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Posted by: RoostKing
Yamahahahahaha,
We now have machines that can clean house everywhere! For years the Banshee has been top dog at the dunes(dont throw the LT 500 R out there, my last dune trip I saw no more than 10, and 2 of them were owned by my buddy) and now the Raptor, with its dimensions that are no bigger than a 400 exlax, is going to Rule the woods/trails. Man, Yamaha is the king still! Where are ya Honda/Kawi/Suzi? We already know where the DS is, a second behind the Raptor!
RoostKing...
Posted by: RoostKing
The 400 is a nice machine, but its performance leaves much to be desired. If Honda decides to step up with a 650 ex, then you will have something to brag about, uintil then, it appears all other manufacturers are trailing seriously behind this 660.
RoostKing...
Posted by: RoostKing
True that the Raptor has only been out for a few days, but its specs speaks volumes about the potential of this machine. I'm not sure where I heard or read this quote, but it says alot" The Raptor does to the DS what the DS does to the 400ex" OUCH! Nad Ive seen the DS vs. 400ex race, and its NOT a pretty site... And why could you not race the Raptor? The ds was keeping up with a full race 250R and there project 600ex, so I dont see why,( unless the suspension stinks it up, which I doubt) the Raptor would do any worse.. As far as the Cannondale, Im not going to be in line to buy an over priced quad from a manufacturer that has never even built a motor before this one. Someone else can be the guniea pig on that one. That is if it is ever actually released. They have had many delays on their dirtbike, and it was being built first... Perrsonnaly I doubt we will ever see the Cannondale.
RoostKing...
Ps. the 400 EX bigger and better? My "outdated" Banshee still waxes the FLAGSHIP 400 ex...
Posted by: RoostKing
I agree with A400L And Scooby, among others. I did not intend to dis the DS, it really is a great machine. I just thnk that with its smaller dimensions and reverese, the Raptor is going to be more of my type of machine, IF, and I stress IF it runs like the specs read. I take the Raptor vs. DSvs. 400ex comment with a grain of salt. In the end I am just grateful to be living the second coming of high performance quads. So lets all chill out, enjoy our current rides, and look to the future, its on only getting brighter and faster!!!
RoostKing...
Posted by: RoostKing
Looks like the Raptor mania is dying down..
RoostKing...
Posted by: A400L
This thing looks mean too! Available in Yamaha Factory racing blue, and a good looking black and white too.
Here is what you get..
A 660cc single cylinder thumper, SOHC, 5 valves, liquid cooled, with a 5 speed manual to drive it, electric start and reverse, removable subframe 10.5" of ground clearance all tucked into a 398 pound (dry) package.
The suspension is typical of Yamaha though with 9.1" up front and 8.7" in the rear, but hey you only need 12" if you weigh 500+lbs!
If I heard right MSRP will be $6499 and they should be eating up DS's by the fall.
I can't wait to get one of these on our salesfloor and put it next to a DS (which tags for $7K and will probably go up for '01).
The best part is that Yamaha already has GYT-R Factory accessories for it, pipes, headers, bumpers, graphic kits and grab bars ect.
Posted by: A400L
On the contrary...
The DS is still a great quad. Rotax motor, 12" of suspension travel ALL around, .190 aluminum wheels, built like a Chevy and only about 65 pounds heavier than the Raptor. Bombardier has a great procuct out in it.
I would still choose the Raptor over the DS, but would'nt say it blows. At this point it looks like your EX, with it's meager 400cc, is the one that blows.
I see you live in St. Louis, where are you getting your Raptor at?
Posted by: 01ds650
Unless you ride a Polaris, right Jerry?
All they need to do is jack up the HP a notch on the 400, use the auto (in my opinion) & put it in a well suspended light frame. It's just that easy! Polaris can you hear me????!!!!
Posted by: Mr45auto
Heck no, I'd love to have that extra power on tap. I ride my Warrior in the Woods all the time. I often wish for more juice on those fire roads. I'll admit the Warrior has plenty of power for tight stuff but when you open it up I was always wanting a bit more. Heck I could use an extra 310cc... hehehe
Posted by: Mr45auto
Okay, somebody's offended that Yamaha made a great new sport quad WITH REVERSE!! Honda missed the boat there, I'd have bought the 400EX a long time ago if it had reverse. You guys should realize that moto cross racers make a miniscule share of the market at best. I think that Yamaha wants to please the most people and sell more units and by god they built the machine to do it. If it lives up to the hype that is. You guys with your 10+ year old 250r's dont realize that not everyone wants to build an old 2 stroke quad and you dont have to get your shorts in a bind at everyone who wants a nice new quad that doesnt say HONDA on the side.
Mark '98 Warrior
'97 Blaster
hopefully 2001 Raptor 660R!!
Posted by: Mr45auto
Retro, you must be a god or something. Wow I wish I could be as cool as you! I'm obviously not as "with it" as you are. Gee can I polish your boots for ya? I'm so jealous... get a life!
Posted by: retro
Yea, and it only took Ya mama 100 years to change anything. They have been making the same old cheaply made crap for ever. The Blaster, Banshee, and Warrior have not changed in how many years? And everyone complains about the cheap brakes and skid plates and other low quality parts Yamaha makes. Now YEARS later, Yamaha comes out with something new and now they are the "king" just because they offer an engine with the most displacement? Yamaha or Cannondale will never sell as many high performance quads as honda will with the 400EX. I am a loyal Honda rider but I will be the first to admit the 400EX could use some improvements, but at least they had the balls to come out with something bigger and better and I think it was a huge success! If any other company would have done the same thing, another company just would have made a bigger machine. I think Yamaha should have used the 400 or 426 in a quad like everyone wanted. Now that would have been a sweet ride in a 250R/400EX style frame! Well that's my 2 cents worth.
ERIC
Posted by: retro
Yea, it only took 2 years to answer the 400EX. And all other manufactures are trailing behind? You act like this Yamaha has been out for a while. It was introduced a couple of days ago and right away it's the best? Lay off the peace pipe man, in time(like it took Yamaha), somebody else will answer with another quad. I think Susuki is so far behind they need something to compete, I mean what was the last 4-stroke sport quad they made? The lt250 quad sport? At least Kawasaki has a Mohjave(or however it is spelled). If you ask me, the Cannondale looks like the answer to our needs.
ERIC
Posted by: retro
If I wanted reverse, I would have gotten a 4X4. What is the purpose of a high performance quad if it is all decked out w/ reverse and elecrtic start. Why not just give it mirrors and a trailer hitch too. And MR450Auto, I don't care if it says CRAFTSMAN on it. Youre just jealous because you are riding a jalopy Blaster and Warrior and don't have the oppertunity to own THE BEST SPORT QUAD EVER BUILT, the TRX250R!
If this Raptor isn't a "racer" then why do you want a "RAPTOR 660R"?
What does that "R" stand for? Surely not RACER....
ERIC
Posted by: retro
LASHER,
I agree with you on the loudness. Them 4-strokers must think louder is better or faster or something. I like the deep rumble of a 4-stroke but I also can only withstand so much. I think us 2-strokers should ride around with our silencers off,(to prove a point), now thats loud! Do they have to be loud just to get more power? I still think if Yamaha would have used the YZ400/426 engine in a decent style frame(250R or 400EX), they would sell more(and us people who like race quads would be happy).
ERIC
Posted by: retro
Oh, now who's offended? Didn't mean to get you too excieted.
Posted by: ScoobyDFW
I read that quote too - "The Raptor does to the DS what the DS does to the 400ex" and the one about the Raptor beating the DS by a second in a 100 yard race. I think we should know the whole story before concluding that the Raptor will smoke a DS. Any number of things could have slowed the DS down - no traction/poor tires, carb jetting off, gearing too low, etc. The motors have about the same HP so they could be pretty even in a race, if the DS is setup correctly. I'm running a 38 tooth rear sprocket, have done some carb work, changed tires and the DS runs much faster now - power wheelies in first, second or third.
I like the Raptor and might buy one.
Posted by: 250Thumper
with all that power it wont rule the woods, you will only use all that in the dunes or the desert. I think its a waste of money unless your a psycho or a dune/desert rider.
Posted by: briancwatkins
You all are like a bunch of kids, hell, you probably are kids. I own a 400EX. Personally, and I am not taking any of this personally, if I had the money, I would be buying the Raptor. The machine is awesome. I haven't even ridden it, but as one can see from reading, it's the heat. Sorry to say, those Yamaha owners have something to brag about once again. I don't stick with manufacturer, I stick with performance and the Raptor has it. If this offends YOU (the Honda owner) answer me this: Why do you modify "YOUR" bike?
Posted by: Lasher
So far the only new quad that has really caught my eye is Cannondale. While I think the 400ex, DS and Raptor are great quads and really are helping the market; it is not what I am looking for.
Right now, I am very into racing. And these quads do not make my loins tingle. For one thing, I find that 4 stroke motors to be very annoying when piped. The low rumble may sound more powerful, it tends to give me a headache after a while. The last race we had, the 4 stroke class was dominated by 400ex&39;s with aftermarket exhausts. The roar was too much for me.
I see a trend in the high performance quad world going towards trail riding or dunes. I think this is great for the market overall, but does not fit my needs. Until one of the major companies make a TRUE race quad, I will stick with aftermarket stuff to update mine. While I wish the two stroke market was here to stay, but I am afraid it will be gone in a few years. I doubt it will ever leave the racing scene, but I also doubt the manufactures will produce a two stroke again.
So until the manufactures build something for me, I will use the aftermarket to build my own. But I am very happy for the market overall and especially for all the riders out there that are getting the quads they want.
One a final note, I have only one thing to say to the manufacturers………..
LET”S GET READY TO RUMBLE! And may the rider with the largest after purchase smile win!
Posted by: ridzhard
Amen to that! We really do have a lot to look foward to in the next few months. Actuas testing of the Raptor, Kawasaki's 2001 model lineup, etc. Very good times for us no matter what we ride.
Posted by: Arizona650
Raptor, do you realize that you sound like a twelve-year old when you post? I know that might offend because you're probably fourteen and I thought I knew a lot when I was fourteen too. To say Bombardier sucks or that the DS is a slug only proves that you haven't ridden one. I'm happy with everyone's machines. I love Kawasakis but I don't spend my time bagging other manufacturers. We're going to see competition that makes all the MX bikes so great. A partucular machine might not be right for you but we're in here because we share a passion for ATV's and I would ride with all of oyu because anyone that cares enough to spend their time in here is my kind of ATV enthusiast. I can envision my garage in 2002 with my DS, a Cannondale, or a Raptor, and a Kawasaki K???? all sharing space. I would love to see Yamaha scrap the Banshee frame and put the motor in something new to sell alongside the Raptor in 2002.
Posted by: 660Raptor
THEY MIGHT HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT A POWER BUT THE RAPRTOR WEIGHS ALMOST 100lbs LESS. BIGGG DIFFERANCE. PLUS ITS A YAMAHA. BOMBARDIER BLOWS. LOOKS LIKE THE BIG YELLOW SLUG WILL LOSE ALOT OF SALES NOW
