We need to start some type of petition against the epa and California's CARB act. To save sport quads. Because sooner or later both these machines are going to get phased out due to low sales from no updates.
It’s hard to say the future will hold with these machines. I was told Yamaha sells every unit they produce and they’re pretty committed to the sport quad segment seeing as how they’ve never stopped since they were first introduced in the 80’s. I’m hopeful they’ll make them as long as they physically can. How will it work with older machines in Cali? Are they grandfathered in?
What’s the deal on emissions in California!?? I live in Pa. I know regular vehicles have certain criteria to meet epa out there, but I didn’t know off-road vehicles did too!!😎💪🇺🇸
@@edwardstroko4665 the rules here are so strict man it’s crazy. I personally think it’s dumb that everyime i go riding here in california a park ranger stops to check my exhaust to see if i have a spark arrestor in (if not you get a fine up to $900)
One thing to add about reverse is it's very useful if you ride a lot by yourself. With my work schedule I ride on my own a lot, reverse can be a serious life saver. This is especially true during the rainy season, I don't think I could go without reverse. I may not use it super often but it has definitely saved my butt numerous times.
i agree and on trails like i have owned my yfz450 and it is annoying and more frightening going to do that stuff with out reverse as for my honda250 trx i dont fear going places like that cause of reverse
My biggest save with the reverse is knowing that I can roll start my raptor in reverse. I had sheared the starter clutch bolts on my 660 out on a ride and then killed it going up a hill. Saved a lot of work having that reverse gear
I have a 2009 yfz450r I bought it new and with routine maintenance I had 0 issues for 13 years recently had to have bottom end rebuilt. I trail ride and track ride my quad and it's exactly like Pete said confidence boosting and extremely capable it does beat you up a little after a full day of riding but insane power after exhaust, intake, and programmer feel confident up any hill and very fun to ride
Really enjoy your channel, I would choose the raptor if the rider is over 40 and is not racing frequently. The raptor with mods is a fun machine for recreation. You can ride just as aggressive as with a 450 just depends on you the rider. If a rider is a pro he/she probably wouldn’t look at the raptor anyway. The Raptor is a blast and requires very little maintenance. For the weekend warrior and for someone who doesn’t want to wrench on the machine a lot, I would recommend the Raptor.
I own a raptor, yfz, and a banshee, the raptor will perform better every time. It will do the same thing as the yfz & banshee but worth more capabilities. Hands-down, the best sports quad ever made!
I really love the 450 and how agile it is. Come to find out that yfz 450s are banned in California and can’t be sold new anymore 😢 so I had no choice but to get the Raptor 700. Really great quad, very usable power, super comfortable. No complaints really but she is a big girl compared to the 450 but I’m happy with the 700.
I have 2020 raptor 700R SE an i did a lot of research an found the raptor fits me better. You can haul but or just putts around an take it easy. Its pretty capable as well iv taken threw some rough terrain following 4x4 rigs an kept up pretty good.
I do just sand dunes riding and driven both machines, I’ll go with the YFZ all the time, such a fun machine to ride on the sand trails with better stability while cornering and hitting some jumps
Raptor 700r is the best in my opinion out here In PA it was my first buy and its proven time and time again that the reverse is a must have some of these trails you run into get sketchy at times and the reverse never fails the power and comfort also are a plus.
@@PeteHager yea man its perfect well for me atleast wish there was a riding community out here half the time is solo but good videos man keep em cominng.
I got a 2023 raptor R, I went to Oklahoma to pick it up then went strait to little Sahara dunes with it. It was amazing after riding my yfz there for the last year. It definitely out powered the yfz. But I agree with all of this video
Great video. 50+ year old grew up on dirtbikes and three wheelerd. I was trying to decide between the two and decided on a 2021 raptor 700r se. More trail riding than racing. I can go hard if need to or just cruise around.
Excellent breakdown. I’ve never ridden a quad or any ATV yet. So obviously knowing that the Raptor would be the right choice for me. Once my house is built and move out of the city the Raptor will be my very first real toy! Thanks for the video.
Awesome video with great points! I don’t think you could explain these two machines any better. The best way I explain them is the 450 is a quick revving small block and the 700 is the big block torque monster.
Coming from somebody that owns a yfz450r hes def right about you just dont have a limit with the yfz like the more you loose fear the more fun it becomes to ride im stil learning its potential after 2 years of ownership
Awesome video Pete! After buying multiple used bikes over the years, and now on to my first atv, a 2007 YFZ 450), I learned that unless you have receipts or if it's a newer machine, it WILL need work. My yfz seized after 2 months of owning it. Thankfully just crank bearing, but very unexpected. Turns out, oil pump failed. So anything can happen at any moment, just be cautious!
I remember when you first got that YFZ and let me ride it; I couldn't believe how stable it was, almost like it couldn't be rolled, and that was in completely stock format.
Was set on a 450 but after watching this video I decided the raptor was better for me because o mostly rode trails and gravel roads around home but I also rode tracks which had me stunned but I think the raptor will perform for me when o want to ride tracks. Just picked up a 21 Friday thanks Pete
No reverse is a deal-breaker for me the extra couple pounds that it might consume is well worth it I'll take a good morning dump before I race I think a Kickstart would save a lot more weight than reverse.. great videos Pete Yamaha should have been sponsoring you you probably sold more Raptors than any sales man LOL but always try to keep up the independent work don't be a sell-out LOL love how you guys are redoing the old quads what the quad Wars that's awesome love watching you guys
Pete I love your analysis when you comparing the YFZ 450 to the 700 thanks for doing that a lot of people don't understand the difference in those two bikes 😎👍💯🔥💪
Good video! I have been researching the Raptors vs the YFZ and from everything I have gathered the Raptor is going to be my choice. I'm at the "dad" status and just trying to have a good time with my kids that are more YFZ status. But, the Raptor will be able to hang with them when I want it to.
Great info!!! I ride a 2017 yz450f recreational. Definitely a track bike. My first quad was a blaster but grew up riding dirt bikes. 98 kx 250. And first was an 89 yz 80. By no means professional but I just love the Yamaha reliability. Just cool to see some honest input. Thanks!
I watched several videos comparing these two before watching your video. You gave me the information I was actually looking for, thank you for breaking down both of these.
This is a great video! Been going back in time in your videos as a new subscriber. And I finally bought my dream quad. The mighty Raptor 700R SE! Been dreaming about this thing since it was announced back in like 2005 or whatever. I was in high-school when all I could think about was the raptor 700. Now I have one
Great Video on the 2 different options. I 100% agree on the confidence the YFZ inspires vs the raptor. 1 min on the YFZ and I was feeling right at home. The raptor was a lot more learning curve, for me at least.
I XC race and actually chose the Raptor over YFZ. A big reason is it's more narrow. I feel faster in the tight stuff. YFZ is almost too wide for the woods in stock form. Raptor also steers faster/tighter but obviously the YFZ can carry more speed through the turns. Raptor suspension is more plush going fast over bumpy stuff but the YFZ definitely handles jumps better. The motor has so much torque it's great at just chugging along in slow/technical sections when you're not on the throttle much. You don't have to keep the motor spun up like the 450's. Also has the power to go up almost any hill in any gear with no momentum. The ergonomics of the Raptor are more comfortable for me (I'm 6'2" 250lbs) The taller seat height to foot peg ratio makes going from sitting to standing less fatiguing which you're doing a lot over a 2 hour race. Reverse is definitely not necessary but it's so handy to have. TL;DR everything that makes the Raptor a great trail quad makes it a great XC quad. If you're riding a MX track there's no comparison, the YFZ was clearly designed for that.
Really appreciate your review on these machines! Have always wanted the YFZ!! but after watching yours and other reviews, it seems the Raptor will be the best fit. Just put a deposit down on a new 22 700R and picking her up next week!! Stoked!!
For people in the comments section: If you drop down to a 13t front sprocket on the yfz, it does help a bit on the trails. Not Raptor level, but a noticeable improvement.
@@PeteHager I don’t worry too much about top speed. I’m not going to outrun a Raptor anyways. You won’t need to run it wfo all the time. It gives the rider a chance to catch a breath.
I have rode both of them and I personally would pick the YFZ450s over the raptors, Hence that’s why I own a yfz450!! Like Pete said tho it depends on what kind of riding you mainly do! Great explanation of both quads tho!!
Thank you so much for the advice and video because I’ve been looking at the Raptor and YZF since 2018 and I’m still looking but I’m aiming more towards the raptor
Great job, was thorough and informational! I just wish the QUAD prices weren't so high, especially with inflation and all!!! Make more videos please, the do help!!
Man every time I watch your videos I wanna get a Raptor haha, I'm on the Outty but the sport quads are always there deep down, awesome video as always :)
@@sydneymatsepe5263 Hey Syd I think you want to ask Pete one row up in the "Add a comment" section as you are replying to my question to him about his exahust change from R4 to R5..
I decided to change from the R4 to the R5 since it was a new product from Rossier at the time. They’re no longer producing the R4 unfortunately. It makes around the same performance overall and is a tad quieter than the R4 was
If you’ve never rode either, pick the one you like the look of because I can tell you I trail rode a yfz450 for years and it was comfortable and fun to ride as any other atv. Now that I’m older I would have got the raptor 700 but you’re talking about marginal differences only someone as experienced as him would notice besides comfort..
As always love the channel and this is a great video. For somebody like myself, a little bit older, I would go towards the raptor myself due to the seating position and also the soft seat lol as a younger rider I would probably be like you I’d have both of them. Peace and God bless.
I agree! The Raptor is much more practical for an older rider. I’d say the only thing the 450 has going for it is the lower center of gravity and increased stability which makes it safer in my opinion. Older riders tend to ride within their means more so the Raptor still tends to be the better fit 😅👍
@@kellyburton ok thank you do u think its worth it to have both machines or no? and do you ever feel like you were abt to fall on your side on the raptor
It’s definitely a good topic to touch on. I’ve covered it pretty thoroughly in my YFZ Dyno videos. I considered talking about it in this video but it’s kind of a lengthy discussion since a lot of people have unique set ups with different parts combinations. I’ve seen guys run cheap fuel controllers with no issues and I’ve seen guys running pre tuned vortex’s and their quads won’t even fire. Once you start modifying the YFZ it can definitely open a can of worms. Thanks for mentioning it! 😊👍
Get a snowmobile! Or ice track race some sport quads kinda like how dirt bike riders do in the winter in MN. I ride my can am outlander 650 in the summer and arctic cat riot 800 in the winter. You can pretty much always ride something depending on where you live or how willing you are to drive.
I almost got a sled this year but Polaris loaned us the Scrambler so I held off. I actually wanted to do some ice stuff this winter but we’ve had very inconsistent ice conditions. They’ve had to cancel events around us unfortunately. Maybe the 2nd half of winter will be a bit more practical. The Scrambler is getting a few performance parts at the end of the week so I hope to be back out in the snow with it soon 😬🤘
I have not found a Raptor 700r I just can’t let go of yet but if one comes up that make since I will be adding it to the collection 😎 for now YFZ 450R for race day and KTM 525xc for race/cruise
I want the YFZ because I enjoyed swinging my old 700 but my main property isn’t very big and the larger property I can run hard but at points I’d be in a low gear going slow
@@thathondaguy7138yes the bulk of the action clips are from Appleton. That’s actually one of the few public ride parks open year round for quads. I’ve never been there in the winter, I kinda want to try it this year 😬
I had a 07 raptor 700r and now I’m thinking about getting back into riding with my son and wanna get another 700 I only had minimal add ons on my 700 nerf bars exhaust and handle bars I wanna do it right this time around!
Yep, a steering stabilizer. I recommend the Precision stabilizer since it's the most proven on the market. They have excellent customer support too. Stabilizer's are priceless in cross chop or rough terrain. Plus if you have a hard, one tire impact, it will drastically reduce the movement in the handlebars preventing a potential crash and/or wrist injuries. The Raptor 700 has tons of power and after doing motor work, I will say doing just an exhaust and intake is really all you need to do for the majority of riding. (unless your a dune rider in which case more power is always better😆) Spending money on handling upgrades definitely make it the ultimate "do it all" machine. I wish I had widened mine with long travel suspension a long time ago. Some of these upgrades are expensive but the safety and fun factor benefits are worth it. If you want to see my full parts list, I keep an up to date list in each video description. If you have any specific questions I do sell a handful of these parts on my website and you can reach out to me on my contact page via email anytime :)
Hey Mr. Hager, love the video. I was wondering if you could do a little preview of how easy your suspension can go down. I've been so curious to see if my raptor's suspension is very different from everyone else's.
At low speeds the suspension is very plush now but it firms up dramatically at higher speeds with how Ron set it up. If you haven’t adjusted your factory suspension it should be pretty close to spec unless a previous owner adjusted it. Maybe post a video of your own machine if your worried about it being too soft or firm in one of the Raptor groups on Facebook. Then other people could share videos comparing. Hopefully that helps 👍
Great comparison! However I must ask, since you've done all the suspension mods on the Raptor, would you say it now narrows that gap between it and the YFZ450R as far as trail machine and track machine? How much more confidence do you have in the Raptor now when track riding? And do you ever intend on doing a wider rear axle on the Raptor at some point to even out the front and rear widthwise?
Thanks man! The new set up has significantly improved things on the track with better stability and bottoming resistance. Honestly I didn’t think it could handle as well as it does now 😬 it’s hard for me to push for those upgrades to Raptor owners because I know it’s a significant investment and I don’t want people to think the Raptor isn’t good enough in it’s stock form. I will say doing those mods have made it the ultimate do it all machine for me though, I absolutely love riding it now. If most of my trails were narrow like a lot of the 50 inch trails in Michigan then it wouldn’t be the most practical but the vast majority of trails are wide now due to the SxS’s so overall I’m super happy with the decision. I already had a lone star adjustable axle in the rear before upgrading my a arms so it’s the same width front and back. Even after all the mods I still think the YFZ is a better track machine from the factory. The ergonomics, power plant, and how well it flys make it a bit more practical 👍
Awesome videos Pete! Can't beat those Yamaha sport quads. Great analogy also. *As ya know i own both myself..weve spoken. '10 YFZ450X Bill Ballance edition (4hrs total use) & '21 Raptor 700R-SE (< 5hrs use)* . I really need get some hrs on em in '23. 😀 -Ohio #Maxima #Fox
I trail ride but ended up going with the yfz. Just not a big fan of how big and bulky the raptor feels. I’m coming from a yz though so that might play a factor in it and what you feel more comfortable on
The YFZR is still a lot of fun to ride on the trails. The Raptor can feel big and bulky compared to it, especially since you’re coming from a bike. If your on the limits the YFZ is hard to beat in most circumstances 👌
Hi Pete! Been riding since 5yo and finally plunged into a `22 Raptor 700 after coming from a Warrior. I am in Georgia and would love to coordinate some rides!
A lot of the top shelf exhausts are gonna perform pretty similarly. I will say Monster exhausts are definitely the loudest from what I’ve seen in person. Otherwise you could choose from Dasa, RP, Empire, Rossier, or Barkers. If you ride sound sensitive areas then Yoshimura exhausts are on the quieter side but won’t have quite as much performance gain
Great video Pete deff helped my decision I just picked up a 2023 raptor 700r SE skid plates will be my first thing I do what upgrades would you recommend as far as making it a more enjoyable ride or just simply make it better, I’m not really looking to get more power out of right now seeing as I have to break it in first
Hey man! Congrats on getting a new 2023 Raptor! A lot of people put on an aftermarket case saver to start. One of my favorite products is definitely the precision stabilizer. They’re pretty priceless when reducing fatigue and keeping the bars in your hands when you have one tire impacts on the front end. I’m not very tall so I put a little bit shorter bars on my machine along with softer grips. I’m running pro taper contour ATV mid bend bars (I’m 5’10) and ODI lock on grips. I really like the ODI grips and I have them on all my quads. I also recommend antivibe products for reduced fatigue and comfort as well. My raptor has precision anti vibe clamps and my other machines have Urmosi SBC clamps. Another popular option is Flexx bars as well. I haven’t done an aftermarket seat cover yet but gripper seats are nice to have and upgrading to rath or factory43 nerf bars with monster pegs would be nice to have as well. Those are some of my last upgrades I hope to do! I have a full parts list for both machines in the video description. Hope this helps! 😊👍
@@PeteHager thanks I appreciate the response love your content I actually ordered the gytr nerf bars aswell was going to look into getting asv levers and a couple other things before I get into the performance aspect because it’s plenty fast as is but of course the need for more power will come calling soon lol once again appreciate the time keep up the great content and as always ride safe
@@arfinesse617 no problem! I was gonna mention levers but it was already getting lengthy lol. I need to do levers on my machines too.. they always get put on the back burner but I like them on other peoples quads when I try them. The GYTR nerfs are super nice and form fitting to the OEM parts so that was a solid choice! The raptor definitely goes plenty fast for most situations in its stock form. Mine has a fair amount of performance work to it but in hindsight I would’ve probably just stuck to the big 3 since it’s almost too powerful for trail riding now 😅 happy riding man! 🤘
@@PeteHager does that upgraded throttle make that much of a difference looks like a great piece of engineering and yea just picked up all the parts today going to have them powder coated to match the special edition colors and yeah if I don’t performance I’d stick to the big 3 I’m up in the north east so lots of trail riding so most of the power won’t even be used
Hey Pete I have a quick question. And this goes out to everyone who’s seeing this as well. I see your really good at wheelies, and I’ve been practicing in first gear just bringing it up, and then down. But 99% of the time, I can’t bring myself to do it. I’m in first gear so I can’t really get hurt, but I don’t know, i just can bring myself to do it. Any tips?
Hey man thanks for reaching out. You’re on the right track practicing in lower gears to start out. Like the above comment states, it’s not a bad idea to start with one foot in the rear grab bar, knee on the seat, and then the other foot on the rear brake. That way you can bail easier if you go over. I actually made a video all about wheelies a few seasons ago. Here’s the link! Like all things it’s gonna take some practice but I’m sure you’ll improve a lot this season 🤘ua-cam.com/video/13xsvvmg3Yk/v-deo.html
Good video! You can rip dude! I have a 23 YFZ450R..love it..would you recommend a steering stabilizer or urmosi 720 clamps first? Ride wooded trails and fast rough, rocky fire roads.
Imma be real the raptor is very good at being on soft terrain, and tunes, but rocky terrain or harder terrain nope. I drove a 2021 and the bike is all around good but it’s almost like the bike wants to thro you off, 450 is so much easier to handle in trails. Me personally the 450 beats the raptor all around except speed.
We need to start some type of petition against the epa and California's CARB act. To save sport quads. Because sooner or later both these machines are going to get phased out due to low sales from no updates.
It’s hard to say the future will hold with these machines. I was told Yamaha sells every unit they produce and they’re pretty committed to the sport quad segment seeing as how they’ve never stopped since they were first introduced in the 80’s. I’m hopeful they’ll make them as long as they physically can. How will it work with older machines in Cali? Are they grandfathered in?
@@PeteHager I'm pretty sure the yfz450 is not even for sale in cali anymore... I wouldn't know I'm from Florida
HATE that carb act man, so hard to get a jetting kit now 😂
What’s the deal on emissions in California!?? I live in Pa. I know regular vehicles have certain criteria to meet epa out there, but I didn’t know off-road vehicles did too!!😎💪🇺🇸
@@edwardstroko4665 the rules here are so strict man it’s crazy. I personally think it’s dumb that everyime i go riding here in california a park ranger stops to check my exhaust to see if i have a spark arrestor in (if not you get a fine up to $900)
One thing to add about reverse is it's very useful if you ride a lot by yourself. With my work schedule I ride on my own a lot, reverse can be a serious life saver. This is especially true during the rainy season, I don't think I could go without reverse. I may not use it super often but it has definitely saved my butt numerous times.
i agree and on trails like i have owned my yfz450 and it is annoying and more frightening going to do that stuff with out reverse as for my honda250 trx i dont fear going places like that cause of reverse
My biggest save with the reverse is knowing that I can roll start my raptor in reverse. I had sheared the starter clutch bolts on my 660 out on a ride and then killed it going up a hill. Saved a lot of work having that reverse gear
😮
This actually helped a lot this made me realize that the raptor 700 is more of my type of quad
I have a 2009 yfz450r I bought it new and with routine maintenance I had 0 issues for 13 years recently had to have bottom end rebuilt. I trail ride and track ride my quad and it's exactly like Pete said confidence boosting and extremely capable it does beat you up a little after a full day of riding but insane power after exhaust, intake, and programmer feel confident up any hill and very fun to ride
Really enjoy your channel, I would choose the raptor if the rider is over 40 and is not racing frequently. The raptor with mods is a fun machine for recreation. You can ride just as aggressive as with a 450 just depends on you the rider. If a rider is a pro he/she probably wouldn’t look at the raptor anyway. The Raptor is a blast and requires very little maintenance. For the weekend warrior and for someone who doesn’t want to wrench on the machine a lot, I would recommend the Raptor.
I own a raptor, yfz, and a banshee, the raptor will perform better every time. It will do the same thing as the yfz & banshee but worth more capabilities. Hands-down, the best sports quad ever made!
Yeah but don’t you love that 2 stroke banshee sometimes.
I really love the 450 and how agile it is. Come to find out that yfz 450s are banned in California and can’t be sold new anymore 😢 so I had no choice but to get the Raptor 700. Really great quad, very usable power, super comfortable. No complaints really but she is a big girl compared to the 450 but I’m happy with the 700.
Banned in Cali 😂😂😂what a shit hole of a state
I have 2020 raptor 700R SE an i did a lot of research an found the raptor fits me better. You can haul but or just putts around an take it easy. Its pretty capable as well iv taken threw some rough terrain following 4x4 rigs an kept up pretty good.
Every time new riders ask me about both this quads I tell them the same exact thing! Great video, straight to the point🤙🏽👏🏽👍🏼
This is the best analytical comparison between the 2 ATVs hands down, thanks and very good presented ❤
I do just sand dunes riding and driven both machines, I’ll go with the YFZ all the time, such a fun machine to ride on the sand trails with better stability while cornering and hitting some jumps
Raptor 700r is the best in my opinion out here In PA it was my first buy and its proven time and time again that the reverse is a must have some of these trails you run into get sketchy at times and the reverse never fails the power and comfort also are a plus.
The reverse is definitely nice to have when it’s needed. In PA I would definitely pick the Raptor with how rugged your riding areas are 👌
@@PeteHager yea man its perfect well for me atleast wish there was a riding community out here half the time is solo but good videos man keep em cominng.
I got a 2023 raptor R, I went to Oklahoma to pick it up then went strait to little Sahara dunes with it. It was amazing after riding my yfz there for the last year. It definitely out powered the yfz. But I agree with all of this video
Great video. 50+ year old grew up on dirtbikes and three wheelerd. I was trying to decide between the two and decided on a 2021 raptor 700r se. More trail riding than racing. I can go hard if need to or just cruise around.
Excellent breakdown. I’ve never ridden a quad or any ATV yet. So obviously knowing that the Raptor would be the right choice for me. Once my house is built and move out of the city the Raptor will be my very first real toy! Thanks for the video.
You’ll love it
My 09 700R is a beast. It's built to the hilt. Not your average Raptor. I love it . Getting ready to buy a 2023.
Awesome video with great points! I don’t think you could explain these two machines any better. The best way I explain them is the 450 is a quick revving small block and the 700 is the big block torque monster.
Coming from somebody that owns a yfz450r hes def right about you just dont have a limit with the yfz like the more you loose fear the more fun it becomes to ride im stil learning its potential after 2 years of ownership
I love the power of the raptor. I got my son one too so it’s plenty powerful for our trail riding and hill climbing
Awesome video Pete! After buying multiple used bikes over the years, and now on to my first atv, a 2007 YFZ 450), I learned that unless you have receipts or if it's a newer machine, it WILL need work. My yfz seized after 2 months of owning it. Thankfully just crank bearing, but very unexpected. Turns out, oil pump failed. So anything can happen at any moment, just be cautious!
I remember when you first got that YFZ and let me ride it; I couldn't believe how stable it was, almost like it couldn't be rolled, and that was in completely stock format.
You guys put out great content can't wait for the next season of quad Wars PS I wish I was as organized as Mike Sabo LOL
Oh yea the 450 is a track machine it’s wide and low! The raptor is just better in a a straight line or that’s how it felt to me.
Yeah the Raptor has way more torque you can widen it up and lower
@@anthonyk6265 my 660 is intake and exhaust and tune possibly jetting not sure and it’s lowered and widened on triple stage worx
Was set on a 450 but after watching this video I decided the raptor was better for me because o mostly rode trails and gravel roads around home but I also rode tracks which had me stunned but I think the raptor will perform for me when o want to ride tracks. Just picked up a 21 Friday thanks Pete
Congrats on the new machine man! Sounds like it’s gonna be perfect for your riding style. Glad I could help 🤘😬
No reverse is a deal-breaker for me the extra couple pounds that it might consume is well worth it I'll take a good morning dump before I race I think a Kickstart would save a lot more weight than reverse.. great videos Pete Yamaha should have been sponsoring you you probably sold more Raptors than any sales man LOL but always try to keep up the independent work don't be a sell-out LOL love how you guys are redoing the old quads what the quad Wars that's awesome love watching you guys
Thanks for the kind words man!
Well Pete I just bought me a 2023 raptor 700 my first raptor!! So excited!!!!!! I pick it up Friday can’t wait!!!!!
Pete I love your analysis when you comparing the YFZ 450 to the 700 thanks for doing that a lot of people don't understand the difference in those two bikes 😎👍💯🔥💪
Such a shame this segment is dying. Love the sport quads
Good video! I have been researching the Raptors vs the YFZ and from everything I have gathered the Raptor is going to be my choice. I'm at the "dad" status and just trying to have a good time with my kids that are more YFZ status. But, the Raptor will be able to hang with them when I want it to.
HAHA excataly same story here brother!!!
Never ridden either of these but what I wouldn't give for my old '86 TRX250R. I had it built so sweet too.
TRX250R are the GOAT. There would be no YZF450R if not for the 250R.
Great info!!! I ride a 2017 yz450f recreational. Definitely a track bike. My first quad was a blaster but grew up riding dirt bikes. 98 kx 250. And first was an 89 yz 80. By no means professional but I just love the Yamaha reliability. Just cool to see some honest input. Thanks!
I watched several videos comparing these two before watching your video. You gave me the information I was actually looking for, thank you for breaking down both of these.
Your intros alone are a work of editing art, thank you....here we go!
Lol thank you for appreciating them. I can be indecisive and spend too much time juggling clips 😅
This is a great video! Been going back in time in your videos as a new subscriber. And I finally bought my dream quad. The mighty Raptor 700R SE! Been dreaming about this thing since it was announced back in like 2005 or whatever. I was in high-school when all I could think about was the raptor 700. Now I have one
Hope you like your new Raptor! Glad you finally got your dream machine 😬🥳
Great Video on the 2 different options. I 100% agree on the confidence the YFZ inspires vs the raptor. 1 min on the YFZ and I was feeling right at home. The raptor was a lot more learning curve, for me at least.
I XC race and actually chose the Raptor over YFZ.
A big reason is it's more narrow. I feel faster in the tight stuff. YFZ is almost too wide for the woods in stock form. Raptor also steers faster/tighter but obviously the YFZ can carry more speed through the turns. Raptor suspension is more plush going fast over bumpy stuff but the YFZ definitely handles jumps better.
The motor has so much torque it's great at just chugging along in slow/technical sections when you're not on the throttle much. You don't have to keep the motor spun up like the 450's. Also has the power to go up almost any hill in any gear with no momentum.
The ergonomics of the Raptor are more comfortable for me (I'm 6'2" 250lbs) The taller seat height to foot peg ratio makes going from sitting to standing less fatiguing which you're doing a lot over a 2 hour race.
Reverse is definitely not necessary but it's so handy to have.
TL;DR everything that makes the Raptor a great trail quad makes it a great XC quad. If you're riding a MX track there's no comparison, the YFZ was clearly designed for that.
Awesome review and feedback man! I think it’s awesome you XC race your Raptor! 🤘
Really appreciate your review on these machines! Have always wanted the YFZ!! but after watching yours and other reviews, it seems the Raptor will be the best fit. Just put a deposit down on a new 22 700R and picking her up next week!! Stoked!!
Congratulations man! Thanks for grabbing a new unit too! 😁 #savesportquads!
Post some videos of it man. I'd love to watch!
For people in the comments section: If you drop down to a 13t front sprocket on the yfz, it does help a bit on the trails. Not Raptor level, but a noticeable improvement.
Cool recommendation, I’ve never heard of anyone doing that. I’m assuming you lose a decent amount of top end. How fast does it go now? Mid 60’s?
@@PeteHager I don’t worry too much about top speed. I’m not going to outrun a Raptor anyways. You won’t need to run it wfo all the time. It gives the rider a chance to catch a breath.
@@lost_marblesadv you definitely have me curious! I may look into that since I’m rarely in 5th gear with that machine 👍
I’m buying my first Yamaha this week. 2023 Raptor 700R SE
Wooo!! That’s awesome man congratulations 😬🥳 #savesportquads
I have rode both of them and I personally would pick the YFZ450s over the raptors, Hence that’s why I own a yfz450!! Like Pete said tho it depends on what kind of riding you mainly do! Great explanation of both quads tho!!
Thank you so much for the advice and video because I’ve been looking at the Raptor and YZF since 2018 and I’m still looking but I’m aiming more towards the raptor
had both the raptor is a do it all machine i thinks its just much more powerful and more fun
@@pxte.7007 I’m gonna buy a 2024 raptor if it comes out
Raptor has always been my favorite quad since i was 9 im 19 now gonna go look at one tomorrow
Great job, was thorough and informational! I just wish the QUAD prices weren't so high, especially with inflation and all!!! Make more videos please, the do help!!
FJB!😂
Just graduated college, my dad said he’d get me a quad. Really hoping to get a raptor 700🙏🏽
Great video for someone (me) looking to understand the differences in the two models
Man every time I watch your videos I wanna get a Raptor haha, I'm on the Outty but the sport quads are always there deep down, awesome video as always :)
Well I just bought an 06 yfz 450 and 06 raptor 700 so I’m not disappointed
This was the video and your channel that lead me to getting a ‘22 700r se. Love the vids man, keep them coming!
Glad I could help you decide on your machine! Congrats on the 22 Raptor! 😬🤘
Hey Pete - Can I ask why you decided to swap out your Rossier R4 for the R5 version? Other than tone did you notice any difference in the performance?
Ware is this place
@@sydneymatsepe5263 Hey Syd I think you want to ask Pete one row up in the "Add a comment" section as you are replying to my question to him about his exahust change from R4 to R5..
I decided to change from the R4 to the R5 since it was a new product from Rossier at the time. They’re no longer producing the R4 unfortunately. It makes around the same performance overall and is a tad quieter than the R4 was
perfect comparison Pete, it really comes down to how you plan on riding them, me i'd take the Raptor for trail ripping!
100%! That torque is always satisfying 😬
Rocket Ron shock work!! He did work on my 2008 yfz. Bangdup 4 life!!
Great review. I 100% agree with everything and love your analogy “muscle car vs supercar” 100%
I love that red raptor!! Mine are 2022s and they are black and yellow
If you’ve never rode either, pick the one you like the look of because I can tell you I trail rode a yfz450 for years and it was comfortable and fun to ride as any other atv. Now that I’m older I would have got the raptor 700 but you’re talking about marginal differences only someone as experienced as him would notice besides comfort..
As always love the channel and this is a great video. For somebody like myself, a little bit older, I would go towards the raptor myself due to the seating position and also the soft seat lol as a younger rider I would probably be like you I’d have both of them. Peace and God bless.
Amen🙏🙏🙏✝️✝️✝️
I agree! The Raptor is much more practical for an older rider. I’d say the only thing the 450 has going for it is the lower center of gravity and increased stability which makes it safer in my opinion. Older riders tend to ride within their means more so the Raptor still tends to be the better fit 😅👍
Nice review of the two types of machines. I have both and you hit it right on the head for the types of riding each is good at. Great Video.
which one do you enjoy more i got the yfz450 but sometimes have regrets on it cause the reverse feature id like to hear your thoughts
@@ThatAlfaRomeoN I like the yfz450 better because it fits me better, I am a smaller rider so I like the fit of the 450.
@@kellyburton ok thank you do u think its worth it to have both machines or no? and do you ever feel like you were abt to fall on your side on the raptor
Good thing to touch on is the yfz really needs tuned and deleted to run right where the raptor doesn't really need that
It’s definitely a good topic to touch on. I’ve covered it pretty thoroughly in my YFZ Dyno videos. I considered talking about it in this video but it’s kind of a lengthy discussion since a lot of people have unique set ups with different parts combinations. I’ve seen guys run cheap fuel controllers with no issues and I’ve seen guys running pre tuned vortex’s and their quads won’t even fire. Once you start modifying the YFZ it can definitely open a can of worms. Thanks for mentioning it! 😊👍
"Future Yamaha consumers"... I felt that nudge a little. 😆
Just waiting to see that new 450 in the back of your truck 😅😏
Do it!
Get a snowmobile! Or ice track race some sport quads kinda like how dirt bike riders do in the winter in MN. I ride my can am outlander 650 in the summer and arctic cat riot 800 in the winter. You can pretty much always ride something depending on where you live or how willing you are to drive.
I almost got a sled this year but Polaris loaned us the Scrambler so I held off. I actually wanted to do some ice stuff this winter but we’ve had very inconsistent ice conditions. They’ve had to cancel events around us unfortunately. Maybe the 2nd half of winter will be a bit more practical. The Scrambler is getting a few performance parts at the end of the week so I hope to be back out in the snow with it soon 😬🤘
This video really helped me a lot glad this came up on a google search of whether I wanted a 450 or 700 👍
You’re ripping! Both look fun as hell. Another great video man!🤙
I've had both and for my style riding the raptor was my favorite 100percent. 450s are fun to beat the piss out of though
Great description of both machines, spot on 👍
For 99% of people the Raptor is faster, more fun and more reliable. The 1% are MX guys.
Pete- I am OBSESSED with the gold wheels on the YFZ 🥰🥰
Just bought a raptor 350, but will probably go for a yfz 450 in the future 🙃
I have not found a Raptor 700r I just can’t let go of yet but if one comes up that make since I will be adding it to the collection 😎 for now YFZ 450R for race day and KTM 525xc for race/cruise
Hell yeah pete. Just picked up a 1987 Suzuki lt250r!
Nice that’s awesome, I’ve still never ridden one of those quads!
@@PeteHager it’s my first big 2stroke, well bring it with next time we go riding and you can rip it 👊
Thank you so much for this review! You just helped me make my decision, Raptor it is
I want the YFZ because I enjoyed swinging my old 700 but my main property isn’t very big and the larger property I can run hard but at points I’d be in a low gear going slow
Hey Pete, are some of those clips in the video at Appleton?
Love the Upper Midwest. Beautiful place to live. Prob overall safest place to live in US these days. -Ohio
It’s quite nice living in Minnesota although winters and sport quads do not get along so good😂
@@thathondaguy7138yes the bulk of the action clips are from Appleton. That’s actually one of the few public ride parks open year round for quads. I’ve never been there in the winter, I kinda want to try it this year 😬
If you aren’t racing then the raptor is the answer. Having both also I barely ride the 450.
Awesome video man and yea my raptor goes long ways in 4th and 5th with ease in straighta ways
Nice quads and content what would be the first aftermarket you would get for the raptor other then nerf bars and exhaust?
I think a stabilizer is the most important mod you can put on a sport quad 👍
@@PeteHager like a steering stabilizer?
I had a 07 raptor 700r and now I’m thinking about getting back into riding with my son and wanna get another 700 I only had minimal add ons on my 700 nerf bars exhaust and handle bars I wanna do it right this time around!
Yep, a steering stabilizer. I recommend the Precision stabilizer since it's the most proven on the market. They have excellent customer support too. Stabilizer's are priceless in cross chop or rough terrain. Plus if you have a hard, one tire impact, it will drastically reduce the movement in the handlebars preventing a potential crash and/or wrist injuries.
The Raptor 700 has tons of power and after doing motor work, I will say doing just an exhaust and intake is really all you need to do for the majority of riding. (unless your a dune rider in which case more power is always better😆) Spending money on handling upgrades definitely make it the ultimate "do it all" machine. I wish I had widened mine with long travel suspension a long time ago. Some of these upgrades are expensive but the safety and fun factor benefits are worth it.
If you want to see my full parts list, I keep an up to date list in each video description. If you have any specific questions I do sell a handful of these parts on my website and you can reach out to me on my contact page via email anytime :)
I had 3 different raptors and I just bought a 450
Yfz just to try something different both are good quads
Rappy all day.. with the right modifications it's right up there with the YFZ plus it has reversed and boatloads of more torque
What a great video man. Great channel. you typically dont miss. Thanks.
i like the more aggressive look of the yfz 450 but the raptor will be better for my type of rides
The best paddle combination is the Mohawk fronts and 8 paddle rear skats
Hey Mr. Hager, love the video. I was wondering if you could do a little preview of how easy your suspension can go down. I've been so curious to see if my raptor's suspension is very different from everyone else's.
At low speeds the suspension is very plush now but it firms up dramatically at higher speeds with how Ron set it up. If you haven’t adjusted your factory suspension it should be pretty close to spec unless a previous owner adjusted it. Maybe post a video of your own machine if your worried about it being too soft or firm in one of the Raptor groups on Facebook. Then other people could share videos comparing. Hopefully that helps 👍
Hey thanks a lot!
Really helpful
I think you talked me into a Raptor
excellent video Pete, very informative and i couldn't have said it any better myself. glad to see you do this type of video.
Thanks man, I’ve been procrastinating this one for awhile 😅
Great comparison! However I must ask, since you've done all the suspension mods on the Raptor, would you say it now narrows that gap between it and the YFZ450R as far as trail machine and track machine? How much more confidence do you have in the Raptor now when track riding? And do you ever intend on doing a wider rear axle on the Raptor at some point to even out the front and rear widthwise?
Thanks man! The new set up has significantly improved things on the track with better stability and bottoming resistance. Honestly I didn’t think it could handle as well as it does now 😬 it’s hard for me to push for those upgrades to Raptor owners because I know it’s a significant investment and I don’t want people to think the Raptor isn’t good enough in it’s stock form. I will say doing those mods have made it the ultimate do it all machine for me though, I absolutely love riding it now. If most of my trails were narrow like a lot of the 50 inch trails in Michigan then it wouldn’t be the most practical but the vast majority of trails are wide now due to the SxS’s so overall I’m super happy with the decision. I already had a lone star adjustable axle in the rear before upgrading my a arms so it’s the same width front and back. Even after all the mods I still think the YFZ is a better track machine from the factory. The ergonomics, power plant, and how well it flys make it a bit more practical 👍
Great review! It was helpful in comparing these two models.
Awesome videos Pete! Can't beat those Yamaha sport quads. Great analogy also. *As ya know i own both myself..weve spoken. '10 YFZ450X Bill Ballance edition (4hrs total use) & '21 Raptor 700R-SE (< 5hrs use)* . I really need get some hrs on em in '23. 😀 -Ohio #Maxima #Fox
Thanks man! Hopefully you find the time for more seat time this season 😬🤘
I trail ride but ended up going with the yfz. Just not a big fan of how big and bulky the raptor feels. I’m coming from a yz though so that might play a factor in it and what you feel more comfortable on
The YFZR is still a lot of fun to ride on the trails. The Raptor can feel big and bulky compared to it, especially since you’re coming from a bike. If your on the limits the YFZ is hard to beat in most circumstances 👌
Awesome, thanks for sharing your knowledge and know how on these machines. Have a great day ☺️👊
Mannnn thank youuuu iv been trying to decide forever. Ima get a 700 se
Solid review. Answered all my questions.
Hi Pete! Been riding since 5yo and finally plunged into a `22 Raptor 700 after coming from a Warrior. I am in Georgia and would love to coordinate some rides!
First off, good video bro, could have not explained it any better. What’s a good full exhaust for a 2023 raptor 700?
A lot of the top shelf exhausts are gonna perform pretty similarly. I will say Monster exhausts are definitely the loudest from what I’ve seen in person. Otherwise you could choose from Dasa, RP, Empire, Rossier, or Barkers. If you ride sound sensitive areas then Yoshimura exhausts are on the quieter side but won’t have quite as much performance gain
Lol, I already went with the HMF
Great video Pete deff helped my decision I just picked up a 2023 raptor 700r SE skid plates will be my first thing I do what upgrades would you recommend as far as making it a more enjoyable ride or just simply make it better, I’m not really looking to get more power out of right now seeing as I have to break it in first
Hey man! Congrats on getting a new 2023 Raptor! A lot of people put on an aftermarket case saver to start. One of my favorite products is definitely the precision stabilizer. They’re pretty priceless when reducing fatigue and keeping the bars in your hands when you have one tire impacts on the front end. I’m not very tall so I put a little bit shorter bars on my machine along with softer grips. I’m running pro taper contour ATV mid bend bars (I’m 5’10) and ODI lock on grips. I really like the ODI grips and I have them on all my quads. I also recommend antivibe products for reduced fatigue and comfort as well. My raptor has precision anti vibe clamps and my other machines have Urmosi SBC clamps. Another popular option is Flexx bars as well. I haven’t done an aftermarket seat cover yet but gripper seats are nice to have and upgrading to rath or factory43 nerf bars with monster pegs would be nice to have as well. Those are some of my last upgrades I hope to do! I have a full parts list for both machines in the video description. Hope this helps! 😊👍
@@PeteHager thanks I appreciate the response love your content I actually ordered the gytr nerf bars aswell was going to look into getting asv levers and a couple other things before I get into the performance aspect because it’s plenty fast as is but of course the need for more power will come calling soon lol once again appreciate the time keep up the great content and as always ride safe
@@arfinesse617 no problem! I was gonna mention levers but it was already getting lengthy lol. I need to do levers on my machines too.. they always get put on the back burner but I like them on other peoples quads when I try them. The GYTR nerfs are super nice and form fitting to the OEM parts so that was a solid choice! The raptor definitely goes plenty fast for most situations in its stock form. Mine has a fair amount of performance work to it but in hindsight I would’ve probably just stuck to the big 3 since it’s almost too powerful for trail riding now 😅 happy riding man! 🤘
@@PeteHager does that upgraded throttle make that much of a difference looks like a great piece of engineering and yea just picked up all the parts today going to have them powder coated to match the special edition colors and yeah if I don’t performance I’d stick to the big 3 I’m up in the north east so lots of trail riding so most of the power won’t even be used
Awesome reviews between the 2! Made my decision
I just got a TRX450 to pair with my Banshee..I need to get in that 700 class next😈😈
Hey Pete I have a quick question. And this goes out to everyone who’s seeing this as well. I see your really good at wheelies, and I’ve been practicing in first gear just bringing it up, and then down. But 99% of the time, I can’t bring myself to do it. I’m in first gear so I can’t really get hurt, but I don’t know, i just can bring myself to do it. Any tips?
Stand on the grab bar to practice bringing the front end up first... that way you can just step off if something goes wrong.
@@MrTheguywiththemoney I appreciate it man, thank you. I’ll try tommorow.
Hey man thanks for reaching out. You’re on the right track practicing in lower gears to start out. Like the above comment states, it’s not a bad idea to start with one foot in the rear grab bar, knee on the seat, and then the other foot on the rear brake. That way you can bail easier if you go over. I actually made a video all about wheelies a few seasons ago. Here’s the link! Like all things it’s gonna take some practice but I’m sure you’ll improve a lot this season 🤘ua-cam.com/video/13xsvvmg3Yk/v-deo.html
@@PeteHager I appreciate it man. Can’t wait till I’m finally good at it!
Nice video Pete! They are both so awesome
Love your quads, nice video. Great detail
Good video! You can rip dude! I have a 23 YFZ450R..love it..would you recommend a steering stabilizer or urmosi 720 clamps first? Ride wooded trails and fast rough, rocky fire roads.
Definitely a stabilizer first. They’re worth they’re weight in gold 🤘
You really need more subs love this content
Raptor looks awesome
Imma be real the raptor is very good at being on soft terrain, and tunes, but rocky terrain or harder terrain nope. I drove a 2021 and the bike is all around good but it’s almost like the bike wants to thro you off, 450 is so much easier to handle in trails. Me personally the 450 beats the raptor all around except speed.
Nice comparison and great video.