desert racing

[wfo4rv]

So i found a screaming deal on a desert ready ex, normally i wouldnt consider it but the price is right. Do you 400ex owners thing it has the speed capabilities to do it? or will i get it and immediately have to make it a hybrid and put a faster motor in it? thoughts appreciated!

[CJM]

IDK I race what I like to call dune/desert/woods at my local huge sandpit. The EX can easily hit 75mph with the right suspension and engine mods.

[wfo4rv]

The desert races i am doing are 100 ish miles, some whooped out parts and some high speed straights

it has all the parts the bigger bikes i was looking at had, but it is 1/3 the price. if it can keep up in the straight aways ill be okay and happy. if it is too slow i can always put a 250r or 650r motor in it:p (but don't want to)

[CJM]

yep could always hybrid it out.

Honestly I find that since most of the quads are geared to go about 70mph stock thats what many will find. I know mine can hit more than that topped out.

EX is a dated platform, but for the price it couldnt be that bad I spose.

Mine is an 11:1 426, stage 2 hotcam with 04-05 450r carb and some other misc stuff and I run 15/36 gearing and could honestly pull a 16T front and 38 rear for that extra bit of speed. Its about as fast as an hrc 06+ 450r. I did the gears Im sure Id be better tho.

[wfo4rv]

Well the ex is 4000 the 450r is 6000 and the raptor is 7000 so I think I'll suck it up and get the 450r but the dollar is tight and I just bought my MX quad

[400man]

is there different classes to race in, or just an open class for all adult sized atvs? if you was worried about top speed you could look at a banshee, very few mods and they scream on topend. almost nothing else can match it, but they dont have the good suspension and geometry like the 400/450's do

[JOHNDOE83]

It depends on mods, gearing,tire size.

I hit 70mph in "4th" gear on my 400ex and had plenty of room to hit 5th and top out fast!!! I was racing at the 8th mile drag strip.
Ii had 22in tires, 16/39 gearing, with pretty extensive motor mods.

The thing is, if it had 22in knobbies and was in dirt or sand would it top out the same?

Probaly not but it sure could hang with modded 450s.

you could possibly gear it to do 75mph wide open on ruff terrain.

[wfo4rv]

okay i have one final question,if i decided to hybrid the 400ex out is the chassis itself dated? i have always heard its frame geometry is superior

[JOHNDOE83]

400ex has awesome geometry, its just held bak by a way to heavy motor with not enough HP.

I built a cr250r/400ex hybrid and the difference is AMAZING!!!!!

This was a really easy build also.

I wouldnt use a 2stroke for long desert racing tho

[JOHNDOE83]

To be honest, someone asked this question a few weeks ago and I recommended a DS650.

This and a big raptor are actually the best for heavy desert riding/racing.

The power is there, the suspension is there, the problem is they are to heavy and will wear you out. In heavy riding conditions the quad takes you for a ride, your not riding the quad.

The lighter 450r and hybrid quads are great also but in my opinion they would take more riding ability to get just as far as the rappy or ds would, you could put your rider ability on the bigger quad and be more effective in the long run.

Would you rather be on a long travel suspenision 650 or a long travel 450 in the desert? Personally I would want the 650.

Try to look up what kind of quads won the last baja race, that would be a good way to decide.

[wfo4rv]

The 700xx and 450r s have won baja and 250rs did in the 90s. I have a fully built MX ltr but it is held back in the desert. I am looking at desert quads and the 400ex I found is the cheapest. I think I'm gonna go with it because if I dislike it I can make it a project and put a 450r or xr650 in the ex and make it a *****en desert racer

[400Trooper]

wfo4rv!

Being a semi-retired desert racer in Arizona who actually races a 2002 400EX, I believe I can give you a straight forward to your question.

I've raced a 400EX for years! I actually won a 2009 IRONMAN Championship Series in Arizona on it!!
My EX is semi-modified. I run a 440 kit, with a full FMF exhaust, 450R carb, 450R carb, 450R timing chain, KW valves, Hot Cams stage 2,ect. Obviously plenty of motor.

What I didn't do which I regret is to go crazy on suspension. A full long travel A-arm set-up with FOX or ELKA shocks front and rear, along with Flexx bars.

IF and I do mean IF, the 400 you're looking at has a great suspension set up already, then i'd go with it. You can always do engine mods later a bit at a time.

You can only go as fast as your suspension set-up will allow, that is a fact that no one will argue.

Regarding reliability any Honda or stock quad will do fine. Once modifications are done the reliability starts to suffer. As I'm sure you're aware!

Regarding the raptors, banshees and DS650......waste of time in my honest opinion. I have blown by all 3 more times than I can count, and on a 400EX to boot!

Now for my straight honest opinion....find a 450R or TRX700XX and slap on long travel stuff and forget it!!!! you'll be $$$$$$ ahead!

best of Luck!!!

[wfo4rv]

400trooper, it has long travel, and a 440 kit.

My question, have you had overheating issues with the ex? Does it keep up even on the straights or is it blown right past? If the ex is competitive I will choose that just because my dollar is tight.

Edit: thanks!

[400Trooper]

wfo4rv-

I have a SPAL fan on the back of the oil cooler, switched from the light switch, i would run it all the time during the endurance races. never had any heating problems even in Arizona heat = 110+ at times. I also always ran fresh oil every race too!

Does the quad have HD head studs installed??

I ran a 15 tooth front sproket and 20" rear Maxxis RAZR tires, as far as being as fast as a 450R........depends! I'm 6' 225lbs, not a little guy and it would run quite well with the 450Rs. So depending on your size, you may be as fast if not faster, ESPECIALLY with the suspension you have!!

Speed is really dictated on the rider's ability and suspension, also terrian! Post a picture of the quad if you can!

P.S. i'm jealous of the suspension!!

[wfo4rv]

http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u598/ryanhat/PA190685_zpsc032c281.jpg

mod list.

FRONT END: Roll design LT +3 front end, Elka compression/rebound adjustable shocks with remote res, Walsh Racecraft anti-vibe steering stem, bar mount and hiem tie rods. Renthal Bars, ASV Levers, Precision Racing Products steering stabilizer and Lonestar hubs.
REAR END: Houser +2 swing arm. Lonestar Axle, Lock out nut and rear hubs. Elka rear shock with remote ressy Compression/Rebound adjustable with Elka link.
ENGINE: Fully built Duncan Racing 450cc engine by Duncan (have all receipts) fresh with less than 5 gallons thru last refresh by Duncan. PC400 cylinder, head work, cam, hard face rockers, valves, piston 12-1( have always run VP C12), Doug Eichner Edelbrock carb, Duncan Fat Boy 4 exhaust, Duncan racing quick change clutch cover, ACE high capacity oil tank with SS AN lines, Complete Hinson 8-plate clutch/basket/pressure plate setup. Extra stock 400ex motor(in pieces)
WHEELS: Front= 10x5, 4+1Hiper CF Beadlocks with Maxis Razr2, 23x7 tires Rear= 10x9, 3+6 Hiper CF Beadlocks with Maxis Razr2, 22x11 tires
MISC: Fullbore plastics, 250R calipers up front, crown SS lines, kill switch, IMS/ROLL foot pegs, heal guards and AC nerf bars, PowerMadd hand guards , Quadtech Carbon Fibre shock and chassis guards and air scoops, swing arm skid plates and Razor billet lights

[400Trooper]

OKAY YOU WIN!!!!

HOW MUCH FOR THAT BAD BOY?????

[wfo4rv]

Well it's a package deal 8k for this, an ltz build the same (I'm gonna get it for my mom to ride) and a 16 foot trailer (which I'm gonna sell) so that makes 7000 for both and 3500 each. Not too bad and I get the quad for me and the one I needed to get for my mom in one package

So basically 3,500 . I thought it was a good deal

[CJM]

Thats a very nice one!

[400Trooper]

DESERT RACE THE 400
MX RACE THE LTR!!

[wfo4rv]

Originally posted by 400Trooper
DESERT RACE THE 400
MX RACE THE LTR!!

You mean the ltz or the ltr I already have that I mentioned? Lol and thanks for the help trooper

[wfo4rv]

http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u598/ryanhat/image_zpse7654639.jpg

But this 450r was only was only 2k more and is clean. I'm so torn. I could always drop a 450r in the ex and theyed be equad bikes if the ex couldn't do it. But.... Oh I don't know what to do

[400Trooper]

I feel your pain bro!

The EX pic you posted with all the goodies is SWEET, don/t get me wrong! Heck the suspension alone is close to $5000. 00 by it self, well worth it IMO!

But....the 450R u just posted only needs nerf bars and you're off and racing / winning.

The 400EX is going to be heavier than the 450R, take that into consideration.

If I had to do it again and had the $$$$ I would still do a 450R. Now is the right time to find them relatively cheap.

I have to ask, have you raced desert before??

[wfo4rv]

A little bit, no really long races yet. I was doing it on my MX quad and that doesn't cut it. That being said, if probably be in a lower class because my endurance isn't the best. I think the biggest plus for the ex is I'd get another badass quad for my mom cheap with that package. It's tough

[chrisrzz1012]

I've beaten 450's with my 440ex. The chassis design on the 400ex is great. There so much you can do with the 400ex. One key I learned from them is cooling the motor down. Which I cured by going to NAPA and getting a secondary oil cooler. they will run about $25-35 for it. Plus adding HD headbolts if dont already will help. I agree with everyone thats a great deal on the whole package.

[wfo4rv]

Just rambling but I'm practically losing sleep over this decision. My head knows its smarter to go with the 450.... But I'm practically in love with the 400. First world problems.....

[duneslider]

I have never been able to out ride the motor. I have always been held back by the suspension. If you are racing in the pro class where everyone has built 450's I think you will suffer on the 400. However, it doesn't sound like you will be in the pro class yet so the why not pound on the nice 400 for a few years and when its worn out from winning all the races and you are finally in the pro class finding all the 450's beating you it will be time to move up.

[sand_blaster]

Done deal! 400ex is sweet & it has alot of nice stuff on it. Pick it up already & post alot of pictures :)

[chrisrzz1012]

Here's my quads;
2002 400ex with the 416 kit with ported head, stage 1 cam, hmf exhaust, aux. oil cooler, DG bumper, DG nerfs, and 450r shocks. I raced mx, hare-scrambles, and ice racing with it. No problems with this quad in keeping up and beating 450's.
2003 & 2001 400ex's trail quads. 2001 has aux. oil cooler and Racetech redone front shocks.
2004 400ex gonna have the 440ex motor with everything that 416 has plus other stuff done. 450r front and rear suspension. PEP front shocks and revalved 450 rear shock. I rode and raced it when it was 440 and that thing was a beast. It would beat 450's with no problem.
1987 Quadracer with a +10 overbore (256) with redone 400ex front shocks.
I know I got alot of quads ( mainly 400's) but they get rode and raced. I had every yamaha sport quad and the one thing they either got sold or traded was that they lacked steering. I could turn quicker with my 400's. Plus another thing is experience. I can keep up or beat 450's with it. So if you like the 400 that much do it. Sounds like there is alot plus for you. I know I say alot but its what I learned from.

[wfo4rv]

Okay gonna call the guy today and try and pick them up next week! The 400 should be enoight power and when my endurance builds and I can race the whole thing quicker, I'll hybrid it out. Thanks for the advice. Ps ill post lots of pics if/when I pick them up

[400Trooper]

Best of luck!! Do post up picts!!! I agree with the dude from earlier about classes you're gonna race in. Lower classes you be WORLDS ahead of on the 400EX, rivaling the built 450R's!

As far as endurance.....work out, RUN alot and ride. ride ride!!!

where u live??

[wfo4rv]

Originally posted by 400Trooper
Best of luck!! Do post up picts!!! I agree with the dude from earlier about classes you're gonna race in. Lower classes you be WORLDS ahead of on the 400EX, rivaling the built 450R's!

As far as endurance.....work out, RUN alot and ride. ride ride!!!

where u live??

Central Valley California!