2005 Yamaha Raptor 350:



http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products/uniti...raptor_350.aspx

Eh... nah.. don't they have the same motor has a warrior?? those things are gutless, dont do well with mods.. plain suck, if I were you.. get a 400ex, rode a stock one the same weekend at Pismo... very comfortable bikes and veryy fast when you put 440 kits on them.

yah thats the same engine as the warrior.. i wouldnt get one myself...but thats my opinion

Z400s and 400exs are leagues ahead.

400ex is a legue or 2 ahead, and the z400 is leagues ahead, and then the 05' Z400 is many leagues ahead i just read a little bit about it in atv sport, they did a camparisin of the 300ex to the raptor 350

can you post some links? Would like some info before
the GF buys this for me for my B-Day !? ....

my choice, Z400 then 400ex, then blaster, then warrior, we had one, it was ok, but the power just isnt there.

Base MSRP Sportrax 400EX
$5,299

ENGINE


Engine Type 397cc RFVC air-cooled dry-sump single-cylinder four-stroke

Bore and Stroke 85.0mm x 70.0mm

Carburetion 38mm piston-valve with accelerator pump

Ignition Solid-state CD with electronic advance

Starter Electric


DRIVE TRAIN


Clutch Manual

Transmission Five-speed

Driveline O-ring-sealed chain


CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES


Front Suspension Independent double-wishbone with Showa shocks, five-position spring-preload adjustability; 8.2-inch travel

Rear Suspension Pro-Link fully adjustable single Showa shock; 9.1-inch travel

Front Brakes Dual hydraulic 174mm discs

Rear Brake Single 220mm disc

Front Tires 22 x 7-10 knobby radial

Rear Tires 20 x 10-9 knobby radial


DIMENSIONS


Length 72.2 inches

Width 45.3 inches

Height 43.7 inches

Wheelbase 48.4 inches

Seat Height 31.9 inches

Ground Clearance 4.3 inches

Turning Radius 10.5 feet

Dry Weight 375.0 pounds

Fuel Capacity 2.6 gallons, including 0.4-gallon reserve


FACTORY WARRANTY INFORMATION


6 months Coverage of defects in materials and workmanship




OTHER


Available Colors Red, Yellow

Model ID TRX400EX

2004 QuadSport Z400
MSRP: $5,699.00


http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/Produ...elCode=LTZ400K4

Frog..
here's la cyclesports OUT the DOOR (tax and lic included) prices on these:

Raptor 350 $5199
400 EX $4999
Suzuki 400 $5399

Personally, of the three, I'd go with the Suzuki...But whatever you do, don't pay more than this for any of them, cause you can get them through these guys at this price.

no..these are from a dealer called L.A. Cyclesports. They are located near LAX. They are what you would call a "high volume" dealer..no real showroom to speak of, but they move the product out the door with very low prices.

Hey don't forget about the Green and Black ,and the Orange Black Suzuki's.
AKA KFX400. I just bought a used 2004 for $5285.00 private. party.

I would have to agree with everyone. I think you will regret getting the warrior. I talked one of my friends out of one. He was going to get it for his wife, but instead got the Honda. It was even cheaper and has more power. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the Kawasaki and Susuki the same bike just different plastics? See what one you can get cheaper, or get the Honda. I think if your looking in that price range, your money will be spent better on the other bikes.

yes, the suzuki and kawi are identical twins. Even down to the sticker on the bottom rail of the kawi identifying it as built by suzuki motors.. I have one of each. It seems like you can usually find better deals on the suzukis though.

There is another, lesser known model, called Arctic Cat or something like that..has more racy looking fenders, and is about the same price.

so which one should I be looking at?

Depends.. what will you use it for?? A honda 400ex is a VERY nice bike indeed.. great bottom end, Simple.. easy to have fun with, its electric start, no reverse, air cooled. Which isn't a bad thing.

The Suzuki Z400 is also a nice bike, I rode a pipped/jetted/carbed/110 octane one at Pismo, they feel a little top heavy, you can Really tell its a heavier bike, and the stock suspension seemed a little stiffer compared to the 400ex for me. Though it was a VERY torquey bike and was really fun to lug around and pull wheelies... My opinion get the 400ex and you'll be just as happy, but if you want water cooled then get the z400 (it also has reverse I believe.)

We can't make up your mind for you. All we can do is give advice and information. The ultimate decision is in your hands. I love my YFZ, but if your not willing to pay that much money then that bike is out of the question.

Frog..I'm assuming you are gonna finance this. Were it me going to finance this, I'd consider either the Honda TRX450 or the Yamaha YFZ450.

Why? Well, the Honda is only $1,000 more than the Suzuki and the Yamaha is $1600 more. At 7% over 4 years, that $1,000 is only another $24/month. By financing, you are gonna have this around for a while, and once you get used to the bike, you'll be wanting "more" in not to many trips. (I'll use the suzuki and yamaha to compare here since I own both) For the $1600 difference, I seriously doubt you could get the suzuki to approach a stock YFZ's performance, let alone one with less than $50 worth of small, easy to install parts. And if you were to sell the smaller bike, to buy the bigger one, you'd lose more yet.

Plus, the 450's are "new", and I think it'll be a while before there is another significant step twords better performance. So, all in all, long term wise, you'd have a bike that will keep you smiling for at least the length of the loan.

But, between the three you originally asked about, I would/did pick the suzuki/kawi's.

oh yeah...forgot..with the suzuki, it takes second gear to pull my fat butt up olds, and on the yamaha, I can shift into 4th on the way up. THAT's a real world, significant difference..

IN THE MAGAZINE I GET, THEY DID A RAPTOR 350, 300EX, AND 400EX COMPARISON, AND THE 400EX WON MAJORLY (DUH. I THINK THEY PUT IT IN THERE TO SEE HOW THE 350 DID AGAINST IT) AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD LIKE THE 300EX OVER THE 350RAPTOR.... NOW, I CANT SEE WHAY ANYONE WOULD GET A FOUR-STROKE THAT WAS ANYSMALLER THEN 400cc, AND MAAAAYYYYBE 350, BUT NOT THIS ONE. I DONT LIKE IT, AND THATS JUST WHAT I THINK, AND I DONT THINK ITS A GOODBIKE FOR ANYONE WITH A HUNKERIN FOR SOME SAND. I GUESS ITS HAEVY TOO.... BUT IF YOU WANT THE BLACK PLASTIC, YOU CAN ALWAYS SEE HONDA!!!! THEY HAVE IT ON THE 05 TRX450!!!! MMMM

I THINK YOU SHOULD PAY IT ALL OFF BEFOR YOU LEAVE, OR EVEN TOP IT OFF WITH GAS.... IF YOU CANT RIGHT NOW, SAVE UP FOR NEXT YEAR OR SOMETHING, BECAUSE MAKING PAYMENTS ON A QUAD IS KINDA FUNNY SOUNDING.... HEHE NOT TO BAG ON ANYONE OR ANYTHING, BUT IT HAS NEVER FAILED US....

Actually, I'm not looking to have anyone make up my mind.
I just needed more reliable/real-world information from
the peeps who have quads. I own 2 old school Honda ATC's
90 and 1 old school Honda Odyssey FL250. I've ridden 2 quads, both
Honda's. One a 300ex and the other, a 400ex. The 400ex
scared the crap outta me, that thing had tons more power
than my lil ATC 90 .... the 300ex seemed okay....more
my speed at the time, I wasn't used to that much power ....

I'll probably go with a Honda model. The black TRX450R (Base MSRP
$6,499 )

w/ the HRC power-up kit ($299.95) ....

only draw-back I see, is that eff*ing kick start .... I'm
gettin' older and lazier ....

now if only they had an electric start ....

I don't think you can go wrong with the Honda TRX450R or even the Yamaha YFZ450. The Yamaha has electric start with the optional Kick start. I'm not sure if Honda has an optional electric start or not. You should check into that.

I THINK SOMEONE SELLS AN ELECTRIC START FOR IT.... IM NOT SURE THO, BUT I THOUGHT I HEARD IT SOMEWHERE....

HEY FROGGER, I THINK THATS BLACK MODEL IS SIIIIICK!!!!

WHERE DID YOU FIND THAT PIC!?!? IS THERE A BIGGER ONE THAT MIGHT FILL UP MY DESK TOP!?!?

2005 Yamaha YFZ450




I'm TORN ....


I think the ELECTRIC START is going to be the deal maker ....

frog..I don't think you will go wrong with either the yami or the honda 450...but that button is sure nice to have..

Have you ever pushed a quad through sand to the point where it was high enough to get rolling and bump start it? Electric start w/o kick backup = no bueno. I'd say times like that have cost me a hundred times as much effort as it my wife could have spent kicking her bike over. But she certainly likes the electric start on her 400EX. I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than that for an adult with any experience whatsoever. After 3-4 rides on a quad, I went out and bought a 400EX, after another 3-4 rides I was Banshee shopping and my 400EX was the wife's 400EX. You'll get used to the power quick and then get hungry for more, but the 4 stroke powerband is smooth enough to take it easy while adapting, IMHO.

And if your bike's tuned right, it only takes one kick!

I can always get this w/ it ....

ok, time to show more of my ignorance... remember, I do not
own a quad, only old school ATC's ....


WTH is a Hot Start Lever?

Electric start beets everything, if it had reverse to oh my god i would be crying, i like the yami and honda 450's but none of them have reverse, the honda is kick, and everybody and their mother has the yami, oh and they are friken expensive

oh and i dont think there is an electric start opition for the honda

The Yamaha YFZ450 is available in BLACK .... woohooo ....
w/ red lens covers, that thing looks sick ....

check out the Build-Your-Own-ATV for the YFZ450:

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products/atv/media/byobintro.htm

I'm not 100% sure on the hot start button, but I'll tell you what I understand it is. You can have the option of having electric start as well as the kick start for back up. If you keep both then you need the hot start button. You hold the hot start button to kick start the bike which will make it by-pass the electric start motor and gears. So I guess it disengages the electric start some how. Check with Alba they should know for sure. I've never had a problem with my electric start. I love just pushing a button. I have kicked for long enough. If I start to have problems then I'll look into the kick start option. For now; Why? It's a waiste of money. I had a Banshee for years and I'm tired of hearing that stupid kick start lever rattling. I've rebuilt it 2 times already.

Oh and the red tint you are talking about. It looks sweet, but if you have it you can't see at night. Make sure it is removable if you like to night ride.

frog...that black one it the limited edition one..expect to pay about $300 more for the black.. Oh, and it's a known fact around the yfz riders that blue is faster..

I hear the white one is. It has less wieght, because there is no color dye in the plastic.

my fail safe system is kick starter... screw electrical problems .. if u can't kick a bike over your getting too old jk

At 375 Lbs. it is only 24 Lbs lighter than the 660 Raptor.
And it's what, $1200 less money?

I bought the raptor and love it. It is not the highest tech., but it is a great all around bike.

IM STILL SAYING HONDA.... I RODE A YFZ, AND I HATE TO TELL YOU, BU TI DIDNT LIK EIT.... IT FELT LIK EA RAPTOR TO ME IN THAT I COULDNT REALLY TURN IT TOO WELL, AND I FELT TOO HIGH.... MYBE IT WAS ME, BU TI DK.... HAVENT HAD THE PLEASURE OF MOUNTING UP THE TRX YET, BUT WHO KNOWS WHAT THE FIRST DUNES TRIP BRINGS.... OH, BTW, THAT LINK WORKED WELL, AND NOW, I HAVE AN AWSOME LOOKINH HONDA ON MY DESKTOP!!!! LOL

Read this whole thread, go with the yami 450. And if your worried about the elec. start going out buy the kick start option and have it installed by the dealer before you even pick it up. Its a nice bike and there is nothing wrong with elec. start. Four stoke and reverse and elec. start and liquid cooled, all have wonderful resale value, not to mention very rider freindly options. With very few add ons the 450 is a nice package.