seems like a huge difference in engine size ... for a new guy, do I really need a 700?

 

The 700 Raptor is basically a large toy. Even though it is a 700 cc engine, it's in a pretty mild state of tune. The Yamaha YFZ450 will out accelerate it. The Raptor just has a lot more low end torque.

 

I had a 400ex. I don't regret spending any of the money that I dumped on that machine. I didn't get any where near what I had in it, out of it, but you can't put a price on FUN. I rode trails, MX tracks, etc...everything but sand...Didn't have the chance. You can't go thru the mud like 4x4's can, but a 4x4 can't go up a vertical 30'+ hill(as safely) or jump across 30'+ doubles either. Depends on what you want to do really. If you like playing in the mud, get a 4x4. If an adrenalin rush is your thing, get a sport bike.

I would recommend a 400ex, 450R, or YFZ450. I think the Susuki 400 isn't bad either.

Good Luck

 

Look into the Can AM 500 Renegade X. You get both 2wd and 4X4. Rides awesome and is fast as anything out there. You'll enjoy this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EheciWiU7o&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAEZG9wAGQ0&NR=1

 

ya if all you do is ride in a deep mud pit
you could also look at the yamaha wolverine which is a sport utility mix

 

yea i know....i love punctuation lol. if you want to do some good mudding, then yes go with a 4x4 i like polaris as far as 4x4s go, but can-am/bombardier have very nice powerful machines. shaft driven are ok since you dont have to worry about your chain, but just are not really built for speed. also, i noticed a typo in my last entry.....the 450s and 400s CAN be bulit up easily and cheap. ive never been one for yamahaha..overpriced and and havent seen many good things come from them riding with friends who have them.....but its also like my rivalry. i love ford and therefore hate chevrolet. i love honda sport quads and polaris utilities and therefore hate yamahahahahahas(see i cant even say the name without laughing) but the i do know that the 700 Craptors have had problems with vapor lock.....so id check that out before buyin one. i havent paid much attention to quds lately since its winter here and im dumping all my money into my truck right now...but pickup a subscription to dirtwheels or quad magazine they are a lot of help. also my slightly modified 86 honda 250R will beat a slightly modified 700 craptor the only quad that is close to stoc that can hang with me atleast around here...not in california where everyone has a million dollars to put into their sand dune quads....is a suzuki ltr450r very well built quad..had some minor issues with the subframe cracking because of bad welds, but i think it was taken care of. id say your best bet....newer honda trx450R or suzuki ltr450R newer polaris sportman 800 twin for pure stump pullin power 4x4 or newer bombardier/can-am whatever they call themselves now for a fast powerful 4x4.

 

Man that thing looks heavy for a sport quad. I know it's a 4wd but....I'd hate for that thing to roll over me.

 

Your suppose to be riding it.... not it riding you.

 

yea its basically a 4x4 with an engine geared more towards speed than power. the markets changing these days since people are afraid to shift anything by themselves anymore can-am has this AuTOMATIC sport 4x4, kawasaki has the kfx700 -automatic, polaris has the trailblazer and scrambler(bigger and faster than trail blazer) both automatic people are lazy and and too scared to shift nowdays so they make quads that you just mash the gas n go. on the other hand it is good for them to put these machines out for those that have handicaps that do not allow them to shift manually but dont expect to take that humongus beast out on the track and hang with a maunual sport quad. so plus sides ------ has 4wd------good for elderly with bad joints-----good for handicap-----good for beginners-----ok for straightline perf and messin around in the yard or pullin stuff without searchin for gears-----888888888888888-------down sides-----------HEAVY-------expensive--------not a race quad--------limited perf parts available-------not good for jumping--------bulky machine-------more parts to break
so yea they all have their ups and downs just like anything else in this world nothings perfect

 

the only way to go is with a honda trx450r... nice susension, strong motor to rip around on, honda reliability, and looks plenty sexy... quads is all i do... i've made mistakes by going with other brands, other bikes... but i got a trx450r and fell in love... i currently have 5 of them my main one is worth about 20 grand... there is unlimited things to do to them if you like to customize your ride.. but i will tell you this... the FIRST thing you do once you get them is put nurf bars on them.. once your foot falls off the pegs you'll learn... i just got a cast off for the four wheeler running over my foot when i even had my racin boots on

HERE is mine...


here are what nurf bars look like in case you havent seen any


this is what they look like stock

 

If you ride hard....sometimes it will ride you.

Gray Ghost, good lookin machine. I lean towards Honda heavy myself, can't beat'em IMO. I always rode trails, so I was afraid the nets on the bars would catch a root or something.

 

To me Yamaha has the biggest selection of ATV's like Ford does with the F-150's along with the best looking atv's. I personally like the Raptor 700 and I think alot of ppl would agree. Honda is cool but if you look on their site, I think they always over charge by a couple of hundred dollars for the bikes (plus they are the fugly).

Here's my list

1st Yamaha Raptor 700
2nd Kawasaki KFX 450 (only 450 with reverse)
3rd Suzuki Quad Racer R450
4th Honda whateva

PS: Remember Fella's that Im not taking anything away from the manufactures. Please do not take it personal as these are my OPINIONS

 

not sure if they still do this or not but honda also had the option of kickstart or electric start which i thought was cool. i wasnt impressed by my buddies 700raptor yeah its kinda fast but its also 700ccs my piped /carbed/filtered 250rs wil still take him but then u get into the argument of 2-stroke vs 4stroke blah blah blah. there are many more afetermarket parts for the 400ex and 450r and it is USABLE power on the track. so many try to beef them up to be the fastest but it doesnt mean you are your utilizing the power your making....also 700 is too big for racing unless you get in an open class, which you might as well not enter unless you ride awesome and have a greatly built machine. if u ever plan on racing dont go over 450cc's if u trail ride or hit the dunes then do whatever you want doesnt matter in the end because someone is and will always be faster. so right what yer comfortable and youll have more fun since thats what its all about. 700 is not a beginners quad.

 

I agree. 700 if your just riding, 450's if you plan on racing.

 

I took one look at that and realized there was no way I could read it. Capital letters and punctuation greatly enhance the written word. I guess it is one of those things where you don't realize how important something is until it is missing. I would say that qualifies as the run-on sentence from hell.