difference between 01 400ex and 05

[big700r]

ok the 05 has reverse,plastics are different what else did they do? and would parts like filter,pipe,jets that fit in a 01 400 fit in a 05 400ex

[zrpilot]

Filter, YES
Pipe, YES
Jets, Yes
Needle, NO the '05 and newer don't have a adjustment slots.

[honda300EXtreme]

if i recall correctly the gearing ratios inside the engine are slightly different also, but not a whole lot changed

[big700r]

would it be worth going from a 01 to a 05 then the 01 is bone stock its my cousins i used to have one and whent to yamaha raptor 700r and love it be he loves honda and wanted a 450 but wants reverse so he wants to get a 05 or newer 400ex

[GPracer2500]

The needles are different 99-04 and 05+, but they are still interchangeable. The 99-04 needle is somewhat more desirable since it's more easily adjustable. Also, if you're transferring carb parts from a 01 to an 05 then I'd swap the normal "slotted" fuel screw of the 01 with the "D" shaped one in the 05. That's not that big a deal but the D shaped screws are more of a pain to deal with.

[GPracer2500]

Originally posted by big700r
would it be worth going from a 01 to a 05 then the 01 is bone stock its my cousins i used to have one and whent to yamaha raptor 700r and love it be he loves honda and wanted a 450 but wants reverse so he wants to get a 05 or newer 400ex

The only practical difference is the reverse and the plastic. He'll just have do decide how important those changes are to him.

[CarGuy7a]

also i believe the 05' gearing ratio has a front 14 tooth driver to compensate for what they changed in the tranny from 04' to 05'. my buddy has an 05' and mine is a 04' and the stock gearing on both of them feel about the same.