<< As you have stated, I am looking for that two stroke &quot;hit&quot; If I could find a two stroke with reverse that would be great but, I'm out of luck there, (no I don't like Polaris'). I love the LE Raptor but, the price of the Z is very appealing as is what I hear about the handling. I am just thinking it would be harder to overcome a 260cc defficiency, than improving handling. But as I have said I want a trail bike that I can also drag race from time to time. >>



Actually, It's just as hard to match the handling because the Raptor will never handle as well as the Z(weight and center of gravity). It is true that the Raptor will always have more HP potential but, how much do you need on the trail? It's like saying the CR500 is a better trail bike because it has more HP - just not true. There is a finesse element to trail riding that raw HP can actually throw out of balance. You can have too much of a good thing [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

At the dunes OTOH, as long as you are going straight...pour in the alchohol and see the ponies climb!

 

<< I'm 175 lbs and by no means do I notice any issues with low or middle range power. Get about 1/2 way through the RPMs in first the thing takes off. Even my brother-in-law &gt;200 said the damn thing is quick. I was going to by a Raptor in July until I test rode the Z. I've added several body mods and still have some extra cash in my pocket.

Z $5400
Suzuki Nerfs $170
ProArmor Belly $92
ProArmor Swing Arm $113
ProArmor A-Arm $72
AC Racing Bumper $62
Total $5909

The money wasn't the deciding issue either. Yes, I still have about $400 (OTD to OTD)in my wallet with the Z. I just liked the &quot;feel&quot; of the Z better. Much more stable and forgiving. And yes I have 2-wheeled it many times so the &quot;tippy&quot; issues with Raptors would not have bother me either. Whatever you get, you'll be happy with it. Any quad is better than no quad (well almost) [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

moto4DX if you want to see any PICs let me know and I can e-mail you some. >>

G4josh69@yahoo.com

 

predator 500,

just wait a while

 

moto4dx, I was in the same situation as you are. I'm sure you will be more than happy with either quad. I was worried about all that I had heard about the Raptor being tippy, and that is why I thought that I wanted a Z400. But the Raptor is not tippy. I'm sure that it may have a tendency to tip slightly before the Z400, just based on width versus height, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't handle well, any quad will tip if you push it hard enough. This tippy thing has been taken all out of contexts. Anyway, like I said before, you will love either one of them; so make sure you buy from the better dealer, that will make more of a difference in the long run. When I went to buy, I couldn't get the Suzuki guy's to give me the time of day, but down at the Yamaha shop it was a completely different story. They make a point to remember you and call you by first name when you walk in the door. And as far as the price issue goes, just tell the Yamaha guy's that your thinking about buying a Z400, but you wanted to look at the Raptor first. Watch how fast they match the price of the Z400. I got mine for $4,850.00 brand new! It just takes a little work. Good luck and don't worry, you'll be happy with either one.

 

$4850 new? That is good. You must have some kind of in with the dealer or they just rolled it into the 'setup' charge [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I do agree that having a good dealer is important. If something goes wrong with the quad, you want somemone who will stand behind you.

On the tippy issue, I also think that the Raptor has a reputation for some tippiness because of the power it puts out compared to it's width. I would not even consider having a 40+ hp atv without extended a-arms and good shocks.

MX

 

All I want to know is WHERE AND HOW are you guys getting these new bikes so damn cheap!! ?? I got my 2002 Raptor and I shopped around my area(200 miles radius) and went to a place 120 miles away that had saved me 250.00 and I got it for 7100.00 out the door with an R4 Pipe! Now, I did the same thing with the Z and actually went back to the same place which saved me around my town another 200.00 and got it for 6300.00 out the door! Man I feel ripped or is it because I live in California?? they tell me they cant sell it any cheaper but we all know they can. I would just like a phone number to one of these places so I can maybe give them there phone number to at least match it or come close.....

 

6,300 for a z,lol

I could get a raptor for 6,300 around here

 

<< [i] Now, I did the same thing with the Z and actually went back to the same place which saved me around my town another 200.00 and got it for 6300.00 out the door! q]

That's a bunch, MSRP is $5699. Every dealer around here knocks off $200 for just walking in the door........

 

Area51 where did you buy your bike??? Was it in Vegas??

 

price depends on where you are. I Can sell a KFX (Z) for 6300+ OTD and people wont bat an eye cause there are none to be had. At the same time I Can sell a Raptor for 7204.82 OTD and a LE for over 7700 because you CANT get them by me. IT helps our dealership and people seem nto t care around here.