I have been considering buying the new Yamaha, and if I dont, will getting extended a-arms, new shocks and extended axle make my Raptor handle as good as the 450 or a 250r? What else would I need?

 

That thing will handle a great deal better with all that new stuff, but it will never be as good asa 250r, or the new yamaha 450, because our 660R's are to tall. Those 450's have a much lower stretched out stance. The frame on the 660 is just a little to tall, but it had to be to allow that huge 660cc motor to fit in there. IF you want the handling of the 450 or 250r, get one of those. I am personally in the same boat you are, and I have decided to get the yfz450. Should have one in a week or two

 

What about a rear lowering strut? I might end up getting the new 450 too.

 

Or you could get the elka zps suspension,that will lower your quad.

 

$1700 - or more - Decent shocks - Elka, TCS, Axis . . .
$500 - or more - A-arms - the better ones will be around $700
$400 - axle
$500 - extended swingarm to help keep the front tires on the ground so you can steer and accelerate at the same time.

That brings us to at LEAST $3100 to upgrade your Raptor. Plus more money in engine work to keep up with the YFZ450. And you would still be riding a 2-3 year old quad.

If you sell your Raptor for $4000 or more (if it is in good shape), then add the money you would have spent on modifications, you can buy a brand new top of the line racing quad that will beat most modified Raptors. The greatness of the new quad is, however, still just speculation. I would suggest waiting a month or 2, saving your money, getting input on here from people who buy the first few 450s, and then decide what to do. Good luck,

RR1

 

Thats exactly what I planned on doing. Selling the Raptor for $4000 and making the extra money detassling and other jobs(i'm 14).