I would like to hear from owners of both machines and hear their opinions. I am not a racer, but I do like going fast and riding aggresively occasionaly. Of course all my friends have 4X4 quads but I would like to get something a little sportier and fun. Is the raptor useless every where except the dunes? Can you ride the raptor in the mountains safely with the 2wd? How about in the mud? Is the grizzly a "safer, more boring" bet? Responses from owners of both these machines would be appreciated.

 

I ride a Raptor, so I am biased, but I like the Raptor. It is faster, better suspended, lighter, and handles better. But, and this is a big but, if you ride in a lot of deep mud and snow (I see that you live in Alberta) you will get stuck while the Griz passes you by, barely breaking a sweat.

 

Thats a stupid comparison!!!
These are two completely different types of machines. If you cant decide which one you want I suggest neither.

 

I own two Polaris Trail Blazers (Sport machines) no comparison to the Raptor since they are only 250's. I owned them first and enjoyed the jumping, wheelies and the nibbleness of the light weight. I did a three day mountain ride in Tennesee and the Polaris was great. I wanted a year round machine so I was looking for the same sporty type ride with 4 wheel drive and lots of power. My new Grizz. has fit the bill perfectly. I couldn't be happier. You mentioned mostly trail riding and your friends riding 4x4's. They are always going to want to challenge their machines in mud and snow and leave you behind. The new sport utilities are much different today than the old cumbersum models. I would recommend riding a couple of different 4x4's then make your determination. Their getting more and more exspensive. If you like the Raptor then you my want to try a solid axle machine like the Kawi 650. I wanted the IRS for the ride and ground clearance.

PrairieDust - negative comments really help everyone don't you think?

Jeff

 

I traded in my 600 grizz for my raptor. The grizz can't jump big, corner hard, fly across trails, wheelstand, or race at a track. The raptor, of course, does all these well. But in mud, with the right tires, the grizz was a blast. But since we snowboard during the winter mud season, I had little to lose in the trade.

 

It really does depend where you ride. and if you plan on going camping, hunting, working, ect. Since i have never seen a raptor with racks (which there may be, i don't know)it would not be good for the above listings. i know my friend has a warrior and it is a great trail mechine as well as sport. It all depends on what you want. To me i would choose the grizz, since there would not be any trails around me that i could get it up to full speed anyways, just deep woods.

 

I agree, its a stupid comparison. The grizzly isn't winning any mx events and the raptor isn't pulling any trailer or hauling a deer out of the woods. At least neither is doing this very well or better than the other. Its like comparing apples and air conditioners.

 

I own a 02 grizz and I ride my buddies raptor. I had a hard time deciding between the too because i love speed, yet i camp and hunt as well, so i went for the grizzly. you can get more out of the grizzly economicly, I even pulled a wheelie on my grizzly, but it comes down to which one wont owe you anything in the end. which one will YOU use the most. the only solution is to buy both.

 

Get a Grizz!I ride mine like a sport quad and it loves it.When I want to go mudding it will do that too.It even jumps extremely well,lands very softly.Do it,you won't regret it [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I own a Raptor and a Scrambler 400 4x4. I ride at the dunes and in the mountains. I'll ride my Raptor any chance I get. In the mountains, the Raptor has low clearance at the rear axle. The skid plate takes a pounding from root and rocks. Any ruts that are more than 5 inches deep will high center it. I only go thru puddles had high speed, becuase 1/2 the time there is a rut hidden by the water (leaving you stranded in the middle).

When it's time to go riding in the mountains and it's been raining for an extended period of time, I will take the skrambler. The Raptor has more power and is easier to maneuver, but the 4x4 just cruises thru everthing it comes across.

So, if you're thinking about something sportier than your 4x4 buddies you can check out the Raptor. But if you ride alot wet conditions, they'll be snickering evertime they pull you out of a mud hole/puddle.