Originally posted by FoxHondaRider
I cant stand the whole thing when people say dont try to make the EX faster save up for the R. Maybe we like the looks, handling, and maintainance better than a 450 so we keep the great 400ex and build it up. Its mostly rider too. I cant count how many 450's ,banshees, z400's w/e i have beaten in different types of racing when I drag the 450 it kills me but on the track or trails theres no difference its the better rider. Drag racing Banshees and such I was clearly the better rider even though they had 4-5 times the amount of money I have in mods. Its all about knowing the machine and what feels best. Give a guy a quad with more mods, more power, more traction and you can still win because he may not be the best guy at riding or knowing the machine. On the other hand if you are equal riders or pretty close chances are you wont win. 440 stroker was the fastest thing I have ever ridden. Race any 450 unless they had port work and bored, with the addition to the normal mods (exhaust, intake, cam) and they would lose. I mean 86MPH... I rode it and I couldnt believe th power it had. 1st through 5th it pulled just as hard as the gear before until it bounces off the rev limiter it was amazing.
I agree with ya on that. As much as I "try" to like the 450 quads, they just don't do it for me. I don't want to be another kid that gets the newest quad out just cause it's the quad to have at the time.
I realize the 450's give you an excellent powerplant to start from vs. a 400EX, but that doesn't make the 400EX uncompetitive at the same time.
I absolutely love the 400EX's handling, it's one of the most balanced quads out there. Reliability is great even when fully modded. Maintenence is easy, it is a very well-designed quad that is simple to work on...you can't say the same for some 450 quads.
Looks, while seemingly superficial are also important to me. I cannot for the life of me get myself to like the spaceship looks of the new 450's today....the 450R is the most normal and even then i'm not crazy about it vs. the 400EX.
I modded the crap out of my motor because I love my quad and have put my heart and soul into it. I wanted it to stay competitive with the new 450's.
Any rider that is used to your run-of-the-mill 400EX will be blown away at how much torque this motor package makes......and that's pulling a big 16T countershaft sprocket to boot! There's countless 400EX owners running 14T and even 13T front sprockets.....I couldn't even imagine running that, it just wouldn't work...i'd be in each gear for a split second before i'd have to shift. I may go back to a 15T but it's a little more "revvy" for my tastes. Who knows, I may switch back just to get it to haul the mail that much harder
I'm happy just how it is for now
00' 400EX - GT Thunder 450 stroker, custom JE 12.5:1 piston,
+7mm stroked crank, HD stroker rod, HRC cam, GTT full race porting, +1mm intake valves, FCR 39 carb, CRF timing chain, Denso IXG27 iridium plug, full Hinson 8 plate clutch, Desert Toyz Supercooler w/ SPAL fan, UM airbox w/ UNI, CT Hi-Output exhaust, Roll LOBO II F/R, LT PEP 8 click ZPS piggyback fronts, PEP ZPS rear, YFZ brakes/450R master, CCP stabilizer, Hiper Tech beadlocks, Durablue X-33, TAG, Quadtech, ASV, AC, IMS, RAD, Works Connection, Galfer..
05' Kawasaki KLX 110 - Fast 50's springs F/R, HRC cradle, Rox risers, FLY fatbars, NGK CR6HIX iridium plug, Twin Air filter