Here in South Africa a dog made up of a few breeds is know as a pavement special and that is exactly what the Raptor 350 is. A bit of warrior and a bit of raptor and a bit of 450. I reserve judgement until I have ridden it, hopefuly YamahaSA will give me a test ride soon. We are expecting our first shipment mid March.

 

Of course we are all just giving our opinions at this point because these machine isn't out yet. I still don't like the idea of calling it a Raptor because it is simply an "improved Warrior" with a Raptor look. If it helps sell the quad then I guess Yamaha knows what they are doing to bring in revenue but I wouldn't buy one personally. I would much rather have seen Yamaha compete closer to the Z400 and KFX400 if they wanted to bring in a new Raptor model. Both of those machines have a modern liquid cooled, DOHC, 4-valve power plant while the new Raptor 350 is still using the out-dated air cooled, SOHC, 2-valve motor. Maybe they figured the YFZ took care of this class, I don't know. Still, nice improvements for the Warrior but I don't think its Raptor material.

 

I think my 94 warrior would keep up with it. I cut plastic put new exsost. new sprokes to give it more top end and I think it would keep up with the new 350. I like the new look but I think I would save some money and buy the warrior if I was to buy a new 350.

 

Timberwolf 250 4x4 w/Cobra exhaust would anhilate either one! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I had a warrior and loved it. The i moved up to the z400. night and day difference. I really dont think the yz fills the gap. i liked my warrior because of reverse, then came the z. The only other choice with reverse is the raptor660. i chose the z because of a pretty proven engine and lighter, lower weight. I think i would buy a used warrior and update it with the raptor350 plastic, smaller tires, big bore kit,and a cam before i bought a brand new raptor350. The specs are too close to make me think yamaha really redesigned anything. Just my .01 cent
Patrick

 

I'm not refering to any new technology. All I said is that the plastics are more aerodynamic which will lower wind resistance.

 

I really dont think they improved the areodynamics enough to compete with the ex or the z. No matter what its still 50cc less.

 

Why does everybody always go by cc's on stock quads when in short drags the new 450's outrun raptors, vforces, ds650's, and so on?But, if you make the drag long enough where they can both top out for a short time the bigger cc quads should catch and pass the 450's.

 

Getusummm

I also think you made a wise choice with the Z....very nice ride. And from a Warrior to the Z I'm sure you can appreciate the immense improvemnets. I still have the Warrior and think its a fine ride but it falls short in comparison to the Z, KFX, EX, and true Raptor. I also think the TRX has replaced the out-dated air-cooled EX and wonder how much longer Honda will make it. It's just my thoughts though.

 

I don't think honda will ever get rid of it for the simple fact is that its a nice reliable quad that most people will probably still buy. And, they can be made to get really fast.