Trail Racing?

[hjsmith00843]

What upgrades would be helpful for Hare Scramble racing. I already have some upgrades. They are in my sig. Thanks.

[honda400ex2003]

arms axle and shocks would be your next best bet. steve

[wali2408]

ive done a few races lately with mine i would suggest tires, shocks, and hydration pack. I got 450r shocks and itp hd tires works pretty good. ive heard flex bars work pretty good. the series i race requires a kill swiitch. Also i would get a set of hand gaurds

[hjsmith00843]

Originally posted by wali2408
ive done a few races lately with mine i would suggest tires, shocks, and hydration pack. I got 450r shocks and itp hd tires works pretty good. ive heard flex bars work pretty good. the series i race requires a kill swiitch. Also i would get a set of hand gaurds

I have the hand guards and a tether kill switch. I am gonna get a nice set of wheels and tires.

450R shocks

Steering Damper

Then maybe upgrade the axle and arms later.

What are some tricks that will help out with the stock stuff? I was told cutting the steering stops to get more turning will help some.

[hjsmith00843]

Also what riding gear should I get other than a helmet and a camel pack?

[wali2408]

personally i wouldnt mess with the stock stuff but thats me. Ive noticed its alot more of the rider than the quad. theres a guy in my class with a old stock quad racer 250 that kills 400, 450s, and 700s, its alot of experience.

For gear i would got to rocky mountain on their site the have closeout specials for gear. i picked up some shift pants and jersey pretty cheap and get a good set of goggles maybe with tear offs

[honda400ex2003]

I would suggest getting a chest protector also to go along with the jersey and pants, i guess boots would be a good thing too. lol. steve

[wali2408]

i would start working out too get some cardio in and lifting. especially the forearms, hands, and legs. thats where i feel it the most

[-TheDude-]

SHOCKS SHOCKS SHOCKS.... u cant go fast if you cant get over the bumps smoothly

[hjsmith00843]

Originally posted by -TheDude-
SHOCKS SHOCKS SHOCKS.... u cant go fast if you cant get over the bumps smoothly
will 450r front shocks sufice? I weight a little over 200

[-TheDude-]

for sure they are a huge improvement over stock and then from there you can get them revalved/resprung

[hjsmith00843]

Just took my atv on my neighbors practice track for hare scambles. Man that is a work out with stock shocks and worn out tires. I also need to go with a thumb throttle setup. The twist setup is pretty dangerous in the tight woods. Almost wrecked it a few times.

Looking for a set of 450r shocks now. If you have a set let me know. Thanks

[wali2408]

check trx450r.org and ebay i just put some on my bike and took some pics so if need something to look at let me know

i would get a thumb throttle too i used to have a dirt bike and had a close call or two because of the twist

[hjsmith00843]

Since it will be rough riding will the ITP steel wheels be ok. Even though they will be a little more heavy. My tires are totally worn out. Think I need those before the shocks. I can not get no grip at all.

[uplander56]

Do an Ebay search for, "ITP Baja Holeshot HD" There's a company here in Ohio that sells Holeshot HD's premounted on the Baja rims REALLY cheap. I've ordered from them twice, and they're great to deal with. You save a I think $200+ by buying them from these guys rather than buying individually from RM.com or the like...

These are factory pre-mounts from ITP, not blems or seconds.

***EDIT: Just did a search myself, doens't look like they're as cheap as they used to be. I think I bought a set of fronts for $240 shipped about a year ago. Might keep an eye out though.***

[hjsmith00843]

they do look better but they are put of my budget at the moment. The ITP steel wheels are only @ &35 each. The tires that I have picked are the GBC xrex tires.

[400man]

if your just starting out with harescrambles and xc racing, then the stock axle and stock a-arms will work just fine. and the stock aluminum wheels would probably work better than those steel wheels you mentioned. I would also highly reccomend a GT thunder rear suspension linkage, but would mostly likely need to getyour rear shock revalved cause it makes your stock shock feel really soft and lowers the rear end out your bike down a couple inches

[hjsmith00843]

I would of preffered to stay with the stock wheels but I have 2 of them are wobbling pretty bad.

[400man]

Originally posted by hjsmith00843
I would of preffered to stay with the stock wheels but I have 2 of them are wobbling pretty bad.

i'd keep an eye out on ebay for some stock rims, sometimes you can catch some really good deals.

[hjsmith00843]

I went with the itp wheels. I got a whole set for the price of 2 half way decent used stock wheels. They have a little more offset than the stock wheels as well and they should be super tuff in the tight trails where they will be hitting trees.

I will be using GBC X-Rex tires on both the front and back.

My next purchase will be a set of 450r front shocks. Maybe find a cheap set of PEP front shocks on enay or something.

Then I might get a steering stabalizer.

Should I get a set of air scoops?


Since I will be running in the woods where tire damage is great. Should I use that green slime that you find in the parts store or should I run some other type of sealent or something else.

My goal at first is to just finish the runs and not worry about placing well. We have a full practice track so I will be running there alot as well.

[hjsmith00843]

Got my tires and wheels installed today. What a difference. The new wheels has a offset and the atv is a little wider.

Now I am trying to find a cheap set of shocks and a steering stabilizer and a link for the rear shock.

I also installed a Dura-Blue Axle lock nut today and went to a 168 jet from a 170. Seems like it pulls much better now.


I will soon need a new steering stem because the stock one that I have now is bent.

I also need to get some riding gear. Jersey, Pants, Chest Protector, Kidney Pad,racing boots, and a hydro pack.

[wali2408]

houser is a good stem i got 3 rolls on mine its still straight

[MtnEX]

For you...

Hand guards, gloves, gear, goggles with a beak protector and tear-offs... and a helmet with a good visor.

For the quad...

Skid protection, 6 ply tires, 15w50 Mobil 1 oil, good bumpers.... and when you can afford them, beadlock rims...

To be competitive...

SUSPENSION all the way around, best you can afford. A serious steering stabilizer, something beyond a stick... Apart from that longer aftermarket arms and 4 +1 front wheels... and they say those flexible bars are nice...

Then lots and lots of stamina building riding... and just lots of seat time, and race experience.

[hjsmith00843]

I will post up some pictures of my atv later. I have alot of that stuff already. Suspension and alot of practice is my next goals to focus on.


I am gonna go with the KFX450r shocks then eventually get the GT thunder linkage and have them to re valve my rear shock. They have a package deal for it all.

But I am in the process of loosing weight. I think I will wait to get to my target weight before I do the rear suspension.

As for making the quad wider I think that will hurt me. As it is now the atv will hardly fit in some area's. I just added the larger offset wheels and it is actually alot wider than stock already.

[-TheDude-]

Originally posted by hjsmith00843


I am gonna go with the KFX450r shocks then eventually get the GT thunder linkage and have them to re valve my rear shock. They have a package deal for it all.


if ur gonna get ur shocks done get them all done at once, when ur ready i have a guy that does a package deal all 3 shocks and gt thunder link, work is better and half the price(he used to be gtt head shock tech) and opened his own shop

[hjsmith00843]

sent pm!!!

[hjsmith00843]

Here are some pictures of my atv as of this morning.

http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac309/SmithRacing00x/100_1980.jpg
http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac309/SmithRacing00x/100_1979.jpg
http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac309/SmithRacing00x/100_1977.jpg
http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac309/SmithRacing00x/100_1975.jpg
http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac309/SmithRacing00x/100_1974.jpg
http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac309/SmithRacing00x/100_1973.jpg
http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac309/SmithRacing00x/100_1972.jpg

[400man]

bike looks slick! you in the right track for building a nice woods racer :cool:

one question though, why is your carb tilted over?? and one thing I would change about your quad is the k&n filter........ditch it.......and put on a good dual stage foam filter like a uni, twinair, or prodesign. k&n filters dont do crap for protecting your motor from mud and water.

[400man]

I would also recommend this swingarm skidplate made by gt thunder http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GT-Thunder-Honda-TRX-400EX-rear-skid-plate-400-EX-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem563cbaa6bbQQitemZ37038 6052795QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I got mine on the other day and im pretty happy with it. about the best ground clearance you can get, and since its made of steel, rocks and stuff wont gouge into it and if you ever bend or break it, it could be welded or fixed alot easier than an aluminum one. I could post some pics of mine mounted up if your interested.

[MtnEX]

Originally posted by hjsmith00843
I will post up some pictures of my atv later. I have alot of that stuff already. Suspension and alot of practice is my next goals to focus on.


I am gonna go with the KFX450r shocks then eventually get the GT thunder linkage and have them to re valve my rear shock. They have a package deal for it all.

But I am in the process of loosing weight. I think I will wait to get to my target weight before I do the rear suspension.

As for making the quad wider I think that will hurt me. As it is now the atv will hardly fit in some area's. I just added the larger offset wheels and it is actually alot wider than stock already.

The ITP steels are going to bend like the aluminum... just heavier...

You will understand what I am saying soon on the front end when you take that for a spin.

Those front wheels are going to show you how much more leverage the front end has against you now with that additional offset.

That is why I said arms and 4 +1 front wheels later....

The farther the outside of the tire is from the steering pivot on the arms, the more kickback leverage the front end has on you at the bars.



Oh, and yeah, I would ditch the K&N for a Uni... I have the same K&N and I'm not impressed with it