It takes a hell of a lot of a EX to beat a stock Raptor. It takes a super EX to beat a piped raptor, or a mildly built raptor.

The DS, and the Raptor are very close. Usually comes down to rider in that race.

 

OK, I hate getting into all of this, but I have been on these forums a long time and I don't post very much. The main reason is because I'd rather ride than sit here on the computer and talk crap! (this quad vs. this quad).
People, here is the deal.
1 - A Stock Raptor is faster/quicker than a 400EX.....I have both...no comparison.
2 - A 400 EX handles better than the Raptor (In stock form) No comparison!
3 - Suspensoin - The Raptor is great for the trails as well as the 400EX. Both quads do very well. No big suprise that a 400EX is more suited for the MX track the Raptor can MX but it will cost a lot more - The Raptor has reverse, the 400EX doesn't.......reverse is nice, but it is really for lazy people! Deal with it!
4 - The Raptor is a great quad, very fun, great torque, gobs of power.....the 400EX is also a great quad, very fun, just lacking a little power. The key is that on a track or on the trail neither quad will kill the other unless it is a long straight wide open run...then the Raptor will shine.
5 - I have to give ease of maintenance to the 400EX....sorry guys, but it is true. I am not brand biased by any means, but a 400EX is easier to keep up....unless you consider the swingarm pivot bolt which can(and probably will freeze up).....the Raptor has it's fair share of problems(one way failures, tranny's, and just general ease of maintenance).
6 - In extreme use (MX racing) - both frames can and will give! Both quads will cost money to upgrade suspension.
Overall, it is what you, the consumer wants........the Raptor is a great all around quad (without a doubt one of the best) as well as the 400EX(just lacking the power, liquid cooling).......but you can and will have fun on both!
I have been around this sport a LONG time......what everyone needs to realize is that it is not a comparison of who has the "fastest" or in their eyes "the best" and just enjoy theirselves and whay they have.
Another point to think about is that the factories are now backing 450cc quads(YFZ450 & TRX 450) and that is the future of things to come.....we the consumers are the beneficiaries of their competition and it is a great time to be a sport quad enthuisast!!!!!

 

hey i have a honda 400ex it has lte dual pipes on it jetted with a cam and airbox mods and when i drag my friend on his 660 we are very even we stay beside each other the hole way even in top speed i think they are bolth nice quads the raptor is just a little tippy if it wasnt for that they would bolth be good for mx

 

yeah a ds over a raptor will win in a drag but whos gonna beat who in trails, yeah thats what i thought

 

i went to a website about 2months ago i forgot what it was sorry buy these guys test and time sport quads well the 400ex was the winner for trails because thats what its made for handling its 375lb u can move it alot better than the 650 im not knocking the raptor its a good quad. i might buy 1 also but i heard they sometimes run into problems so for now i will stick to handa which is time , and race tested

 

Some friends and I went riding in Ocala last year, and met up with a roving band of piped and filtered 400 ex'rs. One of the guys had never rode a Raptor, so being the charitable type that I am, I let him ride mine and vice-versa. I couldn't believe the lack of power the lil' Honda had! I thought something was wrong with it! One of my friends rode it and said "Yep, that's a Honda if I've ever rode one." I'm not about cutting down anybody's rides, but when someone blatantly talks out of their butt, saying that ANY type of Honda 400 ex can beat even a stock Raptor, I just have to intervene. Thanks.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Beware of saying ANY honda ex. I know of at least one that will beat most mildly modded raptors. That would be MichaelAZ's 465ex on alky. That bike is very fast from what I have heard and seen on video.

 

Welcome newcomer. Any one with half of a dead brain cell knows that a raptor is alot faster than a 400ex, although i dont know about the handling? unless ofcourse the raptor is going in Reverse, lmao than the EX might have a chance. with a 263cc advantage and far more advanced engine features, its no wonder the raptor is superior. but i am not bashing the ex at all, i think its a good quad giving its age. but straight up drag race, weather up hill or down......dirt or sand......day or night......blue-moon or red-moon,, the raptor is faster.

 

The rappy is much faster than the 400ex.

 

Dis is all kool guys... but let's try matchin up a banshee w/ a raptor... that's always fun. Anybody here knows, money for money a banshee will kill a raptor. If ur lookin for something fast, look at a banshee. It aint got reverse, but neither does a 400ex. The only reason i would advice u not to get a banshee is if ur gonna ride trails only. But if ur talkin speed, banshee all the way!!