Hey zooky, you make some valid points about the gncc events. But, there's also only one guy out there on a raptor, and from what I understand, it is running stock suspension. Am I wrong on that? If there where 10 guys on raptors, and one guy running a 400, don't you think that the opposite would be true? Or do you think that one guy and that one 400 are going to take top honors at all the events? I ride trails with my raptor, and it feels fine to me with stock suspension. I am going to get a new axle, a-arms, and shocks in the future. I do feel I've gotten to a point in my riding skill that I am being held back by the stock setup. It's all down to rider skill. Last time I was out, there was a guy in the group with a modded 400 (440 kit, +4 axle, +2 a-arms, ohlins shocks) that I completely smoked on the trail. I mean, pull over and wait for him smoked. You also mention that the raps light on the front end. I have to agree with you there, I wouldn't want it any other way. You gotta love that power. Anyway, that's why, when coming into corners, my a$$ is way up on the seat, then as I power out of the corner I adjust my weight accordingly.

Personally, I don't give a rats a$$ what dirtwheels said. I do have to admit, that when I was looking at buying a new quad, I was really concerned about the raptor being tippy. Also, before I learned how to move around on the seat (coming from a utility quad back ground I tended to keep my butt planted firmly in one spot), I went over sideways twice (both times at low speeds). I go pretty much ***** out now, and don't have any problems. I think it's great that everyone's coming out with new quads. For me, I'd still buy my raptor over the Z. To be honest, the shootout that I still think was total BS was when the Z came out ahead of the c-dale. That was a ridiculous shootout.

 

Also, due to the fact that the 400EX uses most of the same parts as the 250R it has a HUGE headstart on any other machine out there in the aftermarket. Easily the best handling, fastest machine I've ever rode was a all out race 250R. That's still the machine to beat in full modified race trim.

 

Both Excellent + VALID points!!!

 

I think there is only one guy out there because the pro production riders know it won't hang in the woods. Everyone knows the Raptor has the power even the pro riders but you have to use the power effectively. And even Curtis gets the holeshot occasionally but gets behind in the woods. And according to the rules you can't change the frame geometry but everything else is apparently game. Greg Trew actually finished 1st overall at one of the latest race's ahead of Ballance in the pro class but I think it was directly related to the weather conditions. I can't see Trew's 400ex outpowering the R of Ballance except in bad conditions. I hope OLN has the Lorretta Lynn race on tonight. It wasn't on last Sunday like it was supposed to have been.

 

I've found (in shootouts at least) that as long as I don't read the paragraph about who won, I can get the real answer. A hypothetical example:

"Handling: We've found the Cannondale to be far superior to the Z400 in all aspects of handling, but we like the comfort of the Suzuki.Suspension on the Cannondale is flawless, easily taking any abuse out test riders could throw at it. While we did bottom out the Z400, we didn't get any harsh jarring pain from it. We found the Suzuki's suspension an overall better setup.

Powerband: In all of our drag races, the Cannondale beat the Suzuki by 6+ bike lengths. On a motocross track, the Cannondale was pulling in much faster times than the Z400. The Cannondale seems to have more bottom end grunt, and definitely pulls away on the top end. We do feel, however, that the Suzuki's powerband was more usable.

Who was the winner: Well, that is a difficult question. If you want a superior bike all around, we might suggest the Cannondale. But......................the Suzuki Z400 is really COMFORTABLE and EASY TO RIDE. Therefore, we are crowning the Z400 as the winner of this shootout."


Anyways, you get the point. There is always a smidgin' of FACT amongst the rubbish.You just gotta pick through the BS.

 

the raptor is a unreliable turd and it is tippy.sure it has excellent power,but the handling ucks,yes i've owned one and ridden them.
the z400 is a much better handler.the raptor 3 wheels through turns.and there are instances when you're not able to slide the rear thru turns becuase the turns are to tight and a mx track the raptor has no business there.
i don't agree that the z 400 is the most superior machine made it is a good machine but not the best.
all the manufacturers build a good quad. so what it all comes down to is personal preference.
and as all you know that any new machine that comes out is going to get rave reviews and win shootouts,you should come to expect that by now.so just take it in stride and worry about what you ride and not what a stupid magazine says about the competition.
people will buy what they want regardless of what a magazine says.

 

Somebody please pull the crack pipe from zookyriders mug. First of all, Curtis Crump should be commended for being so damn competitive on his Rap. He is one of the few Pro Production Class Raps going up against the Hondas(which have had two more years to get their bikes race worthy). Give The Raptors another year or two and I guarantee you will be eating your words. Rap owners, two words, zero preload!. By the way, the last time I checked Curtis was in second place on his Rap. Consistant.

 

He is second in the points because he never misses a race. How many first place finishes is he getting? He is still getting beat by a bike with 220 less cc's that you Raptor owners are consistently making fun of.

 

For KillerKX I say this the "tippy" felling that you get on the raptor comes from the inabillity to ride!!! You can easily overcome the felling by proper weight distribution. As for being unreliable I've had no problems with mine. As for being a turd, well I guess thats your oppinion and you are welcome to it, but I have not been bashing any bike in this thread. I just could not beleive that DW gave the Z the final win in a sportsquad shootout.

As for zookyrider I don't beleive that I have been making fun of any bike consistantly, and unless you are the one that is beating Curtis on the 220cc less bike then I don't think you have much room to talk. When you log your first victory over him please let me know then I will give you your pat on the back.

Lets all just ride and get along, hell as long as you have fun on your quad thats geat, but I still say that there is no way the Z is a better sports quad than the raptor!

 

What's up theraptorman, I take it you don't discuss which basketball or football player or nascar driver is better than another either or is it just when your favorite quad is getting beaten by a honda that you get offended. The Raptor has been out long enough and the aftermarket is big enough that if it was as good in the woods as the other pro production quads the class would be full of them since they have bigger engines and have the horsepower potential. My guess is the Cannondale's will take over this class once they start getting some engine mods for them. Surely Honda's lowly underpowered and antique 400EX won't keep claiming the trophies in the Pro Production class forever. I think one of the atv rags needs to do a shootout between a Raptor and a 432cc Cannondale just to see how many topics that would start on this forum. Oh and for the record I'm not a Honda fan. I just watch races. I've rode every brand out there except for the Cannondale and I bought the Z because of it's ability to be thrown around and handle the steep hillsides of Chadwick and the Mark Twain forest where I ride at. I never said I didn't like the Raptor I just bought what felt comfortable for me. I find them all fun except for when I have to work on them.