450r or 400ex

[Mike545]

thinking on getting a 450r , i have a 03 400ex, do alot of trail riding in my local area, Tower City. is it worth the swap and loss of money. for a 450r, no reverse and kick start? mike

[IMCanadian]

No question about it the 450R is a much better quad. If you can afford the upgrade go for it. Don't worry about the kickstart, you can start this thing sitting down.

[2002400ex]

The 450 would be much better

[rap169]

just think how well you could climb all those big silt banks with the 450 :D

[exrider44]

I got rid of my 400 and got the 450r and its def worth it. The kick is nothing at least you dont have to worry about battery problems

[MX#9]

If you are doing fast,aggressive trail riding, I think you will like the 450 better. I think the stock suspension absolutley sucks on the 450. I also think for less aggressive trail riding,and puttering around when you get tired or lazy,the 400ex is better. The 400ex is way better in the snow. It just lugs and tractors where the 450 spins like crazy.

[Xowner]

haha the 400ex does better in the snow? no way i have my R geared down for trails and hills mine does awsome in the snow!!!

[MX#9]

Hey xowner,I would not think gearing it down would help it in the snow,but whatever works for you,right! What kind of tires are you using? Maybe I'll give that a try.

[Xowner]

i been having good luck with the stockers but i will say the stock 400ex are better and paddles are even better!

[MX#9]

That has been my personal debate. I think the stock 400ex tires are the best snow tire but they puncture so darn easy. I have used the stock 450r tires and have not put a hole in one yet. Thanks for the reply. Also to keep with the thread subject, I would not give up the power on the 450 even though I still think the 400ex is a better winter ride.

[ThumPIN_450R]

if you're so worried about snow riding buy a snomobile for every thing else i would definatley take the 450R over 400ex the EX is a good ride but it is dirt slow..... when it's stock that is

[Mike545]

thanks guys, how hard are they to start? like a dirt bike, will my pro armor skit, rear arm plate and bumper fit? mike

[Mike545]

also will my aftermarket rims fit the 450r? or should i just put a 440 big bore kit on? mike

[chris450R]

the rims will definitely fit and i am pretty sure that most all other parts from the 400ex will fit the 450R. it is at least worth a try if you get a 450r, if they don't fit you can sale them and use the money for the new ones for the 450R. but i think they will all fit.:D

[mattonln]

dude, the 450 is sooo much of a better machine.... better shocks, better frame, totally different engine.... tons better..... the kick start is nothing, trx's have auto compression release so they are not hard to kick at all... as for reverse, my two arms work great!!!! just make whatever choice best fits you, but if your going to go with a 400 then go with the Z-400. I know, I love my hondas, but the Z is soooo much of a nicer bike... anyways, happy hunting!:)

[TRX450rGuy]

There is no comparison. I just sold my 400 to get the 450 and the 450 is just awesome. I have never minded not having reverse. Its not hard to move a 350lb quad around. Definately upgrade to the 450. You will never look back.

[Mike545]

did the math, i can sell my ex400 and pay off the honda loan. might go with black, i can sell the 400 for 3500? very good shape. but the kicker is 6677.00 out the door price tag from my local shop, ouch....:rolleyes:

[mattonln]

Originally posted by Mike545
did the math, i can sell my ex400 and pay off the honda loan. might go with black, i can sell the 400 for 3500? very good shape. but the kicker is 6677.00 out the door price tag from my local shop, ouch....:rolleyes:

Damn!!! mine was $6429.00 out the door... loan registration and all!!! 6300 + 129.00 for misc.. fee's...

[Mike545]

im deffinatily going to check around. dont mind driving to get one.

[jdwxv3]

I would also look into buying a good used one on ebay. The have been going for about $5,000.00 almost new. That is what I am going to do when I upgrade to the R after this season.

[Mike545]

ive been looking at that option too.

[Mike545]

found on, two hours away for 6400 out the door,:eek2:

[1fastR]

you need the 450, my girlfriend bought a 400ex and she is always driving my 450, the kickstarter is not and issue, she can start it no problem, the 450 is better every way suspension, power, the way it feels when you sit on it

[root]

I too switched from the 400 to the 450r. I can't even imagine how I thought the 400 was the best ever...it is still an awesome quad, but the trx450r is at a different level. I will probally go with 18 inch rear tires on the 450r to shorten the gear ratios (don't get me wrong...the 450 pulls every gear strongly, I just don't normally ride at 60+ miles an hour). Where I ride (the local dunes), the 450r feels right at home.

[Mike545]

picking one up friday, a black one, i was going to put my 22s onthe R because where i ride is alot of rocks, will th e skit, bumper and swing arm plate from a ex fit on the R? i have all pro armor.

the bumpers interchange..your skids will not

[Mike545]

bummer, ebay here they come.:eek2:

[Xowner]

depending on the year of you R the grab bar will fit but you need 88 89 grab bar

watch out for ebay..alot of the bumpers & skids on there are ones with slight defects or maybe they dont match up correctly all the way...50/50 chance

watch out for ebay..alot of the bumpers & skids on there are ones with slight defects or maybe they dont match up correctly all the way...50/50 chance

[Mike545]

thanks guys, im getting the black one, how does the black hold up? yamaha's doesnt do to well. also i heard the first mod should be the exhaust.

the black doesnt hold up at all....looks cool & nice on the showroom floor but let a branch hit it & its all over

[jdwxv3]

OUt the Door Price in Columbia MO (Pro Cycle)is $5,499.00 if ya wanna drive.

As far as mods go. It depends on what type of riding you do. I think suspension is the best mod you can make. Also a good set of skid plates can be a life saver. But pipes are cool to!

[Mike545]

maybe ill go with the red?

Originally posted by Mike545
maybe ill go with the red? i definately would unless you ride sand...

[Mike545]

done, by 2pm fri, im a 450r owner:)

[jdwxv3]

:cuss: I want one to!!!Congrats keep me posted on how you feel about it!

Originally posted by jdwxv3
:cuss: I want one to!!!Congrats keep me posted on how you feel about it! ill tell you right now hes gonna love it more then his 1st born

[Mike545]

oh my god!!! what power, its a awsome ride, i recomed one, i got the red, i do how ever what to change the gear ratio. i use 22 6ply razars due to where i ride(tower city pa), and the stock gear is ment for racing, so im thinking 12/39? the 400ex is good, the 450r is wicked:D

[coalroostr]

Originally posted by Mike545
oh my god!!! what power, its a awsome ride, i recomed one, i got the red, i do how ever what to change the gear ratio. i use 22 6ply razars due to where i ride(tower city pa), and the stock gear is ment for racing, so im thinking 12/39? the 400ex is good, the 450r is wicked:D

i ride Tower City (actually Frackville area) lots and do climbs up there with 13/39 and 22" rears. Perfect for XC trails and climbs

[Mike545]

thanks i ll go with the 13/39 combo, and full pro armo plates, you know tower city and how brutal it can be. mike we ought to hook up to ride.

[jdwxv3]

I dont know what the stock ratio is. But I would reccomend not going any smaller with the front sprocket. I like to do my changes with the rear sproket, it is more expensive but the chain will last longer. Just my 2cents!

[Mike545]

thanks for the 2cents, the catologs list , only 2 rear sprockets,38-39 tooth, also looking into the heavy flywheel.

[RIDER11X]

Are the frames still an issue with the latest 450r's? I saw they gusseted the 450r in ATV Sport.

[Jersey450R]

Originally posted by MixMasterMike
the black doesnt hold up at all....looks cool & nice on the showroom floor but let a branch hit it & its all over

Origionally posted by mixmastermike...
i definately would unless you ride sand...


sounds like we have a hater in the house

Originally posted by Jersey450R


sounds like we have a hater in the house yah..i be hatin' on the black plastics