It's too bad you are limiting yourself to Yamaha - a 400EX would be perfect for her. My husband has a Raptor, and I was going to get one too, but I chose a 400EX. It was the perfect size and weight for me (I'm 5'10" and 130 lbs) - I can handle this quad in the air and on the ground. I control it - it doesn't control me. My quad will wheelie coming up hills, and anytime I push the throttle too hard, but it's a more controllable wheelie - does that make sense? I get a little more response time to get the front end back down... I also keep up with my hubby with no problems, even up the really long, steep hills/dunes.

My first quad was a Warrior, and I had it duning before. The Warrior does OK in the sand, and it will get up the hills, but it won't be the first one up. You kinda need something in between, and Yamaha doesn't make anything.

If my first quad had been a Raptor, I can think of several instances where I would have gotten seriously hurt, especially in the dunes. But because I had the Warrior first, I was OK. I'm talking about the "panic-and-hit-the-throttle" reflex that everyone has when they are learning (or still have sometimes, in my case!).

Also,it takes experience to know exactly when to let off the throttle when cresting a dune, or when climbing a steep hill and having to jump over a root without losing momentum......I learned those things on my Warrior and because it wasn't too much power for me, I learned them without hurting myself. When I got bored with the Warrior, I sold it and bought the 400EX. And I haven't even been riding that long - since November. But if I had had too much bike too fast, I might have gotten seriously hurt, and then got scared, and maybe wouldn't have even wanted to ride anymore.

As for the reverse option - yeah, it's nice, but I don't need it. The 400 is light enough that I have never needed a guys help to pull it around, or get it unstuck. The trick is to not get yourself in a position to need to back up! Now if only I could learn that trick well!

I think you should be on the safe(r) side, and if you have to stick with Yamaha, get the Warrior first. She'll get the hang of it pretty quick, and she will let you know when she's ready for more - she'll be more comfortable with the power, and being more comfortable means having more fun. You can always upgrade! If you don't have to stick with Yamaha, let her try a 400!

P.S. What are her thoughts on all this?

Corry

 

Corry,
You are right. My girl really likes her 400. I think one thing about the Raptor that would turn my girl off is it's narrow stance. My girl just doesn't move around on the quad that much. And those dirtwheels front cover poses of hanging off the quad powersliding just isn't going to happen with her. I know what you mean about a controlable wheelie, the 400 is great at that.
Brad,
Ever think about a 400EX? It's a nice quad too. Plus Honda's don't need much work. Here is my thought on the 400. No it's not as fast as a Raptor, nor is it as fast as my DS. The reason my DS outruns my girls 400 though isn't the 'cc' difference, it's the rider difference. My girl never uses all the power the 400 has yet, & it's still stock except for the K&N powerkit. She likes it's power, but really likes it's "feel" more, if that makes sense. I'm not saying don't get the Raptor, I'm just saying don't rule out the 400EX either. Fact is, in the trails & recreational riding the difference between a Raptors 70+mph & a 400EX's 65mph speed never comes into play.
Both are cool quads, see what she likes. Then hammer away ! The quad, not her
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I'm limiting my self to Yamaha for the simple reason we all have them. 15 of us can go to the woods, with one extra set of front and rear tires, and they fit every quad. So many parts are interchangeable, like all the tie rods ends, we have extras of those as well. Sparks plugs, one for 2 strokes, one for 4 strokes. This has saved us so many times in the past from ruining someones ride with a stupid problem. It's also cuts down on how much extra stuff we have to pack in for a 3 or 4 day ride. We are just very yamaha. I understand the posts about 300EX and 400EX, but I just don't want to go off brand from my group at this point.

I am going to go with the raptor, and limit the throttle some. I mean yamaha did build a throttle limit into the thumb throttle for a reason, don't ya think? I am going to shoot for the power of a warrior to 400ex. I think I'll also drop the front sprocket to a 12 or 11 tooth, to fix the gearing problem.

Worst comes to worst, several people in the group have warriors, I can always do a switch with someone for a couple months. Like any one is going to argue?

I appreciate everyones view... really.. I'm just stubborn [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
Brad

 

<< I don't like that throttle limit screw that Yamaha puts on there machines. It could make a bad situation worse if power is needed and its not there. Chet >>



Is there any differnce in needing power on a warrior, and it not having it, or needing power on a throttle limited raptor and not having it? Yamaha puts the weight on the machines at 397 warrior and 398 raptor, so that's not different. Yes, the gearing is different, I bet with an 11t front on the raptor I can make them relatively close.

Again, I'm stubborn, not trying to argue, but I really see the advantages of just going to the raptor and limiting the throttle. I am really not trying to kill my g/f, as I love her to pieces, but I don't see the need to waste time, tax money (yes I have to pay %6 to get the state stickers I need), loss of resale value on a warrior when I can just get the raptor and limit the throttle.

I have had these same arguements with friends, they make all the same points.. &lt;sigh&gt;

Again, thanks for everyones help


PS.. Corry, to answer your question.. she said &quot;You've been riding quads for 10 years, I don't care what you get me, I trust your judgement&quot; She just wants to be include in this part of my life.. god love her!

 

BansheeBrad,

I think I would have to get the Raptor. $5000 is a dang good deal for a dang good quad. Also, like you said, interchangability is great! If something breaks on your Raptor, you could always ride the one you bought her, or take something off hers for a little while.

I am a firm believer in the saying &quot;Its only as fast as the rider&quot;. If your girlfriend dosen't want to go fast on it, she dosen't have to. If she does, she sure can!

If I had the money, and I had your girlfriend and the deal you were making, I'd do it. Heck, I think I'd do it just to have a 2nd Raptor!!

 

Maybe I'am wrong on this one, but a 11 tooth Sprocket. Wouldn't that put stress on the chain at that kind of bend. Chet

 

My girlfriend had never even ridden a quad before we met. I have a 400ex a raptor and a quadzilla,she can ride all of these quads just fine. In her opinion the 400 is too slow the quadzilla is too hard to hang onto and the raptor is just right. But i didnt just set her on any of them and say lets go. We started slow in the yard and them onto fields and fire roads then on trails. And slowly but surely she gained confidence and ability now I cant load the trailor without her being in truck ready too go. I almost wonder if she doesnt enjoy it more than I do. Now shes not even happy on the back of my street bike and wants her own bike as well and cruisers are out of the question. So be ready your gals gonna be ready to go wild if you get the raptor,might even be passing some guys on the trails.

 

If you go to a smaller front sprocket, you will be effectively increasing the torque and lower rpm's....won't you? And thereby making it easier to &quot;wheelie&quot; or get away from her.

If you want to decrease the power, my thought would be to increase the front sprocket (or decrease the rear...or both... to make a big change) and limit the throttle. Change the gear ratio so that you move the power band up. You will have a higher top speed, but this can be limited by the throttle movement.

...new here.... but same as on my dirt bikes
my $.02 worth

 

id say save some money and go with a 250ex or a 300ex. shed probably like the clutchless shifting on the 250.

 

I meant to say:
If you go to a smaller front sprocket, you will be effectively increasing the torque AT LOWER SPEEDS....won't you? And thereby making it easier to &quot;wheelie&quot; or get away from her....EVEN WITH A THROTTLE LIMITER.

2tall
ps. Can't people read....he wants a Yamaha!