I am going to buy a new bike in Jan. My last bike was a Warrior, and it was just too underpowered for the sand. I liked it on the trails though. I am really having a delima with what to buy. Here are my final choices.

Raptor
Predator
KX/Z/DVX 400

I ride the sand alot, and I really want something that can pull any hill. I am not a drag racer, and I will be riding trails also. The DS is out of my price range, and I think that its weight really turns me off. I do not want something that I am going to have to sink alot of money into. I want quality out of the box.

Thanks in advance for your replys.
Todd

 

Spend the extra 1500 and get a YFZ450 buddy.......... youll be amazed

 

I sat on one at the stealership. The seat is hard as a rock, and it just felt too small. I am 6'1, 230.

 

With what you are wanting, I think you should consider the YFZ 450. Lightweight, fast, great geometry and very good stock parts which will keep you from having to sink a bunch of money into it. You want to climb any hill, and do trails and you want power - the YFZ has it all. I know it seems more expensive, but in the long run (modifying other bikes) I think you will get the most for your money with the YFZ and if you can try one first you will see that the handling is exceptional. Good Luck!!!

 

A. If you ride like it sounds you won't spend much time on the seat anyway...
B. I have read lots of plus 6 footers say that the ride surprisingly fits them just fine...

 

Ask if you can ride it around the parking lot.. If you walk in with money they will likley let you test it. But im just saying ive been riding mine for 4 months now and even when i first got it i dident have any trouble with a$$ pain..... the raptor and pred are not much bigger...
good luck whatever decisoin you make.....

 

I'm w/ YFZb. You can find a new YFZ for about the same as a Raptor if you look hard.

There are hills (and I'm not talking about racing) that you'll get up on a YFZ that you wouldn't have a chance @ on a pred or rap (don't know about the others).

I made the chutes @ Sand Mountain, Utah on my wife's uncorked/no airbox lid YFZ after watching a couple of mild raps miss it.

 

The cheapest I have found one for is $7199.00. I can buy a Raptor for 5699OTD. I really wouldn't mind spending a little over 6k, but 7 is way to much, and the wife would probably divorce me...........................................that might not be a bad thing[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I am 6'4" 230, I felt great on Selectors 450/467 whatever he has in that beast.
For what its worth.

 

I STRONGLY suggest you check out an 04 Predator. All of the known first year issues have been adressed plus some! The trannys are fixed and smooth, the balljoints are made better, has better plastic, the swingarm is refined and made a tad shorter to get the front end up easier over obsticles, the already awesome suspension is revalved to provide a better ride and even better jumping capabilities, the hubs are lighter and accept other rims, the rear rims are 9 inch instead of 10 inch which make it ride a bit better, and the list goes on!! You have to think about this, a Predator cost about $5600 which is less than the Raptor plus you are getting about $2000 worth of extras that are already on the Predator that you would have to spend on the Raptor to make it the same. The only thing that the Raptor has over the predator is reverse and if reverse is that important may be you shouldn't consider a sport quad at all. I don't believe the Z400 is in the same league unless you wanna spend a load of money to make it better. Personally, I think it would be STUPID to not consider the Predator above the rest. As for the Yamaha 450, it's an awesome quad but at about $1500 more than the Predator....... Look what MORE you could put on the Predator with $1500 extra. Plus who knows what could happen with the 450 being a first year quad..... Remember, Polaris stepped up to the plate and adressed the first year probems on the Predator plus a bunch more! I'm sure convinced on the Predator myself![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]