Well trail riding would be something I would like to do on one. I also need something that is decent in the sand. I wont be in it that much, but have the dunes of Lake Michigan up here where I could take it. I not looking for a full on race quad, but something that is pretty quck, and could be tuned easily, to make it quicker. It sounds like the 450 is looking like my best option. Would you all agree? Do you guys have any prices on say 03-07?

 

I have an 06 YFZ450 I'm tryin' to get rid of if you're interested. Just bought a 660 Grizzly.

 

I have an 03 Raptor and love it. It's been trouble free and I've rode it hard. IMO it's the best all around quad out there. It has tons of power and torque and way more comfortable than the 450's. I ride at Glamis in the winter and do trail riding up north in the summer, it does great in both situations. There are tons of after market goodies for it. My buddy has the LT-R450 if I were in the market for a new quad that would be my choice it's a very impresive machine.

 

I am partial to the smell of 2 stroke in the morning

Here is my toy.

 

You have a few options. If I recall your looking for an 04-06. Now that I think about it I cant help you. If I was going to buy an ATV I would shoot for an 08 Raptor 700 or the Kawasaki KFX450 (b/c it is the only 450 with reverse). But since your talking about 04-06 (Gotta love them 2 strokes) I would go with a 2 stroke. I just sold a brand new Blaster about 2 months ago. The only reason I kept it was b/c it was a 2 stroke. Shoot for a Raptor 700 or a Banshee. I've never been a Honda fan (dont like the way they look) so I couldnt help you their. Also one thing else. The Raptor is one of the best looking ATV's out there.

 

Fella's correct me if Im wrong but majority of the 450's are marketed toward racing. From what you've stated I think you should shoot for a Raptor700 whether new or use. Are you going to pay cash or Finance. Yamaha has a great deal going on now. $69 until 2010 @ 8.9%.

 

The Banshee may be a bit much for a newbie. It is a heavy a$$ bish that doesn't turn worth a chit. If you know how to toss a quad around they can be a world of fun in the woods. That heavy front end is a treat while climbing steep hills, and when you launch a steep jump in the meat of the powerband they level out really nice in the air.

 

Everyone keeps saying get the Raptor 700, I guess my biggest dislike about it is that its just too big, its bulky, you sit really high, feel unlevel, and its a flippin workout if your doing tight trail riding.

On the other hand, i can throw my 450 around easily

GO with the YFZ450 you wont be dissapointed, trust me, and yes there are endless amounts of parts for the 450, so its really easy to tune

I guess the only benefit to the Raptor 700 is that is Fuel Injected so that you dont have to rejet when you get new exhaust. But thats really no big deal

 

Actuallly the 700 isnt much higher than the 450. It could handle better but thats easily and cheaply fixed. plus the 700 has a lot of low end torque which is good for trails where 450s need to be revved out more. I have an 07 700 and I love the thing and I have ridden plenty of 450s. I just got back from the dunes today and I let my buddy, who has an 06 piped jetted intaked Honda 450R, ride my Raptor and he fell in love with the way it rides. Its all about preference. PLus I was spankin that *** drag racing All you need to do to improve the handling of an 06/07 Raptor 700 is throw on some YFZ 450 shocks which is what I did and now its on rails. And I beleive someone earlier made a comment about the handling capabilities of the 700, they have put better shocks (YFZ 450 style adjustable shocks) on the new 2008 models. I use my reverse ALOT trail riding.You can't beat the thumper 700 motor once you mod it. The fuel injection is amazing compared to carb. I have dual exhaust, intake, PCIII fuel programmer, and a stage two cam and when I race YFZs that are equally modded they can't keep up, as long as the race is longer than 30 yards. 450s are good machines though, its all about how you ride, the 700 is waaaay more comfortable on long rides and mod for mod (depending on rider weight and ability) you will usually be at least neck and neck with a YFZ 450 in a straight line. The 700 is a bit heavier but the power more than makes up for it. Not baggin on the 450 but I have ridden both and I would never switch to a 450 unless I was going to race mx.

heres mine when it was stock:

 

Yeah i got nothing against any Quads out there, just from my experience the 700 is just uncomfortable for me. Prolly cause im used to my 450. I would think the 700 would be better for me cause im 6'3 230lbs.

I agree that the 700 is better for really long rides, you do take a beating on the 450, but its fun as ****.

But from what this guy says he wants, he prolly doesnt want to spend the money on the 700, since its only been out for 2 years its gonna be a little more money. He could get a 04-05 450 for like five grand probably.

Best bet, is to go out to a ATV park and hand around a bit, ask people if they mind if you take their ride for a spin. The places I go people usually dont have a huge problem with it.......

 

You can get an 06 700 in the 4-5k range Like I said, they are both good quads just depends on the type of riding. 450s are fun to throw around but that wouldnt be enough for me to give up my 700. The only real benefit I see in a 450 over the 700 is if your going to race mx. other than that, mods are plentiful for both, power is plentiful for both, the EFI is way smoother on the 700 as well as a piece of cake to tune instead of messin with jets (hopefully Yamaha will step up and inject the 450 next year), The 700 is way easier on the body, 700 looks better IMO. Hopefully our input helps you out in your decision JBCP. If you have any questions about my 700 feel free to pm me.

 

ive got a 250ex and its a beast. i do a mix of trail and mud and its perfect cause it only weighs like 300 pounds. so if i get stuck i can just pick it up and move it out of the hole. it tops out at like 50mph but how fast can you go on a trail. and reverse is really handy, if you go around a corner and it turns into a lake its a lot easier to just backup than have to get off and push. also if you get stuck its usually easier to back out of a hole if you have reverse. if your gonna be in mud id suggest the wolverine but if your strictly trails id get the yfz450 a couple of my friend have them and there bada$$

 

Im not gonna try to debate any longer on what quad is better. It comes down to personnel preference, so try to get out somewhere and take a few of them for a spin

Good Luck

 

Well one of the reasons I was looking at the Raptor was becaue of its size. Im 6'4" 270, so I need a good size quad to sit on. I like the looks of both, and just want to make sure whatever it is that I go with can be easily modded.

Somone asked if I would be financing or paying cash. I will be paying cash when I get one. I just wanted to get a used one for my first owned quad, so I can beat the living crap out of it, and not feel as bad about doing that to a brand new one. But I do like the look of the 450. I have just always been around Yamaha stuff. Thats why I wanted to hear from you guys, I knew there would be a bunch of people saying different things. Thats what I wanted...

 

Well given your size, i would go with the Raptor then, you got more than enough weight to be able to throw the Raptor around corners fine. Just make sure you get some better suspension cause with your weight that thing will bottom out A LOT (not calling you fat, just saying the suspension is way soft)

Like i said im 6'3 prolly almost 6'4 and i ride a 450 so its a little more cramped than the Raptor, but i dont care. These things are made to be comfortable right