Hey man about three months ago I was going through the same problem I rode the 00' ex and fell in love with it. That is what I was gonna buy then out of good fate the honda dealers up here we all A$$ holes and kept screwing me over so I figured since I am waiting this long I might as well get the Raptor

So a friend of mine got the 01' ex I was gonna get and about two weeks later I got my 01' Raptor and we ride together all the time and the ex is a nice LITTLE machine but after riding my raptor It feels like I am on my old 87' 110 mojave. We put them both to the test out at Jim's creek and rode all day both good machines just think you would like the raptor alot better.
Hope I helped

Bigkdwag

01 Blue and White raptor
89 Blaster fmf pipe
renthal chain and sprocket
bored 80 over
holeshot front and rear
all new plastic

 

Just went through the same decision making process and I have ordered the Raptor over the 400 for a couple of reasons. 1. Rode both and The Raptor has more power with no doubt. 2. I have seen 3 400's break swingarms from jumping and I don't want to go through that stuff. Not saying the raptor is perfect but I am hoping it is. That's about it man Go for the Raptor.

 

I have a raptor and my buddies have 400ex's. In my honest opinion I'de go with the raptor its weight distribution is the same as the 400ex 46% front and 56% rear the raptor center of gravity is fine it sits one inch higher and is about 1/2 of an inch narrower which doesn't make a big differance. If you woods ride though the raptor comes geared really high I put an 11 tooth front sprocket on mine and its perfect stock gearing is way to high. Also I would put a swing arm plate on the raptor as soon as you get it, it comes with a stock plastic one and it doesnt offer really any protection. PRM-atv.com offers what I feel are the best skids made I put complete skids on mine and I love them. There both good quads but another added bonus is the raptor has reverse, but the 400ex is cheap to fix the parts are cheap I'm not sure if the raptor parts are expensive due to how new it is either way you'll be happy the honda I think is around 28-30hp stock and the raptor is 45hp big difference. Have fun and be safe!

 

decisions......decisions......decisions....NEED A TEST DRIVE!