New TRX vs. Old TRX

[Hondafever]

Is there any difference in the new and old ex's besides reverse

[CHEVYZ]

A different look and gearing.

[TGA400EX]

The new trx has the 450r looking plastics and a 14 tooth front sprocket. The older trx's have a 15 tooth. There is also some other differences but cant think of them now.

[Hondafever]

i knew the plastic, but how much will a gear down hurt ur top speed, or how much will up a front tooth help ur top speed?

[TGA400EX]

About 5 mph I think. Not sure.

[Wheelie]

The transmissions are geared differently as well as the sprocket setup. The transmission is geared higher, the sprockets--lower. The top speeds between old and new is pretty close to the same.

[AtvMxRider]

The older ones look better;)

[Ruby Soho]

Originally posted by AtvMxRider
The older ones look better;)

i agree!

[rooster_20]

The older ones look cooler and are faster. :blah:

[underpowered]

Originally posted by rooster_20
The older ones look cooler and are faster. :blah:

i do like the look of the older ones, but from my experience the new ones are actually slightly faster than the older ones. even though they have a lower front sprocket 14 vs. 15 the internal gear ratios have been changed as well. 5th gear on teh older ones was 1 to 1, but on the new ones it is .93 to 1, so top speed is very comparable.

[mad440]

Originally posted by AtvMxRider
The older ones look better;)

100% agree with that, i was just at the dealer and Honda's entire sport quad line-up is 450r replica plastic. I'm Honda for life, but i dont like the 450r plastic on all the models.

[416exfreak]

Originally posted by mad440
100% agree with that, i was just at the dealer and Honda's entire sport quad line-up is 450r replica plastic. I'm Honda for life, but i dont like the 450r plastic on all the models.

Me either, but now you dont have to butcher your plastics to put a hood on!:)

[hornetgod13]

Originally posted by rooster_20
The older ones look cooler and are faster. :blah:

I disagree with both points. The newer plastics make the 400EX look more modern and the internal gearing more than makes up for the smaller front sproket. I would love to race an equally modified 04' to prove my point.

[j450rking]

Originally posted by mad440
100% agree with that, i was just at the dealer and Honda's entire sport quad line-up is 450r replica plastic. I'm Honda for life, but i dont like the 450r plastic on all the models.

i also agree i think every model should have it's own uniqe look not look all the same with vary little diference i think it's just lack of imagination i know when the 450r came out everybody thought it looked cool but most people thought the 90 and the 250 the 300 and the 400 did to in it's own way. maybe the wheelers needed a chang but not to replicate there top seller people like the 450r becouse it's uniqe and has power not becouse all the other wheelers look just like it. allthogh all the companys make most of there sport atvs look similer but not the same

Originally posted by Ruby Soho
i agree!

ya the older style defineltely looks better. i like the lights and i think the old fenders protect u from debris off the tires better too. Can u swap 04 and down ex plastics on an 05 and up 400ex?

[coryatver]

the old is exactly the same other than the front nose part. and they made the panels smooth instead of having divits.

[TheNewn]

I really enjoy the reverse idea on the 400ex. I have a 2002 and would love to have reverse on it. Other than that...im also not impressed by how they made all the quads look exactly the same. The old version of the 400ex looked much better in my opinion.

When i first saw the 450R when it was brand new just out, my first thought was "Wow...did they pay someone to make that thing look ugly as sin?"

I love Honda just....thank god for after market plastic companies...

[rooster_20]

I disagree with both points. The newer plastics make the 400EX look more modern and the internal gearing more than makes up for the smaller front sproket. I would love to race an equally modified 04' to prove my point. I still think the new ones are slower not by much but a little slower. I raced a bunch of new ones and they just seem to be slugish. Oh well I also liked the old plastics because it made them different with the round head lights, now they just look like all the other sport quats. JMO

[TWISTED DINLI]

Originally posted by AtvMxRider
The older ones look better;)

i agree also.

[hornetgod13]

I think the older 400EX head lights look like frog eyes. The quad looks goofy. I prefer the cleaner and sleeker look of the newer version.

[Quad-Handler#2]

Originally posted by hornetgod13
I think the older 400EX head lights look like frog eyes. The quad looks goofy. I prefer the cleaner and sleeker look of the newer version.

Agreed, if I had the old style, I would be jealous of the new style too....

[mjmisek]

IMHO, I just wish Honda had given the 400ex its own identity. I prefer the older look because it belonged to the 400ex.

I do like the way the 450Rs look. .. and I understand Honda's reasoning (notice how much Yamahas sales jumped when they made every quad in their sport lineup look like the Raptor), I just wish that the trx90, 250ex, 300ex, 400ex, and 450R were a little more individualized.

[acline]

me and a buddy have about everything exact same, and we drag them all the time, i pull my back bumper on his front so they are pretty close, i like newer ones though

[mat1977]

I gotta go w/ the newer style,but w/ out the payments!The old style is nice too.Plus bout the headlight issue I think they both look better when you ditch the factory lights and have Trailtechs.

[Mean250r]

Originally posted by TWISTED DINLI
i agree also.

Same here. Personally, i think the new 400ex's look like bootleg 450r's :chinese:

[04ex400]

completely stock '04 vs '05 in a straight out drag race, the '05 has a bit more top speed...I just tried it yesterday. In any sort of track or short drag race, the skill of the driver will be the difference.

[07HondaTRX450R]

Im pretty sure my 07 came with a 13 tooth upfront stock

[hornetgod13]

Sprockets
2005 and UP= 14 Front / 39 Rear.
1999 to 2004= 15 Front/ 38 Rear.
2005 and UP are way better! If you rode one you would understand why.

[Pipeless416]

Originally posted by hornetgod13
Sprockets
2005 and UP= 14 Front / 39 Rear.
1999 to 2004= 15 Front/ 38 Rear.
2005 and UP are way better! If you rode one you would understand why.

i hate to disagree with you since nearly all of your posts are well thought out and supported, but this is entirely opinionated. i enjoy having the individuality that the 99-04s have, and if you are correct with the speed, so be it. 68 mph is fast enough for me, and it gets there quickly enough too. as for the statement about riding one and understanding why they're "so much better," they feel nearly the same with the 05's being a little bit harder hitting in the low revs. so i'll go ahead and say that 99-04's are way better! to understand, you would have to ride one. ;)

[maddmatt02]

I like the old 400ex style a lot, I like the new style more though, regardless of if its copied on all models. the 250ex looked fine to me also. I have never liked the 300ex style though til it finally looks like the 450, that big rectangle headlight on the bars was ugly as ....

[ncsmash]

I love Honda to death but the headlight on the newer 400's and 450's looks like a cyclops eye or something. The old 400's you could take a quick glance at and now exactly what it was and now the newer ones you have to take a closer look to find out. OLD STYLE ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!

[maddmatt02]

first thing I look for is a radiator. if it dont got one Im not interested. if I was gonna buy a new honda it would only be a 450. I personally think the white 07 450r is the nicest looking atv out. kawasaki looks cool but those headlights are the worst

[skull2002]

to the guy who wants to race his 05 against an 04...........lemme know how much you would like to race for...and i only take cash!

[Old Head]

old style is just cooler:macho

[Yee-Haw_400EX]

Originally posted by TGA400EX
The new trx has the 450r looking plastics and a 14 tooth front sprocket. The older trx's have a 15 tooth. There is also some other differences but cant think of them now. The carb is bigger on the newer ones.

[the 97]

I like the older look better to. I don’t like it when they made them all look like a 450r. I think they should all have there own look. Like I can see when they make the 90 look like a 450r cause little kids like that stuff. But like Yamaha has like 3 or 4 different raptors and like 4 different grizzlies. What the hell. Different things are good.

[400eXr1d3rZ]

Originally posted by Yee-Haw_400EX
The carb is bigger on the newer ones.

If I got a 05+ 400ex carb would it have a noticable increase in power? Or would I bet better off just getting a 450r carb?

[oldskoolex400]

Originally posted by Yee-Haw_400EX
The carb is bigger on the newer ones.

i dont know about that now, i know the newer 400s dont have a adjustable needle in the carb, so thats just another thing you have to buy for it.

i prefer the look of the old 400ex's.

[hornetgod13]

The bottom line is it's all a matter of opinion. I seriously doubt anyone is going to admit that they prefer newer style if they own a older one and vice versa for the owners of the newer style.

[hornetgod13]

I think a dirty 05' and Newer 400EX looks better than a even a clean 1999 to 2004 any day.

You are all entitled to your opinions, no matter how flawed they are. :ermm:

[07HondaTRX450R]

well this is my 1st quad and lemme tell you i looked at the older ones and choose this one cause it looked way better. Oh and performs better too. :macho

[Yee-Haw_400EX]

Originally posted by oldskoolex400
i dont know about that now, i know the newer 400s dont have a adjustable needle in the carb, so thats just another thing you have to buy for it.

i prefer the look of the old 400ex's.
Updated Plastic
New tranny w/reverse and updated ratios
Smaller front sprocket
LED taillight
Brake light
Bigger carb (38mm vs 35.5 if I'm correct)

There may be more but thats all I can think of.

[edfrench]

i dont know i seem to like my 400 its old but it moves. lol...

[BrandonV]

I like the old 400ex look. The new ones all look the same.

[tdmopar59]

Well... this is a very interesting thread to come across... me and my buddy were just talking about this today... I personally like the looks of the newer ones... which is an opinion non the less... i have an 06 and he has an 03 and as far as performance.. i believe its based on the driver...

[07trx400ex]

I have on 07 and I like the older style better I can admit it those headlights do look pretty sick.

[TRXRacer1]

Originally posted by hornetgod13
I seriously doubt anyone is going to admit that they prefer newer style if they own a older one and vice versa for the owners of the newer style. If they were secure with themselves they could, lol. I think the they both suck..... haha!

You're right, the headlights are goofy on the old ones but I also think this 450r look is crap too. Maybe it's just me but I don't like looking like everyone else out there. To me the 450r look is kind of like a poser thing. I guess it's the in thing because Honda isn't the only company making their line up look all the same. Regardless we all have our own style and nobody, myself included can tell people what look is better for them. I prefer mine covered in Maier.

http://miltechsolutions.tripod.com/offroad/wata/400ex/winterEX.jpg

[ThreeDollaBills]

There are only two things I like about the new look. One is the back plastics and how they have a more squared off aggressive look, and two is how you can easily install an aftermarket hood on them. Other than that I like the old look, but I have to I mean look at what I got.

<a href="http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x191/ThreeDollaBills/?action=view&current=100_0447.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x191/ThreeDollaBills/100_0447.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

The 1999 - 2004 have a bit more HP than the 2005 and up because reverse will take away HP. And about the carb being bigger I disagree, I asked companies that made things for 400ex carbs and I asked people that worked at Honda and they said thats incorrect. The only difference was the way they measured the carb and thats why its a different number and the 04 and under have an adjustable needle. The sprockets 1999 - 2004 were a 15 tooth sprocket (more top speed) and the 2005 and up have a 14 tooth. Then there are just cosmetic changes between the years such as graphics, lettering, plastics, exhaust guard color, lights, and seats.

[08400EX]

Originally posted by TRXRacer1
If they were secure with themselves they could, lol. I think the they both suck..... haha!



I like all the versions, the oldest version, the "old new version", and the NEW version...... But I can say without a doubt and being totally secure in saying which one I like the best.
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/graemlins/icon107.gif

http://www.928gt.com/images/400ex/08 coming-going.JPG

[REDRIDDER]

Tell you what id be the first one to convert my 03 plastics to the 08 plastics if i had the extra cash.I just cant get over the newly designed seat, it looks so much more comfortable and lower sitting than the others, also the plastics are up to date with the way today's quads look.Plus this would make any older 400ex look newer and to me feel just like i bought a new one, this is my own opinion and thats what i would do.So who's going to be the first to convert the olders plastics to the 08 ones, this would be a great write up for someone and i would be very interested just as others would too.

[klutch]

I think that the older 400s look nicer with mods then most of the newer 400s..

[Honda#4]

To me a 400 is a 400 in my opinion,I don't care weather or not one has better plastic than the other or weather or not its faster than the other bottom line is im just proud to have a 400ex period.

[Mellow Yellow]

Well the '08 in this thread looks better than any pictures I have seen so far. Orriginally thought they were fugly, but I think I'm gonna have to go check one out in person.Nice quad!!

[EXRacer247]

Personally I like the old style better. Im sick of all the manufacturers just copying their flagship quad (im also talking about the raptor series -bs-) The reverse just adds weight and makes the 400EX seem like a pu$$y. Also whenever I see new style EXs they always seem to just have nothing but a bunch of skidplates everywhere and no mods of real value. I fully stand behind my '00!

[07trx400ex]

We will see how valuable a skidplate is when you have a crack in your frame.

Yeah I dont understand whats wrong with skid plates and I have a 2004 and I have them. I just refuse to get a-arms skid plates because IMO they look dumb and add more weight. My a-arms normally clear everything and they dont need to be protected.

[250exkid]

so how fast does the old on go? like 65? and how much faster does the new one go like 1-2 mph faster? or what?

[450rJam]

your all intitled to my opinion.............................so

the 08's look real sweet
the 99-04 have a very original style (I like)
05-07 are simple copy cat 450r style (not impressed)

but I do like the new style 450r plastic on the 250ex
better than the original 250ex

not sure on the 300ex, it looks better than the old 250x
style with the caged headlight on the bars but I would
have liked to see some originality

the 250r plastic has stood the test of time, it is classic and
looks good on anything you can get it to fit

yfz/ktm/kfx look above average, dont like the raptor grills
ltr is ok but I dont like the width of the rear of the seat

not meant to offend anyone, its just a simple mans perceptions

[250exkid]

so yea im gonna ask how much faster is the new 400ex then the old ones? like 1-2 mph faster?

about 4MPH but thats because of the sprocket size. maybe a little more because of the extra HP from no reverse

[Hondamaster5505]

I don't know why everyone is so stuck on the older model being faster.

In the real world, it is BARELY noticable at all and I doubt it will win or lose a race..:rolleyes:

If anything, the reverse model is better for trail riding situations. I don't care what people say, whether it's im a loser for liking reverse or something, but i'd rather Take the quad reverse, even if it has .3hp less:macho
I used to have a blaster, so I don't mind not having it, but I rather would.

As far as looks, I did like the older style more, until I bought my 05 and the looks grew on me slowly. Now I like it more than the older stlye, it's more aggresive in my opinion.
I think the sickest lookin one is the 08:devil:

[trx400EXtreme]

Originally posted by AtvMxRider
The older ones look better;) AMEN!!!

IMO older ones are better looking but know what I say to reverse junkies... get off and use some muscle to push and lift. Its easier to just get off sometimes then if you had reverse to do all that.

[TheNewn]

Hah, yeah whatever dude. I'd keep reverse if i had the choice.

To the original topic, i like all of the models now, they all can be made to look great as we've seen with everyones pictures up here. If i had to pick one i like the best, it would probably be the second generation, it has reverse and i've seen it in person, looks good. I've not seen the 3rd and latest gen yet so i cant really say.

[Hondamaster5505]

Originally posted by FoxHondaRider
IMO older ones are better looking but know what I say to reverse junkies... get off and use some muscle to push and lift. Its easier to just get off sometimes then if you had reverse to do all that.

Reverse junkies?

For one thing, it's not so bad to have reverse. For trail riders, it's a very nice thing to have, especially when I see everyone else getting off when I can just hit a switch. Now I wouldn't mind buying a bike that doesn't have reverse. I'm used to it with my previous quads, and it doesn't bother me. But if I were to choose, i would much rather have reverse.

It's not stupid and if I ever were to ride with you where we ride, I'd laugh like crazy watching you push it back and forth while I just turn a knob. lol.

[250exkid]

reverse is nice and all but iv found my slef in alot of situations were revers just dug me deepeer and i had a harder time muscling it off and im not a weak kid. farmer born and raised so i aint weak,. so all in all revers is a luxury and deffinatly not a must

[hornetgod13]

I like reverse. I use it nearly every time I trail ride. I look at it kind of like having air conditioning in a car. Is it needed, No but, it sure makes for a better ride.

[RideRed84]

I have an older 400 and wish I had reverse. The reason I have an older one was price, but other than that I do like the look of the olders ones better. My buddy has an 06 and I like the way mine rides and looks more. IMO the older 450R headlight looks terrible compared to the newer one and that's why the newer 400's look bad. I hate the two points that the top of the lights come to. But the best looking is the newest 400. It's just a shame it's not liquid cooled or at least has a resi suspension. Honda dropped the ball again as usual.

[Hondamaster5505]

Originally posted by RideRed84
I like the way mine rides more.



????????????????????????????????????????????

There the same exact thing except reverse and a headlight, so how does one ride better:rolleyes:

I hardly ever have to pull myself out of something when i'm riding trails I will almost always find a way out of a situation by jumping a bnk to go over the mud or if I see a tight situation rev it up and swing it around and make your own trail to get back to the others.

[RideRed84]

Originally posted by Hondamaster5505
????????????????????????????????????????????

There the same exact thing except reverse and a headlight, so how does one ride better:rolleyes:

Well you obviously haven't rode either so you have no clue right? Mine seems to have more power and be a little smoother. Maybe I'm just used to it but when I ride his it seem a little rougher and less powerful on the low end. They are both 100% stock bikes power to the air filter also.

[450rJam]

hornetgod13,

good analogy with the air conditioning



I have 3 quads with reverse and 2 without it, I use it when its there but dont piss and moan if its not.

with equal performance, if given the choice between having reverse or not...............you would be stupid not to take it

[Hondamaster5505]

Originally posted by RideRed84
Well you obviously haven't rode either so you have no clue right? Mine seems to have more power and be a little smoother. Maybe I'm just used to it but when I ride his it seem a little rougher and less powerful on the low end. They are both 100% stock bikes power to the air filter also.

I HAVE ridden both, my friend used to have an 01.

They feel exactly the same to me, handling and power wise.

Are you sure his shocks werent on different settings then yours?

[08400EX]

Ironically, if reverse wasn't important to me as a trail rider, I wouldn't be posting in the 400EX forum and would have missed meeting alot of you great guys here.

I would have been posting in the 450R Forum and when they add reverse to it I will buy one.... but doubt I would sell the 08 400EX.

[RideRed84]

Originally posted by Hondamaster5505
I HAVE ridden both, my friend used to have an 01.

They feel exactly the same to me, handling and power wise.

Are you sure his shocks werent on different settings then yours?

I meant both particular bikes I have ridden. Every quad feels a little different. I can't really explain why mine felt better. Unless the previous owner changed the setting on the shocks they are the same way they were set from the factory. Like I said both of the bikes are bone stock down to the air filter.

[Hondamaster5505]

Originally posted by RideRed84
I meant both particular bikes I have ridden. Every quad feels a little different. I can't really explain why mine felt better. Unless the previous owner changed the setting on the shocks they are the same way they were set from the factory. Like I said both of the bikes are bone stock down to the air filter.

Well yeah, every quad is different. It's because you're used to yours.

I remember when I still had the ole blassie, and I felt so comfortable on that. My cousin had one also, and we switched it up a bit because we like playin around on each others bikes.

His felt alot tippier and idk, just completely different

[hornetgod13]

Originally posted by 08400EX
Ironically, if reverse wasn't important to me as a trail rider, I wouldn't be posting in the 400EX forum and would have missed meeting alot of you great guys here.

I would have been posting in the 450R Forum and when they add reverse to it I will buy one.... but doubt I would sell the 08 400EX.

I agree with you. In 06' when I was looking for a quad, It came down to a 400EX or a 450R and reverse and electric start were the deciding factors for me.

[08400EX]

Originally posted by hornetgod13
It came down to a 400EX or a 450R and reverse and electric start were the deciding factors for me.

Yep, I could have bought a brand new 07 450ER for $100 less than my 08($5183 vs 5283). I even tried to do without reverse on the 05 I had on a few trips to see if I could live without it.. NO way, not where and how I ride. Plus on the USFS trails I ride on most of the time, if they catch you "making a new trail to turn around" you will get a fine... even worse, it can cause errosion issues that can lead to the trails being closed down....sometimes for good.

If I was 18 I might consider it, but I have learned to let the machines do the work whenever possible.... and use my muscles and back for more enjoyable things.
:devil:

At 6'2" and 230lbs I can move it or spin it around whenever I want to, I just don't want to.

[250exkid]

yea haha im 16 and i gotta save my mucles and back for what you were hinting ... but yea i work all summer throwing over 20,000 bales of hay on my farm so if any of you guys done that work you know what i mean on having to save your back! lol but yea you need ur lone time hehhe :blah:

[400exrapes]

correct me if im wrong, my old 400ex was a 2001 and that was a 14 tooth front sprocket and I think someone said someting about them being 15?

[atvmaster0927]

Originally posted by 400exrapes
correct me if im wrong, my old 400ex was a 2001 and that was a 14 tooth front sprocket and I think someone said someting about them being 15?

Nope im pretty sure their a 14 tooth.

[400exBRAAP]

Originally posted by atvmaster0927
Nope im pretty sure their a 14 tooth.


wrong. 99-04 came with 15-38 gearing. 05-present, (maybe not 08, i aint sure) have 14-38 i think, i know its a 14 front. thats becuz of internal gear changes

[400exrapes]

nahhh my 01 had a 14 tooth i even counted it. they were always 14-38 and the whole forum talked about dropping down to a 13 tooth.

[atvmaster0927]

Originally posted by 400exBRAAP
wrong. 99-04 came with 15-38 gearing. 05-present, (maybe not 08, i aint sure) have 14-38 i think, i know its a 14 front. thats becuz of internal gear changes

yeah i think your right, but i think(im not sure) didnt 99-04 come with 15-39?

[400exBRAAP]

nah, 15-38. im sure of that one

[hornetgod13]

1999-2004 15F/38R
2005-2007 14F/39R

[blacknblue#2]

yeah the early ones were definitely a 15T in the front........i remember back around 01 and 02 that was always a big topic of the guys who were trail riding and hill climbing alot talkin about droppin down that 1 tooth for the power when it come to hill climbing