It is still in the line up. My dealer was happy, as he is getting more than he did last fall. No changes though. But he said that there were Japanese there and they made a very strong statement about continued new product and engineering advancements! They are really on the pipe, sounds to me, anyway!

 

Called the local dealers here about reserving a Raptor, and they said they saw them and touched them and they are incredible! Also stated that they would only be getting 3 for the year, and due to high demand they are charging $1000.00 over list for an out the door price of $7500.00. Also stated that they would start shipping July 1st to some dealers. I wish I could talk the wife into spending $7500 for the Raptor vs $5400 for the 400EX.

 

Doesnt anyone at the vegas show have a digital camera like the guy who scorerd these pic of the new 4 strokes?http://motorcycledaily.com/06june00big4strokenews.html

 

That things sounds like an awesome machine and we will be able to see it tomorrow on the website. I bet there will be so many people at the website that you will probably have to wait until midnight to get through.

 

Man!!!!!!!Yamaha is kicking everyone's A** . Why does Honda have their head up their butt? Check out motorcycle daily for the new 250s... Would this make a good quad motor or what? Not to mention the 426 is going to be a 470!

 

This is only the first order period for the year. Your dealer is pulling your leg. He will get to order again in October for Dec-March and then again in March for April-June. They will not ship until August at the earliest. My dealer told me that his District Manager said that the units were not going to be available until mid to late August. My dealer said YAMAHA had plans to build as many as they could, only limited by production line time that is shared with all of the other great models they are making currently!

 

426 to a 470? You have got to be kidding. That motor is not designed to be in an ATV. As far as taking it to a 426, where do you guys come up with this stuff. Won't happen, can't happen.

 

I was going to buy the 400EX but I decided to wait and see what the Raptor would be all about (I have no brand loyalties....yet). Now I'm a little worried about the specs on the Raptor. The power and reverse sounds great. However, it's narrower than the Honda and seems likely to have a higher CG (ie. the seat height is two inches higher than the 400EX). I don't currently own an atv, but am a long time snowmobiler, and when the suspensions went to long travel with it's inherently higher CG, the ski stance went wider. I don't see how the Raptor can handle as good as a a 400EX when it has a higher CG and a narrower stance. Or is the excitement all about the motor. Actually the lack of power on the 400EX was the main reason I wanted to wait for the Raptor. I'm from Winnipeg Canada and I don't think I'll be able to get a Cannondale up here, or I might wait for that one.

 

This is probably going to sound like a really stupid question but are we talking a 2-stroke or 4? To me the 9,000 rpm's sounds like ALOT for a 4-stroke? Sorry for the dumb question........
=-) Third in line for mine! LOL

 

It is a four stroke!