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Posted by: shots
I just bought a Z400 last week. Paid 5200 after all the rebates and stuff. For about 5 grand a z400 is a very very nice quad. It is very fast. My other quad is a sportsman 700 EFI. I thought that had lots of power. The z400 is so light. It really rocks. I weigh about 230 and it has no problems moving me.
To tell you the truth it is kind of hard for me to fathom that a 450 or the raptor is "that" much faster. I guess they are, but it is hard to believe.
Posted by: reconranger
Suzuki Z400. Lots of hop up potenital in that engine!
Posted by: reconranger
Now that I pay attention to you size and weight, a Raptor 700 may be a better choice!
Posted by: reconranger
Got to say that while the TRX450R has a great trail frame, it (like all the 450's) has a motor that likes to rev. Even with gearing changes, I find all the 450's pretty miserable on a tight trail ride, because of all the clutch slipping that is required to keep that engine reved up into the 2-stroke like powerband.
On the other hand, I am not any big fan of the Raptor 700 either. I absolutely hate its ergonomics, and it feels top heavy to me. Lots of torquey low end power though! The DS650 is another possibility but it is to big for trail riding, and don't even get me started on the KFX700...I absolutely hate that thing. It's heavy and really isn't a sport quad anyway!
Honda has a new IRS 700 coming out. I see it as strictly a quad for rutted eastern trails. It's a real pig at 500+ pounds.
Posted by: reconranger
My buddy has the KFX450, and I have ridden it quite a bit. It is a fine machine, but no way is it the "magic carpet" that the magazines have been calling it. It has razor sharp steering, great acceleration, and stiff track tuned suspension. We have had it up to over 11,000' and the fuel injection adapts just fine, but we had a 450R along on the same ride and it did well enough too (I was happily riding the Rancher 420 with FI).
Fuel consumption is high and the tank is small, so he runs out of gas all the time on long cross-country rides. (I am sure IMS must make a desert tank for it by now.) Surprisingly, its engine will lug down some (at least more than the other 450's), so if I were insisting on riding a 450 on tight trails, I think it would be the one I would pick.
But, if somebody offered me a brand new KFX for my old 04 TRX, I wouldn't do it! I think that says it all right there....
Posted by: ss97
I'm about your size and the z400 works great.... the ability to dial in all the suspension is key for us big guys to get the most out of it...
The Raptor 700 SE with the nice suspension is awesome, and if I was buying new (and money was no object) right now I would probably go with the Raptor.... but the z400 is damn nice and a lot cheaper, and has earned an excellent record of reliability.... if cared for they are darn near bullet proof....... and with a few mods it will rip out there with anything made... and the handling and ergos are top notch also..... You can pick up a new z400 for around $5,500 while the Raptor 700 is closer to $7,000.... especially the SE ...... but as I said, if money was no object I'd probably pick the Raptor....
Posted by: ss97
700 top heavy?
I thought it was based the same at the YFZ now..... Hmmm...
I have not ridden the 700 so I was just going on what people told me, but you guys are the first to say it is top heavy.... I trust you guys are making a fair judge call since both of you generally tell it like it is.
I have ridden a YFZ450 SE in recent weeks, and I loved the thing.... speed aside, I thought it handled nice... carved well in the turns and was easy to flick around over jumps....awesome suspension...... very nice ergos, almost as good as my z400 for my feel.....
But I was under the impression that the Raptor700 was built on similar chassis design....... guess I'll have to ride one ......
Posted by: ss97
Originally posted by: Crackerz
As you can see from the post prior to last, the specs for the YFZ and Raptor suspension are near identical. To have a comfortable ride, all around independent suspension (Macpherson struts) like they put on Polaris, will provide this. So if that's what a person is looking for, they should buy one of those. Toughen up to ride the Moto-X ATV's and adjust your suspension right!
I think you said it..... it seems that most people do not know how, or do not take the time to set up their suspension of their machines.
I spent several days getting my z400 suspension dialed in to handle my riding style, and in some cases you have to give up something to get something. I'm a heavy guy who likes to hit jumps, so I need things stiff. But I also ride XC so I need it soft enough so that it gets traction and does not beat the heck out of me.
Basically I made a compromise to run it a little stiffer, and I just stand up more at lower speeds. I notice a lot of riders refuse to stand up, and then complain that their sport machine is beating them up too much...... I guess if you want to sit on your butt the whole time an IRS machine is the way to go......
Posted by: BioWare
If you are a large person the DS650 would be perfect fit. But It all depends on what kind of riding you will do most of the time. But the 700R would probly work out just fine for ya...
Later
Posted by: joshk1234
I've ridden a YFZ 450 and they are extremely fun! Fast handle great etc. But i have to say a good mountain road still beat me up. They're pretty rough riding for the trails! A raptor rides better. And the 450 is fast as hell! Depends what you want. Both have great options for future mods.
Posted by: joshk1234
"As you can see from the post prior to last, the specs for the YFZ and Raptor suspension are near identical. To have a comfortable ride, all around independent suspension (Macpherson struts) like they put on Polaris, will provide this. So if that's what a person is looking for, they should buy one of those. Toughen up to ride the Moto-X ATV's and adjust your suspension right!" -Crackerz
I do stand corrected it shows they do have the exact same setup in suspension. I have ridden the yfz and to me it seemed rough. I haven't had any seat time on a late model 700R.
Posted by: joshk1234
I agree, the raptor seems it will suit your needs very well.
Posted by: bigned1904
all i can say is RAPTOR 700. great for trails but can hit a big jump also being it has pretty much the same suspestion as the yfz450. check this video out...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJZHVxXsVRc
or this one with stock suspestion
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2085036
Posted by: bigned1904
hmmm...have you ever trail rode a 700 raptor? yes the trx450 is the best 450 trail quad but 450s in general are not good at trail riding. the 700 is a far better machine on the trail just the the 450s are better than it on the track.
Posted by: bigned1904
well he want to jump his quad a bit also so 4x4 is not really a option(unless he wants to break stuff). ive had my raptor 700 a year with no problems and ive takin meny long desert rides (75+ mile each).also had a 660 for a year before that with no problems and the guy i sold it to has not had any problems for the year that he has had it.
im not 100% sure but pretty sure trx450r needs more maintenance than a 700 raptor.
Posted by: SilverBomb
Originally posted by: Crackerz
Im not a 'Craptor' fan. Seems to me everyone I know who's had them had to spend way too much money keeping them running. Blah! The Honda would be the least amount of maintenance and you can adjust the suspension to suit your weight just fine! If it's tight trail riding you want, then I would consider a 4x4. Sportsman maybe. Cadillac! Took one to Moab and rallied for 3 days and over 300 miles. No way I could ride that much on the YFZ450!
I think you are referring to the craptor 660 with all of the problems yamaha stepped it up big time with the 700. I have never heard of any problems with the 700's so far. Plus if you want speed and power for the same amount of money or less than 450's you can make a 700 absolutely rip. I've seen plenty of fairly mildly built 700's beat way built 450's up The face of Sand Mountain UT. My buddy's trx 501 stroker has been beat by raptor's and he will freely admit it. And to give you an idea, the trx does 59mph up the face. Heck I own a DS650 and I would highly recommend the raptor for a fast reliable fuel injected ride. Have fun whatever you ride.
Posted by: Rocker_Ace
a raptor 700 is a good choice, fuel-injection, reverse, big bore engine, good suspension, sounds like the best choice
Posted by: Rocker_Ace
the outlaw 525 does have an amazing engine, and the IRS makes for a cushy ride, although it doesnt excel at drifting, it does have tonnes of torque, i just dont like the design or layout, metric, standard and torx fasteners?? most sport atvs do just fine with just metric, and plus, it looks like the goblin truck off of Maximum Overdrive, which is either rad or lame, whatever you think
Posted by: sjbr549
if you don't like the 525irs get the 525s straight axle version
Posted by: sjbr549
outlaw does look like the goblin truck haven't thought about that movie in forever
man i'm old LOL
Posted by: americanbulldog
i am a bigger guy around 5'9 280-300lbs.and i was wondering what a good sport quad was that was reliable.i am gunna be mostly trail riding.and mabe once in a blue moon jumps and that stuff.
but i want a quad that i can get now and in a few months make it a fast better quad.
i was looking info the warrior but people say i cant get any real power out of it.
i am also looking for a 4 stroke.
thanks for your help
Posted by: Crackerz
Your not a small guy, so I would buy something with a bigger motor man. I'm a woman, 5'8 and 135 lbs and am just fine with my YFZ450. If you ride trails alot, then buy the Honda TRX450R. I say this and I have a Yamaha, LOL!!! Most reliable, and in my experience, the best trail rider I'ver ever ridden!!!! Too many people to put ideas in your head huh! Pay the money!
Posted by: Crackerz
Im not a 'Craptor' fan. Seems to me everyone I know who's had them had to spend way too much money keeping them running. Blah! The Honda would be the least amount of maintenance and you can adjust the suspension to suit your weight just fine! If it's tight trail riding you want, then I would consider a 4x4. Sportsman maybe. Cadillac! Took one to Moab and rallied for 3 days and over 300 miles. No way I could ride that much on the YFZ450!
Posted by: Crackerz
Go to:
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sp...4/1656/0/compare.aspx
This is a comparison of the YFZ450 SE and Raptor 700R SE. These appear to be very similar for this year. I have ridden the Raptor, and these bikes are clearly different to ride. Both have qualities the other doesn't have. I personally feel the Raptor has an odd center of gravity, top heavy. I like to jump and wheelie myself. We'll always buy what we want, so I hope americanbulldog has had some interesting input, and in the end, I'm sure he'll buy what he wants too!
Posted by: Crackerz
I just got a 2008 TRX450R. I rode an '07 quite a bit along side my YFZ when it was new just to see the stock to stock comparison for myself. The Honda is the smoother running machine on the bottom end and trail riding after it's broke in. My YFZ killed it in 5th gear. Now that I've added some mods to my YFZ, it isn't really a trail machine anymore, it's pretty much just the dune cruiser now. I would let my little sister ride the YFZ when it was stock, but not anymore! Haven't had a chance to ride the YFZ in the dirt since the pipe and intake, but I'm sure I won't be wishin for that 6th gear anymore. On the TRX, I think it absolutely needs an extra gear! I'm gonna change the sprockets. All it's power is in the bottom end.
I would like some input from KFX450R owners. I'm interested in how that fuel injection system is working for people. They're good looking bikes and have some awesome features for the price too! Here's the link.
http://www.kawasaki.com/Produc...id=211&content=photos
The Honda is the cheapest still!
Posted by: Crackerz
As you can see from the post prior to last, the specs for the YFZ and Raptor suspension are near identical. To have a comfortable ride, all around independent suspension (Macpherson struts) like they put on Polaris, will provide this. So if that's what a person is looking for, they should buy one of those. Toughen up to ride the Moto-X ATV's and adjust your suspension right!
Posted by: outlawrider
I would highly recomend the Outlaw but only with the KTM 525 motor. That thing absolutly rips, I own the 07' and love it.
Posted by: sd1
Get the Raptor....I just got one.....i've had the Z400 tricked out to its maximum.......sold it and bought the Raptor.....again....get the Raptor, you wont be sorry.
