the new raptor 700 is supposed to be about side by side with the '04-05 450, but the '06 is gonna be sedin a nice roost at the 700r. All the reviews I've read say that the new 450 eats up the 700r. I agree with about the softness of ride though. If you want a soft ride, than you'd better go with the 700r, but I think the 450 is still the way to go. YOu sacrifice a little smoothness of ride, but you gain so much more. Plus, the new '06 450 is gonna have a lot softer seat, and I believe that is is getting the suspension softened a little bit too. Look into it, I think that the 450 is the way to go!