souped up 400 or buy a 450r

[buster024]

So I've got a nice 400ex, and I'm considering puttin' some more dough into it, and making it a 426. I mostly ride sand, but some trail, and a little track. For the money I'm going to drop on turning my 400 into a 426, am I just almost better off stepping up to the 450r? Will a souped up 426 with all the nice goodies (thinking of the Edelbrock carb, re-bore, port/polish, hotcam possible suspension....yadda yadda) bust any of the 450's out there if I ride right? I'm sure I'd be able to compete on the track, but am I still going to get eaten at the dunes?

[hondaboy400ex55]

hey man im in the same boat you are. I was goin build up my 400ex but then when i put all the price together i realized i could buy a 450 and now i really dont know what to do

[GPracer2500]

You'll get eaten at the dunes. Snaking isn't so much of a problem unless the lead quads are equal riders on faster bikes riding just as hard. But dragging up the hills you'll need to select your competition carefully--otherwise you'll be eating sand.

If you can work a way to trade-up to a 450r than my guess is you'll be happier. The alternative is to continue pooring time and money into the 400EX and never really getting what you want.

That's my $0.02. YMMV

[buster024]

I see tons of posts of guys having 416's, 426's, and so on.... is everyone souping their 400's just to ride track? I'm getting the feeling I F'd up when I bought my 400's, and I shoulda' got the 450 since most of my time is spent on the dunes. Chalk it up to inexperience..!

[GPracer2500]

I built my 416 when my 406 needed a rebuild. 400EXs are good quads but they start to fall short when you try and turn them into something they're not. Leading edge performance they are not.

Now, there is something to be said for building up stock equipment just for the sake of doing it. I like fiddling with motors--but only to a point.

[buster024]

I think most of me wants to do it, just to see if I can do it. I've got two 400's. Kinda' funny, even before I put any mods on either, one of mine blows every other stock 400ex away. It's faster off the line, and faster on the top end. In fact, my friend that bought a 400 at the same time as I did, raced me after he installed a White Bros. exhaust, and my one stock 400 still pulled away no problem. Funny how 3 "exact" same bikes would be so different.
So far the fast bike is the one I've started modifying. I'm considering I guess continuuing to mod that one into a 426, and then possibly selling my other more stock model and upgrading to a 450R.

[Wheelie]

I'm curious to see how mine does against the newer machines in the sand, I'll find out in less than two weeks.

I'm hoping for a pleasant surprise.:macho

[GPracer2500]

Originally posted by buster024
[snip]...I'm considering I guess continuuing to mod that one into a 426, and then possibly selling my other more stock model and upgrading to a 450R.

Sounds like a good plan.

I'll add that the sand is HP intensive and THAT is where the 400EX is most deficient. They handle well, are reasonably light, they look good, and generally ooze with Honda build quality. But HP numbers in the 30's just doesn't cut it anymore.

[buster024]

wheelie,,
what was your thought behind the stage 3 vs. 1 or 2? Hopefully not a dumb question, but isn't the higher stage cams better on top end? Were you looking for top end vs. low end power, or is that the only way to go on the 440's or larger?

[Wheelie]

It was recommended for big bores and strokers, so I decided to give it a shot. Worst case, I figured, I would end up buying a stage 2.

Ultimately the stage 3 turned out to be a wise choice. This thing has FAR more low end than a stocker, and pulls clean and hard thoughout the range. Hell, w/the stock carb, it pulls away from my buddies 05' 450r w/a full pipe/filter/ and lid mods.

[buster024]

Right on...
If you wouldn't mind, let me know how it handles at the dunes...I'm real curious to hear how it stacks against all the 450 models in the sand.
I think I'm about set on hackin' one of my bikes up, turning it into the phat dirt/track bike (either turning it into a 426 or 440), and trading my other one for a 450R & makin' it the dunebuggy.

[Wheelie]

I'll let you know, I'm heading to Sand Lake the 16-18th of this month.

I'm hoping for the best.

[buster024]

Sandlake is pretty much home to me....
I'd prefer to actually say Florence or Winchester Bay was, but SL is so much closer to PDX.
Ride hard!!

[krt400ex]

weigh out the costs. if the money spent on parts is similar to what you spend on a 450r, I'd save the 400ex for trails or just to play around on and go buy a 450r. then you could have a purpose built racer and a play bike.