450r, How reliable is the engine?

[Snatzerpazooka]

Hey guys,
I have a 300ex and am going to sell it and get somthing bigger this summer. I like the 400ex, but there are bigger and better things out there. The 400 is rock solid and will run for ever, but will get beat by alot of other quads. I have been sayin I am going to get a 400 but my dad says, "Why don't you just get a 450?". I ride mostly trails and I LOVE to jump. I do a 30 footer right now with my 300ex but I want to work up to 60 footers when I get somthing bigger. I don't want to race MX but I like to play around on one. My question is, if I buy a 450r, how long will it run with no problems? Is it like the 400 where it will just run forever, or do you have to rebuild the engine every year? If you do, how much does it cost to rebuild it? Cause if it's only 100-200 bucks that would be fine once a year.
My friend and I just went on a trip last saturday, (we are on 300ex's) and we thought we were movin pretty quick because we were passin tons of people. (including dirt bikes) Well then comes along a 450r and blows us away. Sweetest thing in the world. I want to be the one blowin everybody away. I want to be the one who wins all the drag races. I want to be the one who, when I go by everybody says, "whoa look, it's a 450!" I WANT TO BE KING! :macho :devil: ha ha ha

What do you guys think?

oh yeah, Somone told me the 450r is geared really high so on trails it's not very good. Could'nt I just drop a tooth on the front sprocket? then will it be good for trails?

P.S. I know if I get a 400 I could keep up with a 450r if I do tons of stuff to it. But wouldn't it be better to buy one already "bored out, better suspension, liquid cooled ect..."?

[Punk'd]

450 is very reliable I have had zero probs with it and its an 04. And about the front sprocket if you feel its to high drop to a 13T which is what I did because I ride mostly trails and it feels awesome.

So my anwser for your question is..

TO RELIABLE!:blah: :blah:

[tucson450r]

You seem to already have yourself talked into a 450r. It was a great choice for me, if you get a chance to ride one you will havw a rather easy decision to make.

[quadrcr161]

look at the z400, quicker then a 400ex stock, handles pretty well and has reverse already. iwill always stand by my opinion the 450r, yfz, banshee, (race style sport quad) does not need to be sold for everyday trail riding. we are just setting ourselves up to be hit again with lawsuits that almost killed the sport like it did almost 20 yrs ago. let the riding ability be your bragging point and not the CC's. no matter how fast you think you are, there is someone out there thats faster.

[Snatzerpazooka]

I guess I did kinda talk myself into, ha ha, it's just lookin at the thing is almost irresistible. Oh well. Maybe I can find a cheap used one. I see them all over in cycle trader. BTW... whats a good price for a used one? 5500?

Oh about the rider ability, I am a good rider (thats why we pass everbody) and there is just no way of making a stock 300ex go any faster. So I don't just rely on the CCs.

Thanks for your input guys!

Originally posted by quadrcr161
look at the z400, quicker then a 400ex stock, handles pretty well and has reverse already. iwill always stand by my opinion the 450r, yfz, banshee, (race style sport quad) does not need to be sold for everyday trail riding. we are just setting ourselves up to be hit again with lawsuits that almost killed the sport like it did almost 20 yrs ago. let the riding ability be your bragging point and not the CC's. no matter how fast you think you are, there is someone out there thats faster.

well said, man. that's exactly what's going to happen!! there are all these parents buying their teenage kids 450's. kids that have no business riding a quad like this. not to mention, adults who buy the quad because it's cool.....but have never even ridden a bike before.

the 450r will probably be dead in 3 yrs.

[MR.BIG]

well said! Do you really think you are ready for a 450r because it is a huge change from a 400ex and you have a 300ex which is pretty slow machine compared to both. Work your way up, you say you are fast but how in control are you!

[Snatzerpazooka]

I think I am ready for a 450. And My dad doesn't buy it, I work and I buy it. And Yes I am in control when I ride, But I need more power. I think I'll go test out a 400ex and then test a 450r and choose which one I like better.

Thanks

[quadrcr161]

why do you think you need more power? your just trail riding, not racing. you could spend just a little money and upgrade your suspension and it would be a whole new quad and be able to ride faster and smoother. controlling something and pointing it in the general direction isnt the same thing.

[Snatzerpazooka]

I need more power becuase I like to go fast and I like to get there quickly. I eventually might get into some hair scrambles and I like to ride on a MX track. I don't want to just upgrade the 300ex becuase I need a bigger ATV, I dwarf this little 300ex. And Whats the big deal with everybody? Just cause I have a 300ex and want somthing bigger doesn't mean I don't know how to ride. I know how to ride and control the bike, not just "point it in the general direction and go".

BTW... How much money would you have to spend on a 400ex to get in neck and neck with a 450r?

Thanks

Originally posted by Snatzerpazooka
I need more power becuase I like to go fast and I like to get there quickly. I eventually might get into some hair scrambles and I like to ride on a MX track. I don't want to just upgrade the 300ex becuase I need a bigger ATV, I dwarf this little 300ex. And Whats the big deal with everybody? Just cause I have a 300ex and want somthing bigger doesn't mean I don't know how to ride. I know how to ride and control the bike, not just "point it in the general direction and go".

BTW... How much money would you have to spend on a 400ex to get in neck and neck with a 450r?

Thanks i'd say $2,000

[shamisc]

I say $1000-$1500. A well built 416 will run with stock 450's all day! A 450R with the HRC kit is a different story!:chinese: It takes an all out 440 or more just to stay in the same neighborhood with a HRC kitted 450!:macho

[Snatzerpazooka]

oh ok. See in my book it would be better to spend 1000-2000 more on a 450r than to put that much into a 400ex.

Anybody want to add to the original question? Is it a reliable engine?

Thanks

[asdf450r]

ive had my 450 since early march of 04 and havent had a single engine problem yet. Just make sure you keep the air filter clean, change the oil often, and keep up regular maintenance and itll be happy.

[Jonas]

If you are looking for trials and reliability then get the 400ex or z400.

[1BAD4FIFTY]

The 450r is a BEAST!!!!!!!!! I sold my 400ex, after I rode my buddys 450r. As long as the motor is maintained(oil changes, clean air filter) it should last as long as any other motor.

Originally posted by Jonas
If you are looking for trials and reliability then get the 400ex or z400. i sold my 400ex for what I ride and that is trails...I dont regret a thing. Of course the 450r is a little more maintenance with coolant, extra oil changes (b/c of how little oil engine holds), and tranny fluid but its a much better machine to me.

[crf500]

my buddy has a 04 450r it has a 13:1 stock bore piston, baldwin cam & pipe. they ran the 12 hour race on it & i ran the 6 hour of texas with him and 2 trips to little sahara. it still runs hard as ever just my two cents.

[Jonas]

the 400ex will run for 20 years stock with good maintenance. The 450r, probably a little less than that. Don't get me wrong I love my 450r, but if your looking for reliability in the long term then the ex is your machine by design.

[Ridin' Jesse]

Originally posted by force
the 450r will probably be dead in 3 yrs.

Yep..something bigger, faster, and better will come eventually..

[MoToX199]

hey lighten up on the kid if he wats a 450 let him get it how do u kno that he is not a good rider? if he is clearin 30ft doubles then he must be pretty good,and i am a teeanager and i have a 450 an i can rip on it so dont say that teens cant ride a 450becuz sone of them can kick a**

[StuckInTheMud]

hey guys, i dont reali like the idea of honda redesigning the 05 400ex to the 450r look, plus the 450r is for racing and it doenst need a reverse, the 450 is set up for nothing but racing, if your lookin to trail ride get the 400, just my $0.02.. ride them both and decide, i love the 450r, im going to get one soon

[trx450jason]

mine has been perfect so far and i have had it for about a year and two months..i maintain it properly but i have to admit i dont change oil as much as a should