Raptor or Z 400
Sep 3, 2002 | 01:05 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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Range Rover
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 174
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I am sure this has been posted several times in the past, but I am very curious to know others opinions. It is not my intentions to flame. I am an experienced rider who has owned many bikes most recently a 240 ported blaster that was stolen and I am now interested in one of the two bikes
Raptor or Z 400, I have eliminated others because of their lack of reverse which I deem to be absolutely necessary since I will mostly trail ride and hit the drag strip from time to time just for fun.
Please give me your opinions based on the above. Raptor or Z.
Thanks
Raptor or Z 400, I have eliminated others because of their lack of reverse which I deem to be absolutely necessary since I will mostly trail ride and hit the drag strip from time to time just for fun.
Please give me your opinions based on the above. Raptor or Z.
Thanks
Sep 3, 2002 | 01:44 PM
#3
Pro Rider
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 424
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Size is an issue Raptorguy said. The main differences between the two bikes are: Stock power and stock handling. If you throw money at te raptor you can make it handle much better and if you throw money at the Z you can increase the power but the Raptor has more potential for more power and the Z has more potential for better handling.
In real world applications though...
You can can only go so fast on the trail because you are limited by your handling. So, if I were mainly a trails kinda guy, I would go for the Z400. Also, if you thought that MX was a possibility then again the Z edges out the Raptor. Can the Raptor be a good trail machine? Sure but, not as good as the Z. Can the Raptor be a good MX machine? For amateur levels, sure but at the pro level it's just not competitive. The Z has more potential this way.
Now in a drag race, it's the Raptor's world there. At the dunes, Raptor. Too bad we can;t have more than one for each occasion then, I'd have a Raptor, a Banshee, a Z400 and a c'dale[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
HTH
MX
In real world applications though...
You can can only go so fast on the trail because you are limited by your handling. So, if I were mainly a trails kinda guy, I would go for the Z400. Also, if you thought that MX was a possibility then again the Z edges out the Raptor. Can the Raptor be a good trail machine? Sure but, not as good as the Z. Can the Raptor be a good MX machine? For amateur levels, sure but at the pro level it's just not competitive. The Z has more potential this way.
Now in a drag race, it's the Raptor's world there. At the dunes, Raptor. Too bad we can;t have more than one for each occasion then, I'd have a Raptor, a Banshee, a Z400 and a c'dale[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
HTH
MX
Sep 3, 2002 | 06:06 PM
#5
Extreme Pro Rider
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 0
From: Bakersfield
You said it motoxpress, couldnt explain it any better. I own a Raptor and just purchased the Z a few weeks ago and love the power of the Raptor and the ride of the Z.
I wish I could swap motors but then again why.... I am going to play around with the adjustments next week and hope to cushion up the ride on my Raptor. I probably will post a help topic on this soon.
I wish I could swap motors but then again why.... I am going to play around with the adjustments next week and hope to cushion up the ride on my Raptor. I probably will post a help topic on this soon.
Sep 4, 2002 | 01:04 PM
#7
Trailblazer
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 41
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Well, I have one of each, so here are my thoughts:
I think Motoexpress pretty much nailed it; The Z is a better overall trail machine, it handles and rides better, and is a slightly better "All Around" bike. I weigh in at about 205 & I notice a difference with the Z as far as low-end power, but not much; it kind of sneaks up on you. The Z kind of encourages you to do things you probably shouldn't do, that's how well it handles. It has a smoother running engine than the Raptor (kind of reminds me of a two-stroke, but I've never owned a two-stroke, so don't take that too seriously); it won't rattle your 'nads at high RPMs.
The Raptor is kind of an "In Your Face" machine. It has a LOT more low-end power (in stock form) than the Z, and really doesn't ride or handle BADLY. I think they're both awesome bikes, but if I had it to do over, I would've just bought two Z400s. Or not. Idaknow.
Flip a coin. Heck, buy a Predator. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
I think Motoexpress pretty much nailed it; The Z is a better overall trail machine, it handles and rides better, and is a slightly better "All Around" bike. I weigh in at about 205 & I notice a difference with the Z as far as low-end power, but not much; it kind of sneaks up on you. The Z kind of encourages you to do things you probably shouldn't do, that's how well it handles. It has a smoother running engine than the Raptor (kind of reminds me of a two-stroke, but I've never owned a two-stroke, so don't take that too seriously); it won't rattle your 'nads at high RPMs.
The Raptor is kind of an "In Your Face" machine. It has a LOT more low-end power (in stock form) than the Z, and really doesn't ride or handle BADLY. I think they're both awesome bikes, but if I had it to do over, I would've just bought two Z400s. Or not. Idaknow.
Flip a coin. Heck, buy a Predator. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
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Sep 4, 2002 | 09:48 PM
#8
Trailblazer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
I own an '03 Raptor and sell both machines for a living. I have riden a KFX which is a Z with Kawi skin on it. It has waht seems to be as much "hit" as a raptor does up top. It is deceiving tho due to it not having anything down low. Im a big boy about 230 and it is not happy down low with me on it. My Raptor has no problem with my little more then lovin riding in the saddle. The KFX handles better but I think SOME of it has to do with the fact that if you mash the throttle in a turn or coming otu of a turn it doesnt have the snap a raptor does to get you in trouble. Where a Raptor slides because of less suspension and more power a Z or KFX sits down and goes due to less down low.
Its all up to how you ride it. ITs like the Banshee/Raptor ques I got from EVERYONE when the RAptor came out...what is faster/handles better/quicker et et c etc...ITs all up to how you ride. I would not be hapy with a Z/KFX, it just doesnt have the low end. I dont care broken in or not it doesnt have it. I have ridden a Z with plenty of time and a 2 min old KFX and they are fast dont get me wrong but it just isnt a Raptor.
Im not a RAptor preacher by any means. I hated it when it came out. I was all for a Banshee cause that is what I knew. IT took me a while and now I have a RAptor. Who knows I might change my mind and like the KFX/Z down the line. I just cant get over the fact of one major thing... S U Z U K I....say what you want I have been in this a while and a lot of their stuff is suspect quality and what not. So is Yamaha...but Yamaha is also the biggest in our area for sales (NNJ) for ANYTHING...
The Z/KFX is not a bad quad...it just depends on how you ride...you seem to be used to a 2 stroke so you might like the "on" power of a Z...or you might want somethign with some more snot down low instead of all up top then get a Raptor. You can make either one faster or handle better anyways...
That new Limited Ed Raptor we have on the Floor looks bad *** tho [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
Its all up to how you ride it. ITs like the Banshee/Raptor ques I got from EVERYONE when the RAptor came out...what is faster/handles better/quicker et et c etc...ITs all up to how you ride. I would not be hapy with a Z/KFX, it just doesnt have the low end. I dont care broken in or not it doesnt have it. I have ridden a Z with plenty of time and a 2 min old KFX and they are fast dont get me wrong but it just isnt a Raptor.
Im not a RAptor preacher by any means. I hated it when it came out. I was all for a Banshee cause that is what I knew. IT took me a while and now I have a RAptor. Who knows I might change my mind and like the KFX/Z down the line. I just cant get over the fact of one major thing... S U Z U K I....say what you want I have been in this a while and a lot of their stuff is suspect quality and what not. So is Yamaha...but Yamaha is also the biggest in our area for sales (NNJ) for ANYTHING...
The Z/KFX is not a bad quad...it just depends on how you ride...you seem to be used to a 2 stroke so you might like the "on" power of a Z...or you might want somethign with some more snot down low instead of all up top then get a Raptor. You can make either one faster or handle better anyways...
That new Limited Ed Raptor we have on the Floor looks bad *** tho [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
Sep 5, 2002 | 05:06 PM
#9
Thread Starter
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Range Rover
Joined: Jul 1999
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As you have stated, I am looking for that two stroke "hit" 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.
Sep 5, 2002 | 08:14 PM
#10
Pro Rider
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 265
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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 >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 "feel" of the Z better. Much more stable and forgiving. And yes I have 2-wheeled it many times so the "tippy" 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.
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 "feel" of the Z better. Much more stable and forgiving. And yes I have 2-wheeled it many times so the "tippy" 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.
