VIDEO AMENDMENT: I have since been informed from a few viewers that the Kawasaki KFX450R was a 450cc race ATV with a reverse gear and electric start. I wasn't aware of this during my research phase for this video and ultimately it slipped through the cracks. The original intent of this video was to simply compare the Honda 400ex/x to the Honda 450R, but I decided to expand it to all quads, and in doing so I slipped up. My only change in opinion to the video is that now if I were considering getting another ATV, I'd ABSOLUTELY throw the Kawasaki KFX450R as a strong contender for my next ATV. Electric start, reverse, AND fuel injection?! Sign me up!!
My step dad gave me his beloved 400ex as a graduation gift that he bought brand new back in 2003. He held onto it for a decade, that’s how special these quads are honestly
😂 best thing I have heard all day this kid sounds kinda sissey ish right like just get off the bike push it 5 feet back hit it again reverse Is a luxury not needed unless your weak 🤷🏻♂️
XX SuzukiLife450 XX ya but I’m not gonna lie while racing when I’m exhausted on the last lap and I need to back up cause I fucked up I would be upset if I had it. But it’s nothing I prioritize
David’s Life review yeah it would be a decent thing to have but I’d rather not choose a bike because it has reverse and because it does not have reverse speed acceleration handling is what a bike is for me not if I can back up a few feet
Yea man that’s why u have the clutch and a whole lotta horse torks. Throw er in 2nd pull the clutch in. Rev the shit out of it and rip the wheel. No need for reverse. Best way to turn around. Just keep her taped and ur golden 🤟🏼👌
i started riding dirt bikes in Michigan in 1971. In 2004 i switched to 400ex. I am on my second one now. everyone says i should switch to bigger 4-wheelers, but i am going to ride my 400 ex one more time. We love the tight technical trails. i will be 77 this summer but still love it.
Great video! The 400EX is still a great machine, and paved the way for the Raptor, and the Z400, which are all great trail machines. I'm still a sport quad guy myself, and wish they would make a comeback in popularity.
I liked your thorough analysis video. I started out waaaay back in 1986 with a Honda 200SX. Then I upgraded to a 'still new in the crate' 1987 TRX250X that I bought from a dealer in 88. They assembled it, installed a 42" Cycle Country sidewalk snow plow with rear tire chains. I think I paid $2600 and they gave me a helmet if I signed up for the safety course. I rode that thing every day with my buddies who had every make and model you can think of. After all these years, I still have it.... and yes, it still kicks and runs on the second try! I still plow up to 4" of snow every year with it. I've done the usual maintenance from sprockets and chains, tire sets, new seat covers, rear axle bearings, and even a stock cam replacement. Last summer a really nice 2008 TRX400ex fell into my lap for $1600. When I say nice, this thing still had the factory battery & tires on it. I put a new battery and plug in it. The only mod was an aftermarket pipe. At my age, I'm not a fan of the extra noise, but it's a fun machine to ride. Admittedly, I spend the majority of my ATV time these days on the only 4x4 I have to haul hay bales or work on the pasture fence line on our farm.
I love the 400ex. I rode my buddies 07 400EX and it was an absolute blast to ride and reverse was amazing to have... However I was wanting more power so I owned a 05 TRX450R for a good while and I really enjoyed the ridiculous amount of power it came with. I didn’t mind the kickstart either because I never needed to deal with a dead battery or anything. Old gal had a nice big jetting setup and a wide open airbox, high compression piston and a hot cam. I miss that thing sometimes. Those Honda sport ATVs are an amazing platform. Buildable, common, reliable, fun and easy. Overall they’re great. Oh and I’m glad to see you’re back Jelly
In November of 98 I bought a 99 400ex and I still have it. It’s went through a few changes but only done one top end rebuild. They’re built tough as hell
I loved my old yellow '00 400ex. It had a full HMF pipe and the frame was black with a black seat. It was a work horse. The winter was my favorite season.
I bought a used 2001 400ex a couple years ago as my first quad and don't plan on selling it any time soon. It has enough power to flip itself over on launch and is very reliable. Also worth mentioning that I can keep up with my buddy on his 700 raptor through 4th gear.
Love seeing people still riding race quads, Fuck the haters were not letting these machines die out. Thank you Yamaha for not letting this branch of quads die out
I have a 2003 400ex that I bought a few weeks ago. Every time I ride it I have a huge smile on my face. They are super reliable and they are built like a tank.
I have a 1991 trx 250x. My 250x, a old 300x, 300ex, and a 400ex. They dont die. My 1991 was my dads brand new. It has been to hell and back. And I've put it through hell as well. The motor has hardly been touched. The problems I have had are simple, but for its edge it will have problems. I beat the crap out of it every time i ride it, it sits for months then starts in under 5 kicks. I really want a 450. The 250 is getting up there in wear and tear. It just isn't gonna stand up to what I put it through for much longer.
@UC9uP8dZxEpG3qkpsCpffH3A I just recently spent 500 on a 96 yamaha warrior 350cc, its heavy, and gives bad arm pump but it wheelies like a champ and is the easiest 4-wheeler to cut donuts on. It's got decent speed. For 500 bucks and 40 bucks on a new battery I cant beat it
It's good to hear that I'm not the only one who apriciates the 400ex. Obviously my profile says it all. I've championed Honda from day one. The Ex is a reliable and trustworthy machine. She has done me proud for many MX events and Beach Cross races. It helps that you guys in the US can supply all the good bits to keep her competative. Mine is a 2000.
While the 400ex is a glorious quad, and was my first race quad, I will say that the weight difference is very obvious on a track, and low range power of a 450 makes track use a lot more fun and a lot easier. While I do respect the view that yes the 400 is probably your best weekend woods bike to your local fair race bike, if one was seriously interested in racing the better of the two I feel would be the 450. But props to Honda for making such a reliable, mod-able, and budget quad 👏🏻
I don't think they will ever be irrelevant. They're bulletproof and perfect for anyone that doesn't want a full on race quad, casual riders. I wouldn't hesitate to get another one day.
I had a 2008 honda 400ex i loved it! I should have never sold it! Later selling it about 5 years ago i recently bought a banshee. I love my banshee its a monster but i do miss my 400ex!
I ride my 2012 consistently. Just ordered a top end rebuild to freshen it up and keep going. Its not about being the fastest. It handles great on the trails. I love it
I bought a brand new one in 2001. Yellow. I rode the living hell out of that thing for 13 years daily. Not only did it off road we ran many many miles on the pavement too. I wish I had a way to know how many miles were on that thing. Many thousand I’m sure. In all those years all I did was change brakes, tires, and change oil. That’s it. Not a single breakdown or part replacement. After 13 years of thrashing it started to smoke a little and had lost a little power loss but not much. It needed a top end. But as I said it had THOUSANDS of pavement miles on it and took a beating off road in the Kentucky mountains. Many hours on it traveling the roads at 50 to 70mph. Top speed was 76mph with me on it. Long live the great 400EX!! It was perhaps the best ever made for reliable take a beating performance. 👍🏼😎 And...you can grab a old one for dirt cheap and rebuild the top end dirt cheap. 60 bucks for chain and sprocket set ( because it’s prob worn after 20 years) and it’s ready to rip another 10+ years
We really enjoyed this video And subscribe to your Channel. Glad to see more enthusiastic out there doing sport quad videos. The segment needs to grow. FYI, the Kawasaki KFX450R, Polaris Outlaw 450MX, 525S, 525 IRS, Outlaw 500 and Predator 500 all had reverse if memory serves correctly. Not trolling, just trying to add to the conversation. Again great video.
Hey guy, thanks for making me miss my ‘02 400ex even more! lol I had gotten it with a K&N air filter, outerwearz airbox lid(delete), and a Big Gun slip on and it was a blast. I ended up installing a Wiseco 10:1 piston, stage 2 hotcam, and ported head and jetted the carb....that thing was the best all around combo for the money. I sold it because it was either hack it up to put an XR600R engine in it, or build a 3-wheeler. That 400ex was so nice I couldn’t bring myself to hack it up. Shortly after, my XR600R and ATC200X were stolen and I gave up on riding. Simply couldn’t afford to get back into it.
At 6:10 when you said about the 400 not holding you back, that is so true. The kid that bought my dad’s ex said he was going to buy a 450 after having the 400 for a couple months. He said it wasn’t fast enough. I went to his place and said to set up a little track through the woods and let me run a couple laps then I’d have him follow me and we’d see if he could keep up. He couldn’t and it opened his eyes up that they have a lot more potential than what he realized. Obviously they won’t outrun a 450 or 700 on long straights but they aren’t slow.
i have a 07 raptor 350 and it is amazing, reverse, e start, and reliable. It ran for 3 years without an oil change, cleaning the air filter, and stuff like that. its a soldier
great review ! thank you , been considering both of those Honda models awhile now and you quickly clarified the IMPORTANT differences. been running a 250 ex for 12 years and nothin but stellar...............will be stepin up to the 400 ex...........thanx.
I have a 400x and a 450r. Can’t beat the 400 on reliability, but the power of the 450 is so addicting. 400 is by far the best trail bike imo. There’s really nothing the 450 can do that the 400 can’t other than top speed on a straight stretch.
Great video. I have a 2008 400EX after relearning how to ride a 4-stroke... Yes big difference between two strokes what I was always on... This thing has plenty of power reliability and I can roll up to the gas pump to refuel
I have a 2003 400ex and I love it. 17 years of fun plus 1000s of miles and it has never let me down. Wait...one time a branch got caught in the chain and it came off.....whoop dee doo!
I've still got my Trusty old 1999 TRX. We have done the Big Sky Beach races a few years ago and a few SMX. Got many Lonestar upgrades plus many others. Love it and she keeps going.
Totally agree with your take on this wonderful bike. I’ve had my 04 for 15 years and I can safely say I’ve never needed more of anything else. Anytime I get it in 5 gear it more or less tries to kill me.
I bought one new in 2000.. still a great machine, all original even the clutch and chain and tires. not nearly as much fun to ride as my banshee. But one of the best, most reliable machine on the market.
I'm kinda with you on that. I've driven an early 400EX and a early 450R and I didn't see much difference in them besides the 450 looking like a race bike. The newer 450s supposedly are pushing more than the earlier ones so I can't really say how the new 400 stacks with the new 450s. Also, kinda sucks they redesigned the 400EX into the 450R style. The OG headlights were iconic; now the 250s, 400s, and 450s look the same in the Honda line. I liked the vid man, you should do the history of all the quads made; I haven't seen vids on that yet so that could be your theme on YT.
I've got a 2001 400 EX that puts the biggest smile on any ATVer's face. Perfect blend of low cost, lightweight, quiet torquey power, narrow, gearshift with wet clutch for exact power control and sporty fun, and forgiving learning with a lot less danger. 4wd is boring, has life-threatening weight, more expensive, but certainly the only work machines that can go thru far more than 6" of snow or mud. Drop the primary gear one tooth and it'll give you a slower crawl and better control to keep from wheeling over and retain chain adjustment. You must slip the clutch when hill climbing and coming down to a crawl or she'll come over on you. A stronger handlebar is necessary, but you can get that after your 1st flip back. As long as one end is on the ground, you only have to hold up 160#, so that's easily duable. ATVs are like riding a horse and SxSs are like a car or gocart, but this 400EX is like riding a rodeo buckaroo cutting barrel pony. The perfect blend of power, weight, and handling for non-competitive consumers that want dependable, turnkey fun with a simple wash and scrub afterwards. Reverse would be nice, but you can pick up either end by yourself.
I have had my 400 for about four years now and I have been beating on it so hard and I have to say it is the most reliable list quad on the market and they don’t cast that much at all
In places like the dunes, the extra 50cc of the 450R helps alot and in that case, the smaller engine would be holding you back. In the dunes you NEED power, sometimes there just isn't enough space or it is too rough to get enough speed for a lot of things and power really helps. But when it comes to trails and racing, I 100% agree with you.
Nobody said anything about racing this bike fast alot he specifically said it was very heavy and really wasn't meant for racing. The Logical thought would be that they're not as powerful as the 450 which he did mention. And what you can do on your 450 I can do on my 250R two-stroke on ths dunes of the dunes or in the sky.....so buckle up rookie.
I own a 1999 400 EX I ride it ones in a while wow what a treat. I really appreciate this quad promise myself never selling it. It’s a deferent world. The power that contribute to a very fun day is an achievement on itself. Ride safe everyone 👍❤️
Ive owned a honda 700xx, honda 450r, kfx 700 and all were great and fun to ride, but my go to quad for trail riding is still my 400ex. Raptors are great too, just a little top heavy and could use a little wider stance.
I have had my 400ex since new in 1999. I had to have one when they came out. Still mostly stock and still runs great! Very reliable bike and although it cant keep up with newer 450s it is definitely not slow!
The honda trx 250r is what paved the way for all the tru sport atv market had a lawsuit in 1989 last production year of the trx 250r 1999 the lawsuits contract was up hence the introduction of the lame 400ex YFZ450R All the way keep up the good work supporting the market
Seth Scarlett oh wow!! I didn’t know that, I’ll add an amendment to the description. Didn’t intend to put out false information. Thanks for the heads up Seth!
I ride roads (in Mexico of course😉) and do wheelies and sometimes trail ride, ive had 400ex and trx450er and you cant go wrong with either, I personally had more fun on my 400ex as i could beat on it without worring im gunna blow it up, i agree its the best all around quad ever made
AWESOME Work!!! Im lucky enough to NOT have to decide because I own 2 nice 400ex and 1 450r. I also have a raptor 700r. Each machine has pros and cons. Whats my favorite machine?? Easily the 400ex. Its really good at everything and best all around sport atv. And mine have been bullet proof and durable. There is no better sport machine then the trx400ex.
The 400ex was great prior to getting reverse. But with reverse it’s an amazing machine. All kidding aside I am 51yrs old and have been riding Honda since I was a young teenager. From three wheel 200x and 250rs to 300ex and 400ex and rubicons. Currently I ride with my boys still on a 09 400x and a Rubicon 500. Honda isn’t always the most powerful but they can’t be beat for overall performance and reliability.
I had a 99’ 400ex, awesome little machine, always reliable and lot’s of fun. I put it through all kinds of abuse and it never complained. It holds its value too, bought it for $1500 sold it for $1500. About a year later I got a xr400r that had the same engine and it was just as bulletproof and fun.
I've been riding since I was a little kid and anytime someone wants to get into it I always recommend the 400ex. Cheap, reliable, got enough power for pretty much anyone and they're easy to learn on. I'll be giving my old one to my kid when he gets a bit older.
have watched all your quad vids, I found them looking for xr400 vids, got hooked instantly. when you stopped posting I was disappointed but realised you had other things to do, every month I would look to see if you had any thing new with no luck. stumbled across this and had to click instantly. great vid as all ways hoping to see some riding vids again very entertaining keep it up thanks for the vid:)
I went big and got the raptor best decision of my life, I had a 400 and found myself reaching for another gear on most trails, though the 400 is a good starter for me it didnt have the power/speed I was looking for.
I have a kfx 400 and my brother has a 2014 trx400 and yet we both think they could use another gear after 5th when riding on the roads but they are great for trail riding
jelly left for a while and as soon as he posted again I kept watching like he never left😂😂 and now I can say that’s the biggest accomplishment I’ve had for a while😂😂 ( I’m not saying this for him to notice me I’m just putting it out there bc I know there has to be someone that can relate)😂
I have a 2006 400ex it was like right when they gave it reverse and the different style headlights but still is called an ex and not an x. The only thing I think I would want is a backup Kickstart but I love mine.
honestly this video is really accurate what he is explaining about this wonderful quad I have all three actually and the 400 is probably the best in trail and the most enjoyable vs my 1986 trx250r or my 2006 trx450r but the my 2004 400ex is just so much more enjoyable to ride
I got a blaster for the same reason I wanted a 400ex aside the reverse gear but no one with a 400ex wanted 1990 cr250 lol but I totally agree with you ive ridden tons of 400 ex granted never owning any sort of sport quad till the blaster i really found the 400 ex really manageable where the 450 seemed to want to kill me every time I got on the gas
I rode a 400ex for the first time a little over a month ago at Glamis. I've been riding ATV's for 2 decades, and can confirm most of what you say here. 400ex's are stone reliable, they're still fun to ride, and the average person messing around camp and going for a trail ride will have fun on one. However, if you plan on riding in the dunes at all, don't buy one of these IMO. I'm only 200lbs, and with a set of paddles, I barely made it up oldsmobile in 2nd gear. The lack of power becomes very apparent when you're in the sand. The difference in acceleration between my YFZ450 and the 400ex isn't even a comparison. It was like the difference between a ttr125 and a YZ125. For anyone considering a quad that has little experience on one, or is just planning on riding at a relatively relaxed pace, and or it's going to be a "family quad" that is shared among different people, you really can't beat the old trusty 400ex. If you have doubts about it having enough power and/or you think you're going to want more power, just get a 450 or 700 raptor, do the big 3 and be done with it. A well maintained trx450r can be had for 5-700 more $ (in some cases, the same price) as a 400ex, and the power is almost literally double. 450mx based motors can run a long time with frequent oil changes. There's something about the punchy and revvy character of a 450mx motor that is just so much more fun and satisfying than the 400. If you've never ridden a 450cc sport quad, you need to!
at gordons well i can climb comp hill with zero problems on mine. maybe the one you rode needed a valve adjustment, these things tend to loose A LOT of power when the valves are out of spec, ive been taking my 01' 400ex to the dunes since 08 and i can keep up with most 450's and basically any other quad (other than the bored out banshees and 250r's of course). But the 400 DOES lack power in the high end so a stage 1 cam kit for it evens it out IMMENSLY, and you dont even need to upgrade the crankshaft or anything for the stage 1 kit. i do honestly recommend these just from experience. Also the 400ex isnt meant to be a super fast race quad, its meant to do everything pretty good, so to expect it to BE faster than a 450 is kind of a weird way to look at it, but again, ive gone up some steep ass hills and i havent had any problems so maybe the one you rode was wack or geared differently from stock(probably that one).
Your absolutely right it’s a trail quad and much simpler to fix and way less complex can’t beat these and suzuki z 400 and Yamaha raptor 700 but those are more complex motors with liquid cooling then the 450 are in a different class all there own and will cost you some big bucks down the road
I have an 04 400ex with some head work, jetted and some other minor engine mods and it keeps up with my friends stock 660r. Just based on prices i would take a 400 over a 450.
I have had alot of different sport quads. The 400ex is hands down the best overall sport quad. They're cheap, reliable, quick, cheapish to upgrade, and handle pretty decent. My 07 currently has 5 years, and over 350hrs on the current engine build. I beat the dog snot out of it, and it still doesn't even burn oil.
Warrior 350s cant be beat for price, reliability, fun, and iconic looks. Admittedly they are the pioneer that started it and the 400x is the improved version basically
I was searching for a good race quad just to ride not for racing. My dream bike is a banshee but that was a little too pricey so i was searching for a good dependable alternative. I looked at several. I looked at a z400 and almost got it until i heard about the plastic gear in the water pump and i thought about the 450r. My buddy had one and i used to barrow it on weekends. I liked the reliability of the 400ex. I talked to a guy who races them and he said its one of the best machines made. So i started searching for one. I wanted a low hrs as close to stock as i could find. Definitely didnt want one that was bored out. And i was gonna get a gen1 but i liked the thought of reverse so i found a very clean 2005. I mean CLEAN!! It has an hmf pipe and a hot cam and the carb was jetted. Thats supposed to be all thats done to it. It also had full skid plate on it and nerf bars. Also a bigger grab bar and front bumper but other than that it was a low hrs pretty much stock. Guy said he was bored one winter so he decided to put the cam and pipe and jet in it. Said it didnt need it but he did it and he just got it for his grandkids to ride around the farm but they wasnt interested in it. So it just sat in garage. They are awesome machines for sure and very happy i decided to go with it instead of anything else aside from banshee. I miss my blasters i had but maybe one day ill get a banshee but for now 400ex all the way.
VIDEO AMENDMENT: I have since been informed from a few viewers that the Kawasaki KFX450R was a 450cc race ATV with a reverse gear and electric start. I wasn't aware of this during my research phase for this video and ultimately it slipped through the cracks. The original intent of this video was to simply compare the Honda 400ex/x to the Honda 450R, but I decided to expand it to all quads, and in doing so I slipped up. My only change in opinion to the video is that now if I were considering getting another ATV, I'd ABSOLUTELY throw the Kawasaki KFX450R as a strong contender for my next ATV. Electric start, reverse, AND fuel injection?! Sign me up!!
I was just scrolling down to the comments to tell you that!😂
I bought kfx450 new in 2008. It's been great. I had it out yesterday. Still rips like the day I bought it.
Btw most 450’s came with electric start! The LTR, KFX,YFZ and most of the trx’s.
BRO I HAVE AN 08 TRX400EX.... AND I LOVE IT MINE'S WHITE THO. LOVE THE ELECTRIC START.
Z400 had estart and reverse and the later models had efi as well.
Great video man! I'm always stoked to find another quad channel! 🤘
Pete Hager what’s up Pete !! Haha
HEY PETE I WATCH ALL UR VIDS DUDE 😉😊😊😊☺🙂😌😃😄😅😆😁😀 STILL LOVE THE RAPTOR 700!
Pete Hager sup Pete lol
Jake Moyer hey man! What up guys! New vid tomorrow! 😬👍
Pete Hager Nice!
My step dad gave me his beloved 400ex as a graduation gift that he bought brand new back in 2003. He held onto it for a decade, that’s how special these quads are honestly
I consider the lack of reverse as an incentive to not mess up 😂.
😂 best thing I have heard all day this kid sounds kinda sissey ish right like just get off the bike push it 5 feet back hit it again reverse
Is a luxury not needed unless your weak 🤷🏻♂️
XX SuzukiLife450 XX ya but I’m not gonna lie while racing when I’m exhausted on the last lap and I need to back up cause I fucked up I would be upset if I had it. But it’s nothing I prioritize
David’s Life review yeah it would be a decent thing to have but I’d rather not choose a bike because it has reverse and because it does not have reverse speed acceleration handling is what a bike is for me not if I can back up a few feet
XX SuzukiLife450 XX ya I would never let it influence a major decision for me unless both quads were the exact same aside from that factor
Yea man that’s why u have the clutch and a whole lotta horse torks. Throw er in 2nd pull the clutch in. Rev the shit out of it and rip the wheel. No need for reverse. Best way to turn around. Just keep her taped and ur golden 🤟🏼👌
***opens craigslist in another tab
🤣🤣🤣
I have a 2013 400x and it looks like it came out of the crate yesterday. I got it damn near show room from a Honda dealer in 2017
And I bought one within 10 min of watching this video.
Just got a 2007 trx 400 ex. Near mint condition.
@@thefringeminorityreport4797 proud of you… not gonna lie lol
I had an 03 in my younger days with some minor upgrades. Some of my best memories were made on that thing.
Still have a yellow 03. Things are bullet proof. Do a lot of trail riding. Put a 14 tooth front sprocket and it’s unstoppable.
i started riding dirt bikes in Michigan in 1971. In 2004 i switched to 400ex. I am on my second one now. everyone says i should switch to bigger 4-wheelers, but i am going to ride my 400 ex one more time. We love the tight technical trails. i will be 77 this summer but still love it.
Great video! The 400EX is still a great machine, and paved the way for the Raptor, and the Z400, which are all great trail machines. I'm still a sport quad guy myself, and wish they would make a comeback in popularity.
Aaron Weaver everybody has one in my town including 500 2 stroke dirt bikes
I liked your thorough analysis video. I started out waaaay back in 1986 with a Honda 200SX. Then I upgraded to a 'still new in the crate' 1987 TRX250X that I bought from a dealer in 88. They assembled it, installed a 42" Cycle Country sidewalk snow plow with rear tire chains. I think I paid $2600 and they gave me a helmet if I signed up for the safety course. I rode that thing every day with my buddies who had every make and model you can think of. After all these years, I still have it.... and yes, it still kicks and runs on the second try! I still plow up to 4" of snow every year with it. I've done the usual maintenance from sprockets and chains, tire sets, new seat covers, rear axle bearings, and even a stock cam replacement. Last summer a really nice 2008 TRX400ex fell into my lap for $1600. When I say nice, this thing still had the factory battery & tires on it. I put a new battery and plug in it. The only mod was an aftermarket pipe. At my age, I'm not a fan of the extra noise, but it's a fun machine to ride. Admittedly, I spend the majority of my ATV time these days on the only 4x4 I have to haul hay bales or work on the pasture fence line on our farm.
I have an 06 400, bought it new and it's still amazing until this day
Have you ever had a dirt bike?
PhilTheThrill yoooo phil whats up
I'm just so happy that jelly's back
LMAO
Not since I owned a Chinese 50cc pit bike about 15 years ago hahaha
I'm subscribed to u
I love the 400ex. I rode my buddies 07 400EX and it was an absolute blast to ride and reverse was amazing to have... However I was wanting more power so I owned a 05 TRX450R for a good while and I really enjoyed the ridiculous amount of power it came with. I didn’t mind the kickstart either because I never needed to deal with a dead battery or anything. Old gal had a nice big jetting setup and a wide open airbox, high compression piston and a hot cam. I miss that thing sometimes. Those Honda sport ATVs are an amazing platform. Buildable, common, reliable, fun and easy. Overall they’re great. Oh and I’m glad to see you’re back Jelly
In November of 98 I bought a 99 400ex and I still have it. It’s went through a few changes but only done one top end rebuild. They’re built tough as hell
I loved my old yellow '00 400ex. It had a full HMF pipe and the frame was black with a black seat. It was a work horse. The winter was my favorite season.
I bought a used 2001 400ex a couple years ago as my first quad and don't plan on selling it any time soon. It has enough power to flip itself over on launch and is very reliable. Also worth mentioning that I can keep up with my buddy on his 700 raptor through 4th gear.
Love seeing people still riding race quads, Fuck the haters were not letting these machines die out. Thank you Yamaha for not letting this branch of quads die out
I have a 2003 400ex that I bought a few weeks ago. Every time I ride it I have a huge smile on my face. They are super reliable and they are built like a tank.
Btw the Kawasaki 450 has reverse, just thought I’d throw that out there. Still with you on the 400ex or 400x over the 450
Good point!! I updated the description and pinned a comment with the information. I didn't catch that in my research phase. Thanks!
The Suzuki ltz450 also has reverse
Matthew Patrick ltr450 does not, have a 07 but the ltz400 does
@@omgilostmyhobo ltz 450 doesnt exist lmao
Bravo 👏 well Said!!!
I have a 1991 trx 250x. My 250x, a old 300x, 300ex, and a 400ex. They dont die. My 1991 was my dads brand new. It has been to hell and back. And I've put it through hell as well. The motor has hardly been touched. The problems I have had are simple, but for its edge it will have problems. I beat the crap out of it every time i ride it, it sits for months then starts in under 5 kicks. I really want a 450. The 250 is getting up there in wear and tear. It just isn't gonna stand up to what I put it through for much longer.
@UC9uP8dZxEpG3qkpsCpffH3A I just recently spent 500 on a 96 yamaha warrior 350cc, its heavy, and gives bad arm pump but it wheelies like a champ and is the easiest 4-wheeler to cut donuts on. It's got decent speed. For 500 bucks and 40 bucks on a new battery I cant beat it
Great quad. I miss my 2007, but I still have an 88 250r.
You should put some Kenda Bear claw tires on there. 22’s on back. And the stock pipe.
I have those on my scrambler 400 2 stroke
I have had a Suzuki ltz400 for six years now and love it!
Dave Jordan I’ve had mine for about a year and a half and it’s truly amazing!
Also do you have any mods on yours?
Z400 are Honestly the best quad ever made all around. I’ve owned 8-10 I know them in and out.
Do you have any bikes? Or just quads
I own a ltz400 2008 and in my opinion it's the best and it is lighter very reliable
It's good to hear that I'm not the only one who apriciates the 400ex.
Obviously my profile says it all.
I've championed Honda from day one.
The Ex is a reliable and trustworthy machine.
She has done me proud for many MX events and Beach Cross races.
It helps that you guys in the US can supply all the good bits to keep her competative.
Mine is a 2000.
While the 400ex is a glorious quad, and was my first race quad, I will say that the weight difference is very obvious on a track, and low range power of a 450 makes track use a lot more fun and a lot easier. While I do respect the view that yes the 400 is probably your best weekend woods bike to your local fair race bike, if one was seriously interested in racing the better of the two I feel would be the 450. But props to Honda for making such a reliable, mod-able, and budget quad 👏🏻
I own a 2001 Honda 400 ex had it since 2001 and I would bet my life on that quad definitely a good investment if you get you hands on one
01 owner since 01 to and I’ll be on the trails next weekend
I don't think they will ever be irrelevant. They're bulletproof and perfect for anyone that doesn't want a full on race quad, casual riders. I wouldn't hesitate to get another one day.
I had a 2008 honda 400ex i loved it! I should have never sold it! Later selling it about 5 years ago i recently bought a banshee. I love my banshee its a monster but i do miss my 400ex!
I ride my 2012 consistently. Just ordered a top end rebuild to freshen it up and keep going. Its not about being the fastest. It handles great on the trails. I love it
I bought a brand new one in 2001. Yellow. I rode the living hell out of that thing for 13 years daily. Not only did it off road we ran many many miles on the pavement too. I wish I had a way to know how many miles were on that thing. Many thousand I’m sure. In all those years all I did was change brakes, tires, and change oil. That’s it. Not a single breakdown or part replacement. After 13 years of thrashing it started to smoke a little and had lost a little power loss but not much. It needed a top end. But as I said it had THOUSANDS of pavement miles on it and took a beating off road in the Kentucky mountains. Many hours on it traveling the roads at 50 to 70mph. Top speed was 76mph with me on it. Long live the great 400EX!! It was perhaps the best ever made for reliable take a beating performance. 👍🏼😎
And...you can grab a old one for dirt cheap and rebuild the top end dirt cheap. 60 bucks for chain and sprocket set ( because it’s prob worn after 20
years) and it’s ready to rip another 10+ years
We really enjoyed this video And subscribe to your Channel. Glad to see more enthusiastic out there doing sport quad videos. The segment needs to grow. FYI, the Kawasaki KFX450R, Polaris Outlaw 450MX, 525S, 525 IRS, Outlaw 500 and Predator 500 all had reverse if memory serves correctly. Not trolling, just trying to add to the conversation. Again great video.
You guys should get a predator 500 and review how it does today
HE USED MY COMMENT IN THE VID🤝 I FEEL SO PRIVILEGED 🤣🤣🤣
Lameak wingo you looked like a idiot
Hey guy, thanks for making me miss my ‘02 400ex even more! lol I had gotten it with a K&N air filter, outerwearz airbox lid(delete), and a Big Gun slip on and it was a blast. I ended up installing a Wiseco 10:1 piston, stage 2 hotcam, and ported head and jetted the carb....that thing was the best all around combo for the money. I sold it because it was either hack it up to put an XR600R engine in it, or build a 3-wheeler. That 400ex was so nice I couldn’t bring myself to hack it up. Shortly after, my XR600R and ATC200X were stolen and I gave up on riding. Simply couldn’t afford to get back into it.
That's sad man
Great machine. I have a 2007 TRX400EX. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I wish they would have never discontinued them.
At 6:10 when you said about the 400 not holding you back, that is so true. The kid that bought my dad’s ex said he was going to buy a 450 after having the 400 for a couple months. He said it wasn’t fast enough. I went to his place and said to set up a little track through the woods and let me run a couple laps then I’d have him follow me and we’d see if he could keep up. He couldn’t and it opened his eyes up that they have a lot more potential than what he realized. Obviously they won’t outrun a 450 or 700 on long straights but they aren’t slow.
i have a 07 raptor 350 and it is amazing, reverse, e start, and reliable. It ran for 3 years without an oil change, cleaning the air filter, and stuff like that. its a soldier
great review ! thank you , been considering both of those Honda models awhile now and you quickly clarified the IMPORTANT differences. been running a 250 ex for 12 years and nothin but stellar...............will be stepin up to the 400 ex...........thanx.
Have 2 yellow 400 ex's. A 2001 and 2002. We love riding them. More fun than a SxS in my opinion.
I have a 400x and a 450r. Can’t beat the 400 on reliability, but the power of the 450 is so addicting. 400 is by far the best trail bike imo. There’s really nothing the 450 can do that the 400 can’t other than top speed on a straight stretch.
Great video. I have a 2008 400EX after relearning how to ride a 4-stroke... Yes big difference between two strokes what I was always on... This thing has plenty of power reliability and I can roll up to the gas pump to refuel
I have a 2003 400ex and I love it. 17 years of fun plus 1000s of miles and it has never let me down. Wait...one time a branch got caught in the chain and it came off.....whoop dee doo!
I've still got my Trusty old 1999 TRX.
We have done the Big Sky Beach races a few years ago and a few SMX.
Got many Lonestar upgrades plus many others. Love it and she keeps going.
Ive had my 400ex since 2000 she's got me thru some crazy trails.
Totally agree with your take on this wonderful bike. I’ve had my 04 for 15 years and I can safely say I’ve never needed more of anything else. Anytime I get it in 5 gear it more or less tries to kill me.
Had an 08 400ex black and white. Loved it. Miss it so much now but I'm in the dirt bike game now
I bought one new in 2000.. still a great machine, all original even the clutch and chain and tires. not nearly as much fun to ride as my banshee. But one of the best, most reliable machine on the market.
I'm kinda with you on that. I've driven an early 400EX and a early 450R and I didn't see much difference in them besides the 450 looking like a race bike. The newer 450s supposedly are pushing more than the earlier ones so I can't really say how the new 400 stacks with the new 450s.
Also, kinda sucks they redesigned the 400EX into the 450R style. The OG headlights were iconic; now the 250s, 400s, and 450s look the same in the Honda line.
I liked the vid man, you should do the history of all the quads made; I haven't seen vids on that yet so that could be your theme on YT.
I've got a 2001 400 EX that puts the biggest smile on any ATVer's face. Perfect blend of low cost, lightweight, quiet torquey power, narrow, gearshift with wet clutch for exact power control and sporty fun, and forgiving learning with a lot less danger. 4wd is boring, has life-threatening weight, more expensive, but certainly the only work machines that can go thru far more than 6" of snow or mud. Drop the primary gear one tooth and it'll give you a slower crawl and better control to keep from wheeling over and retain chain adjustment. You must slip the clutch when hill climbing and coming down to a crawl or she'll come over on you. A stronger handlebar is necessary, but you can get that after your 1st flip back. As long as one end is on the ground, you only have to hold up 160#, so that's easily duable. ATVs are like riding a horse and SxSs are like a car or gocart, but this 400EX is like riding a rodeo buckaroo cutting barrel pony. The perfect blend of power, weight, and handling for non-competitive consumers that want dependable, turnkey fun with a simple wash and scrub afterwards. Reverse would be nice, but you can pick up either end by yourself.
I bought a 2000 model in Dec.of 1999.That thing was a blast to ride even without reverse .....I wish I still had that thing.....
I have had my 400 for about four years now and I have been beating on it so hard and I have to say it is the most reliable list quad on the market and they don’t cast that much at all
I started riding in 82 and the 400ex was a wrecking ball when it dropped. Actually, the 300ex preceded it and hinted of what was to come.
My '21 Yamaha Raptor 700R-SE has fuel injection, reverse & electric start! Also 50 smooooooth HP. Best sport ATV I've ever owned. #Yamaha
My 400 has around $6000 worth of work & parts in it & the but Dyno tells me it's around 45-50, it's fun as hell.
In places like the dunes, the extra 50cc of the 450R helps alot and in that case, the smaller engine would be holding you back. In the dunes you NEED power, sometimes there just isn't enough space or it is too rough to get enough speed for a lot of things and power really helps. But when it comes to trails and racing, I 100% agree with you.
Nobody said anything about racing this bike fast alot he specifically said it was very heavy and really wasn't meant for racing. The Logical thought would be that they're not as powerful as the 450 which he did mention. And what you can do on your 450 I can do on my 250R two-stroke on ths dunes of the dunes or in the sky.....so buckle up rookie.
"You're not as fast as you think you are" Truer words have never been spoken haha, and true for myself many times
I own a 1999 400 EX I ride it ones in a while wow what a treat. I really appreciate this quad promise myself never selling it. It’s a deferent world. The power that contribute to a very fun day is an achievement on itself. Ride safe everyone 👍❤️
Even after buying a TRX450R years ago, I've always wanted a 400ex with the old plastics
Ive owned a honda 700xx, honda 450r, kfx 700 and all were great and fun to ride, but my go to quad for trail riding is still my 400ex. Raptors are great too, just a little top heavy and could use a little wider stance.
I have had my 400ex since new in 1999. I had to have one when they came out. Still mostly stock and still runs great! Very reliable bike and although it cant keep up with newer 450s it is definitely not slow!
The honda trx 250r is what paved the way for all the tru sport atv market had a lawsuit in 1989 last production year of the trx 250r 1999 the lawsuits contract was up hence the introduction of the lame 400ex YFZ450R All the way keep up the good work supporting the market
kfx450r has reverse too, good video though, I have a 2008 400ex with a 440 kit and i love it! One of the most reliable quads money can buy
Seth Scarlett oh wow!! I didn’t know that, I’ll add an amendment to the description. Didn’t intend to put out false information. Thanks for the heads up Seth!
JellyForSale Why wouldn’t you make sure the information you were putting in a video was correct before publishing it?
Every time I watch one of your videos halfway through it I end up going riding
I watch before and after..i have trx 250x.2019
I ride roads (in Mexico of course😉) and do wheelies and sometimes trail ride, ive had 400ex and trx450er and you cant go wrong with either, I personally had more fun on my 400ex as i could beat on it without worring im gunna blow it up, i agree its the best all around quad ever made
AWESOME Work!!! Im lucky enough to NOT have to decide because I own 2 nice 400ex and 1 450r. I also have a raptor 700r. Each machine has pros and cons. Whats my favorite machine?? Easily the 400ex. Its really good at everything and best all around sport atv. And mine have been bullet proof and durable. There is no better sport machine then the trx400ex.
The 400ex was great prior to getting reverse. But with reverse it’s an amazing machine. All kidding aside I am 51yrs old and have been riding Honda since I was a young teenager. From three wheel 200x and 250rs to 300ex and 400ex and rubicons. Currently I ride with my boys still on a 09 400x and a Rubicon 500. Honda isn’t always the most powerful but they can’t be beat for overall performance and reliability.
I had a 99’ 400ex, awesome little machine, always reliable and lot’s of fun. I put it through all kinds of abuse and it never complained. It holds its value too, bought it for $1500 sold it for $1500. About a year later I got a xr400r that had the same engine and it was just as bulletproof and fun.
I've been riding since I was a little kid and anytime someone wants to get into it I always recommend the 400ex. Cheap, reliable, got enough power for pretty much anyone and they're easy to learn on. I'll be giving my old one to my kid when he gets a bit older.
Jake Risner your a good dad man
have watched all your quad vids, I found them looking for xr400 vids, got hooked instantly. when you stopped posting I was disappointed but realised you had other things to do, every month I would look to see if you had any thing new with no luck. stumbled across this and had to click instantly. great vid as all ways hoping to see some riding vids again very entertaining keep it up thanks for the vid:)
Got a 2003 400ex absolutely love it
Nice Quad 👍
My Honda foreman has lasted 13 years so far! Honda’s are the best
I went big and got the raptor best decision of my life, I had a 400 and found myself reaching for another gear on most trails, though the 400 is a good starter for me it didnt have the power/speed I was looking for.
You didn’t mention the best part. AIR COOLED. It’s such a simple machine to own. Literally Run forever!
I have a kfx 400 and my brother has a 2014 trx400 and yet we both think they could use another gear after 5th when riding on the roads but they are great for trail riding
Im a duner in the oregon area and the 400ex is perfect for getting around and there still a bunch out there
jelly left for a while and as soon as he posted again I kept watching like he never left😂😂 and now I can say that’s the biggest accomplishment I’ve had for a while😂😂 ( I’m not saying this for him to notice me I’m just putting it out there bc I know there has to be someone that can relate)😂
well I just bought a 99 and no regrets, it’s dope
I have a 2006 400ex it was like right when they gave it reverse and the different style headlights but still is called an ex and not an x. The only thing I think I would want is a backup Kickstart but I love mine.
U can’t kill a Honda
Great video! Just picked up a 2007 400EX! 🎉🎉
honestly this video is really accurate what he is explaining about this wonderful quad I have all three actually and the 400 is probably the best in trail and the most enjoyable vs my 1986 trx250r or my 2006 trx450r but the my 2004 400ex is just so much more enjoyable to ride
It’s been soo long, the last you uploaded I had a 1999 polaris trail boss 325 and now I have two 2002 Honda trx400exs
I got a blaster for the same reason I wanted a 400ex aside the reverse gear but no one with a 400ex wanted 1990 cr250 lol but I totally agree with you ive ridden tons of 400 ex granted never owning any sort of sport quad till the blaster i really found the 400 ex really manageable where the 450 seemed to want to kill me every time I got on the gas
400ex honda, what a weapon haven't serviced it in year still runs mint!!
Yamaha warrior 350 isn’t a bad choice either?🤷🏼♂️ hey but the audio sounds great. Really awesome content my guy keep em comin
Luke Worrell No, they sucked. Taller, a lot less power, worse suspension, lack of aftermarket in comparison, etc, etc, etc.
I rode a 400ex for the first time a little over a month ago at Glamis. I've been riding ATV's for 2 decades, and can confirm most of what you say here. 400ex's are stone reliable, they're still fun to ride, and the average person messing around camp and going for a trail ride will have fun on one.
However, if you plan on riding in the dunes at all, don't buy one of these IMO. I'm only 200lbs, and with a set of paddles, I barely made it up oldsmobile in 2nd gear. The lack of power becomes very apparent when you're in the sand. The difference in acceleration between my YFZ450 and the 400ex isn't even a comparison. It was like the difference between a ttr125 and a YZ125.
For anyone considering a quad that has little experience on one, or is just planning on riding at a relatively relaxed pace, and or it's going to be a "family quad" that is shared among different people, you really can't beat the old trusty 400ex.
If you have doubts about it having enough power and/or you think you're going to want more power, just get a 450 or 700 raptor, do the big 3 and be done with it. A well maintained trx450r can be had for 5-700 more $ (in some cases, the same price) as a 400ex, and the power is almost literally double. 450mx based motors can run a long time with frequent oil changes.
There's something about the punchy and revvy character of a 450mx motor that is just so much more fun and satisfying than the 400. If you've never ridden a 450cc sport quad, you need to!
at gordons well i can climb comp hill with zero problems on mine. maybe the one you rode needed a valve adjustment, these things tend to loose A LOT of power when the valves are out of spec, ive been taking my 01' 400ex to the dunes since 08 and i can keep up with most 450's and basically any other quad (other than the bored out banshees and 250r's of course). But the 400 DOES lack power in the high end so a stage 1 cam kit for it evens it out IMMENSLY, and you dont even need to upgrade the crankshaft or anything for the stage 1 kit. i do honestly recommend these just from experience. Also the 400ex isnt meant to be a super fast race quad, its meant to do everything pretty good, so to expect it to BE faster than a 450 is kind of a weird way to look at it, but again, ive gone up some steep ass hills and i havent had any problems so maybe the one you rode was wack or geared differently from stock(probably that one).
Your absolutely right it’s a trail quad and much simpler to fix and way less complex can’t beat these and suzuki z 400 and Yamaha raptor 700 but those are more complex motors with liquid cooling then the 450 are in a different class all there own and will cost you some big bucks down the road
I wont take away from the Honda but I love my 05 ltz 400!
Your 100% right the 400ex paved the way. Its a beast with filter exhaust andhandlebars
Honda 400ex is a great all around Qaud!!! Race, Trails, Dunes, hill climbs, wheelies, with some mods it can be anything you want...
I have an 04 400ex with some head work, jetted and some other minor engine mods and it keeps up with my friends stock 660r. Just based on prices i would take a 400 over a 450.
William R I have head and a pipe that’s it my friend had a raptor 660 with a 719 kit and I would keep up
I just bought one recently, I barely rode it but it is so fun!
I got a TRX 450r and have had it since 09 and refuse to ever sell it lol I enjoy it on a daily basis since the day I bought it off the lot
I think you should do gncc
Bryan Hobell he’s not there yet lol
All these points and my 1987 Suzuki LT230E has them, electric (and pull) start, reverse, 5 speed semi-automatic, front and rear disc brakes etc
I just want a kickstart.
Sweet video and great way to look at “happy accidents”
I have had alot of different sport quads. The 400ex is hands down the best overall sport quad. They're cheap, reliable, quick, cheapish to upgrade, and handle pretty decent. My 07 currently has 5 years, and over 350hrs on the current engine build. I beat the dog snot out of it, and it still doesn't even burn oil.
2002 400ex is KING!!! Period. I have NEVER been out done on “Hill Climbing” in the country with the 400... EVER!!! (450r rider right beside me) 👍
Warrior 350s cant be beat for price, reliability, fun, and iconic looks. Admittedly they are the pioneer that started it and the 400x is the improved version basically
I was searching for a good race quad just to ride not for racing. My dream bike is a banshee but that was a little too pricey so i was searching for a good dependable alternative. I looked at several. I looked at a z400 and almost got it until i heard about the plastic gear in the water pump and i thought about the 450r. My buddy had one and i used to barrow it on weekends. I liked the reliability of the 400ex. I talked to a guy who races them and he said its one of the best machines made. So i started searching for one. I wanted a low hrs as close to stock as i could find. Definitely didnt want one that was bored out. And i was gonna get a gen1 but i liked the thought of reverse so i found a very clean 2005. I mean CLEAN!! It has an hmf pipe and a hot cam and the carb was jetted. Thats supposed to be all thats done to it. It also had full skid plate on it and nerf bars. Also a bigger grab bar and front bumper but other than that it was a low hrs pretty much stock. Guy said he was bored one winter so he decided to put the cam and pipe and jet in it. Said it didnt need it but he did it and he just got it for his grandkids to ride around the farm but they wasnt interested in it. So it just sat in garage. They are awesome machines for sure and very happy i decided to go with it instead of anything else aside from banshee. I miss my blasters i had but maybe one day ill get a banshee but for now 400ex all the way.
My most favorite quad of all time
I just got a 07 400ex keep the videos up