Need some help deciding...

[Couchy]

I've come to the conclusion that I think I'm going to buy a quad (for now, I can always sell it).

I've boiled it down to a 400ex or a Raptor. Both of these machines will be used (nice condition).

I ride mostly woods, farm country, shale pits, and old dirt/logging roads and back roads.

What machine will do best for my type of riding, will be the best bang for the buck, etc. What year should I look at for each machine. I want a machine that's reliable, I don't have to ((Don't Bypass the Word Filter)) with all the time, takes a hard riding good, something that will last me a while with minimal problems.

I have to say, the one thing I really like in the Raptor is the reverse. That could come in handy.

Any tips?

EDIT: May help that I am 6'-6'2 depending on shoe, around 160-170 lbs depending on the closest holliday, and have been riding nearly my whole life. (I'm 17). I'm an experienced rider.

[Modded660R2fast]

Go with the Raptor. Its a great trail Machine. It big and cumfy. Plus with a pipe and Filter the raptor wakes up huge time. Theirs no comparison when you pipe a 400ex to a Raptor. Some people have problems with the 01 Raptor transmissions but i have an 01 That has lots of mods and it holds up great so . If you get a raptor Maybe stay away from the 01's

[smokinwrench]

As bad as I hate to say it I would go with the raptor in your case.

I owned a 400ex and it is a great machine. If your gonna do any mx racing I would go with the 400ex. Sounds to me like your gonna be doing lots of top end ridign on these roads and need the higher top end of the raptor.

After buying my predator I'm not sure I can go without reverse now. I always use to be careful of where I parked. The raptor is also bigger in size and it is a comfortable machein to ride. If I was to buy the raptor I think I would look into one of those lowering kits to make it handle better.

DO NOT buy a 2001 raptor they have bad trans.

[OldSchoolin86]

As bad as I hate to say it I would go with the raptor in your case.

I owned a 400ex and it is a great machine. If your gonna do any mx racing I would go with the 400ex. Sounds to me like your gonna be doing lots of top end ridign on these roads and need the higher top end of the raptor.

After buying my predator I'm not sure I can go without reverse now. I always use to be careful of where I parked. The raptor is also bigger in size and it is a comfortable machein to ride. If I was to buy the raptor I think I would look into one of those lowering kits to make it handle better.

DO NOT buy a 2001 raptor they have bad trans.
I agree, the power of the raptor would be the better choice here.

I alao agree with staying away from the 01's.

[Couchy]

Thanks, that's the way I was leaning. The only thing that have drawn me to the 400ex is the price, the look (I have always loved the 99-04 look), and all the great reviews.

My cousin has a 2001 Raptor, in which he did have tranny problems, I specifically remember his 2nd gear being weird, you always had to really slam it to get it to second.

The people around here have a few 400ex's, a few Raptors, 300ex, 250ex, and all the rest are utilities or dirt bikes.

I want something that I can go out and rip on, have a ball, come back and not have to worry about what's loose or going bad.

So everyone seems to be agreeing for a Raptor newer than 2001 then?

Any reccomendations of pipes? The filter would be K&N all the way. I wouldn't do much to it either, just the pipe and filter probably, plus regular maitanance things.