Why the overly competitive attitudes, insults, double standards and arguements? Man, it's like bickering Democrats and Republicans basing and shifting every opinion on a party label. (Red and Blue. hahaha)

As the ultimate "Independent" (I'm a little partial to Kawasaki but I still give credit where it's due and like all companies that do good for the market), I'll say this: The YFZ is improved for 2006. GOOD! Yamaha listened and addressed the comfort issues for '06: higher handlebars, smoother suspension, more lowend, softer seat and better thumb throttle and even more power to boot. Honda did the same. GOOD! They're giving the R more power, better looks, an Estart and even better handling and comfort to boot.

Anyone should be able to honestly acknowledge that both companies are taking high performance ATV's seriously and building on already great quads. It's pushing Suzuki and Kawasaki to do their homework before releasing any competition. The new Quadracer is supposedly really trick and Kawasaki is another year off but all rumors point to something really impressive. Both should be great and will raise the bar even further...meaning Yamaha and Honda will not be able to simply rest on their laurels....like Honda did with the 400EX until the Z400 came out and BAM! Racing ATV's have come A LONG WAY in 3 years. Just think, 4 years ago, it's was just the 400EX...yuck! All a guy could do was look for a used 2 stroke!

Bottomline: It's all good for us, the riders and consumers. Let them keep trying to outdo eachother and keep up with the Jones'. The more they improve and try to win new customers, the better the machines will be for us.

 

I totally agree.

 

The race version, oh excuse me, "manual-start" version only weighs 7lbs. more dry than the '05 did and who knows what the wet weights of the YFZ and 450R will be.

 

What do looks have to do with anything in the racing department?

 

Yep, I was just being sarcastic[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Dirt Wheels actually stated that recommended octane for Raptors is 86 octane. Am I hurting my engine for running 87, or should I be putting 93 in it. I did notice when I started running Reg. the engine felt a lot cooler on the leg and also had a little more get up in the low end??????

 

Stock compression raptors run best on Regular grade gas (87). Engines make the most power on the lowest octane possible without detenation. Running premium in a stock raptor is POINTLESS and a waste of money, running premium slows down your raptor, too ! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

maddog56, how do you figure Honda has the #2 race bike? Is this your opinion or do you have some supporting evidence? I follow all types of racing real close. I don't see it but have an open mind. Explain how you have come to this conclusion.

/Jon

 

First off it has little to do with pro stats or pro bikes. Those machines are dramatically modified from stock form and the riders often make the greatest difference in competition. The 05 yfz is faster and arguably better handling than the 05 trx450R. The R is a little more plush so its probably a better rec quad. But I guess I dont know how you can tell me that the R which sells fewer units, has less power, and does not out handle the yfz is the better machine.

 

If people are really worried about a few pounds, maybe they just need to put the fork down [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]