If you compare a stock 250R to the stock quads of today, the 250R would be an average quad.

The only reason the 250R became what it did was because of the aftermarket - and the only reason the aftermarket supported it so heavily was it was the only quad that was built at the time that was worthy of being on the track... That situation continued until the introduction of the 400EX in September of 1998. Although the 400EX came close, the additional weight & the limitations of the XR based engine prevented it from completely stealing the 250R's spotlight (although it still does very well on the track at most levels).

Choices and options have only gotten better since then.

Quad prices irritate me as well. Back in 1986 Honda was making money selling 250Rs for approx $2500. By 1989 the price had jumped to approx $4000. Now prices are in the $5000-$7000 range for new Sport/performance quads.

Funny thing is technology is not what's driving the costs - it's litigation. That's the reason 250R prices changed so much over it's life span, and that's the reason we spend so much today... It's also the reason we don't have more choices like the YFZ450.

 

ok so the 450 will be a great bike over all....


but how will it do in the dunes? will it have enough power then?

 

I just got a call from my buddy at pismo. (I'll be there tomorrow, had to work today). He said his
Sparks piped 450 is smoking my other buddys piped raptor by over 5 bike lengths out at the
flats. And yes my buddy on the raptor is the better rider. I'll find out for myself tomorrow.

 

Hmmm, dual overhead cam = no rocker arms = higher rpms. Titanium valves/springs = higher rpms as well. Dual overhead cam = better valve alignment = better flow = big power from a small package. The YFZ450 has higher compression(more torque), lighter piston, tranny was beefed up, suspension redesigned, etc etc, even the shifter is a direct connect. I saw both the white & blue one & they both look real good. Lets face it, this is one hell of a nice quad! It may be close to peak power with baffle removed, jetting change & no lid but if it puts out mid/upper 40 hp's with all that & weighs 50lbs less than a Raptor it will undoubtedly compete with the Raptor. Also, when they come out with a 500cc kit for us adrenaline junkies this quad will be tough to beat. It still may never make the same torque as a really worked Raptor though, time & Dyno charts will tell....
I got an '01 Raptor for sale, any takers?

 

guy's its plane and simple untile we start getting formula 1 racing technology in our quads non of our engines are up to date. we cant rev up to 20,000rpm and we dont make 30 hp frome a 100cc engine. ( they make like 950 hp from 3 liters). I dont know if this is true but ive heard that the kawi v twin is the most advanced engine in quads. lets not forget that kawi had this engine reving to 12k then they detuned it to like 8k.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Has everbody forgot about Tourqe when comparing the smaller engines with the larger ones. Remember tourque gets you moving.

I have a 4000 lb Truck that will run 8.3 in the 1/8th that does not have Nitrous or Forced Induction. It runs on pump gas(97 octane) and all I do after DRIVING it to the strip is to put on slicks.

What do most of your 4cyl cars weigh. Bring its weight up to 4000lb and you will be needing more tourqe not horsepower.

BTW The truck gets about 15MPG and still uses EFI.

 

<SPAN class=textPopUpFeatureNameText>"XXXXXX's exclusive Unicam valve train features a carburized single camshaft that shifts horsepower and torque peaks 500 rpm lower in the rev range, further enhancing the XXX's already brawny low-end muscle. The camshaft directly actuates two 36mm titanium intake valves, while two 31mm steel exhaust valves work via a forked, low-friction, roller rocker arm. Unique and extraordinarily compact, the Unicam design saves 13.3 ounces over a comparable DOHC system."
Does this SOHC sound low tech?
Do you know what its on?
</SPAN>

 

I havent run into a 450 yet but when I do I'm gonna drag race him first then get into a tug of war [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]. Then we'll see some reverse action on that 450.

 

Sandneck, it sounds like the CRF450 dirt bike to me. I wonder if Honda will transplant that same setup into their new 450 quad or redesign it for DOHC?? Their SOHC version is still better then the Raptor's since it only uses rocker arms on the exhaust. Do you remember the rpm limit of the CRF450 off hand?

 

ridley i know ther turbocharged,so. Thers no law against turbos on quads.