who owns both a 450r and 400ex?

[400man]

I bought me a 05 honda 450r the other day......been kinda thinking about it and some popped up on craigslist kinda cheap so I got one. its a nice bike, completely different animal from the 400ex, but im not quite as stoked on it as when I first got it. ive only took in my trails for a good hard test ride just one time the other day, and its kinda changed my opinion on it and im not sure if I should keep it or sell it before I lose money on it. the bike is pretty much stock except a hmf pipe, razr tires, bumper/grab bar. heres my "review" on it compared with my 400ex.

the 450r just feels more racey and high strung than the 400. it revs up twice as fast, very snappy throttle response and the sound is just awesome (but alot louder...says my dad :devil: ). in the trails my 400ex handles 10x better...but it has wider a-arms and HLS front shocks and a gtt linkage, the 450r is all stock suspension. and the seat/riding position feels more comfortable on the 400ex, but the 450r feels easier to whip around on and throw your weight around. as far as riding in the woods, the 450r is a blast when your riding agressive, but it beats the crap out of me and im no where near as fast in my tight technical trails. my 400ex is just easier to ride, I can keep it a gear higher and sorta lug it around and use the bottom end power to pull it on through the rpms. I tried that on the 450r and it just either wants to stall out or kinda hiccups on me before the power kicks in like a 2 stroke if im a gear to high in tight spots. but the mid and topend power on the 450r would eat my 400ex, I havent lined em up yet but I may when It dries up soon.

so heres my deal. im keeping my 400ex for sure. but im undecided on keeping the 450r. if I did keep it I would deffinatly need to re-do the suspension like +1 a-arms and have gt thunder re-do the shocks. I really didnt plan on dumping money into it, but to make it even enjoyable to ride in the woods or race it would really need it. so.......keep or sell the 450?

[finsteratv]

thats the whole reason i bought a 400ex over a 450r. because i ride alooot of technical trails. plus its just more comfortable to me. i dont really get the whole 450 craze. you might be able to try gearing it down a tooth?

[HondaRacing83]

im gonna say keep the 450.thats whatd i do anyways.ive always wanted a 450.ive always been in love with them and raptor 660s and 700s.dont ask why i just have been.in the woods,i feel like my 400 doesnt have enough power in the trails.i dont think it has enough bottem end.it bogs down to.but an issue with the 450 is that the rear shock is stiffer than the 400.its a complaint.so fix that and you will prob like it alot more.ive sat on 450's and i love the way they feel.like the honda 450's.i love the way the tank is,the way the seat is,the way the plastics look,id love one.and id love the power.keep it.you wont regret it.

[finsteratv]

i think it all comes down to personal preference. its more of what you like to ride your style/comfort. not others opinion because obviously they arent riding it haha. but honda rider does have a good point but i dont see how he can say there isnt enough bottom end?? :confused:

[trailrider894]

Originally posted by finsteratv
i think it all comes down to personal preference. its more of what you like to ride your style/comfort. not others opinion because obviously they arent riding it haha. but honda rider does have a good point but i dont see how he can say there isnt enough bottom end?? :confused:

My near stock EX has more bottom than a 450r... I road one a few days ago and was very upset with the qualities of it as trail bike...

[finsteratv]

Originally posted by trailrider894
My near stock EX has more bottom than a 450r... I road one a few days ago and was very upset with the qualities of it as trail bike...
i think honda really has some make up work to do..:scary:
i tried 450 didnt like it 400 ready to rip! i too was disappointed with the 450r as a trail bike just didnt cut it for me.

[CJM]

Stock the 450r is geared to high, buddy of mine runs one with lower gearing (think 13t front) and it has tons of lowend power and he rides trails.

[450rJam]

the 04/05 450r is geared higher, in 06 they changed trans gearing and dropped to 13 tooth front sprocket

I have a 1999 and 2008 400ex and I still ride both from time to time depending on my mood and where im going to ride......
I also have two 2006 450's (a trx450er and a yfz450)

for dunes the 450's are more fun and you can really use the extra performance, but in most trails you just cant use all the power of the 450 so I will jump on one of the 400ex's

I can have fun on just about any quad, I still take my wifes 250ex out when im just planning on relaxing ride, its just too easy

[MtnEX]

I now find this subject very entertaining every time I read about it.

The reason is, it just goes to show how different the "PERCEPTION" of power really is...

The reality is that the 450's produce more torque than the 400EX has in peak HP. And heck, I would doubt there is any range that the 450's don't make more power than the 400EX.

So what we are really talking about here is LOW END GRUNT.



Now with that said, understand that this is NOT any sort of measure of power. Instead it is a measure of feeling. And what is causing this feeling down low is INERTIA.

Google it. Or better yet, just click here... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flywheel ...or Google "flywheel inertia".


The point is, once you get an engine in motion and rotating.... the 450's are like stopping a rolling Smart car, and the 400EX is like stopping a Mac truck... as far as engine rotation is concerned.

This is the big difference... the size and weight of the rotating parts... and probably also somewhat the length of the rotational stroke.

All of the moving parts of the 400EX are huge and heavy... and it takes like 8-10mm more piston stroke to equal one revolution of the crank.

The 400EX engine is harder to spin up and likewise much harder to stop when moving.

The 450's have all light rotating parts and a very short piston stroke. They rev way easier and faster, but despite also making way more power... the engine rotation is way easier to slow down and stop.


Dropping a tooth on the front will help to some degree by reducing the load applied to the engine by gear reduction. But this will come at the cost of shorter gear length/range and lower top speed.


Trail Tech used to produce a heavy flywheel for the 450's... but not anymore except the YFZ.

If it is a kicker, you might call Stealthy offroad and see if they have anything that will work... and also there is a heavy clutch basket they make for a lot of stuff... and I think Hinsen does also. But the clutch basket will have less effect (due to gear reduction).


The best option is probably just to invest in a Rekluse Clutch setup and set it where it can't stall.

[400man]

im not sure what the gearing is on it, but im gonna guess it is stock?

im not saying I hate the 450, but its just that it would deffinatly take some money and suspension work to make it more trail friendly. if you trail ride at a fast or aggressive pace then the 450 will suit you fine. and I dont mind the kickstart (owned a 250r before my 400ex) but the electric start will ruin you if you go to start riding a kickstart 450r :p . the only thing nice about the kick start is its less extra parts/less possible repairs.

[MtnEX]

What year model is it?


Oh, and yeah I'm spoiled with e-start and reverse both... lol...

[DragonGunner]

My brother in law has a 04' 450R so I've got to ride it. I raced against it with my race 400ex...if I have the heavy razr2 on it leaves me setting, this is when it was stock. I put my 18" rears on an 16/38 an we are close for the first few gears but then it pulls away on top end...plus we found out when I'm shifting into 3rd, he's still in first an getting ready to shift into second....He didn't like the 450R for trail riding either so I told him to go down on front sprocket an now he really likes it, much better. I like the power of the 450R, it made it feel like 100 lbs. lighter than my 406ex...I almost put a 450R motor in my EX....but went with a KTM 520exc...The one thing I just can't get use to on the 450R is that it feels like it sets a mile up in the air....my EX is set up an is lower an feels better.....if your 450R seems rough riding on slow trails maybe u can adjust the preloads an go with a softer setting....by the way, that stock 450R got a Honda race cam an full CT Racing exhaust an guess it just screams...I need to ride it....he won't race me on the KTM......c'mon on man.

[racerdad88]

For starters you aren't comparing apples to apples - You state that your 400 has aftermarked a arms along with HLS shocks and a GT Thunder link.
Put these same things on the 450 and you won't complain any longer. I have a 416 with GT Thunder suspension front and rear and when I ride my sons 450's with the same suspension, the 416 doesn't even compare. The 450's pull harder from bottom to top and turn just as good as my 416. Guess it is depending on what your plans are. For racing the 450 is the one to go with IMO! Trail riding either will do.

[400man]

we had some nice warm weather today and I got the pressure washer out and washed off my two hondas and took some pics :)

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp255/ky2stroker/400ex450r001.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp255/ky2stroker/400ex450r002.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp255/ky2stroker/400ex450r003.jpg

[400man]

some more comparison pics...
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp255/ky2stroker/400ex450r012.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp255/ky2stroker/400ex450r013.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp255/ky2stroker/400ex450r007.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp255/ky2stroker/400ex450r004.jpg

[400man]

one more set...

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp255/ky2stroker/400ex450r005.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp255/ky2stroker/400ex450r006.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp255/ky2stroker/400ex450r014.jpg
http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp255/ky2stroker/400ex450r015.jpg

[HondaRacing83]

your hondas look a little abused.haha

[Thumpin440ex]

I have had a 450r also, I liked the bike, but for some reason, I like my 400 better.. def 2 diff beasts, will be a total preference thing.. The 450 revs like a indy car, while the 400 just has that dinosaur rev. However after I did the 440 kit and all, it revs somewhat faster, as the 450 is clicking gears, my 400 pulls long and hard past most mild 450R's.. I still think the 400 is one of the best trail machines they have ever put out.. Just regearing will change the bike.. I recently dropped a a front tooth, it is new machine... I like the 400 for the fact it is simple, has never let me down. Maintenance is far less then that of a 450...


John

[450rJam]

maint. is alot cheaper and easier on the 400ex as with anything thats not high output performance (if you push the 400 to 440 and run a high grind cam etc. your back to 450r reliability)

I already have two 450's and they are alot more expen$ive to maintain.........

I got a couple 400ex's so my kids can ride but not break my bank account keeping up with 4 - 450's

[MtnEX]

Are those iRazr's on the R 22"???

They sure look a lot taller.

[250x_kyle]

i owned both for a very short time. 450r was a night an days difference over the 400. for a new rider or someone who doesnt always keep up on maintence the 400 is the way to go. changed the gearing on my 450r and loved it in the woods until i decided to mx it. just cant beat how quick they rev.

[nstyle400ex]

i own both of them

2001 honda 400ex
stage 1 hot cams
lte slip on pipe
k&n power lid and filter
16/37 gearing
wiesco piston
tusk nerf bars
pro taper fat bard
motion pro twist throttle
stream line clutch perch
asv brake lever
pro armor shifter
black itp rims
nstyle graphics
holeshot mxr4
dg bumper

[Goob]

i own a 400 and 3 of my buddies own 450s all i do is trail ride i dont have much experience with the 450 but all 3 of there starters went out but ill also say they are pretty rough on them and i heard theyre made more for racing than trail

Originally posted by 450rJam

for dunes the 450's are more fun and you can really use the extra performance, but in most trails you just cant use all the power of the 450 so I will jump on one of the 400ex's



if you knew how to ride you could handle the power of a 450

[450rJam]

guess every rodeo needs its clowns,

I promise (if you have a 450) that you wont be able to keep up with my poor skills


(my bad........ looks like your banned)

[trailrider894]

Originally posted by 89isuzu
if you knew how to ride you could handle the power of a 450

Lets get a video of you riding a 450 in the woods, i want to hear you hit the rev limiter in a high gear. Reality is, its not gonna happen..... the 450 is just not as good in the woods as the EX end of story. hasta luego. :chinese:

[finsteratv]

Originally posted by 89isuzu
if you knew how to ride you could handle the power of a 450
why are there so many know it all's on this site..it gets old fast when all they do is make smart @$$ comments and think theyre #1..

[250x_kyle]

for leisure riding id rather have the 400 in the woods. its nice to have the extra grunt of the 450 when you need it. but if you dont run it they run hot.

[the Z Man]

The 450 is a better quad hands down, the liquid cooling alone is enough, If took me some seat time but once i got used to my 450 from the 400ex I cannot see me going back, I did have to go down 1 tooth on the counter sprocket.

[400man]

Originally posted by trailrider894
Lets get a video of you riding a 450 in the woods, i want to hear you hit the rev limiter in a high gear. Reality is, its not gonna happen..... the 450 is just not as good in the woods as the EX end of story. hasta luego. :chinese:

.....enless you a pro class xc racer :p . its crazy how fast and hard these guys ride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXh5AnaiFJ4
im on a red 250r in this one, this was the morning race though...the afternoon guys are much faster and twice as loud :eek: