Maybe I am just brand blind, but I Yamaha's, I have had two Banshee's, a Raptor 660 and now a YFZ, with no problems. We now have 2 more 660's and a 700 Raptor and they have no problems. My Dad has a new 700 and a 660 with no problems, so why would I switch.
Back on Topic:
I would buy which ever bike feels good to you, the hot pipe thing you will not think about unless you are cruising slow, when I start to feel it, I put my feet on my nerfs and cruise.