Hey guys. Hate to say it,but, I sold my raptor. I traded it in about a week ago on a brand new '01 YZ426F. I wanted a bike again. Let me tell you....there's no comparison. The 426 flat out HAULS! It was nice to have a quad for a while to play on. Thanks for all the help you guys have given me throught the past year and a half I've been a member here. Now....on to ThumperTalk (426 forum).!!!

 

Good luck on the new ride!!! I still own my banshee and 400ex....but I, too went back to dirt bikes after a long break. I ended up with a drz400.
In my opinion...the bikes are so much more fun than the quads. I can go places on the bike that the quad can't even think of doing.

I go to thumpertalk very often...But you will find me in the drz forum.....no 426 here. The E-start on the z is just too handy. Plus I'm sick of kicking 4 stroke dirt bikes.

 

wooo hoo...I`m not the only one to think dirtbikes are more fun than ATVs!
Saturday, I rode a guy`s KX250...and I can`t take out of my mind `dirtbike` `dirtbike`. I would havesold the shee to get a 250, but dad wants to keep the shee for him...ok..."we get a dirtbike too, don`t we?"[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]...

I love the challenging and precarious feeling you have when riding a dirtbike...and you can`t "relax", then get slammed because a wheel hit a rut...you`re in it, concentrated...aah

 

Cool, you should definatly check out www.extremedirtbike.com

 

Ahh....nice bike. YZF426 from what I understand is an awesome bike. I can't wait to see it against the Honda CRF450R. Thought about dirtbikes, but felt that if I'm going to 2-wheels why not get a 01 GSX-R750!!!!!

 

I would rather get a dirt bike than a quad if I was just going for fun, but you can't beat 4 wheels for utility & safety. I am afraid if I get a bike I will hurt myself. If I was going to get one I would get a YZ-CR 125 most probably, but I don't know how well 125cc's of high strung two stoke would haul me around, I am 6'2" and weigh 170 so I may be better off on a 4 banger(strokes, not cylinders; I would kill myself).

 

Great bike. Good luck with it.

 

Ahhh Maxima.... Yes the new sport bikes are nice too. But after one broken neck during my road racing stint. (long story) I cannot see the practicle use of a race bike on the street. They are not comfortable enough to tour on....and dangerous in the city. So for me...dirt is the way to go. With the traction a street bike has on the pavement...anyone can shift through the gears. But a squirrely tire in the dirt...takes years to master or at least try to.

They are all fun...if I had an extra 8500+...I might think about a another sport bike. Or repairing the totalled zx7r that sits in my barn. But for now....nope. Be carefull on those rockets!!

 

sayit_fmf; Sorry about your accident of your sportbike. I noticed that you currently have a Banshee & 400ex. Two awesome quads! Do you ride your DZ400 mostly on trails or race-tracks? How well do you like your bike for cruising purposes? Yes, your correct about sportbikes being uncomfortable for long trips & can be dangerous in the city. Down in Bayouland we don't have to worry much about conjested traffic, because all we've gotten is country twisty roads. Which can be lots of fun on a sportbike. Maybe one day I'll get the urge for a dirtbike, but some practical use issues hinder me from purchasing one.

 

I have my drz400 dual sported...so, yes...I still ride the roads. I feel it is more comfortable for commuting than any of the sport bikes I have owned. It cruises easily at 65-70mph with a top speed somewhere around 100 (I have had it up to an indicated 98)
But the best part is that I am totally legal....I can drive down the street, see a trail and go. That's one thing that was not happening on a sport bike.
Pot holes in the street are now fun..as are curbs, etc. The bike does wheelies at a twist of the throttle..and is easy to hold the front end up for blocks on end. (it wheelies like a 400ex...perfect balance point)
As far as tracks go...well it's possible. The bike is a bit heavy for any serious super cross style jumps. But I get some good air on it. I end up using it about 50-50...onroad/offroad. The bike has about 1500 miles on it now...and I have never spent a whole day on a track.
I just can't get over how much water I can cross without a problem at all. 2-2 1/2 ft without a stutter. My banshee would suck up the whole stream if I ever tried that.
Ground clearance is around a ft. or more. And suspension travel tops even my banshee with works triple and extended arms. Talk about a plush ride. Give a dual sport a try sometime...I think you will like it.
Like I said above....the quads are great. But the bike seems to go everywhere the quad can....and often more. I feel that the bike keeps you more on your toes so to say. With a quad...there is time to relax (if only for a few seconds) If you relax on a bike in the dirt. You go down. I can ride my bike for twice as long as a can the quad. The weight difference is so noticable.