all i have to say is: gabe shut the hell up!!! more annoying then a red headed step child!



99 banshee
01 raptor

hammer down in nj

 

Both machines in stock form are excellent but with different strengths and weaknesses. If you buy a 400EX and spend some money to fix the inherent lack of power in the motor you will be losing reliability. If you buy a Raptor and spend some money to fix the inherent instability in the handling you will be adding reliability. I would argue that once you added more power to your 400EX you would soon want to upgrade the handling too. I pick the Raptor as a better starting point.

 

Hmm... Do you have something intelligent to add, or is that the extent of your posting ability?

It seems some of you would rather call names and make cheesy comments than address what I have said... If you have any problems with anything I have said, please detail them and we can have a civilized discussion (if that is possible with some of you)....

Otherwise, please refrain from posting until you have a more significant thought to convey.

 

thanks guys for the replys I test drove a 400ex the other day and loved it I am going to get the 400ex because I can get a way better deal on the it. I am still going to keep my warrior to tool around around.

 

YAMBIKE good statement. Gabe he made a good point. And I am truly not trying to start ANYTHING, I would like to heard you comment on what he said "Both machines in stock form are excellent but with different strengths and weaknesses. If you buy a 400EX and spend some money to fix the inherent lack of power in the motor you will be losing reliability. If you buy a Raptor and spend some money to fix the inherent instability in the handling you will be adding reliability. I would argue that once you added more power to your 400EX you would soon want to upgrade the handling too. I pick the Raptor as a better starting point". I think that he's on to something, if you fix the handling problem there's not a whole lot left to fix. Now I know you have said that geomentry does not have enough rake, but Mine steers fine. Maybe its because this is my first quad that I have bought and is mine and I have learned how to ride the raptor.
Reading your review and comments I WOULD like to ride a 400 ex to see if there is a noticeable difference besides the height. Thanks

2fast

 

Although I don't race ATV's, I race dirt modified cars, 750 HP and 2000lbs. The concept is the same, but the cars have a much better power to wieght ratio, this makes the setup very criticle.

The bikes are the same way, except they don't have as much power for the little bit of wieght they have. From experience, I have learned that more power does nothing for you if you can't get it to the ground and get traction with it, that is where suspension comes into play.

I had an ill handling car one time and I thought I'd fix it by adding a bigger motor, WRONG! I went straight to the back! The bigger motor made it worse, I went from the top 5 every week to finishing 15th.

I think this is the case for the Raptor. Don't get me wrong, the Raptor is a nice trail bike, but it has too much power for it's suspension to get it to the ground and make it effective. I know all the Raptor owners hate to hear it, but this is why the little 400 is still winning. It's motor does not over power the suspension it has.

More power with the suspension not setup right, you just spin your wheels faster. I'm sure in time they will, but as of now, the Raptor has done nothing to impress me, except to be a great trail bike. As for as reverse, most of the bikes that I ride with have a terrible reverse mechenism, it takes the lazy owner longer to get it into reverse and back into forward, than it does me to get off and spin the back of my EX around and get back on. And the reverse doesn't come into play very often.

 

Tire spin is definately not a problem with the Raptor. Most Raptor owners, including myself, are buying wider axles and flatter profile tires to get more wheel spin and "rear steer" effect. I would say the Raptor's power is very useable, the only real problem I see is that big tall motor adding weight up higher than most people are used to. With a wider stance and ZPS shocks to lower the ride hight the Raptor should be dangerous. And don't get me wrong, it is very rideable stock with an adjustment of riding style it's just that most of us who buy a machine like the Raptor are more aware of setup and willing to spend money on parts than entry level ATV buyers. The 250R is generally thought of as the benchmark race ATV but all my 250R riding friends have WAY more money into aftermarket parts than my Raptor does.In fact they probably have more aftermarket parts on them than stock.