OK now that I have your attention...
I posted a similar post in the Honda forum. Here's the deal. I currently have a '99 Scrambler 400. I really like this quad. but... I MAY be ready for something new. I really like the 400EX and I'm leaning that way, but I like the Raptor too. So it's your "job" to talk me into the Raptor. First though, I don't want to hear from you Raptor guys that just bought the next "me too" quad that enjoy going out on picking on 300EX's & such. You know who you are... I want to hear from mature, intelligent owners who bought the quad for the right reasons. I like the looks, the powerseems great & I love that it has reverse. But the gearing I hear is odd & what's this about all these weak parts? So guys tell me everything. The good, the bad, the ugly. I want to know what mods you did & why, as in did you want to or did you feel you needed too? Also, what was the best price you found on one?
I like my Scrambler & it's fast enough but Polaris is disappointing me without any new offerings & I've rode trails & dunes with the Scrambler, so I guess I'm ready for something new to try. So go ahead guys twist my arm

 

Andrew, I believe no atv is perfect and the reliability of the 400ex and Raptor is good. With that being said, go to your local dealer(s), ride both, and buy what YOU want. Hope this helps...

 

First off, I am not a Yamaha salesman. Therefore, I have no reason to try and sell you a Yamaha. I don't care if it is Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, etc,etc,etc. I bought the Raptor because it was the quad that I felt fit my needs. Size, speed and reliability are what I look for, as it relates to my type of riding style and or terrain.

So, if you need someone to sell you, it's probably not the bike for you! If you feel you DO need to be sold, I'll leave that to the salesman at your local Yamaha dealer. (That's what he get's paid to do)

Good luck with your decision!

 

Here's one if your into modifications.
400ex - great handling,good power
more power=less reliability.
Raptor - good handling,great power
better handling=more reliability



...and it's just a beast when you open it up.

 

I could care less as to what you get, as long as you're happy with it and get out and ride.
Go to the dealers and ride both. When considering the negatives, you'll need to decide if the 400exs handling outweighs the better power of the Raptor. You can change either one, but as stated, more power on the 400 will cost you on the reliability whereas putting a wider axle on the Raptor will not.

Then there is the issue of have reverse or not, again, it's totally up to you. Maybe you should try driving the quad you have now for a week or two, but everytime you want to turn around, do it manually, without the reverse.

Both are good quads, the 400s cost is initially less, but to put a good engine kit in it, the cost is going to be close to a Raptor. Either way, you'll be better off than on the Polaroid.

 

Andrew,

Go with the Raptor.

I had a 95 Scrambler 400, 86 LT250R, 99 Xplorer 400.

From my signature you can see I have the other quads as well, and that YZ bullet.

In the summer I will ride the YZ. It is a blast.

Here's my take on my ownership of the quads in question:
- Scrambler: Reliability sucked. Always fixing. Where I live, parts are 2 weeks away on order. Great quad for a beginner as it is user friendly. It was pretty fast and would get a jump on most sport quads because of the 4x4, but you give up 160lbs to the 400EX. It rocked in the winter, as I would stud the tires and ride the ice. Unstoppable. I think it was made for the winter.
- 400EX: Bulletproof. Swingarm bearings, starter, that's it. Thing always starts, runs great, handles great, but just doesn't have enough power. The power is deceiving, as you don't feel that you are going that fast, but the suspension is so good, that you pull away from other machines. Also,where I live, parts are a max of 3 days away. Mods are easily bought. Easier than the raptor right now. I went to the 400EX from the Scrambler. I noticed the weight right away. I could jump, and wheelie with no problems, and fly through trails that would punish you on the Scrambler. Your only fear is going to fast and losing traction around a corner, not overwhelming the suspension. I totally enjoyed the 400Ex compared to the Scrambler.
- Raptor: So far so good. Nothing to replace. Pretty new. However, there are some quality questions (I just found the neutral between 4th and 5th), but I haven't really found anything. Motor is king, it rocks, stock. I can't imagine what it will be like with an exhaust. It is like the 400Ex with guts. Smooth power and very smooth suspension (I would say it is on par with the 400EX). I would say it is a little narrow and a little tippy, but square profile front tires and square rears will help with the stability (Bandits perhaps). A-Arms, Axel, and shocks, will make it rock. There was an article in Dirt Wheels about a 660R and DS650 both with Proline Exhausts. The 660R had A-Arms, Axel, and the exhaust, and it totally rocked.

I am juiced about riding the Raptor this year. As much as I was juiced about riding the 400EX. It has renewed my excitement about rippin' and jumpin' quads again. The YZ kind of spoiled the fun on the 400Ex, as the bike has wicked power. But the Raptor has countered and I will have the perfect decision when I chose which one to ride.

Should be a great year.

RM

 

Rennym,
I'm surprised at the trouble you had with the Scrambler. Mine has been flawless.
But what do you mean you found the neutral between 4th & 5th ???
Thanks for the comparisons in your post.
As soon as I sell my Scrambler I'm buying a either a 400EX or Raptor, I'm still stuck.... The reverse on the Raptor is a big deal to me though.

 

well i traded a 400ex for a modded banshee, and also rode raptors. i would say that my 400 handled great had decent power and was awesome on the trails. i rode raptors and they handled just as well as the 400ex to me. the reason why some think that the 400ex handles better on the mx tracks is because it has the right(usable) power for those types of riding conditions. the raptor has moster grunt which doesnt allow for the wheels to set down very much when stroking the throttle. it is a monster and is a great looking bike. it probably is the best looking bike as far as cosmetics go. the 400ex was a great bike also, but it screams for you to modify it. i got used to the power of the 400 to quick and asked myself if i should trade it in or modify it. as you can see , i traded it for a modded banshee becuase i wanted my arms ripped from my sockets when stabbed the throttle. now that being said , i think i would probably go with the raptor,,, i dont care what anyone says ,, it handles just as well as my 400 did. your getting reverse and a whole lotta more power. and it looks phat as hell. would i trade my banshee for a raptor>>>>NAHHH. if i didnt go with the banshee,, i would have got the raptor.

 

go all out and buy a cannondale!

 

pre-1996 Polaris machines were the ones that gave Polaris it's bad name that it has since done away with except for some who will not give it up. but I would go with the Raptor I always liked Yamaha better, I had a Warrior great machine, loved the reverse. Reverse once you have it is hard to go without. Raptor has it. Why Honda does not is beyond me. Guess that makes them Honda why do they do anything that they do? Get the Raptor it is the latest in design. Plus the abilty to beat 400ex's makes me want to buy one.