08 400ex?.........thaughts

[†2005 400ex†]

I was just reading in another thread and the coment came up that honda might be thinking to change, or revamp the 400ex for 08(besides just cosmetic as they seem to have a habit of doing). I was just wondering what diferent things everybody on the forum would like to see honda improve on the 400ex. I personally love how simple and easy a 400ex is to work on, but i would also love for honda to keep it more up to date with the other quads without sacraficing that.

[Honda#4]

adjustable front shocks, maybe EFI.

[firefighterjosh]

Not sure. I have a feeling they might keep the 400 like it is for a while. Maybe in 09 or 10 they might get EFI and liquid cooled.

[troutman561]

I doubt liquid cooled because that would involve making another engine which really isnt needed because this engine is bulletproof... EFI would be cool tho, and better shocks, and maybe start offering some aftermarket stuff on it as options for a good price(like that will happen tho)..

[†2005 400ex†]

yea i agree, i really think they need to focus on upgrading the front shocks, and i also think maybe they should up the compression...the efi is a good idea too.....keep em commin guys

[atvRiDa400ex]

i WISH they would do EFI...they have been so good in performance for so long that the efi would just put them in an even better position.

i hate having to choke it all of the time!

[Ceph]

EFI would be great. and if they leave everything else on the motor the same, it would be a nice upgrade even for the 99+ EX's.

fully adjustable suspention would be nice too, but i see me keepin mine for awhile anyway.

[atvRiDa400ex]

yea i have had no problems whatsoever with my 400ex...(other than my dead battery this weekend :mad: )

EFI would be a very nice upgrade

[Blown97Stang]

i heard 06 was gonna be the last year of the 400 but the guy might of been blowing smoke

[†2005 400ex†]

Im just really tired of people puttin down the ex, when it was the father of modern sport quads. It makes me angry. I want honda to upgrade the 400ex and keep the ex in the running.

[NY06400EX]

EFI would be nice
Upgraded/adjustable suspension all around
Upgraded steering stem


If those upgrades actually happened I would by an 08' in a heartbeat.

[exboomer]

According to one of the atv mags, 07 is the last year for the 400ex. It's too bad, the 400 is an awsome quad.

[troutman561]

Why would 07 be the last year, it would be dumb for honda to stop production... it is a perfect quad for those who dont want the power and maintenance of a 450 but will be bored on a 300... also, why would they not discontinue the 300 and 250ex's also, because those are even more outdated... i have a feeling the 400 will be with us for awhile...

[parkers30]

Originally posted by troutman561
Why would 07 be the last year, it would be dumb for honda to stop production... it is a perfect quad for those who dont want the power and maintenance of a 450 but will be bored on a 300... also, why would they not discontinue the 300 and 250ex's also, because those are even more outdated... i have a feeling the 400 will be with us for awhile...

If they are discontinuing it, they are likely to come out with a new model to replace it, think how much market share they would loose if they did not have something to compete with the z400

[Honda4lyphe]

From what i've seen and heard honda is upgradeing the 400ex in 2008. Its really not finalized yet, but i'll make a thread when, or if it is. From what i hear, honda is makeing so many changes o the 400ex that it will surpass the z-400 in performance, but honda will stick with air-cooled but are upgradeing the system to a very custom air-cooled component. Seems hona is stubborn on changeing it to liquid cooled haha. The places ive heard rumors were at my honda dealership, my friend had bought a new 400ex and i was with him as we were filling up the final paperwork i asked "Is the 400ex ever going to get any changes in the upcomeing years"? the superviser said "Yes, the release year will be 2008-2010" i asked what moderations he wasnt really sure but he did say that the air-cooled system would be the same but customized and highly upgraded and modified. so i went to my other atv dealership, he said he also heard word of the modifications but as the honda dealer, he wasnt sure on the mods. so i did some research..and found a website that said they belived the modification was true as well, they were more in depth. They mentioned the air cooling system, engine modifications and posibably a unique look from the feedback the customers had on it. Im going to look for that website..personally i want to see it again too haha. The next time anyone else goes to their dealerships for atv's ask someone that knows their information if they know anything about the 08 400ex id like to see if anyone out of my area agrees with the change.

as for mods that id like to see..EFI, liquid cooled (if the custom air-cooled wasnt better) better front shocks for sure! and easier to access oil change..not sure if that changed in 05-07 but 99-04 is a pain unless you shave your fenders or make a custom tube to pour it in. dang wish i looked at my friends 06 to check that..didnt spend much time with him after just test drove it :devil:

[†2005 400ex†]

If this really does go through and honda really upgrades the ex like that, the other companies better watch. Honda will go up another notch in my book almost to a godly position lol. The biggest thing they need to keep is the reliability, but that is not something im really worried about....afterall it is HONDA.

[Kaleigh]

i would have to say..leave the engine alone.. its fine.. new shock.. carb(maybe EFI).. go back to the old school plastic.. and maybe just some stronger parts.. like a stronger stem.. and maybe an adjustable front shock mount.. cant think of anything else right now.. and a hydrolic clutch:macho

[81 clark racing]

in dirt wheels they said 07 was the last year. but somethings they say are not true so i dont no.

[atvRiDa400ex]

Originally posted by 81 clark racing
in dirt wheels they said 07 was the last year. but somethings they say are not true so i dont no.

hope not i love the 400 ex

[triple b]

Honda killed the trusty reliable XR 250 & 400 and the 650 is hanging by a thread.
I sure hope they don't drop the 400EX but it would not surprise me if they did

[Quad Dude]

as great as the ex is thing i wuold like to see it get are as many said upgraded shocks for one then i would got ahead and give it the same brake set up as the 450r because it is far superior to the ex and then some thing to get a little power bigger carb different cam or efi. that way people would have no reason to to ponder between the ex and the Z.

[atvRiDa400ex]

Originally posted by Quad Dude
as great as the ex is thing i wuold like to see it get are as many said upgraded shocks for one then i would got ahead and give it the same brake set up as the 450r because it is far superior to the ex and then some thing to get a little power bigger carb different cam or efi. that way people would have no reason to to ponder between the ex and the Z.

Fer Sure!:macho

[firefighterjosh]

I would really like the 400s to be a little quicker. Something like the Z400

[†2005 400ex†]

it would make absolutely no sense to me if honda discontinued the ex, it is an unbeleivably awsome quad that receives way too much criticism because it does soo many things well. It would be a bad move on hondas part but thats just my .2 cents

[KelOne333]

they won't get rid of the 400EX anytime soon. EFI is a possibility, maybe a more efficient oil/air cooling system and maybe upgraded suspension componentry. but why mess with success?
this is still one of the very best trail quads available.
honda dealers don't know any more than the general public. the district reps don't really even know anything about new models THIS far ahead of time. i know because i've been working at a honda dealership for 3½ years.
honda has never been one to update the "less than top shelf" stuff very often. they're more evolution than revolution. hell, they still have a 80cc scooter that is 99% unchanged since the early 80's, an XR/CRF line that has basically been the same since the 90's, and a 300EX that is a set of plastics, bars, and reverse mechanism away from the day it was born.
expect the 400ex to evolve and stay in the lineup wholly unchanged for at least another few years. efi is definitely a welcome possibility though. my 400ex is a cold blooded bast*rd.

[†2005 400ex†]

hahaha, i think all exs are cold blooded, they dont like waken up in the morning thats for sure, efi would solve that problem, im thinkin about gettin a 42 pilot jet because it takes forever for it to run when its cold.

[atvRiDa400ex]

Originally posted by †2005 400ex†
hahaha, i think all exs are cold blooded, they dont like waken up in the morning thats for sure, efi would solve that problem, im thinkin about gettin a 42 pilot jet because it takes forever for it to run when its cold.

i hear ya!:o

[coryatver]

put the 42 pilot in and it will fire right up even without being choked. I think they will be making the same 400ex for a while. The only thing I think that needs upgraded is the front shocks.

[†2005 400ex†]

yea

[†2005 400ex†]

i would also sort of like to see them change the styling a little bit, still keep the same idea, just make it a little meaner lookin ya know

[blawlaw]

I would want

Liquid cooling
High comp piston
better shocks
Have the frog look instead of the lady bug look.

They should put a crf motor in it and down bore it to 400cc.
Do all that and that thing will smoke the z400 and possably hang with the stock 450s.

[†2005 400ex†]

yea, i think it would be cool to have them do that with the crf motor

[CHEVYZ]

I think that Honda has already proven themselves with the EX. I doubt they will, and personally wouldn't like to see, them do very much to the quad. I would like to see them do some changes to the suspention of the quad, though. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, but something more like 450 shocks fitted for the EX. I think that the engine has already been proven.... maybe a few changes could be done for performance, but I would say for them to keep it pretty much just like it is. I would like to see liquid cooling, though. Other than that, it would kind of defeat the purpose of the EX. If you are aiming for performance, get a 450. EFI is another big turn off for me. I would rather stick with the complicity and affordablity you get with carbs. Sorry to say, but EFI has not impressed me to date.

[†2005 400ex†]

na, its normal, the 400ex just has aloy of torque:D

[Bighead1]

Man I love my 400. It's like everyone else has said the 400 has been one of the best "all around" quads to date. But if I had to put something twards the drawing board it would be.

- New shocks (some what like the 450)
- Do something about the strength of the rear fenders(the flop)
- Liquid cooled+ EFI
- Definately strengthen the steering stem
- Then above all make it look unique, something that's different from everthing else but still have it look bad ***.

[bansheerider4]

i think they should change the lights and have it come equiped with nerfs(could be optional)and the efi would be great also...and a better pipe

[Valder]

Originally posted by †2005 400ex†
hahaha, i think all exs are cold blooded, they dont like waken up in the morning thats for sure, efi would solve that problem, im thinkin about gettin a 42 pilot jet because it takes forever for it to run when its cold.


My '88 250R was the coldest blooded machine I have ever seen! I just hated the tought of trying to start that bastage. My new '05 400EX likes to foul plugs so it is in getting checked under warranty right now. I'm all for EFI on the 2008 and an upgrade kit for the rest of us. LOL!

[crewworrior]

How about a 500ex with a 2'' width increase and fuel injection and fully adjustable front and rear piggyback shocks.

[coryatver]

I think they are going to cut the 400 and come out with a 250r 4-stroke for the new racing class

[troutman561]

Why does everyone keep saying liquid cooling... The 400 doesnt have over-heating problems that often what would liquid do but just add one more thing to go wrong?

[atvRiDa400ex]

Feul injection is the #1 thing that should happen!!!:D

[Honda4lyphe]

If honda discontinued the 400ex their going to lose alot of money. Theres no reason to discontinue it though, in records i saw the 06 400ex sold more than the z400 and the kfx400, so it would just be stupid if they discontined it. Personally i reallyt hink they should just give it a makeover, its been the same since 99..but is still great reliability, if honda doesnt upgrade it and they dont have a 400 raceing bike to sell at all, thats going to be really bad. I agree with all the other options though, little things that honda can do will make the 400ex sell and keep a steady production it for years to come. Seriously, if they actually kept the engine the same but just upgraded the suspension and carb etc, i think everyone thats looking for a 400 sports atv would buy it, it is known for its reliability, honda to me has always been ontop, they just take a long *** time to change things.. something else that i really would like to see if some orginality, all the other bikes took the 450r's look, then the utility series took the rubicon look (i think it was rubicon) yamaha is the only ones who keeps true originality, only if they were a little more reliable!! well some of em lol

[firefighterjosh]

I herd some ppl nit wanting EFI.

I didn't like it ether. Until I bought my KQ. I absolutly love it. I go to my quad and hit a button. Done deal. No revving it up, holding the throttle until warm. No bogging at all. Crisp and smooth. by a new CDI box that you can tune and all you have to do is use screwdriver to dial it in for a pipe or airfilter.

[nashport_native]

The only thing I think I would want is a set of 450r shocks made for the ex.

mabe a set of razors like the preditor comes with.

my dad bought a late year 05, I raced it in 4 races now and loved everything about it (other than the hard cold starting,which we went to a 40 pilot when we jetted for his new pipe)

I have rode my buddys 03z, his 06z, and his 05 big bore 450z.

they are fast, but I hate the way they die so easy. We do alot of big hill climbs in our hair scrambles, and i hate the way you have to clutch the z's to get them into the meat of their power.

the ex, you might have to just touch the clutch, but not a 1/4 of what you would need for the z.

I like the ex's so much, that I am selling my 89 quadracer and buying a used ex.

[Ruby Soho]

put the oldschool fenders back on it.

i love 400ex's theres nothing more that i want out of them

[†2005 400ex†]

I hate how thin and floppy the fenders are, especially the back ones, maybe they could change that