Hey Yosiraptor, Well we have yet to drag race but both are very fast. The Dale definately handles alot beter than the raptor and the weight differance is definately noticeable. Before I bought the Dale I was in the same boat as you. I finally got a chance to ride one and i loved the power, handleing and lightning quick throttle responce. The Raptor is jetted,prodesing air box and full Graydon exhaust. My Dale has HMF pipe and Speed mapping. Ill let you know the results after we race. Cant go wrong with either bike.

 

I guarantee you one thing, test drive all of them and you'll be bring home the C'dale!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I still don't think I'm convinced, I keep hearing about all these people that love their Z400's, and it won the DirtWheels shootout. But then again,the Raptor won the high-performance shootout last year. What are the main advantages for Raptor over a Z400?

 

Adam- you have to build what you want. The quad you want does not exist. It is like the ford mustang(z400) vs the corvette(raptor) vs GMC dumptruck (DS 650). Gut a lot of weight off the DS and pay out the nose to modd it. The raptor is starting to get tons and tons of aftermaket support. Cheaper to build. The Z400 is a nice quad, i have ridden it. It does everything well BUT i do not need to save the 600 dollars.

To me when you buy something, anything not just quads think about,
1. How long am i planning on keeping this
2. Is it worth it to me to modd it and loss $$$ on resale
3. If you really want something you can't afford, work a little harder. Don't settle for the next best thing to you. You will never be happy with it.
4. Buy new if possible
5. Raptors rule!!!!!! You will see!!!!!!!

 

Test drive all of them including the C'dale. If you're going by the DW's shootout info you'll be disappointed!! That was advertising dollars speaking, it certainly was not an unbiased report!! The C'dales have the best power to weight ratio, all the latest technology, aluminum frame, EFI, Ohlin shocks, ITP rims and Holeshot tires. Plus the best customer service of any manufacture in the industry!! This company even stands behind it's products long after the warranty period has expired!! You certainly cannot say that about any of the other manufactures!

 

AdamsbadDS650,
If its the size and handling of the DS650 that has you thinking about the 400Z, then you would LOVE the Z.
On the trails its the fastest, best handling, most forgiving quad I have ever ridden. And thats a "right off the show room floor" quad. Not one single mod. The places I ride helped me make the decision to buy the Z.
In the end I narrowed it down to the Raptor and Z, the $800 savings helped, but the handling was the real selling point for me.
And GTTHUNDER is getting 46HP with just a cam,header,pipe and filter, so big power is also hideing in the little 400cc just waiting to be coaxed out.
Its a hard decision these days buying a new sport quad, lots to choose from, and you could hardly go wrong with any of them.
This sport is getting better by the day.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Price isn't an issue, I have found a used Z400, and a used Raptor, both for $5000. Both are solid stock, and 2002's. I will be doing a lot of jumping, I like the Raptor's front end, because it is so light, and I like to do wheelies. I also need something that can be made fast, and competitive in the drag races down at Mark's place. I need enough aftermarket to keep up with Piston/piped/cams Raptors, and Banshees, and DS650's. I also want good handling. This is why I think I will choose the Raptor, everyone seems to be happy with their Raptor, and it is easy to be made to go fast. It is also supposed to be a good jumper. Since we will still be keeping our DS650, with Pipes/filter/carbs/ported intake, I will need something that can keep up with our DS650 on riding trips. We also know quite a few people who own Raptors, and that would be able to help us out with problems, and maintenence. The Z is a great quad, and If the Raptor wasn't in the Picture, it would be my next choice, but I think for what I want it for, the Raptor woulod probably suit me best.

 

Adam, the Z-400 is a 2003.

I love ours!

-Ash

 

i own a raptor and a cannibal,both are a blast to ride
but if i could only have one of them it would be the"c",hands down
one ride and you'll understand
it is(imo)the ultimate STOCK quad
dont misunderstand me,my raptor rocks,it should i spent way to much $ on it to get it where i want it for it not to perform

 

AdamsbadDS650,
Sounds like the extra cc's and nearly unlimited aftermarket suport of the Raptor would push you towards the Raptor. If you have the $$$, you can turn a Raptor into a Dune Crotch Rocket.
I'm sure the Cannondals are great as well, but you are still only dealing with 440cc. Without a Turbo, Supercharger or Nitrous, you can only get so much HP out of 440cc's.
Cant get around basic Physics, no matter what Honda commercials tell Ya.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
LOL, just a friendly rib.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]