I am sure that this topic has probable been discussed. I've look threw some of the old topics and I'd like some addiotonal info...please.

My husband currently has an '04 kfx400. I want to take it from him , and he is contmplating the YFZ450, Raptor 660, and the Preditor. We mainly go to Dumont and Glamis. Duning is what he loves.

Can any of you give us some opinions on those, or other choises? And what paddles, pipes and other upgrades are recommended?

Thank you

YFZ450 or predator

how big is your hubby? if he is a big guy...the pred may be better...

my choice would be the yfz...but it jus depends on what he fits on the best!

u cant go wrong with either choice from team blue.

If he's a big guy, checkout the Bombardier DS650 They are big and heavy (505lbs dry)... but 48 horsepower right out of the box makes up for a lot of it! I'm 6'3" 200 lbs and have no problems slinging the thing around.

IMHO...210 lb husband or less = YFZ. Bigger than 210 lb husband = Predator, maaaaaybe Bombardier. Just not a cRaptor fan here...

Raptors are pretty big. Would be nice for a fat guy. I wonder if they will continue to make them after the 450 now. Parts could be hard to come by later on. 450 seems to be the wave. Ride it!
Sand Tires Unlimited paddles are the way I would go.
450s are new. Who knows what kinda pipe. Anything is better than stock. I've never heard of a sh!tty pipe.

Considering he is a big guy the ds650 might be to big, and the raptor isnt big enough, go with the predator

I've got a Raptor and a YFZ, Raptor has +2 a-arms, +4 axel, +4 swingarm, works shocks all the way around, pipe kit, filter, and a few other things, I love it, I am 31 and a bit on the heavy side, it gets me around anywhere just fine, the YFZ has a pipe kit, and cam mod, that bike straight up screams, its fun to ride, but for us older guys gets a bit tiring to ride all day, its a fun quad, but I definately end up throwing it around more than my Raptor, its all in riding style and preferences, raptor is more upright cushy ride, YFZ is flatter, kinda set up to be more aggressive, rides and runs like a 2 stroke 250 but with a lot more umph.. good luck.

My biggest problem with my (limited) Raptor experience is that they seemed to sit very tall and narrow. It gave the bike a top-heavy, uneasy feeling (I'm one of those youngsters that slings the bike around like mad). It sounds like with the +4" rear axle and the +2" a-arms, Ian's found a way to fix that. I'd personally be pissed having to dump that kind of cash into a brand-spankin'-new bike though.

Everybody says this about the raptor, it only sits 2" taller than my Z, o well maybe i need to ride one

Tough question.. It's going to depend on your husband...what he likes and how he rides. I'm 44, 6'2" and 220+/-. I can ride my yfz450 all day long and have a blast. It's light, and with just a little jetting and maybe a pipe, will run pretty fast.

I've test ridden a predator, and it was a nice plush ride. I think it's a great value for the money too. I've never ridden a raptor, and have heard they can be "tippy" but are great in a straight line (but, if you believe everything you read, I'm too old and big to ride a yfz.. ) You might also add the new honda 450 into your list too....I hear those are very nice bikes too. To me, the worst thing about the honda is no electric start.

As far as paddles, I'm rather partial to the ITP sandstars. They work fine for me.

Before I got my a-arms and swingarm and axel, people said that the raptors feel "tippy" I never experienced that, the main reason I put the a-arms on is for a little more travel and better shocks, I kept bottoming out the stock set up on landings from bigger jumps, then the rear axel went on, cuz it looked stupid with a wide front and stock rear, the reason for the swingarm was that after I went down a tooth in the front sprocket and put a pipe on it seemed to add alot of torque and the front kept coming up on me, on flat shift from 2nd to 3rd get back on the gas the front would just float, and staying on the gas going up hills was not an option, with the new swingarm I cant wheelie as good, its alot harder now, but I can stay on the gas over hills, and the front stays on the ground, hope all this helps, oh I also added all the stuff on the raptor cuz I can never leave anything stock, it has to look purty

I have a YFZ for my wife (5'2") and a Predator (6'3" 225) for me. the Pred is a larger frame and pretty racy right out of the box. Add a pipe and jet it and it will be pretty much done. The YFZ is fun to ride also, smaller frame but great out of the box. Seems a little small for me though. I might be comparing it to the pred though, and it might be okay for a big guy if they have nothing to compare it too. Bothe are great rides.... Stay away from the Raptor. There is better bang for your buck if you spend a little more....

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all your comments. Hubby is a big boy, but the kfx400 was fine for him. That was until I rode it all weekend last weekend and told him that he needs a new bike. He has looked at the Preditor, and in is now also contemplating the DS650.

He is a great rider and loves the big bowls and steep dunes. He definatley needs something he can sling around. The YFZ seems expensive to him, but I think if its worth the extra $$$-get it.

If the kfx 400 was good for him get another one

i'm was in your situation last summer. i passed on my ltz400 to my kids and got the yfz450 for myself. no regrets at all. got an aftermarket pipe jetted it k&n filter, cam mod and its fast enough for me. i contemplated the raptor-really love the motor but i felt for comfortable duning i would have to do the mods to the suspension mentioned in the above post. i probably saved $2000.00 by going with the yfz.

I really don't know why the Raptor have gotten such a bad reputation.

But mine stands 1.5 inches lower than a suzuki and 400ex.

I also did the same mods Ian did, and it is the best quad.
Plush, stable and has the power when you need it.
It may not be the fastest up the hills, but it is confortable and has been very reliable.

My friends are pro desert racers and have won the Baja races on Honda 400ex, Raptors and 250rs. So far no one has won on a Yami 450 nor Predator.

I love all the new bikes, Yamaha 450, Honda 450, Suzuki, etc.

I am just happy with the raptor and have no reason to drop another 5Gs just to have the fastest quad up the hills.

Have your husband try several quads, his choice will be clear then.

honda 450r.

just traded my kfx for a boat!! im kina big so im looking at the ds650. looks like a great plush ride with plenty of power!

As you can see, lots of opinions. I'm the kind of person who makes up my own mind. You got to try them out and make up your own mind.

I have the YFZ450, and I am also considered too old and a few tooo many pounds for this bike. I can make it do what I want it to and have a lot of fun. I ride with BeachHead a lot and he has a few inches on me and he has a blast. And don't let them tell you the seat is too hard, it may be firmer than all the others, however I have no problems with it at all. Maybe he can test a few and see for himself, and you deserve your own quad for sure........ good luck and have fun

Picked up my new YFZ last friday....WOW!!!