build up or move to 450????

[87HONDATRX250X]

Hey guys. Got a question or more so wondering your thoughts and opinions. I'm gonna race this year for the first time. Try and do the full circuit but, doubt ill be able to make it to all them. I did the last race of this season to see how i did and did pretty decent. I ride at a track every week some times twice. My question is do i finish building up my 400ex to make it officially race ready? Or do i just race it as is for this year and buy a 450 for next year? :confused: I don't want to pour money into it knowing i wont get it back out if i end up selling before next summer. :ermm:
Any thoughts or comments id greatly appreciate

[Thumpin]

I still have a 416EX and a DS450x, and hands down the 450 was a Bread To Race! Its Night and Day difference! Not that I dont enjoy cruising the trails with the EX, cuz it does do that nicely. But when I want to cover land fast I get back on the 450 cuz it just does everything better at high speed!

[slightlybent47]

Save your money and move up next year.

[chronicsmoke]

^^ I agree, a couple of laps on a 450 and you'll never look back

[HondaPohl]

The 400 works great but save up and go 450.

[400exmxrider15]

There are alot of things you can do to your 400ex still, I'd hold onto it, get some more motor mods, extended a-arms, lighten the flywheel, throw an FCR carb (crf450r), and you would be able to hang on to those 450's no doubt.

[dave07ex]

I don't race, never have. However, my step-son raced for a few years until the track did away with quad races. Most of the ppl that raced quads were on 450's, a few used 250 two-strokes. There were some 400's but the guys who ran up fron were all on 450's.

[honda400ex2003]

imo if you have to ask, you might just as well get a 450. no matter what you do to a 400, there is always going to be a 450 that will have something more done and be faster 99% of the time.

steve

[wnyoarider_724]

i would go with the 400ex....i have a 01 400ex and i love it way more then a 450..ive ridden the yfz and honda 450r and i would prefer my 400ex over any 450r

01 400ex 440 kit
stage 2 cams
ac pro pegs
rethal bars
cira hand guards
full skids
gnnc holeshots

[chronicsmoke]

Originally posted by wnyoarider_724
i would go with the 400ex....i have a 01 400ex and i love it way more then a 450..ive ridden the yfz and honda 450r and i would prefer my 400ex over any 450r

Its all about pereference, If he is going to be MXing it regularly, well there is no argument that ANY 450 has more potential than the 400ex. If he is going to lug around tight trails and maybe 1-2 track sessions a year, then either option is good.

I love both of mine (450 and 426) but If I am going to the track, I leave the 426 in the shop. 450r with the HRC kit is competative enough for the entry level racer. It'll leave you with some cash to work on suspension.

I've had some ex's stay with me on the track, until I hit a straight away anyway ;) but for the tight sections it more about the rider.

JMO

[AtvKid4Eva]

I have owned a fully built 400 and sold it a couple years ago for a 450 and would never go back, especially for MX. My brother has a built 426 and it make awesome power but still dosent rev near as fast as my 450. The difference is huge between the two and although 400ex's are probably the most reliable and easy to build quads you can buy they just cant hold their own on an MX track with built 450's. Both are great bikes tho.

[ish416]

I currently own both a built 416 and a KFX450 with just basic bolt ons.

My 450 will leave my EX for dead anytime and under any condition.

If you can afford to keep both do it.

There is no point in sinking more money into your EX because you will not get it back if you decide to sell it.

If you want to race, you need a 450.

[atvextremerider]

450 hands down