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Got my Raptor- raced a DS and 3 Banshees

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  #1  
Old 09-10-2000 | 07:21 AM
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OK, guys, I got my Raptor today and it is very impressive. Fit and finish is top notch. I gave it about 4 hours of break-in before I had to see what it could do. I was riding with some buddies: 2 stock 2000 Banshees, 1 Banshee w/ FMF pipes, and a 400ex w/ pipe. Also had a DS 650 join in for the challenge. We all had paddle tires on sand.

The first couple of passes it was hard to keep the front end down and I had to get out of it early. Once I bettered my launch technique, the stock Banshees and I were neck and neck the entire length, about 150 yards. The piped Banshee pulled away from us every time. The DS 650 consistently beat me by 2-3 lengths, but the rider was 37 pounds lighter than me (158 vs. 195). I never saw the 400ex, but he saw plenty of Raptor tailight.

No big deal if I am fastest or not, but I do have a few complaints to Yamaha. The first and second gears are way too tall. The Raptor will not climb a steep grade in second gear. First gear is not low enough and second is even further out. This motor needed a 6 speed like the Banshee and Warrior! On the positive side, on the open dunes, 2nd gear and up is very nice and powerful. Wheelies are easy, but the front end did come up too quickly on steep hill climbs.

The reverse gear is very easy and works well, but again, is geared way too tall. You have to go way faster than you ever need in reverse.

At this point, I have got to try a 12 tooth counter sprocket to gear down 1st and 2nd. Of course I will lose some top end when I do, but the bike needs some help in the lower gears.

In the various magazine ride reports, I couldn't imagine it stalling in 1st and 2nd like they said, but they were absolutely correct.

Overall, a very nice bike. Comfortable, smooth, and fast. But, the 400ex and Banshees could out-climb me all day.

Bottom line: Banshee owners will miss the horsepower, but 400ex owners will love the softer seat, reverse and extra horsepower.

Yamaha- fix those gears!
 
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Old 09-10-2000 | 09:52 AM
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Thanks, pairof98s, for a responsible review with a convincing ring of truth!

Diogenes
 
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Old 09-10-2000 | 10:08 AM
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Thanks for the information. That is just what I wanted to know.
Banshee and Blaster owner.
 
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Old 09-10-2000 | 10:09 AM
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yeah, thanks Pairof98s, but it is a little disappointing... the gas thing in your other post is too.
 
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Old 09-10-2000 | 10:54 AM
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Great review, pairof98s. Yep, it sounds like you want to drop a tooth on the front sprocket if you are riding in the sand alot. It's pretty tough to hit full speed in the sand anyway; that's what I did with my Banshee. Anyway, keep the good info coming! Let's hope the DS guys don't read your post, we'll never hear the end of it.
 
  #6  
Old 09-10-2000 | 03:32 PM
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I totally agree with your view on the gearing. I don't know what Yamaha was thinking! That's the only thing wrong with the Raptor to me.
 
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Old 09-10-2000 | 03:48 PM
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This guy that race my buds banshee said the same thing. The 1st and 2nd gear brought the front end up to quick and therefore could not get the holeshot on the banshee.
But overall your review was the same I witnessed at Krooms outside Tampa, FL. The guy here was looking for a DS650 which are hard to find here cause most all of this area is wooded trails.
It sounds like you will still have many enjoyable
hours on your Raptor
 
  #8  
Old 09-10-2000 | 04:29 PM
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Have to agree about the gearing... Does anyone know if other yamaha sprockets will work on the Raptor if Raptor sprockets are not out yet.
 
  #9  
Old 09-10-2000 | 07:24 PM
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By the way what size of paddle tires where you using? That Could Raise the gearing if they are too tall right?, But the sand will probably require a sprocket change any ways.
 
  #10  
Old 09-10-2000 | 10:37 PM
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I pulled the Sand Skate IIs off my Banshee and put them on the Raptor after riding a couple of hours on the stock Dunlops. The piped Banshee and one of the stock Banshees had the same tires as me, 20x11x10 Sand Skate IIs. The other stock Banshee had Skat Trak Haulers 20x10x10 9 paddles. The DS had a tire that I didn't recognize, but had 9-10 short paddles on it.
 


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