I would look at the 2002 Honda Recon for your wife. Her butt will not hurt on this seat. When my wife gets out she takes the Recon. I even like to ride it. Starts easy and I can get around on are place pretty quick if I have to run them stray atv's off( most often blue Raptors) or them hunters coming up pretty soon. We have about 330 hrs on ours/never been back to dealer yet. Look on atv connection for review. 02 model even has improvements. Price is $300.00 cheaper now than when I purchased mine. I think MSRP is $3499.00. Recon is a thumbs up at our place. Chet [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

What's the difference between the Recon and the Recon ES? The 400 EX might be a little too much machine for her right now and I think the reverse gear of the Recon would help her out a lot!

Thanks,
Mitch

 

id go with the raptor. i had a banshee before so i know how they both are. id wait for a 2002 model though honestly!

 

Recon ES is an Electric shift Recon. You might also think about a 250 Ex (No Clutch) or to keep the cost down a Polaris Trailblazer (Fully Automatic) $3199.00.

Nocando

 

The guy at the Yamaha dealer said that there wasn't going to be any difference between the 2001 and 2002 Raptor.

Stupid question; what is electric shift? Push Button?

Thanks,
Mitch

 

Be sure to tell the guy at the Yamaha dealer to PULL HIS HEAD OUT. There are major differences in the gearing ratios, rear suspension, and rear axle on the 2002 Raptor. Suggest maybe he find a different profession, because he obviously doesn't know his ATV's. I would go with the 2002 Raptor, hands down. I also own a tricked-to-the-max Banshee, and although I love it, the Raptor is much more versatile. Best of luck!

 

raptor!!!!! but the 2002 definitly

 

The only reason that dealer would say there is no differences is he might have two or three 2001 Raptors sitting in his storage bin and your his next victim. When he has you signing papers for 2001 Raptor that is the same as 2002 Raptor the first thing he will ask you is you need not want the extended warranty. Chet

 

<< The only reason that dealer would say there is no differences is he might have two or three 2001 Raptors sitting in his storage bin and your his next victim. >>



Yup, a local dealer here told me the exact same thing. That was even after Yamaha updated their webpage with this:

New transmission gear ratios for better overall performance.

New YZ-style piggyback rear shock improves suspension reaction time and function.

Newly designed rear axle.

He said &quot;Yamaha did not change a thing on the Raptor&quot;. Those were his exact words. After I told him about what it said on Yamaha's website he said &quot;Don't believe everything you read&quot;. Hmmmmm....wonder who I'm going to trust? The Manufacturer of the things, or a dealer who hasn't even seena 2002 yet. That was the dumbest thing I had ever heard.

-Josh