Hey guys, I am beggining to wonder if the Raptor is worth so much more than the other high-performance quads out there. I like both the KFX400 and the Predator as well. Mabey if I tell you what I am going to be doing with it, then you can help me decide. I want to be able to do wheelies easy, but I think thats all three of them. I want to jump them, but I think thats all three of them there too. But the most important thing is, I want it to be reliable, I don't want to have to take it to the shop every month. And I wanna go fast too, but thats all three of them as well. What do you think I should get? Thanks, Ryan

 

The smaller machines will never have the power potential of the larger motored Raptor. You can make either of them faster than a stock raptor but the same cash in the Rappy you'll have a killer machine. Personally I never had any problems with my Raptor when stock. After going to a hi comp 686 my clutch is having some issues and my starter one way took a dump but other than that it's been a great machine even with it being an '01. Wait a couple weeks and see what's in the works for '04 it might be worth it. If you're looking for reliable and fast consider a nice Banshee with a good set of pipes. Tough to take even with a modded Raptor.

 

I've never had a problem with my Raptor, wait a minute my battery cable came loose once. None of them are bullet proff and I wouldn't tade mine for any that you mention even if it was new and you thru in some cach. Like 45 said wait a couple of weeks and see if something new doesn't come out that's a little more like what you want.

 

Hey Ryan!
I had the same dilemma you had with the same 3 bikes and after doing some extensive homework the Raptor won hands down The bike is just awesome! It's the next best thing at pulling my arms out of their sockets to my ZX-9 crotch rocket! The KFX came in a close second! The Predator is sweet, with all its great hop ups like fox shocks all the way around and the steel braided lines and that new no bump steering linkage but Remember this!!! Never buy a first year bike!!! I'm sure there are tons of people who buy 1st year bikes and have no problems but this is the first year Polaris has made their own transmission in a quad! I'm sure the bike may turn out to be a winner but you can't go wrong with the proven Raptor! And if you want to spend most of your time taking your bike in for recalls instead of riding then by all means go with the first year predator but I don't suggest it! The KFX is a good choice it's only a 400 but has 6 less HP than the raptor! It's the exact same bike as the Suzuki Z400, both bikes are proven!
Do you play video games?? Everheard of the Playstation 2 game ATV Fury? Well guess what bike you get in the end when you win all the races? Hint, It's not the KFX and definitly not the predator!

 

Ok, lemme guess, Raptor! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Ok guys, I was leaning toward the raptor, and now that everyone said that I will probably get that one after I see if Yamaha comes out with anything new for this year. If you guys didn't get a Raptor, what would be the next thing you would get? Thanks, Ryan

 

Also, what do you guys think about the Banshees?

 

Of your 3 choices. My second choice would be the Predator. Of my choices, my second choice would be a Baja. But then I don't do wheelies very well and I'm not a big jumper. Banshees are sweet. They'll jump and they'll wheelie.

 

you need to take some time and go and test ride these bikes and find out what feels better to you all four of the bikes are very good

 

If I didn't get the Raptor my second choice would be the KFX! The bike hauls! I'm probably gonna get my lady one not because it's a chick bike but because my chick is a speed freak whacko(no not drugs!), oh yea and of course I'll get to ride it! The KFX also has reverse where as the Predator does not! I've been on 2 wheels all my life and I don't know if you've ever had to jerk your bike backwards up a hill you realized was waaaaay too steep at the last minute! I was in a little pinch like that on my Raptor so I gave my little Rev **** a twist and "whew" don't gotta change the shorts!! The KFX will also be a little easier on the wallet! I saw a Predator while I was out riding today and sure he was scootin right along too! But I'd still suggest waiting awhile b4 considering that bike! Oh, and I got 2 words for the Banshee.............
Definitely Proven! As for all the stuff you want to do with the quad you get the Raptor does wheelies like no bodies business even in 4th gear! I jump the HELL out of that thing and it's got so much suspension it makes even hard landings seem, well.....not so hard! You gotta get aftermarket SKID PLATES though! I found that out the hard way after my stock swingarm skid got ripped off after cashing in on some big flight time!
and as for going fast!! I think it just might be the fastest stock quad out!? NO! Wait....... It IS the fastest stock quad out!

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03 BLK & RED limited Raptor (mods to come)
00 WR 426F (DSP pipe, carbon fiber this, after market that! Yada, yada, yada)
00 Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja (Titanium Muzzy w/carbon fiber canister, and a bunch of other junk)

 

How big are you? A hundred pound chick or kid will run step by step with a 200lb+ rider on a raptor. While there may be no replacement for displacement, weight and strength run a very close second all mods or lack thereof being even.