Why do so many people own them?

[TheLane]

Now by no means am i talking down about the bike... I am just new to riding atvs and am wondering why the 400ex is such a popular bike?? people spend a lot of money upgrading them when it seems like no matter what you do it could never keep up with the same amount of money dumped into a 450? but maybe that is just because i am an MX guy?

[CJM]

They were the first real new sport quad to come out so there is a gluttony of them out there. They are quite reliable and easy to work on. Best of all, these days they are quite cheap vs a 450.

[BenHonda400ex]

Maybe some people like the bug eye looks, or they need a 450 but they want a fast 400... I think 400 ex's are the best quad to start off on as a beginner sport quad and if you want more mod it if you want even more buy a 450...

[trailrider894]

ha ha.. The Lane, i race MX on a 400ex.

For me its the fact that i am the only one on a 400ex. It can be HIGHLY modified for a cheap price, and has EXCELLENT geometry, in mind better than the 450r. Besides the 400ex made the face for the generations of sport quads that came after it. They are also reliable and tuff. If you have paid attention to the racers of the past, quite a few were on the 400ex. Look at the first Huevos Films and they feature EX's in several of the movies. A good and well built 400ex will stand up to a 450 on a mx track.

[TheLane]

So you dont think that fully modded a 450 would be a "Faster" (in stability and speed) than a fully modded 400ex?


(and i know it all comes down to rider in the end, but you know what im saying :) )

[trailrider894]

Originally posted by TheLane
So you dont think that fully modded a 450 would be a "Faster" (in stability and speed) than a fully modded 400ex?


(and i know it all comes down to rider in the end, but you know what im saying :) )

Well a fully modded 450 would definetly swipe a 400ex. A lightly modded 450r will make a easy dinner for a well built 426. In reality, i do believe that a 400ex when properly setup will out handle some and or most 450's. Mines is way more stable than any quads i have ever riden... and i've been on all the brands 450's i can think of except can am and gas gas. These quads were all race ready MX quads.

[womerk28]

I bought a brand new 2005 450r in 2006, I loved the bike it self after a I put 500 dollars into it make it have to low end power a 400 has. I recently sold it and pick up a 2007 400ex and a 2003 400ex for the same price i sold my close to stock 450 for. 400ex are one of the best quads ever made, i have had all of Honda sport quads. I have had 300ex, 400ex, 250x, 250ex, 250r, and 450r now. 400's are bullet proof, reliable, very nimble, and quick. I am a decent ride, I really don't mess with MX much, but in the woods i think my slightly modded 400ex could hang with my 450r with a HRC kit, Trail Tech flywheel, and 13 tooth sprocket.

[DragonGunner]

I like the comment..."..bulletproof.." Very reliable motor an I believe it can take alot more abuse an lack of care than any 450 out there. It doesn't have the horsepower, but it gets all its power to the wheels. Easy to work on....I remember in GNCC racing when all the 450's came out, there were still 460EX's out there running with them, it was still more of the rider than machine...but in the end the 450 motor was lighter than the heavy 400EX..the 400EX is still the most reliable motor out there...my 1999 is still going strong.

[RATPACK Z400]

I dont think that most of the EX racers go out and get 400ex(NEW) to race MX. I think its a money issue ,spend thousands on new quad+mods to race (10,000) then just spend half that to mod 400ex.(if you have already have EX )But thats a good start(begineer) then if you want that next level get 450 to race upper classes.Your not racing EXPERT with 400ex,wont stand a chance quad for quad !

[Ruby Soho]

Originally posted by CJM
They were the first real new sport quad to come out so there is a gluttony of them out there. They are quite reliable and easy to work on. Best of all, these days they are quite cheap vs a 450.

Its crazy how cheap they are these days. I went through craigslist the other day seeing if there were any around cheap (first time i have looked for a 400ex since i bought mine in 05 or 06) and its crazy how much they went down!

[trailrider894]

Originally posted by RATPACK Z400
I dont think that most of the EX racers go out and get 400ex(NEW) to race MX. I think its a money issue ,spend thousands on new quad+mods to race (10,000) then just spend half that to mod 400ex.(if you have already have EX )But thats a good start(begineer) then if you want that next level get 450 to race upper classes.Your not racing EXPERT with 400ex,wont stand a chance quad for quad !

exactly my thinking... if you are just racing college boy or C class there are no needs for anything bigger. The EX teaches you to rely on your riding skills not your bike.

[trailrider894]

Originally posted by Ruby Soho
Its crazy how cheap they are these days. I went through craigslist the other day seeing if there were any around cheap (first time i have looked for a 400ex since i bought mine in 05 or 06) and its crazy how much they went down!

yeah... thats why i won't be selling mine ever. I'll just add some purple and give it to the lady.

[Ruby Soho]

i wish i didnt sell mine now. it was my pride and joy for so long. then i took it for granted and when i started driving i parted it out to pay for my truck. which was nice at the time but boy do i miss that thing:o

[evan402]

the reason i got into mine was purely price. I wanted a 450 but couldnt afford one. So it was between this and a newer z400. I am completly happy with my choice. Love the stability and the power is good enough for now.

[99400esex]

I got mine because ever since I had one brand new in 02 I fell in love with it. Best trail quad imo, extremely reliable, good power and torque, great ergonomics, plus I love them bug eyes!

[RATPACK Z400]

evan 402 , The Z would have been my first choice but both are good quads had both myself just love the Z compared to the Ex .

[99400esex]

Originally posted by RATPACK Z400
evan 402 , The Z would have been my first choice but both are good quads had both myself just love the Z compared to the Ex .

I love this Z fanboy.

[trailrider894]

Originally posted by RATPACK Z400
evan 402 , The Z would have been my first choice but both are good quads had both myself just love the Z compared to the Ex .

The Z is nice, just not the same as a 400ex on the trails.

[beags86]

simply put: they are prob the best all around sport quad ever built.

and honda has built its name around reliability so that doesn't hurt either

[togup]

I remember the reason I bought mine was the amount of aftermarket parts available ,at the time pretty much the ex,250r ,or banshee was being modded. I got a good deal on a stock used ex and when I outgrew the performance it was only a matter of smart economics to figure dropping a grand on parts was smarter than starting over with a new quad. Ive ridden the Honda brand for as long as i can remember ,some of you older guys can remember the three wheelers were also bullit proof.

[ridgeracer]

Everyone else has pretty much covered the whole gamut.

It's nice though that the 400 has enough power for me to have fun at the dunes, but it's not too crazy where I can't put my younger sister etc. on it without it being too much for them to handle.

[DragonGunner]

Originally posted by togup
I remember the reason I bought mine was the amount of aftermarket parts available ,at the time pretty much the ex,250r ,or banshee was being modded. I got a good deal on a stock used ex and when I outgrew the performance it was only a matter of smart economics to figure dropping a grand on parts was smarter than starting over with a new quad. Ive ridden the Honda brand for as long as i can remember ,some of you older guys can remember the three wheelers were also bullit proof.


You mean like these Honda 200X's....84' an 86'

[250x_kyle]

Originally posted by trailrider894
Well a fully modded 450 would definetly swipe a 400ex. A lightly modded 450r will make a easy dinner for a well built 426. In reality, i do believe that a 400ex when properly setup will out handle some and or most 450's. Mines is way more stable than any quads i have ever riden... and i've been on all the brands 450's i can think of except can am and gas gas. These quads were all race ready MX quads.

couldnt agree more. its all in how well someone can dial in there suspention and the rider on the seat.

[05/450r/10]

400ex is a great start out bike and they last longer as long as you take care and are very cheap 450s are running at 2500 and up some 400exs i saw are at 1000 and up

[honda400ex2003]

cause it is the greatest thing since sliced bread and right along side a 2006 skidoo 800 X as a tie for the greatest. both are my two favorite machines in the world. everything else is just something to ride. lol steve

[trailrider894]

Originally posted by honda400ex2003
everything else is just something to ride. lol steve

:rolleyes: :devil:

[honda400ex2003]

Originally posted by trailrider894
:rolleyes: :devil:

lol, depending on the day and what the conditions are.

:p :cool: steve

[slightlybent47]

Useable power: that’s what makes the ex so successful. Plus add in dependability and ease of use and you have a great atv.
Yes in many situations where pure speed is the key then the 450 will kill the ex. But in most situations useable power gets it done just as well.

[tri5ron]

I only got mine,...
because my knees hit the handlebars on a TRX90.


Oh yeah,... and the other reasons, have ALL already been listed in the last 3 pages of this thread.
:blah:

[f419sr1]

I bought the 07 for my son for the reliability and some thing he can grow into. Got tired of buying up as he grows. Had hondas when I was growing up and always had good luck with them. My first honda was a lime green atc 90. Had alot of fun on that machine

[togup]

Originally posted by DragonGunner
You mean like these Honda 200X's....84' an 86'

Yea wished i would have had one of those, I had an 85 big red it lasted me until 2004 when it lost all compression and I decided to go sportier Ive had my ex now for about 8 years still happy

[togup]

Originally posted by tri5ron
I only got mine,...
because my knees hit the handlebars on a TRX90.


Oh yeah,... and the other reasons, have ALL already been listed in the last 3 pages of this thread.
:blah:

Bet you looked sporty on that one!

[450rJam]

400ex is the best combo of performance, reliability, handling, and price, ever made. And used and aftermarket parts are everywhere

I have 2 400ex's (1999 and 2008) power and handling are so predictable and useable that average riders can look skilled

I also have a trx450r and yfz450 (both 2006) and prefer them for dunes/mx but in tight tech. riding where the extra power isnt useable I will pick the 400ex everytime

I also have a 2008 250ex, its a little under powered but very fun

If I had to pick only one quad to keep it would be the 400ex

[fromtheside88]

I've had my 01 ex for about three years now. I bought it for $800 from a guy that was just looking to get rid of it. All I had to do when I got it was replace the piston and rings. Ever since then if there is anything I need to work on it is minor stuff unless i am doing some major mod. And like I have seen a lot through out this thread. They are very very very very tuff. to be honest mine has been to hell and back who knows how many times and she stand right back up and keeps riding every time never lets me down.

[stroked 400ex]

i have one and this is why i got it... they are cheap, its a honda cant kill it (even though i also have yamaha and suzuki) fast, good trail riding or good for mx, they handle awesome good all around... and you have to pay a lot more for a 450r... mine will beat alot of 450's but of course not all... and mods for them are cheap... like people said handling and reliability is awesome havnt had a problem with mine with all the power it produces...

[blacknblue#2]

I love the older 400s. I have owned several fully built 450s and just made the switch to a CRF450 but have always enjoyed a 400 due to them being so versitle. I would love to find a cheap 99-04 thats been beat and build a "budget" mx quad using 450R revalves and that sort of thing. i think it would be awesome

[honda400ex2003]

the other reason i bought mine is cause i like the bug lights. i would never own one made 05 or later...
only the old style stuff will be in mmy garage. there will be a full stock one one day and a nicely modded one. my current will be the stock one and the other will be the worked one most likely but it will depend on how much is done to the other one i find.


steve

[450rJam]

I love the eyeball headlights 99-04
(I hate the 05 style with the headlights in the hood, I didnt like that style on the 450r either)

I do like the 08 with the 2nd generation 450r look

[finsteratv]

i like the bug eyes but where i ride reverse is pretty much a must so i got a newer style and hey 2200 wasnt bad for mine with about 45hrs on it :D

[2001400exrida]

bug eyes look retarded and so dated. the new lights are much better.

i have the old style and the new style so that' sjust my opinion.

usually the guys that like the bug lights are the ones that don't have the new lights haha.

yeah reverse is soooooo much better i dread that when i ride my older ex.

bug lights are just so outdate you old fashioned guys must like that old look? ;)

[tri5ron]

Originally posted by 2001400exrida
bug eyes look retarded and so dated. the new lights are much better.

i have the old style and the new style so that' sjust my opinion.

usually the guys that like the bug lights are the ones that don't have the new lights haha.

yeah reverse is soooooo much better i dread that when i ride my older ex.

bug lights are just so outdate you old fashioned guys must like that old look? ;) Although certainly,
you are entitled to your own opinion, (as is any, and every, one of us are....), but careful, your losing points.
:p

[honda400ex2003]

indeed i am quite old at a whopping 22 years but still enjoy the outdated look. really it isnt any more outdated than the new one. so what if the new one has reverse. it is slower than the old one too another reason not to own one. these are all points that i feel made the 400ex worse than it was not better.

i feel it is better to have a machine that is easily spotted compared to another. unlike both of the new ones. they look like the 450r. now all you are is a poser who rides something like the 450r in my eyes. why own a knock off when you can have the original.


just my .02 though.

steve

[CJM]

I much prefer the older bug eye style, just dont like the look of the newer style. Makes it look just like everything else out there really.

marc

[rinconrider]

bug eyed for me also. just a better deal on it.

why i bought it, it is sort of like the 250r. it was a big player during the early 2000s when no one else really had anything to compete, it is still out competing today just like the r is.

the aftermarket support is very good also or at least was very good. it is getting harder to find cool stuff anymore though. everything is for the 450s now which is super dumb for manus to do. it will come back to bite them one day. esp since people like rossier and others dont even think anything of the 400. people like them will wonder why their business suffers when something happens and then whine about it.

just my .02 i guess

[slightlybent47]

I went and sat on the new one and it is like the 450 in a lot of ways. They made the seat and tank narrower and changed the plastics. As for the newer one being slower is just a gearing issue and can be easily fixed with a sprocket change.

[99400esex]

Originally posted by 2001400exrida
bug eyes look retarded and so dated. the new lights are much better.

i have the old style and the new style so that' sjust my opinion.

usually the guys that like the bug lights are the ones that don't have the new lights haha.

yeah reverse is soooooo much better i dread that when i ride my older ex.

bug lights are just so outdate you old fashioned guys must like that old look? ;)

I love the bugeyes and it seems many other people on here do too, but your the ultimate 400ex guru, so im wrong.I dont think anyone here values your opinion.;) Also, I dont mind getting off my quad and turning it around myself, just personal preference, not everyone likes the same features that you do.

[AtvKid4Eva]

Originally posted by 99400esex
I love the bugeyes and it seems many other people on here do too, but your the ultimate 400ex guru, so im wrong.I dont think anyone here values your opinion.;) Also, I dont mind getting off my quad and turning it around myself, just personal preference, not everyone likes the same features that you do.

x2

the original 400ex's look is a classic. think its the best looking 400 out of all the different makes.

[99400esex]

Originally posted by AtvKid4Eva
x2

the original 400ex's look is a classic. think its the best looking 400 out of all the different makes.

Same here man, I love my bug eyes and prefer them to almost all the newer quads, I love the way the yfz's look though.

[CJM]

Turning it around is easy, heck using the throttle to do it is even more fun.

[honda400ex2003]

Originally posted by slightlybent47
I went and sat on the new one and it is like the 450 in a lot of ways. They made the seat and tank narrower and changed the plastics. As for the newer one being slower is just a gearing issue and can be easily fixed with a sprocket change.

correct, it can be mostly fixed by running the 15/38 instead of the 14/39 but didnt the internals change to gear it down a bit also and to run the reverse? I think that is still a topic that was never actually verified by anyone (or maybe it has.) lol i forgot... seem to do that from time to time. hahahaha



steve

[ridgeracer]

Originally posted by CJM
Turning it around is easy, heck using the throttle to do it is even more fun.
That or avoid placement that blocks the front of your quad. Not to say there aren't times that reverse wouldn't be nice, but reverse isn't an end-all be-all in my book.

[CJM]

Originally posted by ridgeracer
That or avoid placement that blocks the front of your quad. Not to say there aren't times that reverse wouldn't be nice, but reverse isn't an end-all be-all in my book.

Kinda tough on the tighter trails tho. I find sometimes it takes me a min to get it turned around, but comes with the territory.

I dont like the reverse setup on the hondas anyways, knob on the plastics is stupid imho. I had an old suzuki 230 4 stroke where you popped it into neutral and kicked back a small lever behind the shifter to put it into reverse. Was such an easier system to engage.

[honda400ex2003]

never use the 300ex setup on the old ones. what a joke... honda needs some better engineers for some of this stuff.

as a matter of fact i know one that would be perfect for the job.

his name is steve.

just let me know if you guys need a new one over there honda. he might even be able to get something accomplished in under 2 years to get a model year out.

wouldnt that be a revelation!

whoo!

just hook me, ill let him know.

steve

[trailrider894]

Originally posted by 2001400exrida
yeah reverse is soooooo much better i dread that when i ride my older ex.

ha ha i just am a good enough rider that i never need to get off to turn around... Besides reverse takes the fun out of riding... its all part of the experience.

[honda400ex2003]

on a bit of a side note...

has anyone successfully used a hot start setup to engage reverse yet? i dont seem to recall anyone reporting any results the last time it was discussed. maybe i just have too much stuff going on all the time to remember some of this stuff all the time.

i even have to go back and do some refreshing once in a while after a few weeks of school. i tend to forget this stuff from time to time.

getting old sucks... or should the saying be... taking harder classes sucks worse? man... good thing i dont have to remember names too often, thats a whole other ball game.

steve

[Nac's22]

Bug eyes for me too. Just finished my year long build of my 2001 that I have owned since she was brand new off the showroom floor, including brand new red bug eye plastics from Honda! All the people asked me why rebuild that after not riding it for 4 or 5 years when you have a 450R, and (technically for now) two 250R's? The answer is because its a cheap, easy thing to ride whenever and where ever I want. Who is going to take a purpose built MX bike in the trails? Not me, let alone 1 of 3. My 400EX can do things that none of my 3 R's can do. Mainly I can let my girl or anyone in my family ride it without having the fear of it overpowering them without knowing it. It is still fast with a good rider on it but it doesn't want to just take off like my race bikes do. Also it has the ability to go slow and pick its way without too much effort and in the blink of an eye pick up and haul. The 400EX will never be a "R" model quad, meaning 450 or 250, but it wasn't built to be that. It was built to satisfy 95% of the sport quad riders of the world. For that high percentage of people a 400EX is all they really will ever need. Sure some will buy 450's just so they can say "I have one", like many of the people where I live. For the other 5% of riders thats where a 450 comes in. The 400EX is without a doubt a legend and it revived the sport quad industry and now look at us. Its great and it all came from the introduction of the 400EX.

So again, cheap, easy, reliable, fun.

[99400esex]

I love my ex, dont really care about the people that have negative opinions on them. With little mods they can do more than hold there own. There a trail quad and thats where they shine the most. Not to mention the reliability is second to none. Im happy with mine and it never failed me yet power wise or reliability wise, and I beat it every time I go out.

[450rJam]

I have a 1999 400ex still kick'in and I like the bug eyes..........
I also have a 2008 400ex and I like bug eyes............

bug eyes are original, they are cool, they let everyone know at a distance what your rock'in on
(not like alot of the "cookie cutter" quads)

I dont like the 04/05 450r style headlight (in hood)

I like the new style with headlight under hood also

I remember when 90% of the quads on the trails where 400ex's
(pretty sure most of them are still going)

[trx400exrider14]

i can keep up with 450s in extreme dirt series on a 400,my 400 has like 500 dollars in it,thats it

[tri5ron]

Originally posted by Nac's22
Bug eyes for me too. Just finished my year long build of my 2001 that I have owned since she was brand new off the showroom floor, including brand new red bug eye plastics from Honda! All the people asked me why rebuild that after not riding it for 4 or 5 years when you have a 450R, and (technically for now) two 250R's? The answer is because its a cheap, easy thing to ride whenever and where ever I want. Who is going to take a purpose built MX bike in the trails? Not me, let alone 1 of 3. My 400EX can do things that none of my 3 R's can do. Mainly I can let my girl or anyone in my family ride it without having the fear of it overpowering them without knowing it. It is still fast with a good rider on it but it doesn't want to just take off like my race bikes do. Also it has the ability to go slow and pick its way without too much effort and in the blink of an eye pick up and haul. The 400EX will never be a "R" model quad, meaning 450 or 250, but it wasn't built to be that. It was built to satisfy 95% of the sport quad riders of the world. For that high percentage of people a 400EX is all they really will ever need. Sure some will buy 450's just so they can say "I have one", like many of the people where I live. For the other 5% of riders thats where a 450 comes in. The 400EX is without a doubt a legend and it revived the sport quad industry and now look at us. Its great and it all came from the introduction of the 400EX.

So again, cheap, easy, reliable, fun.
VERY Well said !

I've been riding the open desert for over 40 years.
I've never "Officially" ridden a racetrack, in an actual organized race.
I don't even LIKE to ride, on an actual estabished racetrack !
WAaaayy too "limiting" for my tastes/preferences.

I don't get a charge out of riding anywhere that has Bleachers, and Hotdog stands,...
Announcers on Loudspeakers,and Crowds of Spectators, or track officials, that tell me when to go and when to stop.
I have no intrest in doing a lap holding a Checkered flag.

BUT,....I DO LOVE TO RIDE !
and, I love to now be involving my Family in riding.

My Wife,
(A novice at BEST),... absolutely LOVES riding her quad...
yet she has Absolutely ZERO INTREST, in pulling a wheelie, taking a jump, shooting a roost, doing a donut, or drifting in a long sweeper turn, or spanking up against the rev limiter.

At the same time though,... she is all up, ready, and willing, for a 20+ mile, 3-4-5, hour, ride, and enjoys every single moment she gets of "seat time".
She rides a '03 TRX250EX. Take one good guess,... as to why,... THAT was the bike I chose, for HER to ride !

My Daughter, 9 years old,
(a novice, with thoughts of being a "Pro-Circut XC Superstar"),
can out ride my Wife in a heartbeat.
She has pretty much no fear,... or concept of her own Mortality,... and will do donuts, shoot roosts, and even do a small, (VERY Small), jump here and there. She loves to hill climb, blast through washes, and beat her way through the whoops, and she is starting to learn how to drift in the corners.
She is ALWAYS hitting me up for a "Daddy/ Daughter Ride" without mommy or little brother, because,... (Quote by her),... "since they just can't keep up with you and me, Daddy".
She rides an '06 TRX90. I'll give you one more guess as to why I chose THAT bike, for HER !

My Son, 12 years old,
(and is a Special Needs child, who has Down Syndrome),
also LOVES to ride.
He has now sucessfully "Soloed" this year, on HIS OWN Quad, and we are very proud of him.
No,.... He'll never be the Overall Class Champion, standing in the center spot of the winners podium,.... BUT , He still loves to ride.
Sure it's a slower process for him to learn, and sometimes he gets a little frustrated, but that's no different than anyone else who is trying to learn something new, and the important thing is that he WANTS to ride,... He's WILLING to keep on trying,... and he DOSEN'T give up ! He want's to be involved with what the rest of the family is doing, and he thinks he's a Champion already !
(As do myself,... all of my friends,... all of the "little cuties" at his school and daycare,.... and MANY of the members here on this forum).
Trust me,.... you could only WISH and HOPE, for as many girlfriends, as he already has lined up and wanting to be "His girl" LOL!!!
on our last trip out, He finally "Broke away" from the "Comfort zone" of staying near camp, and asked me,
"DAD,... Let's RIDE,.... OK ??? " (My responce,... YOU BET BUD ! LEMME GRAB MY GEAR,.... YOU LEAD!),.. and off we went !
We ended up heading pretty far out of camp,... and he sucessfully did an EIGHT MILE RIDE !!!
that's not too bad, by the way I figure it !

He rides a Kymco Mongoose 90.
(I won't make you guess as to why that is the bike I chose for him, I'll just tell you why).
It has a CVT tranny so he dosen't need to be bothered with learning how or when to shift. It has a final chain drive, which allows me to gear it Waaaaay down to suit his abilities for controlling it on the trails, yet still provides the clutch with enough rpm's for complete "Hook-up", and it has a throttle limiter, which I currently have set at about 35-40%.
Next time out,.... we shoot for 50-60%, (but only AFTER the little dude, starts to use his BRAKES a little better), LOL!!!

Me,...
Well I can go either way, and have just as much fun in what ever type of riding we are doing.
It can be "Balls to the Walls, See who can get there First ?" with my more experienced riding buddies,...
or a leisurely ride with my wife taking a packed lunch,snacks, and drinks for the trail,...
or it can be a "Trail Blasting, Adventure Exploring, Jackrabbit Chasing, Picture taking, Lizard Catching", 25-30 mile trip with my Daughter,...

or,

It can just be a simple little cruise near and around camp, with my Son,
just to get to see him progress at his own speed, getting all excited over accomplishing the next small hurdle, and watching him be all proud of himself, holding his arms up to the sky in his little "Victory stance". It just dosen't get any better than that.

I ride a slightly modified, '03 "Bug-eyed" TRX/U 400EX Sport-utilitrax.
(go ahead, try to figure that one out), LOL!!!
(It's an A.A.D.S. thing)
I'll give you just one guess, as to why it's the bike of choice, for me !

But, as I had stated in an earlier post on this thread,.....
and, as everyone else here, has already described quite accurately,...

The answer to all of those guess' is,...
It's because it's about the best damn machine out there,
for anyone who isn't trying to be,
the "roughest, toughest, fastest, wanna-be", in town.

[greencow]

Originally posted by tri5ron
VERY Well said !

I've been riding the open desert for over 40 years.
I've never "Officially" ridden a racetrack, in an actual organized race.
I don't even LIKE to ride, on an actual estabished racetrack !
WAaaayy too "limiting" for my tastes/preferences.

I don't get a charge out of riding anywhere that has Bleachers, and Hotdog stands,...
Announcers on Loudspeakers,and Crowds of Spectators, or track officials, that tell me when to go and when to stop.
I have no intrest in doing a lap holding a Checkered flag.

BUT,....I DO LOVE TO RIDE !
and, I love to now be involving my Family in riding.

My Wife,
(A novice at BEST),... absolutely LOVES riding her quad...
yet she has Absolutely ZERO INTREST, in pulling a wheelie, taking a jump, shooting a roost, doing a donut, or drifting in a long sweeper turn, or spanking up against the rev limiter.

At the same time though,... she is all up, ready, and willing, for a 20+ mile, 3-4-5, hour, ride, and enjoys every single moment she gets of "seat time".
She rides a '03 TRX250EX. Take one good guess,... as to why,... THAT was the bike I chose, for HER to ride !

My Daughter, 9 years old,
(a novice, with thoughts of being a "Pro-Circut XC Superstar"),
can out ride my Wife in a heartbeat.
She has pretty much no fear,... or concept of her own Mortality,... and will do donuts, shoot roosts, and even do a small, (VERY Small), jump here and there. She loves to hill climb, blast through washes, and beat her way through the whoops, and she is starting to learn how to drift in the corners.
She is ALWAYS hitting me up for a "Daddy/ Daughter Ride" without mommy or little brother, because,... (Quote by her),... "since they just can't keep up with you and me, Daddy".
She rides an '06 TRX90. I'll give you one more guess as to why I chose THAT bike, for HER !

My Son, 12 years old,
(and is a Special Needs child, who has Down Syndrome),
also LOVES to ride.
He has now sucessfully "Soloed" this year, on HIS OWN Quad, and we are very proud of him.
No,.... He'll never be the Overall Class Champion, standing in the center spot of the winners podium,.... BUT , He still loves to ride.
Sure it's a slower process for him to learn, and sometimes he gets a little frustrated, but that's no different than anyone else who is trying to learn something new, and the important thing is that he WANTS to ride,... He's WILLING to keep on trying,... and he DOSEN'T give up ! He want's to be involved with what the rest of the family is doing, and he thinks he's a Champion already !
(As do myself,... all of my friends,... all of the "little cuties" at his school and daycare,.... and MANY of the members here on this forum).
Trust me,.... you could only WISH and HOPE, for as many girlfriends, as he already has lined up and wanting to be "His girl" LOL!!!
on our last trip out, He finally "Broke away" from the "Comfort zone" of staying near camp, and asked me,
"DAD,... Let's RIDE,.... OK ??? " (My responce,... YOU BET BUD ! LEMME GRAB MY GEAR,.... YOU LEAD!),.. and off we went !
We ended up heading pretty far out of camp,... and he sucessfully did an EIGHT MILE RIDE !!!
that's not too bad, by the way I figure it !

He rides a Kymco Mongoose 90.
(I won't make you guess as to why that is the bike I chose for him, I'll just tell you why).
It has a CVT tranny so he dosen't need to be bothered with learning how or when to shift. It has a final chain drive, which allows me to gear it Waaaaay down to suit his abilities for controlling it on the trails, yet still provides the clutch with enough rpm's for complete "Hook-up", and it has a throttle limiter, which I currently have set at about 35-40%.
Next time out,.... we shoot for 50-60%, (but only AFTER the little dude, starts to use his BRAKES a little better), LOL!!!

Me,...
Well I can go either way, and have just as much fun in what ever type of riding we are doing.
It can be "Balls to the Walls, See who can get there First ?" with my more experienced riding buddies,...
or a leisurely ride with my wife taking a packed lunch,snacks, and drinks for the trail,...
or it can be a "Trail Blasting, Adventure Exploring, Jackrabbit Chasing, Picture taking, Lizard Catching", 25-30 mile trip with my Daughter,...

or,

It can just be a simple little cruise near and around camp, with my Son,
just to get to see him progress at his own speed, getting all excited over accomplishing the next small hurdle, and watching him be all proud of himself, holding his arms up to the sky in his little "Victory stance". It just dosen't get any better than that.

I ride a slightly modified, '03 "Bug-eyed" TRX/U 400EX Sport-utilitrax.
(go ahead, try to figure that one out), LOL!!!
(It's an A.A.D.S. thing)
I'll give you just one guess, as to why it's the bike of choice, for me !

But, as I had stated in an earlier post on this thread,.....
and, as everyone else here, has already described quite accurately,...

The answer to all of those guess' is,...
It's because it's about the best damn machine out there,
for anyone who isn't trying to be,
the "roughest, toughest, fastest, wanna-be", in town.

Very Very well said!
Thanks for posting

[2001400exrida]

i still like my new ones. I know the bug eyes are original and all but my 2007 is no imitation it is in fact the real thing :)

i have had to adapt to the non reverse. you have to make enough room to whip it around or else get off and move it.

My older one whips way better than the new one though, i think it's mostly due to the 450 shocks and 450 rear

[450rJam]

wow tri5ron, you should run for president.............

someone with real heart and from reading one post i'll call you a great dad

I been riding with my wife (who also rides a 250ex and is happy being a novice) for 15 years. and my 4 kids started riding as soon as they could touch the pegs

90% of our riding is straight out play, my youngest two use to race as I did but they showed me how much fun it can be to just enjoy a ride
we all 3 raced in the first anual dune-cross at Little Sahara Ok
I got 5th, daughter 2nd and son 1st in our classes
but we all agreed it was more like work than vacation

[CJM]

I never raced, just dont find it very fun. I rather mess around, do some small jumps and stuff. Mostly enjoy just going FAST lol.

[grassman]

I love the bug eyes... One quick look and you know what it is. All new Honda sports look the same. Who cares about going in reverse anyways... all the action is in front of you:D

[99400esex]

Originally posted by grassman
I love the bug eyes... One quick look and you know what it is. All new Honda sports look the same. Who cares about going in reverse anyways... all the action is in front of you:D

Well put.

[MtnEX]

Most people are just trail riders... and it is an excellent trail quad.

It doesn't have the shock and awe of a 450 or more... but doesn't have to have that for the rec rider that just wants to get out there and have fun. Makes it easy and forgiving to ride.


I've been saying I will sell mine... but I have been saying that for over 2 years and I have not listed it yet.


I would like to have a reverse motor though.

In the tight woods, not having reverse is for the birds sometimes.

[2001400exrida]

Originally posted by MtnEX
In the tight woods, not having reverse is for the birds sometimes.

especially when you're use to having it and then all the sudden you don't have it! you really have to plan for not having reverse. it's certainly a handy thing to have.

[440ex. ehhh!!]

Originally posted by DragonGunner
You mean like these Honda 200X's....84' an 86'

and like my dad's 250r?? '84
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae357/josh440ex/ATVing/sspx0246.jpg
but of course, i have a 440ex too. wish i never got the 450 actually, i should have just rebuilt the ex or got another one. its been smoking like crazy and prob needs a clutch from launching in 2nd gear all summer of flattracking :/
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae357/josh440ex/ATVing/sspx0096-Copy.jpg