OK you've seen my photo's, if not go to:
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~crainic/INDEX.htm

Yamaha have done a hugh amount of "product" testing IE how does the thing stack up against the DS, EX and Banshee, whilst allowed to read it all i wasn't allowed to digitally picture any off it, there is like 30 pages of this stuff, so from memory the things that really stuck are;

1) 100 yards standing start drag race

Raptor 5.83 seconds
DS 650 6.35 seconds
EX 400 7.05 seconds, (not quite sure on the EX, definite on the DS vs Raptor)

2) top speed out of the box
Raptor 128kph or 77mph
DS 650 110kph or 68mph
EX 400 just plain slow in comparision

3) Weight balance
Raptor 43% front
DS 650 49% front ie nose heavy
EX 400 43% front

4) only machine in the "class" with reverse and man is it easy to use, click into neutral pull in the clutch, turn the **** - reverse, click up and go........ damn that's easy..........

5) technology, a leader in it's field:
5 valve water cooled engine
R1 / R6 / YZF engine technology,
free reving, instant throttle response,
wide powerband, high over rev capabilty to
give seemingly endless power
9000 rpm rev limit

Marketing, the Raptor is aimed at being a great all round dune, trail, woods machine. The DS and Banshee are seen to be aimed at Dune riding and the EX a great woods machine, Yamaha have designed the machine to appeal and be a top performer in all markets....... damn......

After seeing all the documentation I was truely impressed with the depth of the engineering, every damn question you could think of technically has been answered, impressive, you bet.............

 

We praise you....We give you thanks.....mucho...
Now do you recall horsepower numbers? Not that it matters as this machine will obviously rock and roll!