I don't understand why everybody wants magazines to test/compare the raptor, banshee, DS, ect. witht the 250R. The 250R has not been built for 11 almost 12 years. Yeah it is/was a great machine, but face the facts, it is not a current production machine. Car magazines rarely compare an old Shelby to the new Viper or Vette. Why do the ATV mags insist on throughing a modified R in with there high performance tests? I wonder this every time I read these comparisons. Why not compare apples to apples. I agree the R is a great MX machine, but it does not belong getting compared to the modern (as in still manufactured) machines. That is what the 400EX is for, granted it is outgunned by the Banshee, Raptor, and DS, it still should be included since it is still made.
All you 250R guys, don't take this post the wrong way. They are great machines and have yet to be matched as far as MX goes, but the mags should compare "current models", not old stuff. So don't go bashing me on this post, I am not bashing your R in any way. Later.
eric

 

I cannot believe the Raptor only has 45 horsies!!! A bone stock Polaris Scrambler or Sport has 36 out of the showroom, and with a few mods easily equal or above that. And this engine actually has 282 more cc's. Does that really make sense?? Just curious. All that I am saying is that the numbers dont match. WAY OFF BALANCE.

Chuck (99 Scrambler 400)

 

Have any of you driven the Raptor? How can any of you even begin to know how it will go?

 

The motor and weight ratio sounds ok. However, the width (43") and height (33") sounds tippy. This quad looks more like a duner then anything else. I don't see why people think the Raptor would do good on the "Woods"; its not like you could do 70 + MPH between trees. I personally think its not a bad quad; however, I wouldn't trade it for my '88 TRX250R.

Thats just my opinion!

 

I just thought of this today.

Ok, someone goes out buys a brand new 400EX, lots of guys put longer A-Arms on them. I personally know 2, and of course longer axles, then someone racing a 250R..they have longer A-Arms and axles.

If these are the 2 best handling quads made then why do people change the A-arms?

 

94DGBlaster, the reason for the a-arms and the rest of the modifications is to further improve what's already good enough.

 

True a scram400 has 36hp, but that is at the crank, not the rear wheels. The scrambler actually makes 24to25 hp at the wheels. The raptor prolly makes 55 or so hp at the crank.
To get 45 horsepower out of ur 400 would take atleast a top end pipe, billet head, reeds, and ported then u'd prolly make 45 to 50 rear wheel horses, although u still might be slower than the raptor cuz ur alot heavier.

 

I think that's a bunch of crap. Stick +2 Arms and axles on a raptor and it will hang with the best of..And whos to say it won't now!

 

Now I think a great result from all of this would be Yamaha sells Raptors like crazy and realizing that there is a marketplace out there that isn't interested in machines unchanged ina decade releases the Banshee for 2002 in an all new frame.

 

Why don't all you people quit speculating and just wait until this thing becomes available before passing judgement??? Does'nt anyone remember that for the time being "specifications are subject to change"?? I am sure Yamaha is fine tuning the dimensions at this time and that the Raptor will go into production with all the handing issues worked out. There is no way that they are going to spend so many resources on a new bike and then promptly screw it up! I certainly hope all of these nay-sayers end up eating a lot of crow over this nonsense whining. (not to mention all of that roost as the Raptor they are trying to follow disappears from view!)
I definately won't have a problem owning one. You can bet all the other manufacturers are nervous!