Racing a 400ex

[mx8]

I used to race mx years ago, back when the 400ex was the quad to have. I thought about racing some hare scrambles this year, and wanted to see if anyone still raced the old 400ex thru the woods. Or is the 450r the way to go now. I would mostly race local maybe one national thats close. Any feedback would be great. Thanks

[slightlybent47]

I think it would make a great woods bike. I race mx on the 400 and do pretty well at it but in all honesty the 450 will out run me in the striates and they have a bit more power that helps when jumping, but that’s it. For xc I still go with an ex over the 450 for these reasons they turn better, have great low end and most of all there way more reliable.

[Sjorge450R]

I dont race anymore but when I did I raced A class and all there was, was 450's. In A class, you dont stand a chance with a 400. B and C class usually had quite a good mix. You take that 400, throw a 440 kit with HD studs, port the head, and a good cam and pipe and you will keep up just fine. Dont forget about the suspension aspect of things though.

[Tommy Warren]

whats a 400ex 8?

[GOTFEAR]

Hu....

[alanauclair]

I am fron WI and just starting to race district 23 harescrambles. I say race it. It is all about having fun! Their are quite a few guys racing 400ex around here. And believe it or not the bone stock ones actually do very well. A harescramble race is more 80% rider and endurance and 20% machine. I mean for christ sake our state rep. races a 86 lt 250 and took 5th overall last season.

[ricksmx865]

In my local serious there was only 1 guy that i know of that raced B on a 400, he done really well. but he's a hell of a rider and it was a very well set up 400.

for me (and the majority) 450 the way to go

[Exrider434]

i did the last 3 Hare Scrambles of our series in NY on my mostly bone stock 400EX, they were my first 3 races i've ever done and i placed 4th, 2nd, and 1st, granted i raced college C, but it was my first time racing.

SO yes it CAN be done, the mud's a little rough on the fenders though I managed to crack all 4 fenders on mine, and like they said above its mostly rider skill when it comes to the woods tracks like these, i whooped kids on 450's all day long with my 400ex

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a302/Ridinred300/14541_204475057655_554052655_406013.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a302/Ridinred300/12469_1148552879144_1387230023_3037.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a302/Ridinred300/18754_1207202785355_1387230023_3049.jpg

[fastredrider44]

For a race here and there, 400 is fine. If you're actually gonna make a go of it, go ahead and get a 450. More potential to take you further.

[Jake250ex]

is aint what your riding, its whos riding it. a guy from our local series won the sport class on a 400ex in gncc and he won some locals in the b class - our b class had names like matt williams, kevin blundell, justin kirchoff, jordan gilkerson, jay humphrey...

if you dont know those names you dont follow xc much!


youll be fine dude. ive seen em holeshot on 450's alot. im goin to a 400 next season, comin off 2 fully built 450r's

[fastredrider44]

I'm not saying it can't be done. And while there is some merit to the 20% bike 80% rider thing, a 450 is Superior in the world of racing. I started racing XC on a 400 about 3 years ago. 6 races in, I bought 450. Best move I ever made. I could not be where I am today still beatin on a 400.