400ex for 450r

[B.Rich108]

Whats goin on guys? I have a 2007 400ex that is stock. It was picked up new in 09 from a dealer. A guy offered to trade me his 2005 450r that has the hrc baffle and cam. Sounds like a pretty good trade off to me, what do you guys think? Also, the 450r forum on this site is ok, not *** good as the 400ex forum. Does anyone know of a good forum for the 450r's?

[honda400ex2003]

trx450r.org is supposed to be ok from what ive heard

if you want a 450r then trade him imo.
steve

[CJM]

id much rather an 06+, better carb, better engine, better swingarm and frontend.

[dan5]

You might ask yourself. If this is such a good trade why does the other guy want to step down from a 450 to a 400.
Just a tought

[01boneless]

^^^^well said! i traded my mint ex (needed rings so wasent perfect but i thro in rings and a new piston) for a 450 that was ok on the outside.... the motor was a diffrent story and the cobbed up mess of stuff i found

[Thumpin440ex]

You must ask your self.. Speed vs reliability..
400 is a ironman..


John

[DragonGunner]

I would make sure I rode that 450R alot before trading, might be on its last lap.

[B.Rich108]

I was going to ride it a little bit. And I also planned on checking the oil filter for any metal flakes. The guy said he tore his acl so now he has a lot of trouble trying to kick it over, so he wants an electric start.

[throttle_out14]

06+ do have better motors, but an 05 model is fine. Make sure to ask the guy if he has been through the top end. Replaced the piston and sleeve in it etc. Some 05's can be kinda worn out in this respect. My best friend has an 05 and he has had to freshen up the top end on it a couple of times but I guess every bike has that issue.
Just my two cents on the matter. :)

[dxcody]

Originally posted by CJM
id much rather an 06+, better carb, better engine, better swingarm and frontend.

06+ is better BUT

The way that Don Ockerman and Jonathan Shaff explained it to me was, if your going to buy a 450r and use it as an everyday quad, buy an 04-05. If your going to race it and not ride it all the time except to race, buy an 06+

The reason being is that the 04-05 is very reliable and low and easy to maintain. The 06+ valves need adjusted after almost every ride and is just a PITA to the average everyday trail rider to keep up with it. Thats just what they said, i would rather have the 06+ because its overall a better engine+carb like you said.. I dont mind doing maintainence.

[chronicsmoke]

Well it depends.. 04/05 have the better front end..

06+ have the option of a CRF head (bolt on HP), FCR (most XC guys like the 04/05 better), and a better rear end, BUT are notorious for weak trannys. (Weak gears are more $$ to replace than a common 04/05 crank failure BTW)

Do suspension work (if you want) and you're on a level playing field as far as I'm concerened. If the 06+ are a bit easier to uncork, and you are concerned with a few 'easy' ponies, then find an 06+.

fwiw I have yet to see a LOCAL 450 (04/05 or 06+) that can stay with mine, and mine isn't overly done either. (MILD P&P, 13:1 piston, HRC Cam, HRC Box Lid, and Full Exhaust.) Most locals don't want to run High Compression. A 10:1 480 still wont beat my 13:1 stock bore, as one kid found out. :blah:

You wont notice a couple HP, I wouldn't worry about it

Check the oil AND air filter (if the air filter is gunked up, I'd WALK AWAY!!) And you're right looking for shavings, Copper shavings will make your wallet hurt :(

ANY year will do you well if you're looking for more power. Let the condition of the bike do the talking, not the year it was made

[B.Rich108]

Thanks for the input guys...ill take all I can get!