I am thinking of getting a raptor 350. i am 6'2" and about 185lbs. most important to me is reliablity, I want to know if there are any mechanical problems on the 350s. second is power, how good is it going up steep hills and on the flatter trails, how fast is it. third is suspension, are you guys happy with your suspension. last is just any thing at all that you dislike. please dont say yamaha sucks get a honda with out backing it up.

Hey Fred,

You didn't say what your skill level was.  Is this your first quad?  If so, you may love the Raptor.  If it's not your first quad, you may find yourself getting kind of bored with the power after a while.  You're a big guy at 185lbs., I don't know if a 350cc air-cooled engine is enough to keep you entertained when going up a steep hill.  Maybe another 50ccs from a Honda 400EX would be better.  The aftermarket has a much wider selection of parts for the 400EX than the Raptor 350, as well.  That's something to consider if you want to upgrade the suspension.

Reliability-wise, air-cooled engines are automatically going to be less of a hassle, since there's no radiator, water pump, and hoses to deal with.

Power-wise, it just can't compare to the newer quads with new technology, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't make a good choice.  Just don't expect to win many drag races.

Thanks brian,
It would be my first quad, i do have a buddy with a 250ex and that is way too small and slow. i dont know about a 300ex because for $250 more i can buy the raptor with 68cc more. the  thing about the 400ex is that the price (6000+tax) exactly the same as a polaris predator 500. i her very good thing about the predator, power, reliabity, suspension, handling, but i scarred the 500cc beast may be too much power for me. The raptor has a six speed+reverse and the 400ex has a five speed+reverse. I personally think the 400ex looks a little ugly. the people i ride with aren't too serious just skid plated honda ranchers 2wd, 250 & 300 ex's, a blaster, a warrior, and one big z400,  
       Fred Kranich  

A Yamaha Raptor 350 would be adequate.  Nothing earth-shattering, power-wise.  So a Honda 300EX is definitely out.  Too small.

If you're worried about too much power, well, just work on your throttle control with your right thumb and don't gas it so much.  Just because the power is there on tap doesn't mean you have to hold it at wide open throttle at every possible opportunity. 

I'll put it to you this way: plenty of guys buy something, then want more power out of it.  That's why the aftermarket is so huge.  But consider this: have you ever heard of a guy saying, "Yeah, it's a good ATV, but there's just too much power.  The engine's too big.  I wish I'd gone with the smaller one."  I haven't.  That goes for trucks, chainsaws, lawnmowers, ATVs, whatever.  I've learned my lesson by trying to get by on smaller, less powerful equipment and coming up short.  It's a wimpy feeling.  Now I always aim for buying the biggest I can afford.

FRED IS A HOMO THAT CANT RIDE

U SUCK AT HOCKEY
UR GAY HOMO
U SHOULD JUST BE A BENCH WARMER


I GO TO OWEN J ROBERTS ALSO U ***                

FRED U LIKE MEN AND THEY LIKE U

U SHUOLD STOP STICKING THINGS IN YOUR ASS U FAGET  

um ok, back to the subject at hand.

brian is right 350cc won't be earth shattering.
but as i have found as a rider and a technician, yamaha is reliable. as is Honda.

The raptor 350cc will do you good, but it's not a powerhouse. as a starter it would be decent to cruise around on and learn. and you will have a ton of fun on the raptor 350

to be honest with you i think the yfz450 that yamaha makes would aboslutely be perfect, it has many modifications available for it. so if you need more speed later it can easily be obtained.
the 400ex is a good machine but i'd put my money on a yzf450

I equally like honda as much as i like yamaha, both are absolutely awesome when it comes to reliability, and both companies have been building atv's long enough to know how to build one without it falling apart.

you mentioned the predator, well Polaris has yet to build an atv that didn't fall apart or have constant reliability issues.


as far as which is best. ...

Polaris has had 13 recalls since 1999
honda has had 7
Yamaha has had 4

and neither yamaha or honda have any current recalls

Polaris does have current recalls as well as a consistent record of recalls from 1999 throughout and up to 2008.

but what would you expect from a company that started out building farm tractors.  

wolf1 u are a cowardly dick sucking faget.Brian Purtymun is a *** ass little bicth.Fred kranich was seen sucking his dogs ass in his front yard yesterday.


***************FAGETS********PUSSIES*********HOMO's  

Well Fred, I cant down any make because I have owned everything from a Harley to a Suzuki. I am 6' 2" tall and weigh in at 245 lbs. I have a Suzuki Z400 and it is a great buy at $5999.00 I have changed the front sprocket to gain a little low end, But it is peppy and a load of fun. Light weight and easy on trails. It all adds up to what you want!! Fast and furious or Reliable fun. The reason I went with a Z400 over the 400ex Is the Z is liquid cooled versus air. I have never been at a trail where I am constantly moving. That is when a fan cooled radiator comes in handy. Some will argue that air cooled has been around for ions, But so have blown or over heated engines. Its up to you and your finances where you end up. Just take notes and compare the good and bad. I have rambled enough, Take care and enjoy your toy when you get!!    

are fagets affraid to reply to what i typed are *** scared do suck dicks do play with each other u fagets  

This is a good subject  

I hear that u are a hottie  

Mr. A-Hole19,

You know what your doing, I know what your doing, we all know what your doing. I've got to say, I am really impressed. What is your point and why do you feel that your flaming is necessary. I'm looking into getting you deleted now. We have people of all ages and beliefs on here. So I ask a simple favor of you, please stop. But we all know you won't.