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Raptor vs. 400ex?
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Posted by: MotoMan26

Hey guys,

I have been riding for about 20 years now, mostly motocross. However I have always felt more comfortable on 3 wheelers and quads and have decided to sell the dirt bikes and buy a quad. I haven't owned a quad for several years and have been kind of out the loop. I want a quad with good all around power, considering either a 400ex or Raptor (thought about a Banshee but am giving up on the two strokes). I know that the 400ex and raptor have completely different engines, the raptor is water cooled with reverse. My main hesitation about the raptor is the two carbuerators. Ever heard of any problems related to the carbueration? How does the overall power of the two quads compare to each other? Also, how do the two suspensions compare? Is the front is only adjustable for preload or compression? Is the rear completely adjustable? (preload, compression, rebound). thanks for the advice.

Posted by: VegasEx'r

First off, welcome to the site.

As far as the carbs go, I have heard that the Raptor carb have blown off in some cases. I'm not sure, but that may have been a problem more w/ the 01, and it has been fixed on the 02 (BTW if you buy a Raptor, get an 02, the 01 had other problems, too).

The Raptor suspension (the shocks) is about the same as the 400, I think the 400 is a little better. Since the 400 is wider & sits lower than the Raptor, the 400 is a MUCH better handling quad. Even though the 400 is slower than the Raptor, the 400 handling makes up for the lack of speed.

One other comment: one of my friends sold his KDX250 & bought a Raptor. He has many years of experience in motorcycle riding, and felt more comfortable on the Raptor than the 400, because it had a "motorcycle" feel to it.

I never really cared for the power characteristics of the stock Raptor. The same friend (from above) just bought an LRD pipe & now the thing absolutely hauls *****. But he has even admitted now that it is too tipsy in the corners, so to be able to use all the power he has, he needs to invest in new shocks, a-arms, axle, etc.

I'm babbling a bit, but hopefully there was some useful info here for you.

Posted by: FullBore52

The carbs usually blow off because you are one or two gears lower than what you should be. It doesnt hurt it to keep it revved a little bit, since it has 5 valves which are all titanium. They are definitely fun quads, but the 400 is better for some things..

Posted by: Rider#11

maybe you could consider a Z-400 ?

Posted by: Zero Z400

quote:
Originally posted by Rider#11
maybe you could consider a Z-400 ?

The Z400 is a mix of the raptor and 400ex. It has liquid cooling and reverse and it has more power than the EX but less than the crapturd. It is new so reliabilty has yet to be proven.

Later

Posted by: BADASSBOMB

you should look in to a canniondale .. you can get a refurbished ones for 5to 6 g,s .. and there are top of the line bikes . just my 02.

Posted by: yellowrider

C_dale or 400ex

why not just get a kawasaki?

Posted by: yellowrider

If i was you i would make a choice between the raptor and the 400ex

i do like the raptor i just have bad experience with them my buddies all have 2001 and yes they are haveing all hte promblems

but when they are going they are fun to ride almost like my 400ex i just have more confidence on my 400 cause i ride it more i guess...

but i would stay away from the first year production its stupid spending 5 grand on a 4 wheeler that you have no idea that it is going to hold up you know?

here is what i hate right now

400ex underpower slow
400z fast fast very fast

doesnt the 400ex have more bottom end??

z400 most of its power is in the low to mid range ??

lol cant the magazines make up there mind?

Posted by: Zero Z400

The 400ex has more bottom but not nearly as much top as the Z, but the Z can be geared down easily. Yellowrider; The powerange is broader and even not alot of power in one range but it does have go mid. The Z is just a hightech EX IMO.

Later

Posted by: yellowrider

i think the magizines are full of crap man ....

Posted by:

I have a 2001 Raptor and I really like it. I haven't had one prob with it and I go to Little Sahara all the time and drag race. Don't let them scare you about the "carbs blowing off" it is the carb boots that were blowing off and it is an easy fix. Jetting the 2 carbs is alot more of a hassel than the 400ex and the handling isn't quite as good but the power makes up for it in my book. I bought the Durablue wheel spacers and put them on the rear and now I can slide around corners with the best of them. I jump the dunes and catch big air and never had any probs from the axle or tranny or suspension. The 400ex is a sweet bike too but I'am just alittle partial. If you do decide to get a Raptor go with the 02' model everything is fixed on it and if you go with the 400ex any year is a good one.

Just my 2 cents

Posted by: 400exUtah

I owned an '01 400ex for a year and now own an '02 Raptor Limited Edition. As far as suspension goes, the Raptor is better HANDS DOWN!!! My riding friend has a 400ex and we raced some long whoops. He is a better rider than me, but the raptor just flew those whoops with ease. I blew him away. So I would say the suspension is much better on the raptor.

As far as a better all-around atv, I would probably have to go with the Honda 400ex. The 400ex does handle better, slide better and turn better. I'm a taller guy and do like the ride of the raptor better, my legs and lower back feel more comfortable on a raptor. Even though the 400ex sits lower to the ground, if you are going to be trail and track riding I'd go 400ex.

I mainly ride the dunes, and the Raptor is king over the 400ex at the dunes. I would take a raptor in the open sand anyday! I just wish the raptor were as reliable as my old 400ex. If you go raptor, you will have to modify the airbox and get some aftermarket skid plates, but I'm happy with the switch. I just wish Honda would hurry up with its answer to the raptor and the z400. I wanna ride Honda again!

Posted by: Nausty

I agree atv sport is the only mag that doesn't seem to sway stories and arn't so big with specs but simply whats faster and what works and what doesn't. I dunno i think i will be happy with the 400ex for a long time and you can wake up a 400ex pretty easily if you know what to do and have a little bit of spare time to do the header mod, silencer mod, air box mods, k&n filter, and jets and you still have a quad that costs way less than the others and handles better hands down.

Posted by: 4punksdad

what kind of riding will you be doing?
both bikes are good, but I prefer the 400ex in MOST cases. now, if I were playing in the dunes, I would probably go with a big bore.

Posted by:

Go with the raptor. The raptoe had alot more all around power. I have a 2002 raptor,a nd my friend has a 2002 400 ex. And he cant even get close to me. I've had real good luck with my carbs.
Its ur choice, but u'll have better luck with the raptor. I like yamaha personally. If you get that you'll smoke everyone..........**** YEAH MAN!

Posted by: R-Crazy

get the Z. the egine has already been proven to be a good and reliable motor in a dirtbike and the quadhas even been called the best quad since the 250r

i want to get an 04 Z so they can work out all the problems this year. i would say, get the Z400.

dave

Posted by: honda250xrider

the raptors i have seen on the track didnt do so well..... and one utilty quad beat a raptor with about 4 grand into it it was pretty funny but on the raptor i dont think you can use all the gears to it and i dont think the handling would be so well but im not sure...............i would diff. get the 400EX...........

Posted by: Cannibal440

I wanted the power of the Raptor and the handleing of the 400ex so I got the Canondale. Motoman, Go ride the Cannondale and see for yourself. I wasnt sure myself until I rode the Cannondale and then I bought mine on the spot.

Posted by: 440

well, u know how many diff quads tehy hav called the nex R, hav any succedded, nah, not imo

Posted by: maverick

well the craptor is faster til you make a turn...thats where the slowhundred shows its true colors.

Posted by: PismoGuy400

quote:
get the Z. the egine has already been proven to be a good and reliable motor in a dirtbike

first of all...problems with first year quads rarely come out in the engines...they are w/ the chasis (with the exception of the raptor)

in the atvconnection forums ive heard problems popping up w/ the z's carbs.
...................................................................................................................................

i wouldnt get the z unless you are willing to wait about a year (i wouldnt wait that long)

if you ride a lot of trails and some dunes the EX has my vote, BUT of you are the opposite , and ride mostly dunes and some trails the raptor it is; hands down.

hope ive helped you out in some way or another

pismoguy

Posted by: roostin_dale

I saw get a 400ex and dump a load of money in it!! Or get a Z!!! whatever you do dont get a crapturd!

Posted by: Nausty

if you mx or think about mx'ing and want a bullet proof solid machine with about the greatest handling stock wise and modded wise. IF you want power go with a raptor because you can get some major power from them for cheap compared to z400's or our 400ex's. And if you want a good combination of power and handling get a dale but they sure are ugly.

Posted by: MxDale71

Hehe... yeah, they are ugly at first but the looks really grow on you. Besides, most people only see the back

.

$160 you can get a scooped hood.