Well my opinion would be get a 400ex used and ride the S6&* out of it.. They are probably the best handling trial quads out there but they are alittle out dated. I have a 03 400ex and a 07 yfz450 and to tell you the truth the yfz is really just a mx quad and nothing more.. You can ride it in the dunes which it would be great at that also but on the trails it sucks. I've taken it out on the trials and it almost seems like a 2 stroke puttin around at low rpm and the thing barely moves but rev that bitch up and your off and running.. Now for my 400ex the thing has been throu hell and back and it still goes.. Real easy to ride on the trails, you can just about putt at walking speed and it wont bog out like the yfz.. Like I said it's and old design but it still works.. I would take my 400 out on the trails before my 450.. And for alitttle bit of money you can put some work into the 400 and it will rip pretty good.. I've never rode a raptor but I've heard they have lots of torque to get you up some big hill climbs and through some good mud.. But to each there own. Choose whichever one you like because after all your the one that is going to be riding it.

James

 

I see plenty of big guys riding around on both quads, If your buying used and you can't find a 700 for a price your looking for I would suggest just going with the 450. But don't buy a used 660 over a 450. The 660s are good bikes but they are a lot tippier than my 700. My suggestions would go as follows: Raptor 700---->YFZ 450---->any other make 450 (preferrably Honda)---->Raptor 660 and so on.
The power you can get out of the 700 with some mods is awesome though

 

I personally have never ridden a Raptor, I have known people who have owned them, but I just never rode them. The one reason they stood out in my mind when I was wanting to buy one, was because of their size. They are a bigger quad, than most that are out there. I dont want to look like a circus bear riding a quad!! lol

So my next questions would be this I guess. I have heard you guys say that the 660 had its fair share of problems, and that the 700 was a better bike. What year did they start making the 700? I just do not want to buy one brand new. I just really want to get something used, and something that is fairly cheap, since its going to be beat on pretty bad. That way I can learn on my own how to fix certain things and what not. Im sure you guys understand that. So any suggestions for what year???

 

I want to say 04 but I could be wrong on that.

 

The 700 came out in 06. My 03 has been trouble free. The 01-02's had some trany issues second and third gear would wear out really quick.

 

I sold my 05 400ex last year. Had header pipe and muffler,jet and air filter. It couldn't have been a better quad for trail riding. At only $5250 OTD they are priced right for a new ATV. It would easily keep up w/ a 660 on the road but on the trails it ate my dust. They are way to top heavy and are just plain BIG for a sport quad. But 450's would whoop my @ss but at least I could put mine in reverse

My vote would be for a 400ex but I am only 5'6" so you need to just go sit on them and see whats comfortable they will all be a little quick as long as you dont go under 400cc

 

Well, the more I look at the 400 ex, the more I like it! And from what ive seen on Ebay, they arent to badly priced. Ill have to just go look and sit on one to see if it will work for me or not. But I do like the look of them. Do they have a decent amount of mods available for them?

 

I would consider just about everything else besides a 400 EX...........they may be cheap, but they just seem white trash to me. Im sure there are plenty of mods out there for them.

400 EX's are pretty much just a plain jain Quad, no real technology to them, but i guess they are pretty reliable and they will get around ok

I just hate em, look like something you can buy at your local SAMS Club more than a REAL SPORT QUAD

Not trying to upset any 400EX owners out there, its just my personnal opinion

 

I agree also. I would consider everything else. I wouldnt buy any Honda Sport Atv.

 

Check this out. Here is a guy saleing a Raptor 700

http://www.raptorforum.com/index.php?topic=28398.0

 

The 400EX's have been around for a long time and have not changed much at all. But theres a good reason for that, why change something thats been so reliable. I have nothing against the 400ex but I will tell you this, For your size, If you buy a 400 ex you will regret buying it due to the lack of power, as well as its size. They are great on trails but they are sluggish. I rode my buddy's 400ex after I bought my Raptor and it felt like a little 90 compared to my Raptor. 2006 Was the first year Yamaha came out with the 700 and they are a dime a dozen being sold in the low 5,000s even the 4,000s sometimes. People will buy them and never ride them so they decide to sell them. They are all over the place for sale with less than 20hrs on them. They are arguably the best platform for future mods and horsepower gains out today, at least right up there with the 450s. Im not tying to pressure you into buying a 700 but I guarantee you that if you do you will not regret it Check out raptorforum.com and do a little research on it. They even have a classified section where stock and modified bikes go up for sale all the time.

 

prime example right here!
http://www.raptorforum.com/index.php?topic=28397.0

This guy is asking only $4500 for his Raptor 700 with only 30 hours on it simply because all his friends have 4x4s and he wants a 4x4!

 

You've got me started again. I just bought an 08 raptor back in Aug but I need anotha one. Guys tell me if this sounds right? Today I was quoted $6800 OTD from the local dealer here in Long Island but with taxes, tags, registration it comes out to $7700. Does this sound right b/c I dont think so. I buying it in NYC so taxes are among the highest but come on.

 

i guess it is about right. I called a couple of other dealers

 

So its $7700 OTD not $6800 That sounds bout right. I think thats around what I paid for my 2007 brand spankin new in summer of 06.

P.S. buy the Special edition Red and white