300exSter and Skykoquad,
Both of you take this somewhere else!

Brandon502,
All of these quads will do fine where you ride, the 400 isnt out yet so we have no idea how it will perform. Whatever you choose make sure you test it, look it over and be happy with it.

 

Even though I'm a pretty avid supporter of the Cannondale, based on the conditions you ride in (rocky terrain), I wouldn't suggest the FX. The aluminum frame would worry me the first time it lands on a big rock. I always thought Banshee's were good for hill climbing, however, the two-stroke requires more upkeep. I think the DS would be a little too heavy for hill climbing. I'd much rather have a 350 lb. Raptor land on me than a 400+ lb. DS(and it will happen too). I've heard the Raptor has a tendency to get light on the front when climbing hills, also something ton consider. I'd probably suggest getting a 400EX (you can get some real steals on slightly used 2000's now) and buy the 440 kit for it. Just my two cents worth.

 

300exster,i just dont get it.We dont have anything to prove to these glorified blaster riders(raptors).all you have to do is set the machines side by side and even a "*****" could tell ya the ds is the better built,better everything machine.so i guess that makes him worse than a *****.tell him to go douch and change that pad between his leg if he cant handle a real machine!

 

turdferguson,1st of all you raptor weights 399 dry weight.dirt wheels mag.dec.2000 issue page 47 and also your manuel.2nd this guy needs something with a suspension.raptor and 400ex suspentions are terrible.if you look at yamaha forums they r all changing thier shocks.also the axles are bad on the raptor.he'll need to change it to.400ex is somewhat a better and more reliable machine but lacks in power big time.Go with the ds and you got the heavier duty,faster machine that you wont have to put another dime into.

 

brandon502,its as easy as this you say you ride in open spaces and hillclimbs.YOU WANT A DS ! its the widest quad made 4 great stability at high speeds.its got a longer swingarm then the raptor or cannondale.that makes it a better climber.that raptor will fall on ya before that ds will!The suspension is the best ever stock on a quad.12"of travel in the front.11.5" on the rear.compare that to the raptor 9.1 in front 8.5 in rear.do the math.that means better suspension on the ds for them rocks ya like to play on.go with the ds dude,ya wont be sorry.

 

For the love of god, you act like you gave birth to the DS. It may be better for what this guy is looking for, but that doesn't mean you have to bash the Raptor and 400EX. I hadn't ridden my Raptor for a few days and after reading all the bashing it takes in this forum I began to doubt it myself... Then I rode it again today and all that doubt flew away like a bird on crack. To call the Raptor a glorified Blaster is the biggest crock I have ever heard.I have owned both and for anyone to even say that they have either never ridden a Raptor or never ridden a Blaster. After riding/owning most of the machines that get talked about in this forum, I regret to say that I would not ask for the opinion of this forum on buying a new machine because alot of the time I disagree with what is said and that makes it a big risk.

 

I'm sure you have an idea as to what terrains/conditions each machine is better/more suited for (except the FX that is'nt out). Since everyone is biased toward their machine, the best thing you can do is ride all make your assumptions then (may have to wait a while on the FX). If you can't ride all, and have to have an opinion, then get the Banshee.

 

I'm done fighting. The ds is the best hillclimer of them all. It is heavy front and wont flip over backwards and has MORE then enough power to get up any hill you can try with it. If the trails are right, the ds wont work, if they are open then the ds will work. The ds is better then these guys make it out to be. As the raptor is also an excellent machine. Sure the raptor wins the drag by a TIRE length, but when the raptor wins by a tire, then it could be a nu mber of things..missshift? Or even traction loss. Throw on some bettter tires (like the ones on the raptor) and see how the ds does.

I'm not trying to start any damn fights either.

00' ds

ryan

 

the facts speak 4 themselves.thats all i got to say.

 

SyKoQuadRider? A stock banshee will hang with your raptor any day of the week and kill a 400EX. With just a few mods will smoke them both even if they are modded. In addition to that the first steep hill you climb a banshee will walk right on by as your trying to keep the front end down. Don't get me wrong I love the raptor but for the type of riding I do (desert/duning/fire roads) nothing flys like a shee...

Streak