Newbie Question - 450R vs. 400EX

[pinky93]

Ok, I know I am going to get some heat for this, but here goes.....

My son and I are fairly new to the ATV scene and currently have a TRX90 and TRX250. Long story short, I am ready to move up and my son is getting the 250. I have a friend with an 04 450R for sale. Less than 10 hours for $5,500. Well, this is the route I was going to go until we rode through some forest trails yesterday. Reverse was needed fairly often, so that has me worrying about the 450R.

We live in Central Florida, so alot of sand riding, but also alot of forest trails.

Would anyone have any advice on whether I should choose the new 400EX with reverse or just get the 450R. The electric start issue makes no difference to me.

Thanks in advance.:D

[JRDrider22]

if you like to do trails and arent worried about power id go with the new 400ex. if you want power and you arent worried about about reverse then go with the 450. but if you want to go into trails id go with the 400 unless you dont care about reverse then the 450

[Hondadudeehhhh]

i say get the 450r and get your self some excersize with gettong off the 450r and pushing her back :D Do you want power or convenience?

450 is the way to go or if not that get a z400 but nothing less

[pinky93]

Thanks for the comments so far. I like the 400EX, but am afraid that I will always regret not getting the 450R. You know why....:devil:

One other thing to consider is that I can get the 450R immediately, but will probably have to search dealers for the 2006 400EX. I always get in a bad mood when you have to go to a dealer.....too much extra costs and general BS.

[dpizz450]

Originally posted by pinky93
Thanks for the comments so far. I like the 400EX, but am afraid that I will always regret not getting the 450R. You know why....:devil:

One other thing to consider is that I can get the 450R immediately, but will probably have to search dealers for the 2006 400EX. I always get in a bad mood when you have to go to a dealer.....too much extra costs and general BS.

try looking for a fairly used 05 400ex. if you dont mind used. but i would also recommend looking at a Z/KFX400, that's if you dont like those. i have one and it's been great. later.

[pinky93]

Do the 05 400EX's have reverse?

[gumby2461]

pinky93 Do the 05 400EX's have reverse?

yes

[thrasher_ex]

yes

[pinky93]

Well, that makes it different! I will look for a used 2005 400EX and compare to the 450R I already have on the hook.

Still a hard decision!:confused:

[2004exrider]

i would probly get the 450r if i could do it all over again:o

Jimmy

[pinky93]

What are your reasons?

[TM426]

I would get the 450. I just bought a 450R and the power is much better then my 400 with motor work. Youll have the 400 for a while and get used to it. Then want to build it up and still be hard to keep up with the 450. You have to weigh your options power or reverse.

[2004exrider]

let me rephrase that, the 400ex is actually a great quad. Its really reliable, parts are cheap and easy to find, and pretty quick as it is. The 450R is just a nice machine. i like the looks of them, the power is just great, its quicker than the 400ex and Liquid Cooled to make it better. i almost bought one but the guy i talked to said it was just a tad bit quicker and not as reliable, than the 400 and wasnt worth the xtra money... wrong. I rode my buddies a while back (completely stock) and it felt a lot faster than mine even with the mods i have on it now.

Jimmy

Originally posted by pinky93
Well, that makes it different! I will look for a used 2005 400EX and compare to the 450R I already have on the hook.

Still a hard decision!:confused:

there is really no comparison except for e-start and reverse the 450 is a soooo much better quad :macho

Originally posted by 2004exrider
let me rephrase that, the 400ex is actually a great quad. Its really reliable, parts are cheap and easy to find, and pretty quick as it is. The 450R is just a nice machine. i like the looks of them, the power is just great, its quicker than the 400ex and Liquid Cooled to make it better. i almost bought one but the guy i talked to said it was just a tad bit quicker and not as reliable, than the 400 and wasnt worth the xtra money... wrong. I rode my buddies a while back (completely stock) and it felt a lot faster than mine even with the mods i have on it now.

Jimmy

SUCKA:p

[pinky93]

Originally posted by Marshmello
there is really no comparison except for e-start and reverse the 450 is a soooo much better quad :macho

Well, I am now starting to think I should take the 450R that I have lined up. Great shape, low hours, taken very good care of. By the sounds of what you all are saying, I won't miss reverse at all. Trail riding will probably be a limited part of my riding anyway, and a little forward planning should minimize how much I would need it.

[pinky93]

One more thing, is the suspension alot better on the 450?

By the way, I appreciate your guys help. Your experience is making this decision alot easier.:)

[TM426]

For sure if your going to by a brand new 400. Go with the 450, let someone else take the hit fom the dealer. Your looking close to the same money.

[2004exrider]

i know that a lot of people are hooking up the 450r shocks on their 400's so they must be pretty good. Alls i use mine for is trails and havent really found reverse to be a "must have" yet. either way you go your still gonna have a good quad.

Jimmy

[muddy400EX]

ok, first of all, for just trail riding, and playing around a 400ex would be fine. there quick, reliable and fun. it has plenty of power for any trails and such. but the 450r is faster of course, and has better suspension. its up to you:)

[TCracin440ex]

i have an 02 400ex without reverse...and its flat out not needed...i can take and spin my bike arround in a trail faster than what any of my buddies can put their quads in reverse and get turned arround....

and if a trail is too tight...i kno how to do the roll method.....drive foward roll back, drive foward some more then roll back until i get it turned arround...

i say go with the 450r....more power, better suspension, and you will proally never out grow the 450r

hell i aint out grown my 400ex yet, but i want a 450r and keep the 400ex for back up

[pinky93]

Originally posted by TCracin440ex
i have an 02 400ex without reverse...and its flat out not needed...i can take and spin my bike arround in a trail faster than what any of my buddies can put their quads in reverse and get turned arround....

and if a trail is too tight...i kno how to do the roll method.....drive foward roll back, drive foward some more then roll back until i get it turned arround...

i say go with the 450r....more power, better suspension, and you will proally never out grow the 450r

hell i aint out grown my 400ex yet, but i want a 450r and keep the 400ex for back up

Sweet advice!:D

[Atkins]

Definitely go with the 450r. Ive never needed reverse on my YFZ once in the woods. Its easy to feel like reverse is the greatest thing ever when you have it, but once you get used to it not being there, you just start whipping it around. Also, the power of the 450 will make it almost effortless to whip it around.

You will DEFINITELY regret the 400ex in the open sand! And also, the suspension doesnt even compare, the 450r is way better.

get the 450r or you will be regretting it....hell, you're helping a friend out too ;)

[pinky93]

Originally posted by MixMasterMike
get the 450r or you will be regretting it....hell, you're helping a friend out too ;)

I hadn't thought of it that way. I really think I am convinced now. Reverse is not worth what I feel I will regret in the long run.

Originally posted by pinky93
I hadn't thought of it that way. I really think I am convinced now. Reverse is not worth what I feel I will regret in the long run. no prob. welcome to atvriders

[BAWB]

I am at this same point in my atv selection..power, reverse, power, reverse...im going with the power, better suspension, looks, and resale value in the 450r. modding the 400 to 450 performance isnt worth it and wouldn't be the same.

May i ask something of you 450 owners.. I have heard all the good things about them what is the one thing you dislike about them (besides the price)

[pinky93]

Now that I am convinced on the 450R, this should be a big change from the 250EX I ride now, eh?:p

My son (10 Yrs.Old) is drooling at not only the 450R, but the fact he gets to move up to the 250 from his 90!

[midnight]

well,if its the wait for the 06 400ex,I wouldnt worry bout that, cause I've had my black one for about 2months now

[pinky93]

Originally posted by midnight
well,if its the wait for the 06 400ex,I wouldnt worry bout that, cause I've had my black one for about 2months now

That is one sweet ride....:eek2:

[midnight]

thanks,I was in the SAME position your in....450...or...400,took me a while to finally decide,just the type of riding I do which is 95% trail riding,I just figured the 450 would of been a overkill for what I needed and wanted,I've been on three big trips with it allready,and I gotta say...I love it,rides strong and its got the power when needed

[pinky93]

Originally posted by midnight
thanks,I was in the SAME position your in....450...or...400,took me a while to finally decide,just the type of riding I do which is 95% trail riding,I just figured the 450 would of been a overkill for what I needed and wanted,I've been on three big trips with it allready,and I gotta say...I love it,rides strong and its got the power when needed

Gotcha. I am thinking I will go overkill......oh well, can't have too many of them, right? Again, that black 400 looks awesome.

[quadrcr161]

for you riding with your kid and probably lugging the motor and all i would suggest the 400ex. the 450r has taller gears and dosent lug around as well as the 400ex. also you need to look at matainance, you need to change the oil and adjust the valves on a 450r a lot more often then a 400ex, and you have to buy a shim kit if you do it your self, $80-$100, or carry it to a dealer and get reamed and charged $5 a shim, what they charge for here. also like mentioned above it is over kill and why buy that much motor when you dont think you will use it.

[pinky93]

Only problem is, my son practically outrides me now!:rolleyes:

[pinky93]

OK, talked with my friend, the 450 is $5,500. A little pricier than I have seen for some others, but I feel reasonable for the condition of it. Oh, it's and 04 w/ less than 10 hours, all stock.

Have found some 2005 400EX's for as low as $4,400, various hours, mods, etc.

After everyone's input, I feel I should stick with the 450, or I will regret it later.

Thanks everyone!!:D

[Aarons 01 400EX]

Pinky, check your pm's.