I am 14 5'8" 190lbs and am looking for a new atv. I have narrowed it down to these two and was wondering which I should get. I ride mostly trails and just recreation. I like to drag with my friends and do wheelies. Anyhow I heard that the Raptor had some problems and wondered if they were true. I think that the 400ex might not be as fast and I might outgrow it. Any input would be helpful, Thanks.

 

It seemed I could go forever doing a wheelie on my 400ex. I could do 1 handed wheelies for just as long.5th gear no problem, with a tug on the bars of course! Iam going to get the ds or the raptor, and I feel I would be steeping up to these two bikes compaired to the ex.

 

Thanks for that info. What I was wondering about is that I have heard stories of the Raptor having a weak clutch and it burning up gears. I will probably get the 400 and then either mod it o get something bigger. I think that if I buy one I want something new so I would be paying for it for a couple of years. So I was thinking just get the best.

 

as far as the problems with the Raptor, i believe that they have been addressed and fixed on the '02's, outgrowing the 400 ex all depends on what you want to do with it, they're both really nice bikes, just depends on whether or not you plan on buying new, if it was me and i couldn't afford a new quad, id go with the 400, proven track record,

i am buying new so im going with the Raptor, but dont let anyone tell you one of 'ems junk, as a whole, both good bikes,


the decision is up to you,

 

as for top speed...the raptor will crush the 400ex...the ex has a top speed between 66 and 68...and ive heard that the raptor is at least 10 mph faster...and the ex has 28 hp and the raptor has i think 37....both are very capable of wheelies...so..if youve got the extra money..id go with the raptor..but keep in mind that the honda makes just about the most reliable motors in the atv world...hope this helps any

 

Thanks for that info. Another thing that I have heard is that the Raptor has trouble climbing some hills (they say the front won't stay on the groung) and I do a bunch of time trail riding. I am going to take it with me to Kentucky to fool around on some of thse hills and I don't want much trouble. As far as price and availability the Honda has a lot more out and the price is cheaper.

 

The 400EX is the best handling bike out there (stock) right now, but it feels pretty slow out in the open or in the sand. Also, on really steep climbs it can run out of steam; probably not a real issue in Ohio.

The Raptor has so much power, it's a handful keeping the front end down even on flat ground. On big hills you gotta get off the seat and lean over the bars. If that won't keep it down, you aught to think about an XR400. Otherwise the Yamaha is WAY more fun than the EX.