Here is the scoop. I am giving my new (2 month old) quad to my wife and I am upgrading. I am very experienced with about 16 years riding. I have narrowed my choice to the 400EX or the Raptor. I can get a new 400EX for $5024.00 out the door or a new Raptor for $5924 out the door. The extra $900 is not a factor. I like the idea of reverse on the Raptor. But I like the durable reputation of Honda and the 400EX is proven to be tough. I also hear that the Raptor has a few problems and doesnt handle or jump and land as well as the 400EX. But I also dont want to buy the 400EX if the Raptor's, DS650's, and Banshee's blow by me. Help me out guys, I am going to make my purchase Tuesday night.

 

Since I have both, what you need is a 400EX with a Raptor engine. You need to ask yourself what you want more. The Honda is bulletproof, better handling, and a lot easier to work on. (And what I mean by work on is: jets and valve adjustments.) The Raptor however flat out kills the 400EX in a drag race. I have pipes, filters, and jetting on both and it's no contest. I think the Honda is a better all around quad. It still has plenty of power. Just don't go after any Raptor's or Banshee's looking for a race.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

First for credibility, I own 2 400exs and a Raptor. I can't speak about the others except for what I read.

If your goal is to not get stomped in open riding areas, get the Raptor. Given the same rider on a 400ex and a Raptor, the Raptor will walk away from a 400ex. Even a heavily modified 400ex is just in the HP range of a stock Raptor. In fact once you get acquinted with the handling characteristics of the Raptor, the Raptor will beat it in the trails too. I am not saying that a Raptor handles better just that the extra power more than makes up for the small difference in handling. I am very comfortable on both quads and have done multi-lap time trials. I try to be scientific about it so as not to let a riders skill level influence the outcome. I get so tired reading some 12 year olds description of how his 300ex beat a Banshee.

By the way, once the Raptor or DS650 owners add some mods, even a 440ex won't touch it.

Hope this helps.

 

id get a 2002 raptor hands down!

 

I agree with what's been said so far. I would add that unless Yamaha put a wider rear axle on the Raptor for 2002, you're gonna have to buy one immediately. Can someone clear this up for me????
Having said that it sounds like the Raptor would be the best best for you. The mods with respond better on the Raptor.

 

Go with the Raptor. I think the suspension is plush and I weigh 240 lbs.

 

the 2002 will have better suspension and the rear axle is a little wider.
I'm gonna wait till the 2002 come out to get the Raptor.

 

To add to the above I would put spacers or a wider axle on the rear and flip the front wheels around. You will be as wide as a DS and 60 lbs lighter. In two weeks the 400ex is gonna be considered a Dinosaur w/ it's air cooled, single overhead cam engine, when the Suzy is announced w/ watercooled, reverse. dual overhead cams and who knows what else.

 

If your going to race one of the quads. I'd take the 400ex. Even wiht the big bore 440 you can race the 250-440 class. With The raptor your stuck in the open class. If you are NOT going to race, again i'd take the 400ex. It does have plenty of power to get you out of most situations. THe raptor WILL blow by a EX on a straightaway but if you really know how to ride a 400ex you can keep up with a raptor about anywhere. Except the wide open fireroad where power is what matters. I'v ridden both many many times. The raptor does up the ex in the power department but EVERYWEHRE else i think the 400ex wins hands down. Yeah people say the "little 400ex" is to slow but you put somone that knows what the hell they are doing and ride that 400 to its full potential then things will change quick. Same can be said with the raptor, but that "better handling" of the 400ex comes into play when things get going fast. There is a reason the 400ex keeps up with the raptor in those shootouts in the mags. when they "play" on the track, and that reason is handling/power combo. The "little 400ex'' isnt so little afterall is it?? By the way a 440ex with a well build motor has much more potential then people think.

ryan

 

I had the same problem last fall and ended up with the raptor. Don't regret it at all.