tell me about your initial impressions.... and then about your lasting impressions....

tell me how they compare as in wheelies, sliding, cornering, hill climbing, jumping, ride, etc.

 

Night and day
just don't get the 01

 

Yeah, night and day difference. Way more torque, and power. you don't have to rev it like crazy to go fast. more plush suspension, which is a plus to me as a trail rider. It's bigger, much more comfortable to me on a long drive, or short one for that matter, I'm 6'3" and the 400ex is a bit cramped for me(It was fine when I was 5'10"). Oh, and reverse. very nice, except it has a stupid 2000rpm rev limit in reverse. can't get any wheelespin. It is safe that way though. In my experience, nothing can top the 400ex for wheelies. the raptor has the power to grt it up there, but the more abrupt powerband, and quirky balance piont make long 3rd or 4th gear wheelies a challenge. My 400ex could hold a wheelie in 5th untill you ran out of room. A simple pipe and intake mod will make a considerable difference in power as well. I installed a dynojet kit and trimmed the snorkle, which made a bigger difference than my 400ex with a pipe, airbox mods and jets. Easier and more precise clutch pull as well.

However, the front brakes are weaker than the 400ex(back are stronger), higher centre of gravity, which doesn't matter at all to me since I don't race. I never used the handleing potential of the 400ex, but always the power. The raptor suits me perfect with more power, and not quite as nice handeling. It comes in the right ratio for me as a trail rider/ fun bike.

The 400ex has a more stable and lower feel as if it is stuck to the ground. power is more even and mellow(which is good in many situations) but I like the stronger hit of the yamaha. The yamaha isn't as nice if you just want to plonk along slow, I always feel like I have to go fast with it, which i do 95% of the time. It starts awesome too.

I feel the honda is of better quality. It will likly hold up better in the long run(bearings, bushings etc) Plus, with the extra torque of the yamaha, it will eat tires, chains+sprokets faster than the 400ex. I don't care though, cause I have more fun on it and it is more precticle for me.

It takes a different style of riding to drive the raptor efficently. You cant rev the nuts out of it and shift the same way you can with a 400ex. experience will tell you that.

after the raptor fully breaks in and has the valves adjusted, it works better, and I suggest to get a jet kit or other intake mods(as well as exhaust) to bring the motor to it's full potential while still staying reliable. Stock power is about 35-38hp at the rear wheels. with intake and exhaust mods, 50hp is not out of the question. It is restricted big time. When I first got mine, I was expecting more power. but after the break-in and jet kit, it was like WOW, this thing is fast!

If you have any more questions, just ask.

 

I took a year off between the 400ex and the rap

1st ride, 1st mile or so, I noticed a fresh bowl where some excavaters had been.........great!

So i shot up about half way,,,no problem

went back down and lined her up for a trip to the top.

Got to the top, in the turn,,,,,oops,,,,oh ****,,,,,too much throttle,,,went straight back,,,,tumbled all the way to the bottom.

70 hrs later,,,,,I have the most respect for this bike,,,,stock!

I cant wait to hop this one up!!! In time!!!

 

I have an 01 and its kinda like the dog with one rear leg missing.

Its the rear leg I don't use and I have good luck with my Raptor. Meaning don't use the reverse and you might save your trannie with the 01. One of the many things learned here on the forum.

I came off a 300EX and skipped over the 400EX.

Raptor is perfect rock road cruiser and is not meant to be ridden slow.

You can ride it for a couple of hours and still feel good. Myself I like the high feeling I get when I RIDE IT.

It grips pretty good for me and is not as easy to slide over the former 300EX.

Chet

 

i have never fully experienced the handling on the 400ex just got to ride my frieds on this long striaghtaway but another friend of mine has a raptor and it has great power and i think that once you hit the gravel and sand you can slide it as long as you want if you can keep your weight in the right spot which for me is foward and above the inside fender

 

Once I bought my Raptor, my 400EX just sat in the garage.

 

400ex it a toy- raptor is a machine

 

If the 400EX is a toy!!!!!!!!!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

I will take a pole barn full.

Chet

 

well said chet