More torque, softer suspension, Reverse, I think the Raptor would make a better trail quad. If it is setup for the track my guess would be a pretty stiff suspension. I am not complaining we have plenty of nice trail quads but very few race quads! My brother has a 2000 DS, it goes through most trails but is much more of a handful, you cannot believe the difference a couple inches makes...LOL no pun intended!

Nocando

 

I would also think that a rappy would be more trail savvy considering the hard seat factor of the 450..........
just a thought?

 

Me a my girlfriend went trail riding today and we switched back and forth between the YFZ and the KFX 400 and I would say that both have there advantages, the KFX being pretty close to the raptor in handling. For the tight stuff like crossing a creek and then hitting a turn up a hill the KFX performed better because the YFZ loves to be revved and the KFX is more torquey. I would think the Raptor would be similar. For wide open trailriding, ruts, jumps, shallow creeks etc. the YFZ really rocks and the suspension is unbelievable when you ride hard. If your just putting around the KFX is better. I would say it depends on your riding style and likes. I love my YFZ and there were a few times that I said I wish I had reverse in the tight spots and especially mud but for open fireroads the YFZ is really nice. I would highly recommend it for the trails if you don't mind losing reverse. Keep in mind the YFZ really loves to be revved and run hard.

 

Have you considered the new DS650 Baja and BajaX. They are lighter, shorter and narrower than last year and come with a whole slew of goodies. For 04' they are even less expensive. A regular DS650 can be had for around 5200, A Baja for 5600 and I bought my Baja X For 6400. The DS Baja and X are extremely powerful are better suited for eastern trail riding then ever before. The only down side is no reverse, but since you are considering a YFZ that shouldn't be an issue. The DS is faster than a Rappy, is more stable and has the plushest suspension in the industry. Give them a look, what have you got to lose?

 

If it were just trails I'd be more inclined to go Z or Raptor for the comfort but that's just me. If you do get a YFZ for trails you better call Armadillo and get a skid plate--the factory one protecting the rear disc is just a tupperware lid.

 

I'm expecting to receive mine in a few weeks [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
Once I take it out I'll be sure to report back, until then I just have to live vicariously through the people posting.
And those of you out there waiting for your YFZ, how many times have you watch those videos??? Let's get some more up here.

I had the Armadillo plate on my last quad, loved it, thickest plate I could find.

 

Totally, I'm going to be reluctant to go anywhere rocky w/ mine.

 

I'm sure it'll work. Most any experienced rider can make something work but I think there are better options for a strickly trail quad and less expensive. If you're going to be a part time racer I think it would be a better choice though but not for exclusively for trails. I still think banshees suck on trails but guys make them work and swear by them even though you can watch and see a guy struggling with his banshee at times when you didn't have a problem. Unlike a banshee I think the yfz could be geared differently easy to make it even better for trails, peace.

 

I think that the yfz450 will be fine for trails. Now if your the put-put type, I would go with the raptor, you can still go plenty fast, but also just put around. The raptor has gobs of low end torque, and is really good for making your own trail threw things, and winding around tight places. Where as the 450 is probably not going to want to do those types of things. They want to go fast. I do a lot of fireroads riding, way too fast, and am looking forward to having a little more power coming out of the corners, and being able to go faster around some of the large sweepers.
The raptor does good, it hugs the ground with the front end, but the rear doesn't really want to stay planted. The inside tire tends to be in the air.
The yfz will be way better for every kind of riding that I do, but you have to decide if its going to be fine with the type of riding you want to do. later!

 

sorry to reply so late but YEs, i do think that difference in width does make a difference when you are riding in some eastern trails. sure, many trails i ride are wide enough for two quads at some point but then they narrow out. and its not like i ride on trails that 100% of the time, the sides of the trails are almost hittin my tires, but every once in a while it narrows and you have to squeeze between two trees and the narrowness makes a difference cause my friend has a raptor with a durablue wider axle and it makes a difference. he snags his wheels on things every once in a while too. the 450 is a great quad....for MX. i think the raptor is better at trails. it torques through the gears. i would consider the 450 cause im beginning to go to MX tracks but i guess im just gonna mod the rappy cause im not buying a first year quad and im not selling the raptor next year. good luck/warrior86