Hey,
I am considering buying one of these two machines (Raptor 700 or Honda TRX 450) and was just wondering what your guys opinion was one which one is better for trail riding/in the sand/just playing around on and of corse which is faster(top speed for either/both would be great), also if anyone has any other machines I should look into please post your suggestions.


Thanks in Advance.

If it's kind of tight trails the Raptor would probably be better. Now open trails and logging roads that you can really open the bike up on, it could go either way. I think the Raptor's top speed is faster, but don't quote me on that.

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2004 Bruin 350 4x4
2003 660r Raptor
1999 Banshee

2005 TTR250
2007 VStar 650

2005 Polaris Predator (Dad's)
2006 Honda TRX250e

I have the 450, and my buddies wife has the 700 and he also has a 450. We ride them all together all the time and trade off rides all the time.

The 700 is a torque monster, but it falls a little flat on the top end. The 450 is all rev, and makes its power way up in the RPM range.

I don't much like the ergonomics of the 700. Last time I rode it, they had put on bars that are less tall, and that was an improvement.

I love the ergonomics and handling of the 450, but don't like it for tight trails becasue it is geared tall and if you have to ride slow there is lots of clutch slipping required. I only ride my 450 in the open desert, and for trails I ride a 400EX.

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Desert: 450R
Trail: 400EX
Technical Trail: Rancher 420 and 350 4X4's
Kids: Two 250EX's and 90
Dual-Sport Bike: XT225

Past rides: 300EX, 2wd Rancher 350, Recon, TRX90, Z400, LT160, LT80, Warrior, Blaster, CRF230F

i think the top speed on both will be about 75mph. in a drag race the raptor will most likly win but the trx450 will not bet far behind. im a fan of the raptor because of the fuel injection and it is always nice to have reverse.

To answer your question more directly, I wouldn't pick either one for very tight trails. Both are ok for faster more open trails, but the 450 is to revy and the 700 if a bit top heavy and all that torque is just wasted going slow in the tight stuff. For serious trail riding...that is where the 400's excell!

Either one will do well in the sand.

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Desert: 450R
Trail: 400EX
Technical Trail: Rancher 420 and 350 4X4's
Kids: Two 250EX's and 90
Dual-Sport Bike: XT225

Past rides: 300EX, 2wd Rancher 350, Recon, TRX90, Z400, LT160, LT80, Warrior, Blaster, CRF230F

Actually the slow stuff is where all that low end torque of the big bores shines. Put it in gear and lug it! You cant do that with a 450.....

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04 DS650 BajaX - HPR Stage II with some other goodies.
04 DS650 BajaX - HPR Lectron 46HV, ported intake, end cap, 15T CS, RWR 60% springs.

this is true

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1996 Kawasaki Lakota 300

I say raptor, more capabilities, with reverse and EFI. The 450 is fast and can be made very fast, but so can the rappy. If youre a bigger guy i say raptor. If you arent and dont need reverse and like the track more than trail, take the 450

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All men are created equal, to be better than someone you have to work at it.

raptor: 75.3
trx: 73

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All men are created equal, to be better than someone you have to work at it.

and when modded the raptor will smoke the trx450. well atleast in a drag race.

the 700 is a taller heavier bike. the 450 is lighter and has better handling. id go with the 450 if your gunna mostly be riding trails.

is say unless racing go with raptor. the fi makes life ez and it is just as ez or better all around.

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Raptor "all modded up"
2 Ford Trucks for work
Ice Racing, CHCA 11th place 2006
2006 Pikes Peak hill climb 11th place