SYKO i don't really think that is where it is going so much as trying to get people to understand the difference in gearing on the XX over everything else. All other Honda sport quads were designed for trail riding or MX or cross country style racing. The XX was designed by Honda for a desert racer. It was designed for massive top ends but not strong bottom end.The other sport quads were designed for all around power instead of just top end. Stock for stock, Most of the other sport quads will beat it off the line with comparable riders. And I'm telling you that in TIGHT woods SRA quads will dominate it. I have owned them all some stock for a while and all eventually with extreme builds. If I was going to try to be a serious racer right now(I am now 47 and have given up serious racing), it would not be on an XX. But for fast trail riding for this old man, I choose the XX for comfort that is still extremely fast. My earlier statement about not having many people "holeshot" me was more about rider ability than the quad. If you look back you will see where I explain that most people don't know how to "holeshot" and explain how to make them faster at it. Is my XX faster than your 250R? NO. Is it faster(top end) than Most 400 or 450 class quads? Yes. Can a 400/450 class machine be built to be faster than my XX? YES. With the same amount of build on any quad can it be made to be faster than the same build on a smaller displacement quad with the same build? Yes. Keep in mind I am talking all four strokes here.
The old saying about "there is no replacement for displacement" holds true until you throw in the HP/weight ratio. And that one will mess things up every time. The XX is heavy because of the IRS. But it is still a 700 class machine.
I am a firm believer that Honda has never built a quad that will outrun a 250R. Stock for stock or built for built. But as for stock the XX is the closest on top end, because of the gearing. Overall I would probably give that award to a 450R though.
