Time for an improved 400ex honda!!!!

[250r'en +TCB]

I'm sick and tired of hereing how the 400ex is getting beaten by other 400cc quads. Don't get me wrong, its a good, reliable quad. I think Dirtwheels said it was ATV of the decade for the 1990's. But now, it has lost its crown. Seems like everybody is beating it. Kawasaki beat it, so did suzuki. I don't know the prcise specs for those two but they have things obviosly a 400ex dosn't. One of the big (if not the biggest) is that they are liqued cooled. I hope honda seriosly makes some big engine mods to the 400ex. Not just new plastic and some gear fiddling. any other things the competetors have up on the EX you know of, post them here.

[New2ATC]

I dont know if this counts, but dont the LTZ400 and the kawi 400 have reverse??

[trikerider2oo7]

05 400ex has reverse too. also...kawasaki and suzuki are the same company, so of course both the z400 and the kfx are gonna beat it. the only difference in the two bikes is the stickers and color of the plastics

[New2ATC]

yeah. I am a honda person (but im getting a kx80..) But From personal expirience, I would go with the 400EX. The LTZ400 is a good quad, but a local rider had one, and he had nothing but problems, but they could have been poor maintanance problems.

[250r'en +TCB]

I am a honda lover. But its time for an upgrade! Honda getting beat by Suzuki? whats this world comeing to! I should mail them and tell them to liqued cool that puppy!!!!

[New2ATC]

yeah.liquid cooling, and maybe reworking the brake setup in the rear, because it looks to be a little weak.. well it does on my friends at least..

[smokinwrench]

I'm sick and tired of hereing how the 400ex is getting beaten by other 400cc quads. Don't get me wrong, its a good, reliable quad. I think Dirtwheels said it was ATV of the decade for the 1990's. But now, it has lost its crown. Seems like everybody is beating it. Kawasaki beat it, so did suzuki. I don't know the prcise specs for those two but they have things obviosly a 400ex dosn't. One of the big (if not the biggest) is that they are liqued cooled. I hope honda seriosly makes some big engine mods to the 400ex. Not just new plastic and some gear fiddling. any other things the competetors have up on the EX you know of, post them here.

Why would they want to upgrade the 400ex. It is the perfect quad for its target customers now. Fairly good power, nice suspension, electric start and reverse. They have the 450R for race applications.

Sure the Z/KFX400 are gonna handle better than it does, they have 5-6 years newer technology then the 400ex.

[OldSchoolin86]

Sure the Z/KFX400 are gonna handle better than it does, they have 5-6 years newer technology then the 400ex.
They barely handle any better. The only real handling difference is the front shocks. You are 100% though about not changing the 400ex, it's great as it is for it's target audience. This topic should haved died the second the 450 quads came out.

[Blown 331]

I still like the 400EX and I think it's a great bike. I bought a brand new one in 2003. I bought it over the KFX/Z just because it's Honda. I know a lot of people will think that's a stupid reason but oh well. I actually think the 400EX handles better, it's an older design than most people think too. It's pretty much a 250R. I will own another 400EX someday.

[Quickonstep]

hrmm... the 400ex will beat a z400.. dunno bout the kfx.. but it definatly beats the z400.. Dont listen to everything you read in the magazine's.. I had my 400 out this past weekend, and metup with a guy on a z400, equally modded, equal rider skill.. mine came out on top, everytime..

Again, dont believe what you read in the magazines, go out and ride one, and make your own desicion

Jesse

[Dynofox]

The 400ex mainly needs new front shocks. Those stockers are pretty poor. The fact that the 400ex is the same price as the Z and KFX400's and has less to offer makes it hard to choose the EX. I used to have a 400ex too.

[NOS_350X]

I'm sick and tired of hereing how the 400ex is getting beaten by other 400cc quads. Don't get me wrong, its a good, reliable quad. I think Dirtwheels said it was ATV of the decade for the 1990's. But now, it has lost its crown. Seems like everybody is beating it. Kawasaki beat it, so did suzuki. I don't know the prcise specs for those two but they have things obviosly a 400ex dosn't. One of the big (if not the biggest) is that they are liqued cooled. I hope honda seriosly makes some big engine mods to the 400ex. Not just new plastic and some gear fiddling. any other things the competetors have up on the EX you know of, post them here.


Honda thinks about reliability, thats why they went with a aircooled engine. The watercooled engines has just that many more things to go rong with them. If they where to change anything to the 400ex that would be the front suspension. The back is good but the front sucks. If you want the power to beat the other quads theres a nice LONG list of mods you can do to it to make that baby FLY.

[400exXx]

hrmm... the 400ex will beat a z400.. dunno bout the kfx.. but it definatly beats the z400.. Dont listen to everything you read in the magazine's.. I had my 400 out this past weekend, and metup with a guy on a z400, equally modded, equal rider skill.. mine came out on top, everytime..

Again, dont believe what you read in the magazines, go out and ride one, and make your own desicion

Jesse

The Z-400 and KFX-400 are basiclly the same thing. Suzuki and Kawasaki pretty much just share the same quad with different colored plastics.

[3Razors]

The 400ex does not need liquid cooling. I dont think there has ever been a 400ex that overheated! It is a great bike that i could ride it around the world and have no fear of it breaking down! Stone axe reliable!

[wheelie king]

A agree that the 400ex is fine the way it is. I say leave it alone. Great trail quad, proven reliability and versatility, tons of aftermarket goodies, etc. That way, there is something for everyone.

[nat350x]

If someone doesnt like the shocks, just change em. Really for what you can pick up 400ex's anymore and the abuse you can put them through you can't beat them.

[deathman53]

the main problems with the 400ex are front shocks and carburator. If honda put better shocks on and a 39 fcr, it would beat a z400 on most stuff. the honda aircooled engines are in-distructable, how many 200x, 350x, 200s, 200m, and big red engines are still kicking over on original pistons, that should say alot!!

[corndawg]

05 400ex has reverse too. also...kawasaki and suzuki are the same company, so of course both the z400 and the kfx are gonna beat it. the only difference in the two bikes is the stickers and color of the plastics

most ppl dont know it, but the arctic cat dvx 400 is the same also, my stock pipe even has suzuki stamped on it
i know from experience that stock for stock my dvx is faster than a 400ex with equal riders, not by a huge margin but it is faster....ive heard the ex responds to mods better though....now i wish i wouldve waited a few months before buying a quad, around here you can pick up nice clean '02-'03 400ex's for $2500-$3000...being just a little bit faster inst really a good enough reason for me to spend $4000 on the dvx compared to a grand or more less for a bullet proof honda