Hi guys,

This is my first post but I've been reading for a the past month or so. I see alot of posts like this one so I know you guys like info, so I'll give you all I can think of. I'm looking for a sport quad and I have an open mind to everything out there from the 450's to the big bores and even the V-Force (it seems like it'd be fun).

I've never owned an ATV but have ridden dirt bikes my whole life and I can ride well, getting used to the quad shouldn't be a problem. I'm 31 now, and I just can't ride the bike as long as I'd like to anymore, I need something a little more comfortable. I live in NH and will mostly be doing trail riding and "powerline" type riding which consists of lots of rocks, mud and roots and technical stuff. Alot of tight stuff to. I will want to jump too when the situation presents itself be it at a track or sand pit or whatever. I'm the type of guys who likes to ride trails fast, as if I were riding in a hare scramble, so less clutchin/shifting would be nice. I've always prefered 250's over 125's for this reason. Also, I tend to like low-revving tourque over high revving hp in almost all situations, ie. I'd like a 300hp v8 over a 300hp tricked import. I like power to always be on tap and to have less of a "powerband", just constant, useable power at any RPM.

I'm 5'11, 200lbs, with a muscular build from working out. I tend to overwork a bike, it's just the way I ride, so a little extra weight is cool with me and sometimes even feels a little more comfortable for me because I tend to work the bike hard. I'd prefer a comfortable sport suspension that can handle everything pretty good, over a straight up race suspension that would be less comfortable but handle 60 foot triples!

OK, so choices. I'm open to all the bikes, 400's, 450's, DS's Raptors, etc. Cost is not really an issue, but keeping the price down is always a plus. Reliability is huge too, I'd really like something that I can "put gas in it and go". I will do regular maintenace, I take good care of my stuff, but I'd rather have something be stronger over being lighter. One of my biggest concerns is the loss of power going from 2 stroke 250's to a quad. I've ridden a stock banshee and a stock 400ex and they felt kinda "small" underneath me and kind of felt like a fun toy more than a serious comfortable machine (no offense to anybody, that's just really how it felt, it was more because of the size than the power). Honestly, from reading and from going to shops and sitting on bikes, the new Raptor seems to appeal to me the most. The most comfortable bike to me seems to be the DS 650, it always feels great when I sit on it, like it was made for me. I like the sheer size of it, but that size plus no reverse seems like a minus for the type of riding I'd do. Also, it seems like it's "overbuilt" and I like that. Everything seems thicker and stronger like the axle and a-arms and what not, but I know that translates to some significant weight and I wonder if it'd be a little out of place on a MX track, or jumping in general. The 450's feel small and cramped when I sit on them and I feel they may be more race bred than what I need. I know if I decided on a 450 it'd probably be a yamaha because from what I read it seems to outperform the honda in every way. Even the V force seems like alot of fun, but I'd probably miss the clutch, and If I were going to go big and heavy I'd just get the Bomb which already "feels" really good to me.

So right now I'm thinking in this order: Raptor, DS650 (close second), yfz 450, z400 (mostly for price), v-force. It's almost really a toss up between the first 3 machines. Every factor counts though, and I really want to make the right choice. Any replies are welcome. Please help me out, I want to feel really good about my decision. I can't think of much else info to give you guys, but if you can think of ANYTHING, just let me know and I'll post it. Im going to post this in another "brand" forum or 2 just to get some more eyes to see it, I hope that's OK. Thanks in advance for all your help, I appreciate it, and look forward to the replies!

Scotty

 

I JUST BOUGHT A GRIZZLY 660, AWSOME MACHINE, BUT I'M AN IDIOT ON THE TRAILS, CAN'T GO FAST ENOUGH FIND A HILL BIG ENOUGH OR ENOUGH GROUND TO COVER IN A DAY. IF I WERE TO BUY A 2WD MODEL THE YFZ 450 IS FAST. TWO FRIENDS HAVE THEM ONE RACES, IF YOU NEED MORE POWER THEY ARE EASILY TRICKED OUT. 660 RAPTOR, HEY THAT MUCH MORE POWER, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO TRAIL RIDING AT A FAST PACE, LIGHTER IS BETTER FOR HANDLING AND LESS BODY WEAR. FOR WHAT ITS WORTH , THATS MY OPINION- THE 450YFZ

 

My first bike is the one in my signature below. I had never ridden more than a BMX bike before that. My friends are all ATV veterans and told me to buy a large cc bike because I would out grow them fast and they were right. I am skinny and not very strong at 5' 10" 180lbs and I can handle this bike.

For you I would suggest either a Raptor or KFX700

 

Sounds to me like you would be most at home on the Raptor.

 

Thanks for the info guys! About the VForce, can it hang with the Raptor or the DS? I think the Automatic would be fun, but I was wondering about the power, suspension, brakes, etc. I'd hate to get it and then be dumping all kinds of $ into it to get it up to par. I like to keep things closer to stock for reliablity reasons. I'll pipe and jet and upgrade the air cleaner, but I don't want to be getting into new suspension and what not

 

I just went through the same thing as you are asking,, I'm 39 years old and have been on motorcyles all my life from dirt to street and everything inbetween, I just bought my first quad a yamaha 700 raptor. I do the same type of riding as you and so far it's been the right call, I looked at the YFZ 450 but I dont want the almost race machine comitment.

 

KFX vs. ?? videos

Here ya go. I am loyal to Yamaha but I really like the KFX700.

 

Cammo hit the caps button.

 

I just went what you went through also, fortunatly I had buddies that had yfz 450 and Z400 suzukis. When we would go riding the yfz 450 guy has to get off and push if we come up on something in the trail, great power though. I went with the Z400, couldnt see spending another two grand for raptor.

 

i would go with the raptor 700.you wont have to worry about rejetting it.from what ive heard there great.