I am going to buy a Sport ATV - any suggestions?

[Bill__Woods]

I am going to buy a Sport ATV very soon. I was wondering if anyone had any feedback from firsthand experience on any new Sport Quads. I just sold my yamaha wariior so I don't really need Warrior feedback. I am considering the Yamaha Raptor, Honda 400Ex, Suzuki Z400, and the Polaris Predator.
Let me know what you think!

[Geezer]

My experience with them is way out of date but the Polaris ATVs just handled better than the rest. They seemed to have a better grasp on suspension than the competition.


Geezer

[Jerry]

A friend has a Raptor 660. His take is that the Yamaha stock tires are not as good as OEM on other brands. He added an FMC pipe and Goodyear tires, I think, said after that it was unbeatable. He also owned Polaris and Arctic Cat models, can't remember which ones.

[Snowcrash]

I've driven a Raptor and they are sweet.
When I was out at the sand pits some guy on a brand new Honda TRX450R smoked a Raptor. The Yamaha was stock and the honda had some mods though. I still love the Raptor, can't beat electric start and reverse on such a sporty quad. Also they sound really cool when they're running full out.

[Bill__Woods]

UPDATE:

I cannot get a new sport quad at this time. I am waiting for spring then buying a 4WD ATV like a Yamaha Big Bear 4x4.
I did get a used sport quad. It is a 1993 Kawasaki Mojave 250 DOHC. It is pretty cool, but not as nice as my old Warrior. I only gave the guy $400.00 for the quad. New tires all the way around. He said it stalls when hot. I have only had it happen once so far. I am waiting on my shop manual to arrive. I think something electrical is happing like looseing spark, maybe bad connection or coil problem. Next thing I am going to do is replace the old spark plug and plug cap & Adjust the Valves. I have already cleaned the carb, drained tanks, and oil change. I have put several hard miles on it around the farm, and can get some good wheelies on it. Runs about 50MPH flat out, the quad is geared low it seems. It is also very nimble due to its size (a smidge smaller than a warrior). Great quad for the woods if you don't mind the kickstart & manual clutch. No battery in this quad by design, so it is going to be pretty simple to work on.
Engine is way too noisey for my liking, so I hope the valve adjustment helps.
I bought it with the intentions of putting a street bike engine on it anyways. Hopefully I can get some miles out of the old engine while looking for the donor street bike. I may put a XS650 engine or a KZ750 twin on it. I need to do some measuring.

[Shuriken]

I have ridden the Honda 400ex and a Polaris 500.

They all feel slow and boxey compared to my dirtbikes (XL500 and XL350).

The 400ex didn't do much for me, but felt pretty good compared to the 500 Polaris. The 400ex had a manual clutch. The 500 Polaris can pull fairly fast but I hate automatic clutches.

I have also ridden a Honda 250r. No fun until the power band kicks in and tries to rip your head off.

I have also ridden a bunch of other gutless quads. I suppose if someone just wanted some zip they could get a Banshee or something...

[Bill__Woods]

I decided to build my sport ATV. I am putting a GS425 Twin in my Kawasaki Mojave with a Lot of Help from my friends.

[Czekus21]

When ya get er done. Post a few pics of your creation and let us know how she does.