400EX vs. the 450's handling only?

[Kevslatvin]

It seems all the 400 vs. 450 theads are about power, but what about handling. I figure handling is a more fair comparison since virtually the same aftermarket parts can be bought for both. So my question is once suspesion parts are installed on a 400. How does it compare to a 450 with equivalent components. My primary intrest is mx, so say both machines are setup for mx. I am thinking they are close to equal with some even preferring the 400 geometry. Is this correct? Otherwise why would people still biuld CRF450/YZ426/450F hybrids using 400ex or 400ex geometry frames on ocassion?

[Ruby Soho]

in my opinion, and probably lots of other people's, the 400ex handles better. besides the 250r i think the 400ex is one of the best handling quads.

the 250r takes the cake for handling though

[the Z Man]

I think the 450r would be better if ti turned sharper..

[coryatver]

I have had both and I would have to say the 400ex handles better than a 450r when I first got the 450r I could have still rode faster on the 400ex. With good shock rebuilds or aftermarket and a link the 450r handles really good if not better than the 400ex. I think that stock yfz's handle just as good as a 400ex though.

[jcs003]

i have a 400ex and 250r and i think the 400 handles better. as the 450 i think its geometry is closer to a 250r so i would give it to the 400ex

[Wheelie]

I have a fair amount of seat time on a R and the 400ex handles better IMO.

[MAD450r]

I had my ex with elka's and widened before I got my R. I hated the R the day I picked it up. I felt so high. I did widen it right away and put rebuilds on it, then it handled as good as the 400ex. I then rode more and continued adjusting my suspension now I think the R is much better suited for racing and yes on a track I think it handles better.

In the woods yes I agree the 400ex does turn sharper and it can be tractors so many say it handles better. Its the motor making the ex easier to ride there that helps in my opinion.

http://www.dotphoto.com/SAN1/AD/AB/F9/iADABF9F6-2562-4E42-8A27-AFCBAB182682.jpg

Im currently changing outthe rearend again on my R. I want it better so im trying a dc-6 linkage and pep dual rate zeropreload shock. I hope its alot better than the rebuilt derisi was on the shorter swinger from stock to rebuilt I mean.

[beags86]

i own a 250r and a 400ex. i put a fair amount of seat time on a 450r before i bought my 250r i thought i wanted the 450r but i just didn't like it as much as a 250 or 400. now after owning the 250r i would say it takes the cake for handling. just my opinion

[Lonestar_R]

I've owned a 250R and a 450R and a 400EX. And by far the 250R is the best handling out of them all. but a stock 400EX will out handle a stock 450R any day of the week. aftermarket to aftermarket they would be close to the same.

[Kevslatvin]

Thanks for the replies. I'm fixing to start trying to get my EX setup for mx as soon as I can find some decent used a-arms for a decent price. I'd like 450 but the moneys' not right for me to get into one right now, and I'm not going to borrow the money for one. I'd say I'll probably have it for two more years. Anyway I know the 400 is at a disadvantage as far as power I just wanted to make sure it didn't have a big handling disadvantage compared to the 450's. Anybody know how it compares to the others YFZ,KFX,LTR,etc.

[Wheelie]

The YFZ handles very similar to an EX. The other two I can't speak for, haven't rode'em.

[MtnEX]

The handling is better on the 400EX than the 450R. The geometry and manners are better. But the suspension is not. The front end rolls too much and the rear bucks too much. But it still handles better and has easier potential in that department.

You'll need a rear link, suspension all around, and maybe some gusseting for competition... and you're going to have to get several inches wider too.

I would hate to be out there on an MX track with 450's though. I don't care what mods you do to it, it's going to fall short of that performance level.

Plus I have a feeling that it would be a little nerve racking in traffic because of the difference in rhythm.

You'll be the guy driving through town in the box truck... if you know what I mean... Not that extreme of course, but it's going to be awkward at best.



As far as pecking order goes, I'm turning my nose up at the 400EX and 250R these days. I've had my new KFX450R about 6 weeks or so, but knew in the first 6 minutes that "the bar" has been raised tremendously....

That's speaking solely based on as it sits rolled out of the crate. I haven't changed a thing yet, even adjusted the shocks or bought tires, and I can still tell it's worlds beyond.

So far, it's been a little rough on me because the shock settings are off, and the power is so explosive... but also I realized much of it is just because I'm carrying so much more speed now than ever before.

[Kevslatvin]

I don't race, at least not yet. I may try it in the future. I ride mostly at a mx track that is a practice track. There are a couple more around I'm gonna try out this summer maybe. Closest track to me I know of that holds races is Meadow Creek. I may go there once I get wider arms and such. I've actually been thinking about the KFX450 when I make the switch cause I think I want something fuel injected. It'll be awhile though. My daughter's wanting a dirt bike. Luckily used 50s are fairly cheap.

[matt1106]

Im going to go with the 400ex.... as well. for the woods. but in wide open spaces and mx. the 450r is lower more stable. I honestly thought the front end on the 450 got to light in the turns in the woods and had a tendency to push through corners if u were hard on the gas coming out of them. none of the 450's really handle better than the 400 for the woods. The one downfall to the 400's handling would be the stock tires.. they are too soft and roll in the corners and the first mod a new 400 owner should do is pick up a good set of tires. I got a set of razrs and when im weaving through trees in 3rd gear i feel like im completely in control at all times. and i can ride so much faster. but now im finding stability to be and issue bc im taking corners so fast now haha

[Nac's22]

I own both the 400EX and the 450R as well as the 250R. These days because all I do is racing I ride the 450R the most. On the track the 450 does handle better but in the trails the 400 would kill it. On the 250R... lets just say every time I ride the 450 or the 400 I miss the 250R it handled so perfectly that I could go wide open over sections that I wouldn't even think about it on the other two. The power and the technology of the 450 just makes it an overall better bike. I hate to admit it because I'm a die hard 250R guy but its a sad truth. I can't wait to get my 250R back together just so I can ride it because it is so much fun and it does handle that well. Starting out in MX you are going to be in the C class and the 400 with good suspention on it will be plenty fine in the C class.

[honda400ex2003]

400ex is better stock for stock in my opinion. steve