terrain on 95% of the trail. We spent at least 1 day at all 3 trails in 2000, but did not go to bear wallow in 2002. I saw the most sport quads at the Buffalo Mtn trail, its was the least rocky of the 3 trails. The Trail ends up at the Kentucky state line and you are allowed to ride into the town of Matewan for fuel and food. Very cool. We stayed in Mann, near rockhouse trailhead. You are allowed to ride the street in the towns of Mann and Gilbert.
Just a word of caution, you will be doing alot of riding on the edge of very steep drop offs. I screwed up on the Rockhouse trail and went over the edge. I totaled my 2001 Sportsman 500. Had to pay a recovery company to get what was left of it. It tumbled end over end for about 400 feet until it slammed a huge tree. Luckily we brought a spare sportsman 500 (another friend could not go) so I had something to ride the rest of the week. I would post a picture if I could figure out how.

 

We are going to H/M next weekend and staying in Man, WV. near the Rockhouse trailhead. We will all be riding sport quads. I've heard from several that sports are a blast there. I believe Bear Wallow systm has a lot of mud but don't really know for sure. Anyone have any advice for places to see at Rock house. Thanks.

 

You''d better have good skids and 22" tires. If you've got the money, beadlocks wouldn't be a bad idea. I'd rather ride a Grizzly at HM than a Raptor and I have both.

 

We ride the H&M system all the time. I have a Raptor and a Prairie 650. I love to ride my Raptor on the system but I will advise that you buy heavy duty skid plates (PRM Products). I have them from front to back including a-arms and make sure you lock tight (blue lock tight) the bolts. The two best trail systems for sport bikes are, Williamson/Matewan (Buffallo Mountain Trailhead) and the Man/Gilbert (Rockhouse Trailhead). If you send me a private message I can tell you of some locals that will take you riding on some off-system trails that are awesome for sport bikes. They can also arrange night rides for you.

 

mzsport700, no way!! I heard about a guy rolling his polaris down the cliff like the day before we went riding there in oct. People I heard it from said it was a 700, though, and it took like 7hrs to winch it out. they also said the person had just insured the bike the week before he did it!! was that you? not trying to poke fun, mind you. It's just one of those stories you think is unreal...and think you'll never meet the guy who did it!!
As far as taking the raptor-TAKE IT!!! I rode a stone stock 400EX on every trail at bear wallow. I scraped on rocks a couple times, but for the most part it did everything I wanted it to!!

 

I have skids PRM swing arm and Suzuki belly skid, on the KFX. The boys Blaster has PRM swing and belly skids. How about extra fuel? Is there a place called the coal piles or something like that just a big open area where you can climb hills? I read about some place like this but not sure which trailhead it was at.
Bass when are you going and where are you staying?

 

Mucat,

We are going on April 3-6 and I think we are staying in Mann at the Hillbilly Hotel or something. I would love to know where the coal pit is that sounds like a lot of fun.