My Name Says It All
Jan 19, 2001 | 01:53 AM
#71
Pro Rider
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
Holyman, great analogies!
Gabe, as usual, even though you are a Honda guy, you are the most intelligent poster in the group by facts (racing results) and opinions and hypothesis' about how to tune the Raptor. You are on the right track as usual.
$500? That would get me a 11 to 1 416 kit for $130, a xr400 cam for $120, jetting for $20, mod airbox and pipe for free, 16 tooth front sprocket for $20, port intake and exhaust for $100, wow, I still have $100 left, suppose I could drop down to a 36 tooth rear to match the top speed of the Raptor and get an xr250 rev box for $70. I guarantee for $500 I could beat a stock Raptor with the 400ex. Oh wait, I guess I did already.
As I have stated in the past, it is a glamorized Warrior, but it is better than nothing. ALL quads have advantages and disadvantages, it is all in what you want and expect it to do, unfortunately, IhatemyRaptor seems to have been sucked into the marketing hype and should have gotten a Banshee.
P.S. To all the Raptor crybabies, remember me? I coined the term "Craptor" that you all have to live with. To those of you who have a Raptor and don't act like it is the best thing since sliced bread, nice quad, I like them, its just not for me.
Gabe, as usual, even though you are a Honda guy, you are the most intelligent poster in the group by facts (racing results) and opinions and hypothesis' about how to tune the Raptor. You are on the right track as usual.
$500? That would get me a 11 to 1 416 kit for $130, a xr400 cam for $120, jetting for $20, mod airbox and pipe for free, 16 tooth front sprocket for $20, port intake and exhaust for $100, wow, I still have $100 left, suppose I could drop down to a 36 tooth rear to match the top speed of the Raptor and get an xr250 rev box for $70. I guarantee for $500 I could beat a stock Raptor with the 400ex. Oh wait, I guess I did already.
As I have stated in the past, it is a glamorized Warrior, but it is better than nothing. ALL quads have advantages and disadvantages, it is all in what you want and expect it to do, unfortunately, IhatemyRaptor seems to have been sucked into the marketing hype and should have gotten a Banshee.
P.S. To all the Raptor crybabies, remember me? I coined the term "Craptor" that you all have to live with. To those of you who have a Raptor and don't act like it is the best thing since sliced bread, nice quad, I like them, its just not for me.
Jan 19, 2001 | 02:01 AM
#72
Pro Rider
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
Gabe
I would be very interested to read what mods you have done to your stock head pipe, if you care to disclose. To date, I've grounded down approximatly 3/32"-1/8" welds inside head pipe near head. Are there other restrictive head pipe obstacles that need attention?
'99 440 12:1, XR cam, ported, R-Series slip-on.
I would be very interested to read what mods you have done to your stock head pipe, if you care to disclose. To date, I've grounded down approximatly 3/32"-1/8" welds inside head pipe near head. Are there other restrictive head pipe obstacles that need attention?
'99 440 12:1, XR cam, ported, R-Series slip-on.
Jan 19, 2001 | 09:57 AM
#73
Trailblazer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Well Said Ihatemyraptor..Its nice to see someone who is honest about the new raptor. You just spent a big chunk o change and your a big man to say it like it is. I personally ride with some raptor owners who feel the same way. I must admit if I could put my banshee motor in a raptor frame with a wider axle, 2+1 A-arms and an extendend swingarm I would do it!
Jan 19, 2001 | 02:51 PM
#76
Pro Rider
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
Actually no, you are incorrect in your assumptions on many accounts.
And the extra power makes up for whatever it lacks in handling.
Power NEVER makes up for handling, in fact, it compounds the problem. If that were the case, we'd all be riding 70+hp Banshee's.
I'm saying in pure speed which is what you usually bash the raptor about, the EX even with mods is no match in SPEED.
First of all, what's the difference between 68mph and 75mph in a quad? None to me, since I ride my machine in the trails & I drive my Corvette fast on the road. A few MPH on the top end is nothing to brag about on a quad, or any machine for that matter.
Most people don't criticize the Raptor for it's "speed" they criticize it for it's overall package & it's typical rider/forum poster. It should be faster than what it is, it should handle better than what it does, and it should fare better in racing than what it does.
Also, what part of 37 HP do you not understand? This is an easily attainable figure for a 400EX & is actually not required by a 400EX to outrun a Raptor due to lighter (wet) weight and far better gearing, and the better holeshot the 400 will get.
In response to your many references to MX style racing
The race results were not MX racing, nor is the Baja 1000. The FTR series (Florida Trail Riders) results quoted were harescramble racing. Harescambles are trail racing at it's finest. Maybe if you actually attended some races you'd know the difference. It amuses me that people that don't race, or even watch racing try to tell us which machines are "faster" and justify & rationalize why race results don't match what they are saying about particular machines. BTW the results of the FTR series I posted are NOT unique. This is happening all over the country, including the race series' I run.
In response to your rants on the numbers of 400EX's, modified bikes, "race" quads, etc
No, in many of these races there are a lot of equally stock and modified Raptors and 400EX's. Recently I ran the RFGP in Fort Smith AR with my fairly mildly modified 400EX. I was THE ONLY 400EX in the pro class which totalled 12 riders. There were 2 Raptors (one TCS suspended), a 250R, a few Banshee's & some other misc bikes. The poor little underpowered 400EX won the overall, kinda blows your theory about the numbers causing the results. In the end, in woods racing, the quad that consistantly corners, climbs, dodges tree's, and conquers various terrains & obsticles the fastest wins.
Even if there were 10 400EX's vs 2 Raptors, if the Raptors were everything you guys state they are, shouldn't they more toward the top of the list and not the bottom?
Also, might I remind you that the 400EX isn't supposed to be a "race" quad either.
The simple facts are that the Raptor is a very nice machine. It is fairly fast, it's great for many types of riders. The thing that gets you guys the responses you get, is that you are constantly telling us that it's the be all, do all, faster'n anyone else quad. This is not the case & can be proven anytime you wish (just take yourself to a harescramble sometime and enter the appropriate class for your skill level). There's a VERY GOOD reason the Yamaha forum is not littered with hundreds of Raptor owners boasting their dominance various types of races, it's because it's not happening.
And the extra power makes up for whatever it lacks in handling.
Power NEVER makes up for handling, in fact, it compounds the problem. If that were the case, we'd all be riding 70+hp Banshee's.
I'm saying in pure speed which is what you usually bash the raptor about, the EX even with mods is no match in SPEED.
First of all, what's the difference between 68mph and 75mph in a quad? None to me, since I ride my machine in the trails & I drive my Corvette fast on the road. A few MPH on the top end is nothing to brag about on a quad, or any machine for that matter.
Most people don't criticize the Raptor for it's "speed" they criticize it for it's overall package & it's typical rider/forum poster. It should be faster than what it is, it should handle better than what it does, and it should fare better in racing than what it does.
Also, what part of 37 HP do you not understand? This is an easily attainable figure for a 400EX & is actually not required by a 400EX to outrun a Raptor due to lighter (wet) weight and far better gearing, and the better holeshot the 400 will get.
In response to your many references to MX style racing
The race results were not MX racing, nor is the Baja 1000. The FTR series (Florida Trail Riders) results quoted were harescramble racing. Harescambles are trail racing at it's finest. Maybe if you actually attended some races you'd know the difference. It amuses me that people that don't race, or even watch racing try to tell us which machines are "faster" and justify & rationalize why race results don't match what they are saying about particular machines. BTW the results of the FTR series I posted are NOT unique. This is happening all over the country, including the race series' I run.
In response to your rants on the numbers of 400EX's, modified bikes, "race" quads, etc
No, in many of these races there are a lot of equally stock and modified Raptors and 400EX's. Recently I ran the RFGP in Fort Smith AR with my fairly mildly modified 400EX. I was THE ONLY 400EX in the pro class which totalled 12 riders. There were 2 Raptors (one TCS suspended), a 250R, a few Banshee's & some other misc bikes. The poor little underpowered 400EX won the overall, kinda blows your theory about the numbers causing the results. In the end, in woods racing, the quad that consistantly corners, climbs, dodges tree's, and conquers various terrains & obsticles the fastest wins.
Even if there were 10 400EX's vs 2 Raptors, if the Raptors were everything you guys state they are, shouldn't they more toward the top of the list and not the bottom?
Also, might I remind you that the 400EX isn't supposed to be a "race" quad either.
The simple facts are that the Raptor is a very nice machine. It is fairly fast, it's great for many types of riders. The thing that gets you guys the responses you get, is that you are constantly telling us that it's the be all, do all, faster'n anyone else quad. This is not the case & can be proven anytime you wish (just take yourself to a harescramble sometime and enter the appropriate class for your skill level). There's a VERY GOOD reason the Yamaha forum is not littered with hundreds of Raptor owners boasting their dominance various types of races, it's because it's not happening.
Jan 19, 2001 | 04:59 PM
#77
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
I'm going to try to settle this.
Raptors are fast.
400EXs handle great.
Banshees are fast.
And modded correctly who knows what these things will do.
The point is. If you hate a certain quad so much then build a better one!
Raptors are fast.
400EXs handle great.
Banshees are fast.
And modded correctly who knows what these things will do.
The point is. If you hate a certain quad so much then build a better one!
Jan 20, 2001 | 12:04 PM
#78
Range Rover
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
all i know is that iam happy with my raptor..but on the other hand when i get bored of it i jus take my banshee out..so best of both worlds there
99 banshee pro flow kit
01 raptor blue
gyt light guards
gyt bumper
gyt heel guards
prm skids
pro design kit
97 dodge ram 2500 v8 5.9 360
6 inch skyjacker suspension kit
36 super swampers
heddman headers
k/n
jet stage 2 chip
dual flowmaster 3 inch
msd
smittybuilt pushbar
5 kc dayligters on roof
2 hella black magics on pushbar
and a warn hitch winch
99 banshee pro flow kit
01 raptor blue
gyt light guards
gyt bumper
gyt heel guards
prm skids
pro design kit
97 dodge ram 2500 v8 5.9 360
6 inch skyjacker suspension kit
36 super swampers
heddman headers
k/n
jet stage 2 chip
dual flowmaster 3 inch
msd
smittybuilt pushbar
5 kc dayligters on roof
2 hella black magics on pushbar
and a warn hitch winch
Jan 20, 2001 | 11:37 PM
#79
Pro Rider
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
the DS is the best deal for the money.the DS goes for $6800,the Raptor goes for $6800-$7200 here in Tn.then for the Raptor you have to pay $300 for an extended axle,$500-$600 for a-arms.$700 for an extended swingarm and you say the Raptor is the better buy? lets see thats $6800+$1600 in mods just to get it where the DS is when it comes from the factory.i dont hate Yahama,ive owned four and still have a moded 00 banshee.
Jan 21, 2001 | 12:45 AM
#80
Range Rover
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
sorry but i just had to jump in on this one....to me jumping on a 400ex from my 300 it blew my mind....then jumping on a raptor my mouth dropped open....then jumped on a 420cc banshee and i about crapped my pants! it is all on what you are used to. if you have been riding a modded banshee and bought a raptor you will feel ripped off..or lemme say i would. i cant say anything about the duners but down here in the south the woods rule and so does the 300 and 400ex's...raptors are popping up everywhere down here and they are great quads but for the money spent they should have a little button that you push that turns the thing into a hovercraft! I just hope we all are upset by the same thing happening to the FX400 (if it ever gets into production)! " give yamaha time to "fix it" like honda did the 250r..im sure with the right setup the raptor is "the fastest quad around" but again you can buy a used 400ex-$3500 dump $3000 into it and will probably be pushing 50-55HP easy .same money all you guys spent on a shiny new raptor.