Trail bike: ditch the 440EX or not?

[Chevy454]

Someone made me a silly offer on my '02 440EX (like $1000 over what I got in it) and I'm considering "stepping up" to something else. I'm enamored by the YFZ450 & 450R, but there is no one around here that has one, so I don't know if either of those bikes would even be worth a darn at what I do. I ride pretty tight woods trails (3rd & 4th gear at most, with some idling), with some jumps when I can talk my buddies into it...which is rare.

I love my 440, as it's setup for what I do already, and does it well...and I've grown accustomed to the electric start and reliability. But, like I said, this is probably my best chance to step up to a more expensive bike, if I choose to do so.

How would either of the 450 offerings stack up against my 440EX in the woods? I wish I could find someone around here with one to try, but everyone else around here is riding a friggin' Honda Rancher...:rolleyes:

[smittys440]

Dude, Keep your 440!! If woods is your thing and you can really ride, you'll kick anyones butt!! I do it all the time to new yamahas, hondas, etc. Then they always want to know what I've done to my bike, I just tell them all it has a pipe, that's all. LOL!!

definately agree, keep ur 440 ive rode w/ men on the 450s and beat them in the tight woods,if ur primarily woods just keep it and be amazed at how ull destroy in the woods

[speedy]

I have never done any woods racing but if I wher you i would go buy the new trx 450 if i had the chance because they have alot of power and are easyer to ride then the yfz's but then again if you have a nice set up on the 440 you might as well keep it instead of going in debt again for a new stocker.;)

[marksuttonjr]

Ditch the 440 and get a 450 R while you can sell it for more than you have in it. A 440 realy aint that good of a woods bike anyway. The 440 is a lot better suited for the sand than the woods. In fact most smart trail riders won't go over 416 on an EX for the woods because the 440 just aint got the power in the rite places. Get the 450R, and start modding it for low end and you'll have an awsome woods quad that will make you wonder how you ever rode a 44o in the woods.

[86350x]

Tell me the amount you were offered, and I'll give you the answer:D

[nemesis]

I don't know about the 450r but the YFZ's powerband is not suited for the woods and you right thumb will hurt from constantly being on that hard ***** thumb throttle it has.

I would sell it a try to find a 04 450R for a good price. There is a local shop here selling a 04 450R for $5799 b/c the 05 is coming(maybe here already?)

[BrandonBlackmon]

I don't want to make the decision for you but, I will let you in on what I know. I have a 02 400ex and my cousin has an 02 warrior and we both smoke the 450r in the woods although he can scorch us in the open.

[red2004 TRX450R]

Originally posted by BrandonBlackmon
I don't want to make the decision for you but, I will let you in on what I know. I have a 02 400ex and my cousin has an 02 warrior and we both smoke the 450r in the woods although he can scorch us in the open.

ya right !!!!!!! :cuss:
Then the dude with the 450r cant ride at all. :o

get rid of the ex for an extra $1000.00 and get a TRX450r

all i do is woods ride and I works fine!!!!

I think it is one of the best woods bikes ever made!!! :D

U just have to slip the clutch a little more or get a 13t in the tight stuff.

O ya most all the people telling u to keep the ex have not ever road a 450

[YFZ450Ridr]

my friend has a 450r and i have a 250ex and we are pretty much identical riders. i can keep up with him jsut fine in the woods, but when ever a long straight or an open spot comes hes gone. its not all quad rider depends to.