Why did you buy a 400ex?

[red_rider_069]

Sure It May Seem To Be A Dumb Question.. I Got It Becuase It Was Cheaper.. now i kinda regret it becuase of the power i see in 450s and how my big bore dont make much diffrence compared to other 450s .. did any one else buy it because of price? and why didn't you get a 450? did you even glance at them?:( i know i did, but then i didnt know how to get it..:ermm:

[ensenadamark]

2007 $4500 out the door registration everything was impossible to beat here in California. At this point it has plenty of power I need but, hey I am an old timer and lot more careful then i use to be

[red_rider_069]

oh, i really wanted the 450 but it was 8000 :huh .. and i coudn't tell much of a diffrence inbetween hte 400 and the 450 but now i do.. i need power:D

[ti2ibal1]

I bought it for reliability. That has turned out to be a kick in the rear end! :mad:

[red_rider_069]

Originally posted by ti2ibal1
I bought it for reliability. That has turned out to be a kick in the rear end! :mad: why do you say that? break on ya?

[petzllampo]

I have voted "other" my 02 was owned by someone who I know was very anal about his maintenance with oil and filter changes after every outing, the engine was left stock but had a lot of money spent on things like shocks, axle, complete aftermarket pipe, foam filter etc and he just got himself a 450 and since mine is for fun and fun only its got more power than I need.... but man it dont take long to want to extract a little bit more ;)

[Phillburt57]

Got my 05 for 3900 out the door in 06. It was a leftover and they wanted it gone so I couldn't resist. Works great for me in every riding area whether I'm on the trails or at the dunes I love the quad.

[DementeD]

reliability and price...

[Ruby Soho]

Originally posted by red_rider_069
oh, i really wanted the 450 but it was 8000 :huh .. and i coudn't tell much of a diffrence inbetween hte 400 and the 450 but now i do.. i need power:D

my 440 makes around the same power as a 450..

[BamBam730]

Bought my 04 in April 05 from the dealer for $3750. Price was right and I had a friend who owns a 2002 400 ex who rode his extremely hard and it held up well. That was the selling point.

[Honda#4]

I voted for other simply cuz what I have on it makes my dream quad.

[BigBore24]

Originally posted by Ruby Soho
my 440 makes around the same power as a 450..

i agree ruby. but the only problem is we are almost maxed out as far as power. i bought mine because i wanted something with some power and id always heard good things about the 400ex. i didnt know anything about nor did i have the money for the 450's. all n all im pretty happy with the 400. its got enough power for me and its the way i want it. man am i ever glad i didnt get sucked into buying a raptor 350 at the yam dealer. it was close

[Wheelie]

I bought mine new in August of 99'. At the time it was the best machine available, and it was a Honda. When the 450's came out, I rode one, liked the power but hated the ergonomics.

It's hard to believe I've owned my quad for almost 9 years.

[400exrider_88]

i bought mine cus it was 1,200. yes its a peice of ****

[400exrider_88]

i bought mine cus it was 1,200. yes its a peice of ****

As I was younger back in 1999 I used to look at the 400ex online all the time and say "1 day I will own 1 of those". It was my dream quad and I love everything about it. Finally in January 2007 I bought a 2004 400ex. I liked the older style plastics much better and I still do. It was distinguished very easily. That entire 1st week I had it I would wake up in the morning with a smile on my face thinking I have the quad I always dreamed of having since I was little and I would go in the garage and just look at it before my day started haha. There were 450rs for sale that I could have bought but I wanted a 400ex. So thats about my story. I bought it because I loved it since it came out, and... its a HONDA!

[Speedy 400ex]

I got mine becauce of price and because its all around better than a raptor 350/ worrior that i was looking at before i got this bike.

[400ex28]

I got mine before the 450's even came out so it was one of the best things out there :p

[tri5ron]

I did alot of homework before making a decision on what to buy.
I also evaluated what type of riding I wanted to do, and who I would be riding with. I'm married with 2 young munchkins, and we go to the desert often to ride our Landsailers at El Mirage dry lakebed.
I have no intrest in racing on a track, and will be riding mostly open desert, and a little mountain trails, and may even use it occaisionally on a hunting trip in Arizona.

I wanted a quad which could do all of these things comfortably, had a decent amount of power (It's PLENTY fast for me), It was going to be easy on the wallet, it had a TON of readily available reasonably priced after-market parts available, had been in production for many years showing it had proven itself as a dependable and reliable machine with a large following of happy owners, and I could modify to my liking and riding style.

So with that, (and being a long time Honda Fan), the choice was easy.
I picked up my '03 about 2 months ago for $2200. in very clean condition, had never been raced or crashed, already had a full Big Gun header/muffler, jetted, etc., wider Douglas wheels, twist throttle, and O'neil bars. (all things I would have put on, if they were not already there).

and since the body changed in '05, that means all the other after-market parts that I wanted had been sitting on shop's shelfs for quite a while, and most are marked down to clearance prices. Yea !!
(and I have now done almost every single thing/mod that can be done, and I'm still at about $3000 TOTAL cash spent)

So what I end up with is a very RELIABLE, plenty powerful, rather respectable, reasonably priced quad which I will ride for many years to come.

other than all of that,.... I cant really think of a good reason to pick the 400ex...:D

[gcart2]

honestly.. cuz it seemed fast and great for racing (back when i was a newbie to racing) come to find out your nothing without a 450. I honestly wish i would have invested in a 450.

[UNBROKEN]

i wanted a ltz400 but i wanted a 4 wheeler and it was a spur of the moment decison

[03mach]

Originally posted by gcart2
honestly.. cuz it seemed fast and great for racing (back when i was a newbie to racing) come to find out your nothing without a 450. I honestly wish i would have invested in a 450.

i dont race, but after riding my friends yfz, i should have spend the extra money. his rides so much nicer and its more stable. oh well brand new 4700 OTD, i cant complain at all.

[gcart2]

yea dont take ehat i said wrong, i love my 400. shes fast, real fast but out of allo seriousness... 450's are faster.

[TRXRacer1]

When I bought mine there were no 450's. It was either a 400ex or a z400. I was tempted to get the z400 but I liked Honda a lot.

When all the 450s came out I thought I may feel the need for a bigger machine but the more I rode with 450's the more I realized that I didn't need one. My machine is rock solid and I can hang with the 450's all day. Unless you're on a drag strip or seriously into MX you don't need all that. I hopped on my buddies 07 YFZ with a cam mod and ballance pipe and I wasn't all that impressed. It was nice but I wouldn't want one for the type of riding we mostly do. I ride a 450r once in a while too and it's great but I have yet to find a reason to buy one. My 400ex has low end pull like a freight train compared to these bikes. I could have had that 450r but I lined the deal up for my friend instead. A deal so sweet that I could have sold mine and had money left over after I bought it.

Bottom line, mine is set up for me and works exactly like I want it to!

[Ruby Soho]

Originally posted by FoxHondaRider
As I was younger back in 1999 I used to look at the 400ex online all the time and say "1 day I will own 1 of those". It was my dream quad and I love everything about it. Finally in January 2007 I bought a 2004 400ex. I liked the older style plastics much better and I still do. It was distinguished very easily. That entire 1st week I had it I would wake up in the morning with a smile on my face thinking I have the quad I always dreamed of having since I was little and I would go in the garage and just look at it before my day started haha. There were 450rs for sale that I could have bought but I wanted a 400ex. So thats about my story. I bought it because I loved it since it came out, and... its a HONDA!

same for me.. its been my favorite quad for along time. but i've outgrown mine now pretty much.. and i need a change:p

i still love it though, best quad ive ever ridden with a few exceptions

[STUNTIN400EX]

i bought mine because there where no 450's in 02 and my father talked me out of getting a 600rr. now i have a bad *** zx7r and what will soon be a pretty cool 400ex. plus i have a ltz400 to but my honda is WAY more reliable!!!

[glamiskid395]

i chose other
it was a hand-me-down from my older sister who just got a 05 450R.
i had it for 2 years until it blew 2 more head gaskets and blew the tranny at the same times. (almost $1000 each time)
so the 2nd time it did it , while i had it, we cleaned it up, and took it to a dealer who had 3 or 4 BRAND new 2004 400s still in crates from honda (who supposedly did not know they had them in the warehouse).
we traded it in, got $3000 for it, and gave them $1000 to cover the price difference.
the salesmen asked my dad if he wanted to get a 450r instead but he didnt want me to have a 450r when i was 13.:grr:

im glad i got it thogh, i dont like the ergos of the 450s, and the 400 has the classic 'bug eyes' look to it.:cool:

[Gatekeeper]

I chose other, but really could have been "all of the above"
I originally wanted a 4x4, large cc, fast enough to be fun.
But all the 4x4s in my price range were either beat or slow.
A buddy suggested a ex.
Fast, reliable, and one of the best values IMO in used quads

[red_rider_069]

Originally posted by Ruby Soho
my 440 makes around the same power as a 450.. i want a 450 for top speed and liqued cooled.. i know my 440 has same power.. but idk i cant explain it.. i wanta 450 =):blah:

[red_rider_069]

Originally posted by tri5ron
I did alot of homework before making a decision on what to buy.
I also evaluated what type of riding I wanted to do, and who I would be riding with. I'm married with 2 young munchkins, and we go to the desert often to ride our Landsailers at El Mirage dry lakebed.
I have no intrest in racing on a track, and will be riding mostly open desert, and a little mountain trails, and may even use it occaisionally on a hunting trip in Arizona.

I wanted a quad which could do all of these things comfortably, had a decent amount of power (It's PLENTY fast for me), It was going to be easy on the wallet, it had a TON of readily available reasonably priced after-market parts available, had been in production for many years showing it had proven itself as a dependable and reliable machine with a large following of happy owners, and I could modify to my liking and riding style.

So with that, (and being a long time Honda Fan), the choice was easy.
I picked up my '03 about 2 months ago for $2200. in very clean condition, had never been raced or crashed, already had a full Big Gun header/muffler, jetted, etc., wider Douglas wheels, twist throttle, and O'neil bars. (all things I would have put on, if they were not already there).

and since the body changed in '05, that means all the other after-market parts that I wanted had been sitting on shop's shelfs for quite a while, and most are marked down to clearance prices. Yea !!
(and I have now done almost every single thing/mod that can be done, and I'm still at about $3000 TOTAL cash spent)

So what I end up with is a very RELIABLE, plenty powerful, rather respectable, reasonably priced quad which I will ride for many years to come.

other than all of that,.... I cant really think of a good reason to pick the 400ex...:D


AMEN:D btw you mean el mirage arizona? like next to glendale, avendale, surpirse, pheonix, etc?

[red_rider_069]

any ways..
i didnt think i'd get so many replys! thank peeps..
atleast im not the only one who got it for proce.. and kuz i didntk now much about quads at the time.. grew up riding dirt bikes.. :D but now things have changed im about quads.. and being a noobie in 06 i got my 05 400ex 4800 otd .. :D a 2008 450r will be added to the family soon :eek2:

[DementeD]

i was a dirt bike rider as well..

second quad(first was like 8yrs ago and was a blaster that was built but traded it for a yz250 like a month later)

so this is my first actual quad i messed with
and i bought it for numerous reasons

it was pretty cheap..1700 for an 00 ex with some mods pretty taken care of..

but i wanted something that i could have fun since they are pretty fast..also wanted something that was easy to work on and pretty cheap to rebuild in case..

also i figured if i learn on a "beater" bike then later on IF i choose a new bike ill know a lot more and not make mistakes i might make with this one

however i do believe that i wont really need to upgrade..i think the 400ex is pretty perfect for what i do..

if i did mx or something of the like id probably want something different..but i just play around in the dirt/trails/mud etc so i dont think i need anything better..

i mean really? 450's in trails i dont think work very well...660 or 700 raptors? ahh..i can find quite a few faults not to get one of those..

really to me the only quad's to choose from is the 400ex or the z400(or whatever u want to call it kfx etc all the same)

and i think the honda reliability and the more torque the 400ex has is what is best for me.. plus the ease of working on it..
had it about two weeks and already im ripping it apart..removin the choke about to adjust the valves changed the oil twice cleaning filter fixin the one of the headlights also about to install a rev box and a timing advanced key and maybe a stage 1 cam

and im pretty confident working on this since it really seems so easy.... i <3 400ex :D

[red_rider_069]

Originally posted by DementeD
i was a dirt bike rider as well..

second quad(first was like 8yrs ago and was a blaster that was built but traded it for a yz250 like a month later)

so this is my first actual quad i messed with
and i bought it for numerous reasons

it was pretty cheap..1700 for an 00 ex with some mods pretty taken care of..

but i wanted something that i could have fun since they are pretty fast..also wanted something that was easy to work on and pretty cheap to rebuild in case..

also i figured if i learn on a "beater" bike then later on IF i choose a new bike ill know a lot more and not make mistakes i might make with this one

however i do believe that i wont really need to upgrade..i think the 400ex is pretty perfect for what i do..

if i did mx or something of the like id probably want something different..but i just play around in the dirt/trails/mud etc so i dont think i need anything better..

i mean really? 450's in trails i dont think work very well...660 or 700 raptors? ahh..i can find quite a few faults not to get one of those..

really to me the only quad's to choose from is the 400ex or the z400(or whatever u want to call it kfx etc all the same)

and i think the honda reliability and the more torque the 400ex has is what is best for me.. plus the ease of working on it..
had it about two weeks and already im ripping it apart..removin the choke about to adjust the valves changed the oil twice cleaning filter fixin the one of the headlights also about to install a rev box and a timing advanced key and maybe a stage 1 cam

and im pretty confident working on this since it really seems so easy.... i <3 400ex :D
i guess what you use it for fits your personallity, i hate losin to 450s in drags.. i know i whip em if i had one casue im always so close i start off winning till i run out of egars then lose :(.. so i need something faster!

[RideRed84]

I bought mine beacuse it was cheap and I always wanted a 400ex. I really wanted to go with honda due to how our old atc's held up and found mine in great shape on the board for a good price. I had looked in to a KFX as well. I, like most every one else, want a 450 now. I'm glad I bought the 400 for my first quad and I want more power and a better suspension, but after taking the g/f out yesterday I wonder if I can lug it around the trails that slow on a 450.

[UNBROKEN]

i know my friends yfz sucks in the tight trails the open ones it does alright but when it gets technical he clucks out alot darn light flywheel lol

[tri5ron]

hey Red Rider 069,
No not El Mirage, Az.
I go to El Mirage, Ca. often,
it's near Palmdale, Lancaster, Victorville, Edwards Airforce base.
Ive been going there for over 35 years. We go out there to ride our Landsailers, as well as everything else.
Great place for bikes, quads, buggies, ultralight aircraft, land speed trials, pretty much anything you can think of.

here's a pic of me on one of my Landsailers...
I'm doing about 45-50 mph in this shot. Pretty wild when you consider that you steer with your feet, and there is NO BRAKES !!!
<div style="width:600px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w111.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w111.photobucket.com/albums/n148/tri5ron/el mirage thanksgiving 06/1169528876.pbw" height="480" width="600"><a href="http://i111.photobucket.com/redirect/album?action=slideshow&landing=/slideshows&type=3" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s111.photobucket.com/albums/n148/tri5ron/el%20mirage%20thanksgiving%2006/?action=view&current=1169528876.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>

[gel1197]

I bought my 05' from the original owner about six months ago for, are you ready for this....$2,000.00 cash! I love Hondas track record and for that price it was a deal I couldn't pass on. The original owner washed (and armor all'd) it after every ride and I never saw him wreck the bike. Now if I could just find a 450 for the same price....

[sprayedgt]

I got my '08 last month, $5,283 OTD. I was thinking about the Z400 and also the Raptor 700. I've heard everywhere about them being damn near indestructible. And also heard about quite a few problems/issues with the other 2 brands . Price was not a concern, but fun and reliability was. So the 400EX is the perfect blend of everything. Just now got it fully broken in, so let the modding begin:D

[mak400ex]

Well - did i miss it on this thread, am i the only one ? --- but the main reasons i picked the 400ex over the 450r back in 2005. was for electric start and reverse. 2 main selling point for me and my riding style, and yea like the rest of ya saying reliability is a great point not to say all of the aftermarket parts out vs the 450r parts. gotta have my rev and ele start LOL, wouldnt mine some extra power but i like what i got. the 450r is a great ride and yea the 450re is out... with out reverse - yes pretty pricey. no matter what you get or have as long as its a HONDA your in good shape for dependability :macho

[red_rider_069]

oh i thought you ment el miragae arizona.. i htink i know where ur tlaking about we go through there on our way to mexico often :D

[DementeD]

well i can agree with the e-start...however i own an 00 and no rev :( this does suck but i am definitely happy with the bike..if i have to hop off to push it back i guess its ok..which normally the only time i have to do that is to get it out of my garage...after that i just go forward :D

[Brauap]

I voted other aswell. I got mine for 2500, and it was only 10 minutes away. The guy could deliver it free, w/ the title. Engine is stock (As far as I know..) ad the 450 was too much power for me at the time, because I moved from a 250 utility. (Honda Recon 250) But I am extremly happy with it. It holds up great. Aslong at you servise it, and it is extremly reliable. It can hold up to my abuse! Ofcourse you dream of a 450, but seriously, do I need it. I trail ride. Its all the power that I need, well.. I think it needs a tad bit more. But just bump it up to a 416, and a slip on.. dunno.

[red_rider_069]

i dont really like the specs of a stock 400.. and i think if you got it 5000 or less you paid right price.. :D.. bu thats jsut me

[klutch]

We have always been die hard Honda fans. I started off on a Honda 70. My dad had a 300EX since he got it new in 94. I got my own 300EX an 01" about 7 or 8 Months ago. It only seemed right for my dad to move up. His dream bike was the 400EX since it came out. Well we got a deal on a 2003 400EX that we just couldn't pass up on. My dad's 400EX is great and he loves it and it is fairly modded. Now I just got my 04 450R. Will never leave Honda.

[Hondamaster5505]

Price price price price.

I got my 2005 for $1800, that just needed a cleaning.

If I never came across that deal, I probably wouldve never even thought about a 400ex. I was going to go directly to a banshee or yfz450. Then I saw this 400ex, and said, "ya know, its cheap, doesnt really need anything, and is still a major upgrade from the blaster"

Well, yes, I am very happy with it, but i want more power which funds wont allow:(
I have a banshee though now, while being able to keep the 400ex, which makes me happy!:D

[NJ450rider]

I bought my 400ex so i have something to ride when my 450r is down or broken.

[400EXdirtslngrr]

In 2006 went on a camping trip with the fellas, friend of mine put me on his 2000 bansh while he rode his bike now up to that point i havnt rode in over 8 years that bansh was alittle too much for me at that time he said that if i ever picked up a quad that i should check into a 400ex it would have everything i needed to get back into rideing. Well 2 weeks later i came across a 99 400ex for $1800 needless to say i bought it and fell in love with it. I still own it after i got used to it i started wanting to compete with the faster quads around me. I put a 440 kit in it port n polish the head stage 2 hot cam. I have allready gotten my money out of that quad its all fun now. BY they way im the only honda rider in the pack i ride with and i cant tell you how many time i had to pull yamahas out of the woods RIDE RED!!!!

[EXracer8604]

Im on my 3rd 400ex, reason: its just a good all around bike, it does a little bit of everything.

[REDRIDDER]

The 400ex has got to be if not the best trail quad of present time and continues to be reliable.

Only got it cause it seemed like a ok motocross quad. 29 days after I got it I got a new dirt wheels mag showing the new yfz450 which was going to come out soon. I then hated my self for buying the honda.

[Hondamaster5505]

Originally posted by REDRIDDER
The 400ex has got to be if not the best trail quad of present time and continues to be reliable.

I would say its the 2nd best, next to the raptor 700.

But being the 2nd best this day and age with all the other bikes out, thats pretty damn impressive:eek:

[440exRider187]

Because it had all this on it 4 $2400!! An NO, its not stolen. Got it off a rich kid. And A LOT Better Than tha warrior I was riden.
\/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/

[07trx400ex]

For me, it was all about finding an alternative way to satisfy my fixation for an adrenaline rush, and perennial need to always be working on something.

Since I am not a racer, the 400 seemed like a good place to start(regret it now).

[bbender85]

i went with the 400 because it's my first quad, and i did alot of homework to figure out what a good bike to start with was..... and they are a dime a dozen around here. i grew up on a snowmobile, but sold it a few years back, and wanted something to play with on the dunes besides my truck, so the quad isn't a main hobby (translation; not a main money pit :D ).

everyone on my dune forum said it's the best bike for what i want to do with it/pay for it. we'll see! (just picked it up two days ago)

[krt400ex]

reliability, the fact that its honda, handling, reverse (i ride trails), how easily it can be modded, price didnt have a whole lot to do with it...i was gonna get a 450R, but they had no left overs...so i was left with the EX

[red_rider_069]

wow.. so many replys.. i thought everyone got them for the specs.. :"S

[red_rider_069]

hmm any new people here? please post =)

[billyboy93]

the 400 is a beast

[JOHNDOE83]

ive wanted one since i was a little kid now i got one ive even had offers to buy for over 3000$ and trades from banshees to 250rs but its my dream quad set up just the way i want it and it aint goin anywhere unless im with it...lol

I already replied on page 2 but I wanted to add something else. 400ex are so versatile they can be made into so many different things. 450's are high revving and mostly for MX because the engine wants to go fast. 400ex just has the style I like. Great handling, not to shabby on the power side, easy maintenance, pretty cheap to maintain... Yeah 450's have more power but usable power wise I have beaten so many 450's track and trail wise. Drag wise I have beaten Banshees. I know the machine well and I know how it performs and acts. I wouldnt trade my 400ex for a 450 or anything else.

[dirtbike34j]

i agree with FoxHondaRider and there also a good all around quad and can easily be converted into a mx or xc or trails/or what ever it also easy to handle and just a perfect model quad for honda to make also a good price [ props to honda]

[HondaRaceReady]

I wanted one ever since I rode my friends 04 and test drove an 01 later that month just to ride one again. Mainly because they're like the most reliable bikes ever, easy to upgrade, and mine has reverse (07). I was going to get a 450r, but my other friend talked me out of it.

[red_rider_069]

Originally posted by HondaRaceReady
I wanted one ever since I rode my friends 04 and test drove an 01 later that month just to ride one again. Mainly because they're like the most reliable bikes ever, easy to upgrade, and mine has reverse (07). I was going to get a 450r, but my other friend talked me out of it. i think he was jelious :P.. i'd do anything to get my hands on a 450 atm.. but gotta save up some more.. so im not modding ma 400 anymore.. i htink i am atleast:blah:

[bill222]

Paid 1750 for mine and $200 dollars later im race ready

[nevadanotch]

I bought mine because the damn things are practically bullet proof, parts are plentiful and I got a good deal on an 05 in Feb of 06. $3750 out the door!
This was my first 4 stroke! Before that it was 2 stroke bikes and then a LT250r Quad Racer (needed 4 wheels, I got tired of falling over)! Big change in torque on low end, I can practically idle it on the trails and not stall! I do miss the 2 stroke in the dunes though!

[400exrider_88]

paid 1250 for mine. working on the top end right now, but its got some sweet stuff on it- works triple rates, 11:1 high comp 426 wiseco, barnett clutch, nerfbars, and some other aftermarket stuff. its fast

[madmax400ex]

Well for me the price, and it was my friends so it was down the road from me. I always loved riding atv's, when i was younger i had a 1980 honda 110 3 wheeler
and i used to beat the crap out of that thing, and it was indestructable. Well i out grew it and sold it, but couldn't afford another bike, so i went without riding for a very long time.
Then i started getting the itch again:devil:. My friend who is a farmer had a 01 400ex for sale that had been sitting in his barn for 2 years, he hadn't rode or even started the bike in that time. Him and i worked on the bike for a couple of days and got it started, and i rode it around. Well i fell in love with it. At this time i didn't know that much about the 400ex or honda, besides the old 3 wheeler that i couldn't kill. Luckily for me i bought a very reliable bike from what i have read. Since then i have put about 1200 into it with simple mods. For now i have a blast on it, all i do is trail ride, but i would like to go to a track someday when i get more experience on it. So for me the 400ex is a KICK A#! Machine.

[madmax400ex]

OH-Yea and i paid 1900 for it!

[miller821]

Paid-$4500 for an 04 400ex in like 2003-04... Brand new!

Paid-$4500 for an 06 Lt-R450 like two weeks ago... Brand new!

I don't think price was much of a difference.:p

Got it because it's a great trail quad, and the reliability is definitely awesome. Definitely started to regret it due to the power factor, but now that I got a race quad and a trail quad, i'm lovin it.

[Yellow2004ex400]

When my Yellow 2004 Honda 400ex (I love this color) was bought in late 2003 (or it might have been early 2004; I forget), there was no 450s out yet. My quad was bought brand new for $5100, with extra things thrown in, like a helmet, VP Racing gas tank, and gloves, out the door. That was the best price in Southern California for this quad, and at the time, this quad was "THE S**T." I had to have it. Yeah, the 450s now may be faster than the 400ex in stock form, but the 450s owe it to the 400s (especially the 400ex) for starting the whole "Sport ATV" phenomenon. I've had my 400ex for over 4 years now, and have ridden it in many places, like Glamis, CA, Pismo Beach, CA, El Mirage, CA, Johnson Valley, CA, Stoddard Valley, CA, Palm Springs, CA, and a few other places, and my modded 400ex can tackle any of these places with ease, plus it has been very reliable since day one (cuz it's a Honda). My 400ex has been modified to give extra power, so powerwise, it's all I need, but if I was ever looking to do motocross with this quad (right now, riding sand dunes, flat dry lake beds, and desert trails is all I want to do) I can spend about $1200, and have more power than a 450 if I wanted to do motocross.

My cousin also has a 2004 Honda 400ex (except, his is all red), and he took his motor to a company called CT Racing in Santa Fe Springs, CA to have his motor modified to a 440 because he wants to do motocross. He spent $1200, including labor, for the entire kit, with a 12.5:1 compression JE piston, and the company told him he should expect about 50 rwhp. That's way more horsepower than any stock 450 out there right now. He also recently spent about $900 to have his suspension modified to do motocross, and when he gets his engine back in about a week, he'll be set for motocross. He also bought his quad for $5100 out the door, spent about $2100 on the 440 kit and suspension work, totaling about $7200 and that's still cheaper than buying a 450 for about $7500 to $8000 out the door, plus having to do modifications to it to do motocross (Unless, you buy the KTM 450, which is pretty much set up stock for motocross, with its adjustable rear axles, kill switch, motocross bumper, stronger steering stem, adjustable shocks, wide a-arms, and Maxxis Razr motocross front and rear tires). All in all, the Honda 400ex can be made to do anything, from recreational riding to motocross, for less money and it will be reliable.

[Wheelie]

I hope your cousin has good luck with CT Racing. From my personal experiences, they are to be avoided at all costs. They don't deliver what they promise, and they don't stand behind their work when they screw up.

Allen Knowles has a poor attitude and I'm surprised he's still in business.

[red_rider_069]

Originally posted by Yellow2004ex400
When my Yellow 2004 Honda 400ex (I love this color) was bought in late 2003 (or it might have been early 2004; I forget), there was no 450s out yet. My quad was bought brand new for $5100, with extra things thrown in, like a helmet, VP Racing gas tank, and gloves, out the door. That was the best price in Southern California for this quad, and at the time, this quad was "THE S**T." I had to have it. Yeah, the 450s now may be faster than the 400ex in stock form, but the 450s owe it to the 400s (especially the 400ex) for starting the whole "Sport ATV" phenomenon. I've had my 400ex for over 4 years now, and have ridden it in many places, like Glamis, CA, Pismo Beach, CA, El Mirage, CA, Johnson Valley, CA, Stoddard Valley, CA, Palm Springs, CA, and a few other places, and my modded 400ex can tackle any of these places with ease, plus it has been very reliable since day one (cuz it's a Honda). My 400ex has been modified to give extra power, so powerwise, it's all I need, but if I was ever looking to do motocross with this quad (right now, riding sand dunes, flat dry lake beds, and desert trails is all I want to do) I can spend about $1200, and have more power than a 450 if I wanted to do motocross.

My cousin also has a 2004 Honda 400ex (except, his is all red), and he took his motor to a company called CT Racing in Santa Fe Springs, CA to have his motor modified to a 440 because he wants to do motocross. He spent $1200, including labor, for the entire kit, with a 12.5:1 compression JE piston, and the company told him he should expect about 50 rwhp. That's way more horsepower than any stock 450 out there right now. He also recently spent about $900 to have his suspension modified to do motocross, and when he gets his engine back in about a week, he'll be set for motocross. He also bought his quad for $5100 out the door, spent about $2100 on the 440 kit and suspension work, totaling about $7200 and that's still cheaper than buying a 450 for about $7500 to $8000 out the door, plus having to do modifications to it to do motocross (Unless, you buy the KTM 450, which is pretty much set up stock for motocross, with its adjustable rear axles, kill switch, motocross bumper, stronger steering stem, adjustable shocks, wide a-arms, and Maxxis Razr motocross front and rear tires). All in all, the Honda 400ex can be made to do anything, from recreational riding to motocross, for less money and it will be reliable.

wow :macho

[red_rider_069]

Originally posted by Yellow2004ex400
When my Yellow 2004 Honda 400ex (I love this color) was bought in late 2003 (or it might have been early 2004; I forget), there was no 450s out yet. My quad was bought brand new for $5100, with extra things thrown in, like a helmet, VP Racing gas tank, and gloves, out the door. That was the best price in Southern California for this quad, and at the time, this quad was "THE S**T." I had to have it. Yeah, the 450s now may be faster than the 400ex in stock form, but the 450s owe it to the 400s (especially the 400ex) for starting the whole "Sport ATV" phenomenon. I've had my 400ex for over 4 years now, and have ridden it in many places, like Glamis, CA, Pismo Beach, CA, El Mirage, CA, Johnson Valley, CA, Stoddard Valley, CA, Palm Springs, CA, and a few other places, and my modded 400ex can tackle any of these places with ease, plus it has been very reliable since day one (cuz it's a Honda). My 400ex has been modified to give extra power, so powerwise, it's all I need, but if I was ever looking to do motocross with this quad (right now, riding sand dunes, flat dry lake beds, and desert trails is all I want to do) I can spend about $1200, and have more power than a 450 if I wanted to do motocross.

My cousin also has a 2004 Honda 400ex (except, his is all red), and he took his motor to a company called CT Racing in Santa Fe Springs, CA to have his motor modified to a 440 because he wants to do motocross. He spent $1200, including labor, for the entire kit, with a 12.5:1 compression JE piston, and the company told him he should expect about 50 rwhp. That's way more horsepower than any stock 450 out there right now. He also recently spent about $900 to have his suspension modified to do motocross, and when he gets his engine back in about a week, he'll be set for motocross. He also bought his quad for $5100 out the door, spent about $2100 on the 440 kit and suspension work, totaling about $7200 and that's still cheaper than buying a 450 for about $7500 to $8000 out the door, plus having to do modifications to it to do motocross (Unless, you buy the KTM 450, which is pretty much set up stock for motocross, with its adjustable rear axles, kill switch, motocross bumper, stronger steering stem, adjustable shocks, wide a-arms, and Maxxis Razr motocross front and rear tires). All in all, the Honda 400ex can be made to do anything, from recreational riding to motocross, for less money and it will be reliable.

wow :macho

[Yellow2004ex400]

Wheelie,

I'm curious as to why you say that CT Racing should be avoided at all costs and that they don't deliver what they promise? Did you take your ATV there? Did your quad not put out the power it was supposed to? If you did take your quad there and it didn't impress you powerwise when you got home, let me remind you. Elevation could be to blame for that. CT Racing is in Santa Fe Springs, CA (Which is about an hour from where I live). They pretty much dyno test their atvs close to sea level (Santa Fe Springs is close to sea level). I see that you live in Washington state. You may live at high altitude. That could be the reason why you don't see the numbers that CT Racing promised you. If that's the case, it's not CT Racing's fault. Blame the altitude.

[Wheelie]

It wasn't my quad, it was my brothers Suzuki LT500. They did a complete build on the quad. After about two hours, it burnt a hole in the piston. They jetted it for sea level. The transmission was also having issues with 2nd gear, they said they fixed it, they charged him for it, but it's doing the same thing.

About the hole, I call Allen, before I had a chance to say much of anything, he got irate, was defensive and wouldn't offer help in any way. He wouldn't stand behind his work. I build the quad the second time around--it's now running great. CT Racing is a joke. Allen Knowles needs to retire.

[red_rider_069]

:grr:

[Yellow2004ex400]

Well, Wheelie is the first person I've read about on these forums that has had a problem with CT Racing. I did a search for "CT Racing" on this site and could not find anyone else that has posted a problem with them. Has anyone else had a problem with CT Racing that has not posted on here yet???

[red_rider_069]

Originally posted by Yellow2004ex400
Well, Wheelie is the first person I've read about on these forums that has had a problem with CT Racing. I did a search for "CT Racing" on this site and could not find anyone else that has posted a problem with them. Has anyone else had a problem with CT Racing that has not posted on here yet??? man your ruined my thread.. not mad or anything but cuoldnt u start a new one to ask that?:grr:

[Yellow2004ex400]

I can and will right now

[440exmadness]

i bought a 400ex because it was a good deal and turned out to be a good machine to

[Moded86R]

I remember when the 400ex first came out.


There wasn't a better new bike out at the time.I already had a 250r and wanted a play bike.My buddy bought a brand new 02 and we rode the crap outta thing.If maintained right a 400ex will last along time.

I bought mine from a doctor who kept it at his families farm.In perfect shape all stock for 3500.That was in 2004.

I want some new shocks and I am going to get another swingarm before I ride again.Mine is jacked up and I don't want a broken center case from the chain coming off.