XC gear setup

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

Im racing XC next year with my 2008 400ex and was wondering what the stock gearing is? and what i should use for XC? and i have the stock shocks should i get some different shocks?should i get a bigger oil cooler or oil tank since ill be running it for long distances? and is there anything else that i need besides that stuff?

Thanks,
Blake

[finsteratv]

I'd get diff fron shocks and yours already has a 14t front being 05+..so 13t if you really want..prob dont need it.

[honda400ex2003]

14/39 stock i think that would be a great combo for woods racing. if it was a bit more open in some areas a 14/38 would be nice so you can have a bit better top speeds for the long places.

steve

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

So I have a stock gearing of 14/39, so if I did 13/39 would I have more acceleration, and what shocks should I get, 450r fronts yfz fronts or find a good elka or somethin

[Fix29]

I would go with 450r fronts or find some aftermarket front shocks. Either way I would make sure you get them valved/sprung for xc riding and your weight.

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

I was thinkin of Putin yfz450 front shocks and a gt thunder XC rear link, I heard the yfz shocks are better than the trx450 shocks plus it will lower my quad with the link and yfz shocks, will the link help with the bucking from the rear shock

[finsteratv]

link will help with bucking. yfz shocks are better if you arent very heavy

[05DodgeDakota]

I've been real happy with my 13/36 combo

[jkosakowski]

I would go with 450r fronts and have them revalved and resprung to dual rates I race xc and i wouldnt want to lower the quad any except for having the gt thunder linkage and having that rear shock revalved wich doesnt lower it to much. Just my opinion

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

05DodgeDakota is it faster on acceleration with 13/36? is it faster overall?And I weigh Bout 150lbs, I like my quad low but thats just me, I dont want it too low though, the yfz shocks with +1 lonestar A-arms would be good in my opinion

[dxcody]

450r shocks are better for xc and you can make them just as good as aftermarket shocks with a revalve and spring job.

Since next year is ur first year, i wouldnt go and drop a boatload of money into your quad. Just get 450R or YFZ shocks and just leave it at that for now.

The reason i say run 450R shocks is most shock builders like JET, Rocket Ron, GT Thunder, etc wont rebuild yfz shocks, they tell you to buy HLS.. Which are good shocks but then you would have more money rapped up in your shocks then you would from buying 450R shocks and having them revalved from the get go.

Your probably going to end up braking an a arm or shock on your first year anyways so i wouldnt even change your a arms yet... Just my opinion, take it for what you want.

~Cody~

[CJM]

Your gearing is already good for the woods, maybe up the rear sprocket 1 tooth to 39. You currently have 14/38 which gives you nice torque, but less overall speed-you wont be speeding thru the woods lol.

Buy the oil tank if you want, but its a stock bike and if jetted right shouldnt overheat. If I wanted to cool it Id run a spal fan.

Armor is most important, belly and swingarm skids. A-arm guards meh are kinda worth it but kinda pointless in some cases imho. I LOVE my proarmor swingarm skid. I went to PA in rock country and although it slightly dented and got a bit gouged it held up like a champ. What I like most about it is it covers the brake rotor very well and the chain too and its beefy 1/4 thick!

Id also look into adding a stage 1 hotcam for some better power curve than the stock cam, should give you a nice umph in torque.

What you really want to invest into is a steering stabilzer. Its well worth the money, I LOVE CCP. On ebay the guy sells them, if you message him he can give you a better price too.

450R shocks are a must, take the preload off and change the compression and rebound to suit you.

Good tires are also needed, Id run either a razr 2 front and razr rear, holeshot HD all around or razr 2 allt he way around.

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

So going down a tooth in the front wouldn't be as good? and going up a tooth in the rear would be? So why is everybody saying yfz shocks arnt as good as trx shocks now ive heard both are good? Im thinkin bout stage1 cam and sparks key, dwt champion in a box rims and maxxis razr XC tires, lsr+1 arms, lsr+1 1/4 swingarm,lsr +1 axle , GT thunder XC link eventually and when I get the money a set of ELKA shocks a long time from now, but gonna get yfz or trx front shocks and GT thunder XC link for now

[CJM]

Your already geared low to start with, you drop to a 13t front and you will kill any topend you have, going up in the back is a slight but noticable gain.

Dont waste your cash on the swingarm for now, wait awhile and just run the XC link if you wish. Dont widen the rear axle at all, leave the stocker for now or go from a stock width axle, you can squeeze thru things in the front, the back you cannot.

[jmarkel]

I have all that you need in a package for sale to start racing XC. I've got the 450r front shocks and the rear stock shock converted by GT Thunder, Xc link and skid plate.

I raced with it and had no problems and it is way better than stock.

Shoot me a pm if u are interested. I can definately save you money!

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

Im not gonna be buyin a swingarm,axle, or arms for awhile right now I'm just gonna get gearing setup good, good shocks and link

[400man]

im not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but an oversize gas tank is a good investment also, enless you plan on stopping to pit for gas atleast once during the race. A stock gas tank just wont cut it for the whole race enless you ride very conservative and stay out of WOT

[dxcody]

i already explained why i said to buy trx shox.

but if your going to buy elkas then get yfz shocks

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

I havnt seen any over sized gas tanks for a 08, and Idk wat shocks ill get

[Longdong]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 400man
[B]im not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but an oversize gas tank is a good investment also, enless you plan on stopping to pit for gas atleast once during the race. A stock gas tank just wont cut it for the whole race enless you ride very conservative and stay out of WOT

Bad advice! A stock tank will make any gncc on a stock motor!

[finsteratv]

i would get 450r's and revalve them if you have the $$ for them. look at gncc guys are running 450r rebuilds like it going out of style. with elka all you pay for is the name ubless you get super high grade ones IMO

[Speed37]

all u need is a frame skidplate, swingarm skidplate, and if u got money have u back shock built, and put some trx's on there. they are a direct bolt on and dont lower ur quad i dont think? good tires make a good difference. GBC x rex are very good tires IMO. A steering stabilzer will save ur arms too. No a arms or axles are needed for a first timer. oh, and idk why he will need a bigger gas tank. He wount be WOT like pros would be soo.

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

so 450r shocks, pro armor chasis and swingarm skid and XC link for now anyway

[CJM]

Originally posted by B.C.#11TRX400EX
so 450r shocks, pro armor chasis and swingarm skid and XC link for now anyway

Steering stabilizer dude, trust me you want it!

FWIW today I basically ran a GNCC race if you want to get technical. We RACED thru the woods, 3rd, 4th, 5th WIDE open in most spots. Trails by us are very tight, tons of whoops, some wide open stretches, ground is sand tho but it makes it even harder b/c you lose traction and such very easy.

Anyways, my setup in my signature performed great except my 450r shocks are somewhat too stiff for the whoops and the backend tends to wander alot on whoops. Once I get the shocks redone it should be great. I ride EXTREMELY hard and my setup works quite well. Goes to show you suspensions the most important b/c if it was better for me Id be able to go faster b/c it handles better.

Also, dont waste your cash on elkas they arent really worth it. As others have suggest revalve/respring some 450r fronts and then do an XC link and have your shock redone out back.

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

I just found some yfz shocks for $135 and the cheapist 450r shocks wer $250 so Idk bout ya'll but im likin the yfz's right now, so watever I decide im gettin a XC link, skidplates, razr XC tires and watever front shocks

[CJM]

Personally speaking Im not impressed with the YFZ shocks since they will lower your ride height about 1.5 inches.

Do not base price on performance either.

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

Well to me if I was racing MX they would be good but for XC the trx shocks are best

[400man]

Originally posted by Speed37
oh, and idk why he will need a bigger gas tank. He wount be WOT like pros would be soo.

What about if theres an open field section, are you saying your not gonna haul *** and go wide open? cause if you dont go all out you will be passed out in the open, and lose any spots you might have gained in the woods on other racers.

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

In the woods in always wot in 3rd usually then give her hell in the open hahaha, this will be my first official race but ive raced many times

[Scro]

Go out and have fun your first couple of races, and don't worry about anything besides the basic necessities. Good tires and skids is all you really need. The fun part of starting out racing was not really knowing what to expect, and finding out what you need to be faster. And you will find out real quick, about the 2nd or 3rd lap, you'll need suspension.:D Don't fret yourself with gearing and little crap. If you win or lose, it won't be because you ran a different gearing than the rest of the field.

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

Thanks man appreciate it

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

Does anybody know how much a revalve and springs cost for trx shocks from GT thunder

[Scro]

It's $395 for dual rate springs, and any valving changes that need to be made.

http://www.gtthunder.com/450R.htm

[CJM]

Originally posted by 400man
What about if theres an open field section, are you saying your not gonna haul *** and go wide open? cause if you dont go all out you will be passed out in the open, and lose any spots you might have gained in the woods on other racers.

I can ride 6 hours of constant hard throttle use mostly WOT and still have 1/4 of a tank left. Granted the 08 tanks are slightly smaller, but still.

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

Cool thanks does anybody no how much the XC link lowers the rear, and how much trx shocks raise the front

[Speed37]

xc link will raise it, and trx will drop it like 1/2 inch. But i meant wot like the whole race, u dont really NEED to get ur shocks revalved, but if u got money. spend it. Tires tires tires. skidplate skidplate skidplate.

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

Your the first thats said that I thought it was the shocks that raised and XC link lower it, o well but im not gonna respring or revalve em for awhile if i do it at all but I'll prob get some Fox floats or elkas way down the line

[CJM]

The XC will not raise up the rear at all, it lowers it-right on GT Thunders site it states that.

450r Front shocks will raise the frontend slightly, they are longer.

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

Thats what I thought how much does the XC link lower it and the front trx's raise it up a inch right

[Longdong]

Originally posted by Speed37
xc link will raise it, and trx will drop it like 1/2 inch. But i meant wot like the whole race, u dont really NEED to get ur shocks revalved, but if u got money. spend it. Tires tires tires. skidplate skidplate skidplate.

Bad advice! Gt thunders Xc link lowers the back about 1 inch give or take the stock setting and weight of the rider. You apparently have not seen one!

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

Thanks man I thought he was wrong but I wanted to make sure

[Longdong]

Originally posted by B.C.#11TRX400EX
Thats what I thought how much does the XC link lower it and the front trx's raise it up a inch right

The trx fronts will raise the front of the quad. If you revavle and respring them that will lower them to the proper height. The xc link will work alright on a
Stock shock but not to it's full potential. Scro has given the best advice so far.

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

Where would I find a bigger oil cooler and tank, ill get these whenever the engine needs bored

[05DodgeDakota]

CFM or UM

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

Does Four stroke Tech make em?

[Longdong]

This is a pic of the tank I put on my quad. If you are patience you can find one on ebay. IMO a very good tank

[dxcody]

dont forget, larger oil tank = more oil

[400man]

Originally posted by CJM
I can ride 6 hours of constant hard throttle use mostly WOT and still have 1/4 of a tank left. Granted the 08 tanks are slightly smaller, but still.

:confused: Are you sure about that,.....6 hours? Last year I raced the titan gncc down in tenessee (the one with the stair-step creek bed you go up) and I just had a stock gas tank, and at the end of the race my tank was almost bone dry, I was surprised I even made it without running out of gas. I started the race with it filled to top as much as it would go.

[05DodgeDakota]

Originally posted by B.C.#11TRX400EX
Does Four stroke Tech make em?

No. But they make a secondary cooler

[05DodgeDakota]

Originally posted by 400man
:confused: Are you sure about that,.....6 hours? Last year I raced the titan gncc down in tenessee (the one with the stair-step creek bed you go up) and I just had a stock gas tank, and at the end of the race my tank was almost bone dry, I was surprised I even made it without running out of gas. I started the race with it filled to top as much as it would go.

That didn't sound right to me either, after a 2 hour race at 90% WOT, my tank is almost dry

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

Haha ya mine too

[CJM]

IDK I ride in a day about 4-6 hours avg, Sometimes alot longer too. We do LONG trail rides that last easily an hour or better and I have never run out of gas. Usually im WOT 2nd, 3rd or 4th. Also in and out of the gears constantly due to the terrain, might come out of a spot in 2nd then fly to 4th WOT and then back to 3rd when a turn comes.

Then we go from the trails to step ups, play there for awhile, then we ride the dirt road WOT for a good while, then we go back to the woods, take breaks here and there but nothing to long.

Maybe, just maybe Im lucky? Ive been on reserve before, but I have never ever ever ran totally. Stock tank too. Last week I ran and had a approx half a tank in approx 3 hours give or take. Took about 3/4 of a gallon to fill it back up to the tippy top.

Throttle control is key I guess, along with a well tuned machine. I only run 93 and my jetting is spot on as well using keihin jets. Perhaps the fact Im at pretty much at sea level has something to do with it.

FWIW the most I ever rode in one day was approx (actual ride time 8 hours Id guesstimate). Got to the spot at 10am and rode till 8pm when it got dark (summertime). We rode the trails ALL over the place, musta hit every trail for miles, then did some jumps, then goofed off and such. On the way back to my truck I had to put reserve on. Was approx 90F and I used 93 pump and was filled to the top.

Only time I ever ran out of gas was when I had it jetted way to rich and was using dynojets, I limped back to the truck.

EDIT: I also recalled one guy that used to come had a utility. It measured miles traveled. In one day we rode 33 miles.

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

I believe that cause when me and my cousins ride they have a tachometer we rode 37 miles one day on dirt roads but i only used like 3/4 of the tank

[CJM]

I think most of the reason I dont run out is the elevation, higher you are more throttle you need to make more power due to the air density. Engine runs alot less efficient higher you go up.

[Scro]

Originally posted by CJM
IDK I ride in a day about 4-6 hours avg. In one day we rode 33 miles.

That's why your tank seems to last as long as it does. Most 2 hour GNCC races are 35-40 miles, if you don't get lapped.

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

Haha ya ill be fine my races are 6-10 miles on every track but its timed so ill be doing laps

[CJM]

Originally posted by Scro
That's why your tank seems to last as long as it does. Most 2 hour GNCC races are 35-40 miles, if you don't get lapped.

yea but Dustin i still had at least 1/4 of a gallon left and reserve...

Maybe Im just not riding hard enough lol....

[B.C.#11TRX400EX]

So for a rear shock will the stock be ok I guess after I get the XC link, the bucking is pretty bad, when I come up short on jumps it bucks hard and I need to be able to absorb that