Keep my 400 or get a 450? (Opinion Question ... sorry)

[04TRX400EX]

This isn't a real technical question or anything but it applies to 400's so I thought I would post it here. Any opinions or thoughts are appreciated ...

I am having trouble deciding whether I should put money into building up my '04 400EX or save the upgrade money and get a 450R. Everyone I talk to says there is a night and day difference between the two bikes, but I haven't rode a 450, so I can't say off of my own opinion. My parents want to get another quad soon, so they said that if I want, they would buy my 400 from me and I could get something new. So what do you think? Build my 400 with the wish list in my signature (or something like that), or get a new 450R and leave it pretty stock for awhile? Thanks!

BTW, I do trail riding mostly. No mx or racing stuff.

[blakefoote]

Originally posted by 04TRX400EX
This isn't a real technical question or anything but it applies to 400's so I thought I would post it here. Any opinions or thoughts are appreciated ...

I am having trouble deciding whether I should put money into building up my '04 400EX or save the upgrade money and get a 450R. Everyone I talk to says there is a night and day difference between the two bikes, but I haven't rode a 450, so I can't say off of my own opinion. My parents want to get another quad soon, so they said that if I want, they would buy my 400 from me and I could get something new. So what do you think? Build my 400 with the wish list in my signature (or something like that), or get a new 450R and leave it pretty stock for awhile? Thanks!

BTW, I do trail riding mostly. No mx or racing stuff.

if your 400ex is basically stock rite now I would try to get the 450 but if you already have a bunch of money in it I would keep the 400ex

Keep the 400ex

[ImWhite]

-this is what i have heard- so correct me if im wrong
i hear the 450r is not the best trail bike because it bounes and slides way to much,yea i know u can change the suspension but unless u have the money go for it,but id keep the 400 and fix it up

[miller821]

Keep the 400ex for trail ridin and just mod it out for bottom end, its way better in trails, but still jumpable if you did want to race a lil.

[wolffie]

both my buddies who i ride with have a 400ex and 450r. the ex has been piped jetted, K@N, K@N powerlid, and HD tires. the 450r has the bafles out and a K@N with Razr2's. i have rode both of them in mainly gncc style tracks (woods riding, like you said) i would say everyone else who posted is about right; keep the 400ex and build up. however, i live in upstate NY and was consider buying a 05 450r. i called up some dealers in Pensylvania and they quoted me brand new 450rs for like $5,000-$5,500!!! no one wants the 05's because of how much more adavanced the new 06's are. i would recomend buying a cycle trader and lookin at some dealers (that is where i found this place, i cant remember where it was specifically located though)

if you can finangle your parents to get you a discounted 450r, i would consider it! the only problem i found the 05 450r is that it has a really tall 1rst gear. i guess it is a matter of preference, but i really dont like tall gearing in woods.

if you want to mod your ex look into a high performance piston and cam. that is what my friend (who owns the ex) is planning on doing! good luck man!

[lafinrat]

Take it from a guy that has owned both bikes, and many other sport quads as well. There is a HUGE difference between the 400EX and 450R. I won't comment on which one is better for this or that. But, I will tell you that a stock 450R is no powerhouse. The power comes on quick but is flat and bland. The ergos are very similar to the 400EX and the gearing is very tall and tight.

If you primarily ride trails, you should conside the Z400 or KFX400. They are remarkably comfortable and the power is smooth, docile and predictable. They also have the potential to make big power when build right.

Of course I wouldn't blame you for wanting to stay Honda. Just keep your eyes open if you're in search of the best machine for your needs. There are many awesome bikes out there.

[wolffie]

^^^^what he said. they are both great machines, it just depends on what you want to do. out of the box an lz and kfx are quicker than the 400ex, but that is not to say the ex is a bad machine! for your purposes, you already own a quad, so instead of buying a used kfx or lz, mod yours out! check this site, there are some great tips to pull HP out of your quad!:D

[lafinrat]

Oops. I forgot to state my motives for mentioning the KFX and Z..............reverse and liquid-cooled. Two advantages for trail riding in my book. I guess it just depends on what climate, types of trails, and way too many other factors.

[fitethesystom]

Get the TRX600-TD. it's a powerhouse.

It has a 600cc Kubota diesel, turbo charged. Though it is not fast, it is a great woods bike.

[Elyk]

The trx450 is set up for mx racing so my opinion would be fix up the 400.

[04TRX400EX]

Thanks for all the replies so far. As some of you have mentioned, I don't race, which the 450 is really designed for, and I do already have a good quad to use as a base. I know the differences in power and suspension between the 400 and the 450, but I figure if I put some money and time into my 400, it could handle just as good, if not better, and run really well, but it just won't quite have the power of a 450. Then again, when do you really need that much power for just a good, fun trail quad?

[fitethesystom]

I figure if I put some money and time into my 400, it could handle just as good, if not better, and run really well, but it just won't quite have the power of a 450. Then again, when do you really need that much power for just a good, fun trail quad?

Exactly.

[whiteflash]

i think if your parents are willing to buy your 400 so you can get a 450r, i'd go for it.....and you can always throw a 13t on the 450 to make first a little shorter. just me 2 cents

[hondajoe05]

i'd keep the 400 myself... its a good trail bike

[blackwell17]

sell them the 400ex and buy a z400

[MAD450r]

I'd get the 450 then. If you cant ride trails too well with it at first you can always use your parents 400 till you get use to the 450. I have both and once I got use to my 450 I could ride it in trails ok.

As others stated the front sproket change helps alot in trails.
Either will be a great choice since they are both HONDA

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid179/p774aa9bd0580f1ee5a715c9c9d3650b0/f317f673.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid179/pb99233c33d366c5ea63499d38ee0284c/f317f45f.jpg

BTW my 416 is for sale asking 4500$obo local pickup only since im looking to pickup a second 450r.

[fitethesystom]

Originally posted by MAD450r
I'd get the 450 then. If you cant ride trails too well with it at first you can always use your parents 400 till you get use to the 450. I have both and once I got use to my 450 I could ride it in trails ok.

As others stated the front sproket change helps alot in trails.
Either will be a great choice since they are both HONDA

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid179/p774aa9bd0580f1ee5a715c9c9d3650b0/f317f673.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid179/pb99233c33d366c5ea63499d38ee0284c/f317f45f.jpg

BTW my 416 is for sale asking 4500$obo local pickup only since im looking to pickup a second 450r.


Why do you want 2 of the same thing? :huh

[MAD450r]

So I can have one that is a bit narrower than my 04 450r is for trail riding. My 04 is 50 inches wide. If I get an 05, i'll keep it narrow.


btw my 416 is 49inches wide so its not the best for trails either.

[fitethesystom]

Ok...........LOL

[hondaboy400ex55]

if i was you i would get ur 400 till you save up enough to buy a 450 then sell the 400 to ur parents so you wont be straded without a bike

but all and all i would get the 450 there a BEAST of a machine

[fitethesystom]

The 450r has yet to be a proven machine like the 400EX...

[lafinrat]

Originally posted by fitethesystom
The 450r has yet to be a proven machine

Especially to those who have never owned one.

[FoxRacing81]

Originally posted by fitethesystom
The 450r has yet to be a proven machine like the 400EX...

They've been out for 3 years. You can't say that.

I'd get the 450r, but that's just me.

[tooanxiousii]

I would keep your 400ex after you put your wish list into it you will KILL the 450r in the trails just don't go to wide with your 400ex if you ride in the woods alot.....

[04TRX400EX]

Thanks again for everyone's opinions and comments. I am going to just keep my 400EX for awhile and just work on doing some things to it. They are really solid platforms and with some time and money, they can be even better. Now if I only had enough cash to do everything I want to right now ...

[fitethesystom]

Good decision. The 400ex is a good all around bike, but the 450r hasn't had enough time sitting behind it YET....

[EXrobash]

I came on here with the same question. Do I go get the 450r or the new r450 quad racer from suzuki? OR... do I put a big bore kit, k&n, stage 2 cam, and jet my 01 400ex. I think I'll put 3 or 400 bucks into mine, and save the $6,000 for something else. I DO love my ex, it's super snappy and can hall ***. I need something to keep up with my buddy's yfz450! Great thread!!!

[250xridamatt]

I plan on starting to race mx this summer when I turn 16, and have realized that this ex most likely wont cut it. I'm not saying I am capable of riding over the limits of the 400ex as of yet, but it is heavily modified, and It still wont be able to hang with the 450s. I hope you sell the 426ex, and get a 450r or yfz sometime in the near future, once I know I plan on sticking with motocross.

[250xridamatt]

Originally posted by fitethesystom
Good decision. The 400ex is a good all around bike, but the 450r hasn't had enough time sitting behind it YET....

I'd say the 450r has had plenty of time sitting behind it... And it has proven itself as a great quad.

[Hondaexboy]

Some guy at the store told me the 450r will only last 25hrs then you have to rebuild?
I say stick with the 400ex,... I just got one and I love it

[yamablaster24]

well if you want to hear from someone who has done the switch then you should be all ears....or in this case eyes....

Well i have owned 5 400ex's From bone stock to FULL mx i have ridden them all. I went from a fully worked 416 50 inches wide with aftermarket shocks to my brand new 450er. To be 100% honest i was faster on the 450r then the full MX 400ex at an indoor mx track. the bike is so light and nimble and loves to soar through the air while the 400ex was a tank. I was able to throw the 450r around my first time on the track with it while the 400 threw me around. Actually was tweaking the bike back and forth over 30 foot doubles in no time. And i was able to do jumps with no time to brake with these extremely nice breaks. And i will say the suspension stock handles jumps better then my TCS ZPS

my 450r

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/yamablastermx/IMG_0707.jpg

my 2 old 400's
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/yamablastermx/416ex031.jpg

well these 2 are bothe mine also
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/yamablastermx/olbetsy002.jpg

[fitethesystom]

3 year's doesn't say much for an ATV....That doesn't prove anything dude....It's merely just being introduced. The 400ex has years and years behind it.

[yamablaster24]

i think the 2005 GNC nationals showed what the 450r was all about. Yeah the 400 is reliable...but is it fast? Does it brake well? Is the suspension good?

[04TRX400EX]

Originally posted by yamablaster24
well if you want to hear from someone who has done the switch then you should be all ears....or in this case eyes....

Well i have owned 5 400ex's From bone stock to FULL mx i have ridden them all. I went from a fully worked 416 50 inches wide with aftermarket shocks to my brand new 450er. To be 100% honest i was faster on the 450r then the full MX 400ex at an indoor mx track. the bike is so light and nimble and loves to soar through the air while the 400ex was a tank. I was able to throw the 450r around my first time on the track with it while the 400 threw me around. Actually was tweaking the bike back and forth over 30 foot doubles in no time. And i was able to do jumps with no time to brake with these extremely nice breaks. And i will say the suspension stock handles jumps better then my TCS ZPS



Interesting to hear. I appreciate the opinion but I think I am still going to stick with my 400 for awhile. The racing comparison doesn't apply to me, nor will it anytime in the near future. I am not saying that a 400 is better, and I am not saying that I won't ever get a 450 (probably will down the road), but I think for me and my trail riding, my 400 with some mods will do just fine.

Thanks again for everyone's thoughts! Great thread!