400EX Upgrade for Trails

[djr]

I have a 2002 400EX that is fairly stock. I have added a K&N Airfilter, W/B E-Series Pipe and re-jetted but I would like more performance.

I mainly ride fairly tight, and at times steep and muddy, trails so I know going down a tooth on the front spoket would be a cheap upgrade but I do not want to loose the top end.

What would be the best engine mods for trail riding yet also allow me to have fun on the dunes?

Also would new shocks make much of a difference for trail riding or is that something that really only helps if you race?

[FastestBlaster]

a trinity 440 kit

[DaleJrFan]

i went down on the front sprocket and yes you will lose a little top end but it was well worth it. i can still haul butt on straights and rip up the trails and dunes. if you dont like it,put the stock sprocket back on!!

[tiger250ex]

yes shocks do make a differrence on trail a real big difference and their smoother riding and great for racing!:) :)

[sharkinthepool]

If I was to do anything for trails I would do a 416 or 426 kit. I 440 is more of a top end motor. At times you can have some bottom end lag-out and going up steep hills I do not think you want that. A 416 gives you a pretty good jump and has a good acceleration curve, not a steep fast jump like the 440.

You might do as much as a cam and springs with some good shock upgrades and find what you are looking for. But I would at least go one piston size bigger!

[red2004 TRX450R]

Skid plates, to keep rock out
Razor2’s, to over rocks mud ruts
XC shocks, to smooth our ride and make high speeds more conformable
Steering stabilizer to smooth our ride
Bigger oil cooler to keep the temps down
More compression piston to help the bottom end
Big bore kit, more power
Hand guards, keep sticks and rocks off your hands and on the bars
Nerf bars give you more confidence to go faster and u can use them to pivot around trees
Cam, more power
Port job more power

That will cost u about $3000 to $4000.

Or u can just get a 450r and spend like an extra $1500.00 or less

[FastestBlaster]

yea but 450Rs suck on trails.i would say just get teh 416 kit

[Woodsrider]

416 kit
shocks, dual rate ssd w/ ressies will be fine
steering dampner
a good swing arm skid
Not necessarily in that order. I went in the following order
dampner, skid, shocks, and am currently putting together the funds for a 416kit, I hope to complete it this winter.

You'd be suprised what the shocks will do for you in the woods;)


Oh ya, dont forget tires, Razrs at all for corners. Or Holeshot XC's, it a personal preferance thing mostly. Im fond of Razrs.

[FastestBlaster]

would the 04 400ex be better tahn teh 05 Z/KFX-400 on the trails?:confused:

[Woodsrider]

Originally posted by FastestBlaster
would the 04 400ex be better tahn teh 05 Z/KFX-400 on the trails?:confused:

Stock for stock? Absolutly not! The 05 Z comes stock with resivor shocks up front and is lighter than the EX. But your gonna pay more for the Z. Personally, I dont need the best, just so long as it can scare me once in a while:devil:

[FastestBlaster]

which would you recommend to get? and what changes did suzuki make in the 04-05 Z-400?

[Woodsrider]

for 05 Suzuki made it lighter, by using magnesium for the valve cover and side covers. gave it more power via a new carb, and put resivior shocks up front for a better ride.
The 04 400EX is just that, a six year old design with nothing new to offer over the previous years. For the 05 400EX they added reverse, the hood of a 450R, over 12 pounds in extra weight, and a few Benjimans to the price tag. There really is no argument for the 04 400EX against a 05 LTZ/KFX;)

[FastestBlaster]

what quad do you own?

[Woodsrider]

Originally posted by FastestBlaster
what quad do you own?

I have a 400EX. Like I said, I don't need the latest and greatest, as long as it can still scare me once in a while. If I were to replace my 400 EX today, I would have the 05 Z400 with the blue frame and white plastics sitting in my garage.
Why? Because for trail riding and hitting the dunes twice a year, I cant justify the extra dough for the 450's.
Reverse would be nice to have again, ( I had it on a previous quad). And out of the box a Z pulls harder than the EX.

Now the things I have personally seen, and dont like about the Z compared to my EX. (My riding buddy has a Z.) The plastics dont hold up to roll-overs as well as the EX, his is broken at four different locations from half as many roll overs as mine. All of my mounting points are fine. I'm not fond of the T shaped seat, but I can get used to it. And the rear rotor is not cross drilled, which I believe lead to the premature wear of the pads and deep gouges in the rotor.

[sharkinthepool]

Originally posted by FastestBlaster
what quad do you own?

I have a 450 that we have set up to race now and a 400 to 440 national that is getting ready to be tore down. My girlfriend really wants a quad to ride so we are going to set it up for her. Basically it has a crank and rod upgrade and all I am going to do is downgrade the piston/sleeve to a 10:1 426 (I personally think that is to much for the trails around us here in Ohio. It has all the other upgrades that will most likely stay in place. beadlocks (possible a new set of tires(kenda klaws maybe), steering stabilizer, +2 a-arms (might got back to stock), Nerfs, Peps big bottle shocks.

Those are the only upgrades I think that are actually needed for a tottally fun day on the trails.

[FastestBlaster]

thanxs ppl ill prolly just get whichever one i can get cheapest (prolly the ex)

[nosliw]

Originally posted by Woodsrider
There really is no argument for the 04 400EX against a 05 LTZ/KFX;)


ooo ooo ooo i got one :D

i dont know about the 05's, but my friends 04 hates to bog down while my ex loves it.

[nosliw]

another thing, im thinking about getting rear tires to replace my stockers and am inbetween razr's and razr2's. anyone got an opinion on either?

[FastestBlaster]

is ur 400ex good at going through stuff in the woods? like mud and over logs and stuff?

[red2004 TRX450R]

Originally posted by FastestBlaster
yea but 450Rs suck on trails.i would say just get teh 416 kit

:cuss: :cuss: :mad: :cuss: :devil: :eek: :p
U HAVE KNOW IDEA WHAT U ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!!!

[FastestBlaster]

Originally posted by red2004 TRX450R
:cuss: :cuss: :mad: :cuss: :devil: :eek: :p
U HAVE KNOW IDEA WHAT U ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!!!

well im just going on what ive heard.... ive never riden one or seen one ridin so i shouldnt of said that ;)

[djr]

Thanks for all the input.

Based on the feedback I think I will start shopping for:

1) Shocks
2) 416 Kit
3) Full Set of Razr II's

Where is a good place on the internet to buy Shocks and a 416 Kit?

I can find Tires on several sites, Shocks on some and 416 on next to none.

I know there are sites out there, so any pointers would be appreciated.

And Thanks Again for all of the advice.

[FastestBlaster]

im not sure if any of these have it so dont quote me on it but here are a few to check out-

http://moto-man.com/atv.pg

trinityracing.com

if i find more ill tell you

;)

[djr]

Thanks FastestBlaster

[FastestBlaster]

yep no problem ;) :)

did you find what you were looking for?

[YFZ450Ridr]

Originally posted by red2004 TRX450R
:cuss: :cuss: :mad: :cuss: :devil: :eek: :p
U HAVE KNOW IDEA WHAT U ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!!!

red2004 trx450r i agree with you.
i rode one in the woods just today. first time i rode one i didnt like the way it felt because u sit really on top of it, but once u ride it for a little its awesome in trails. the front end is a bit wide for really tight woods but for the most part 450r's are awesome for trails. but id rather have a Z400 just for the fact that its got reverse and im lazy.