400ex - wasting my time?

[strubby]

Okay guys I need some non biased opinions here. I've had lots of quads, two most recent being a Z400 and LT-R450. Sold them for financial reasons a few months ago. My buddy has an '06 400ex in nice shape he wants to get sell to get a utility. Basically his g/f's decision... anyways I'm riding it this weekend to try it out. Obviously it's a step down from both my most recent bikes but I'm thinking I can snag it for $2k cash. I can't afford the $5-6K quad I really want right now...

Ok, do you think with a full exhaust (HMF, Motoworks, etc), remove lid and do a K&N, jet it, get a set of 450r front shocks (haven't looked into fitment yet...), send them and the rear to GT Thunder or similar to have them rebuilt, and to lower the bike a bit, some decent HD or GNCC Holeshots on the rear the bike would work for me for a year or so? Like, how would it compare to the other two? I'm not willing to dump the cash for +2 arms and axle to compare it to the LTR, but figure it'd handle decent with what I said? The Z had similar mods and honestly it was enough. Anyways, he just hit me with the offer and I've been itching to get another quad so what say you? Get it, do a few things and ride it for a year? Or don't waste my time and buy a bigger bike months to a year from now?

[Pipeless416]

the 400ex and z are very different animals. 400ex's make a lot of power down low, whereas z's make a lot more mid-top. z's are a lot cushier, while ex's handle much better. i don't think you'll be disappointed... well maybe since you came off an ltr :p :o

[matt14c]

For what you would have in shocks, exhaust, and kn you could find a nice 450R. I see 450's all the time for around 2500-3k. If your doing this to also help your buddy out well then I think you would be happy. Its no LTR thats for damn sure but I would put a piped and jetted properly ex against a z any day. The biggest problems with the ex's are the shocks but if you do what you spoke of it will be really nice. Throw a stage one or two hot cam in your list and a sparks key and it should rip pretty well. Again no LTR but definitly more fun than watching or just borrowing a buddies bike!

[strubby]

Thanks for the honesty guys. I only went as far as Cherry Bomb, debaffled exhaust and removing the lid on the LT-R. For what I do that was enough, because it already handled great. Do you think a piped (is full worth it on this bike?), k&n with no lid, and jetted EX could keep up? Or are there other simple mods that work well on this bike too? I'll do my research if I get the bike, just getting a rough idea now. I trail a lot more than track as well, and told myself my next bike would have reverse again, so that's why I wasn't looking into a 450R. I just figure if I can get on this EX for $2k, then throw a used set of 450R front shocks on (rebuilding them if I keep it a while), and the bolt ons as I go, it wouldn't be too bad. That way maybe rather than buying a KFX450R or Outlaw 525S I can hold out to get the KTM 525? :D

[TRXRacer1]

I'm with matt, why buy a 400ex to install 450r shocks when you could just get a 450r. I'd say in all due respect that this would be wasting your time.

[John Noftsinger]

there are so many Z,s for that price with all the goodies already why build up a 400ex than looking for used Z for same price you be spending alot more to get it to Z /450 level and yes the Z is that much better than the EX .the z motor can produce way more hp,s with little mods. 450 carb/cams /high com pistons/airboot mod ,40+hp cant get that from ex with out boring+carb+cam.Ive had both Z to me far superior quad IMO.

[strubby]

I can't get a modified Z, nor a nice stock Z for $2k around here. $3k for a pretty decent '05+ stock is as good as it gets. I have seen 450Rs for $3k or under, probably would take $2500 cash. Where have they been and how have they been maintained? Anyways, my buddy needs to get rid of his 400, it's an '06 and sits in the garage more than it sees the dirt, I just figured $2k was a decent deal. If I were to wait to buy a different, pricier bike it'd be atleast a 450, I've owned two Z's and they were great, but I'd be doing all the same mods to it as I would the Honda. So, I guess it's up to whether I want to have fun and ride now or wait a year for a bike I really want. (KFX450R, Outlaw 525S, KTM 525)

[strubby]

Okay, I do listen to everyone's advice...

I found a locally listed '04 450R for $2k. No pics, but the guy will send some tonight. He is into racing mountain bikes I guess, and never uses the quad. Anyways, he says it's in real nice shape and all original and title in hand. Welcomed me to look at it and test ride it.

So before I leap, is there anything I should look for for this year? Any reason to look at something else? And lastly, is there really that much of a difference from the 450R and 400ex? From your responses it sounds like it. And for the same price and if they're in comparable shape I suppose the 450R is a no brainer? I may look at it tonight so what say you?

[matt14c]

Well you had a z400 and a ltr so for comparrison of the ex to the R. The ex is not as powerful as a stock z. The 450r is very comparable in power to the ltr just the ltr is wider and has better suspension in stock form. A 450r will beat an ex in all catagories and in many of them by large margins. The only thing your losing is electric start and on that 06 ex the reverse. The 450's have alot more maintence to do also. The oils need to be changed very often I believe it is recommended for every 8-10 hrs on the engine/crankcase and every other oil change for the tranny fluids. They are both fantastic deals especially if the 450 is in good condition. The 450 you would have to do virtually nothing and be very happy with it. With the 400 you already spoke of the things you wanted to do.

The only problems the early 450's had were there crank bearing but it usually goes out at or around the 100 hr mark if not before. I think that was mainly on the 05's also. That one being an 04 should be well beyond that so you should be ok.

[strubby]

Originally posted by matt14c
Well you had a z400 and a ltr so for comparrison of the ex to the R. The ex is not as powerful as a stock z. The 450r is very comparable in power to the ltr just the ltr is wider and has better suspension in stock form. A 450r will beat an ex in all catagories and in many of them by large margins. The only thing your losing is electric start and on that 06 ex the reverse. The 450's have alot more maintence to do also. The oils need to be changed very often I believe it is recommended for every 8-10 hrs on the engine/crankcase and every other oil change for the tranny fluids. They are both fantastic deals especially if the 450 is in good condition. The 450 you would have to do virtually nothing and be very happy with it. With the 400 you already spoke of the things you wanted to do.

The only problems the early 450's had were there crank bearing but it usually goes out at or around the 100 hr mark if not before. I think that was mainly on the 05's also. That one being an 04 should be well beyond that so you should be ok.

Thank you! This is exactly how I needed to hear it. As I said, I didn't need to do much to the LT-R to be happy with the power, so that should be great on the R. Yes, I could put the LT-R sideways at nearly any speed, but it was sometimes problematic in trails. I figured I'd do +1 arms at most and just try to lower the center of gravity by have GT Thunder or similar work on the shocks. I'm assuming the maintainance on the R should be similar to the LT-R, which I'm used to and it never gave me a problem. It looks like the R is the way to go then... kickstart will just remind me of the dirt bike days :D We'll see what the pictures look like tonight...

[John Noftsinger]

strange isn,t it that a 450 sell,s less than a 400 make,s no sense but true ,good find on the 450r that quad probably wasn,t ridden alot and should be in great shape show us some pics of your find if you buy.

[rmcfadden68]

always choice honda the only bike u wont pull out of the wiids

Originally posted by rmcfadden68
always choice honda the only bike u wont pull out of the wiids

LOL I beg to differ. Every brand has it's day and ive seen honda's being towed numerous times.

Once I had to have my dad tow me back with his banshee, (although it was a stupid problem, I still had to be towed) and my cousin's friend had a 250ex. It was always properly maintained, and under normal riding the whole rear swingarm assembly came off:eek2: I have pics if necessary.. haha.

Also forgot to mention that 250ex was towed back by my cousins blaster.
Good ol' yamaha. Never let me down.

[TRXRacer1]

Originally posted by John Noftsinger
strange isn,t it that a 450 sell,s less than a 400 make,s no sense but true ,good find on the 450r that quad probably wasn,t ridden alot and should be in great shape show us some pics of your find if you buy. 400's sell for 500-1000 less then 450's around here.

[rinaldi]

I agree to look for another quad if you plan on dumping that much into the 400 immediately then considering selling in a year or so. I love my 400 and can't seem to bring myself to sell it yet, but bought a new Can Am 450x for similar reasons. I wanted to dump money into shocks, a arms, etc, but didn't seem to make sense. I think at a point you are just better off buying the better equipped bike. The 400 is GREAT but spending a couple more grand in parts on top of the $2000 purchase price brings you to a price of what you are looking for.

I know dealers in FL selling Can Am DS450's for under $4000 new and X models for about $4400. That is where I bought mine a couple months ago. Plus I know there are many other dealers out there selling other brands dirt cheap new. So with that going on anyone selling used would have to sell cheap in order to ditch their bike and compete with new quads. That is another reason I am holding onto my Honda. Love it too much to dump it cheap.

[rmcfadden68]

wow never really knew all those problems were out there. i pulld alot of blasters,tons of z400`s. but truely the most has beeen polaris. well u r right ive went back to the factory warranty and they replaced sub frame once and entire frame once. and when they sent me new i convinced the extended warranty company to pay for gussets to b welded in,so they dont have 2 keep replacing it. them gussets work great. my buddy was just opening a powder coating shop and only charged me 10 bucks for the red coat. turned out sick. so i gave him a 10 and a case of beer.
maybe u yamaha guys can help me or i mean my brother. ive tried 4x4 forums with no luck. starting from cold full choke his 08 450 grizzly starts right up, seems to idle really high tho. after its warm i turn choke to half and it stumbles if i shut off the choke it stalls.
now when he riding he will come to a stop to look at hill or somethng and it will stall. when i ride it it doesnt stall. ive been riding a lot longer than he has and am much more aggressive. i think its a fuel problem. it has been in the shop for leaking diff seals. that was fixed. yamaha dealer said nothing wrong with it. there also was diff oil in the air box????. i cleaned air filter. and with lid and filter on or off it still stalls. when idling if i play with throttle reeving up and down. the red reverse lights starts blinking?????

[rmcfadden68]

oh by the way in area, about 50 miles north of me,kittaning pa. there has been reports of a desperate ktm dealer selling off their 450` for a little less then $5000. who wouldnt want a bike thats damn near done straight from factory

Originally posted by rmcfadden68
wow never really knew all those problems were out there. i pulld alot of blasters,tons of z400`s. but truely the most has beeen polaris. well u r right ive went back to the factory warranty and they replaced sub frame once and entire frame once. and when they sent me new i convinced the extended warranty company to pay for gussets to b welded in,so they dont have 2 keep replacing it. them gussets work great. my buddy was just opening a powder coating shop and only charged me 10 bucks for the red coat. turned out sick. so i gave him a 10 and a case of beer.
maybe u yamaha guys can help me or i mean my brother. ive tried 4x4 forums with no luck. starting from cold full choke his 08 450 grizzly starts right up, seems to idle really high tho. after its warm i turn choke to half and it stumbles if i shut off the choke it stalls.
now when he riding he will come to a stop to look at hill or somethng and it will stall. when i ride it it doesnt stall. ive been riding a lot longer than he has and am much more aggressive. i think its a fuel problem. it has been in the shop for leaking diff seals. that was fixed. yamaha dealer said nothing wrong with it. there also was diff oil in the air box????. i cleaned air filter. and with lid and filter on or off it still stalls. when idling if i play with throttle reeving up and down. the red reverse lights starts blinking?????

Yeah every brand has it's flaws. I agree about polaris though..

I can't help much about the griz. I never worked on a FI quad. If it was carb'd I could probably help more.
It almost sounds like the plug needs to be replaced. My honda, when the plug was bad, it wouldn't run worth a crap and stall constantly.

If it's not that, then take her back to the dealer if its under warrenty.

Sorry for the thread jack..:(

After owning for 400ex and 450r... I could never go back. I miss some aspects of my 400ex but thats because it was not stock. The 450r in stock form is already ahead of the game by quite a bit. All depends on your riding though. The 400ex is great because of its versatility. Sometimes I get mad riding behind someone on a 400 because they lug it down and its near the stalling point on the R lol So if you want something easier to ride the 400ex for sure. Reliability on them is probably one of the best.

Originally posted by FlewByU352
After owning for 400ex and 450r... I could never go back. I miss some aspects of my 400ex but thats because it was not stock. The 450r in stock form is already ahead of the game by quite a bit. All depends on your riding though. The 400ex is great because of its versatility. Sometimes I get mad riding behind someone on a 400 because they lug it down and its near the stalling point on the R lol So if you want something easier to ride the 400ex for sure. Reliability on them is probably one of the best.

lol I remember when you used to always say "My 400ex is perfect for me and have no need to go bigger or upgrade to a 450r"

I knew you would change eventually, and now I bet you're glad you did.:devil:

[strubby]

Holy crap! I guess everyone gets on here on the weekends! haha.

Everyone is right about different points. In some aspects I would prefer the EX; tight trails using reverse, more rideable at lower rpms, etc. But since I loved riding the LT-R, I don't need either of those, and I'll probably like the R more. But it's gonna come down to riding both and checking them over thouroughly, AND bottom line pricing. I'm riding the EX all day tomorrow, and I'm going to check out the R next week.

Here's some pics of the R, he sent about 20. It's dirty, needs cleaning up but it is definitely better than I was expecting. It's hard to tell if the plastics are faded and scratched or not, but they definitely look good enough to sport for a while. Needs rear tires. Normal heel rub on the frame. Is a frame guard available for the R for this? Already has nerfs and the rest is stock (a good thing IMO). Looks like maybe some surface rust on the arms and near front bumper. When I look at it I will ride it, check steering stem, alignment, arm and swinger bushing, axle carrier bearings, suspension. How difficult is it to get to the plug to check compression on the R? I'm pretty sure plastics had to be removed on my LT-R but it had the battery, starter, etc. What do you guys think? He's asking $2k and if I can't find anything else wrong, I think I'll give it. If it's minor things prob offer $1800...

<a href="http://s587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/strubby85/450R/?action=view&current=450R7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/strubby85/450R/450R7.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/strubby85/450R/?action=view&current=450R4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/strubby85/450R/450R4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/strubby85/450R/?action=view&current=450R.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/strubby85/450R/450R.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/strubby85/450R/?action=view&current=450R2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/strubby85/450R/450R2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/strubby85/450R/?action=view&current=450R3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/strubby85/450R/450R3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/strubby85/450R/?action=view&current=450R6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/strubby85/450R/450R6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/strubby85/450R/?action=view&current=450R5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss316/strubby85/450R/450R5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[katch26]

those pics are not helpful at all lol

[strubby]

My bad. I moved the pics to a different folder and refreshed the post after and the pics still worked. Oh well, they do now.

[wykyd450R]

Take that 450r for 2k!! Looks to be ridden very little, as the color hasnt been worn off the clutch cover. Looks to me that once it has a good cleaning, it's gonna be a real clean quad....Forget the 400, and snag that 450 while you can. ;)

It drives me nuts when people try to sell something and don't even bother cleaning it:mad:

I'm not going to judge with those pictures. Check it out in person.

[exrider12]

Not a very clean bike.. Everything is stained and alot of parts are rusty..

[heebs12]

it could be rusty just from sitting. Id get the 450! Looks like its got low hours.

[rmcfadden68]

aound here that bike wont last 1 day. if all the tests pan out. grab it now. and for plastics. doesnt matter easily repaired or covered. stickers or vinyl kit. c i frankensteined my rear fender after floopin it in the cold. gives it charater. we comp tested my buddies r and had to take off quite a bit of plastic. took like 10 mins.

how r yall senting all those pics. everytime i try it tells me it to big. i seen 7 pics on others replies and i cant get one to go thru. the pic was takin on a mid-level $180 digital camera that i bought from wal-mart for my girlfriends b-day. am i doing this wrong?

[TRXRacer1]

We have a 450r in the group that gets used as a woods machine. We set the sag a little soft, dropped a tooth on the front added on in the rear, installed a Lexx and jetted it. The thing is awesome in about every situation you can put it in.

[strubby]

Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah I don't know, I clean my bikes (at least a pressure wash) before throwing it in the garage after every ride. Rusty parts? Well it's definitely not new, but for being an '04 and a 450, I think it has very little rust and abused parts from what I can see... I'd agree with wykyd450r; the paint isn't even worn on the side case. I rode my buddies 400ex all day today. Pointless, the clutch is bad and he didn't test ride the bike before bringing it out. I adjusted the lever all the way out and it didn't help so he's replacing it this week. He used that bike very little and even it has more clutch cover wear...

The owner of the 450R will be back in town Tues so we'll see what happens then.

[strubby]

Originally posted by rmcfadden68
aound here that bike wont last 1 day. if all the tests pan out. grab it now. and for plastics. doesnt matter easily repaired or covered. stickers or vinyl kit. c i frankensteined my rear fender after floopin it in the cold. gives it charater. we comp tested my buddies r and had to take off quite a bit of plastic. took like 10 mins.

how r yall senting all those pics. everytime i try it tells me it to big. i seen 7 pics on others replies and i cant get one to go thru. the pic was takin on a mid-level $180 digital camera that i bought from wal-mart for my girlfriends b-day. am i doing this wrong?

Do you have the pictures hosted online somewhere like tinypic or photobucket? I did that, then copy and pasted the HTML into the post. Signing up on photobucket is easy and free.

Clutch cover wear doesn't mean anything.. When I rode my 400ex, my foot rarely ever touched the side cover. It really depends how people ride. Some set their feet inward of the pegs, mine are usually not. My clutch cover was fine.