I got my 00 400ex on Easter week end. I changed the oil and cleaned the filter after 6 tanks of gas.

I have had only one problem. On the foot peg plastic a bolt pulled through. I fixed that easy. I lost a bolt that holds the side panel on and i am going to get it this week end. I checked the throttle when i bought it to make sure it was set all the way and the dealer must have fixed it because it was fine.

I wrecked only one time. I went up a hill i have already went up 5 times and i spun at the top and i hit the gas(bad move) and the front came strait up. I let off and it went back down and i was backing down the hill and it got sideways and started tiping so i jumped off. It rolled over sideways and came back standing up. It did not hurt anything only took some paint off the thumb throttle cover and it might of bend the bars a tiny bit.

The only problem i see is that it has no grease fittings. Should i take apart anything to grease every so often? If so where? I grease the chain after every ride with bel ray chain lube.

I Plan on buying Wild Skin Shock Covers and a K&N Power up Kit. I ride through a lot of mud. I ride with a Kodiak, Wolverine, 2 Bayous, and a blaster. I can get through mud pretty good until i get high centered after going in the same spot as the foot deep ruts the kodiak makes. Usually all i have to do to get out is lift the back with the grab bar and it will pull it self out. I also jump it some. I have pics on my web page at www.geocities.com/cory_14/.

I can wheelie through every gear even in the top end going down a dirt road in 5th i can get the front end to lift about a inch by hitting the throttle. It has tons of power. I don't Know why people say it is hard to start mine starts easy.

What problems have you had? Did you wreck? What mods work good?

00 400ex
86 200sx
www.geocities.com/cory_14/

 

what do you mean by foot peg plastic? that black gaurd beind the peg? well get rid off that and put you on some nerf bars. also get some aluminum bars...the steel ones have too much vibration. since you ride in alot of mud....you could take apart and grease the axle bearings and front wheel bearings once a year and they would be fine. well see ya

 

cory,

Congrats on your quad.

From your post it sounds like this may be one of your first quads. I recommend leaving the foot guards on, they have saved my legs a couple of times (I know, feet should STAY on the pegs...) Although, if you have some hours on your three wheeler, you shouldn't have any trouble at all! I have about 10 years of three wheeler experience.

Nerfs are a waste of money unless you need them to race.

Get a bottle of blue Loctite. Use it on every bolt you feel comfortable removing. (I have never Loctited any engine bolts) There are two small bolts holding the plastic engine skid. Use it on those, use it on the bar end screws, all fender bolts, swingarm skid bolts.

The stock 400EX is awesome, but if you ride hard it needs some mods:

1. Aluminum bars
2. Swingarm skid plate
3. Front shocks
4. My most recent mod is a 2+2 X-33 axle. Those two inches of width on each side helps an incredible amount. I hardly ever high-side in the corners now.


There is almost NO grease in the swingarm bearings, axle bearings, suspension pivots, and front shock mounts from the factory. If you ride in water at all, you better check those asap. I let mine go too long (8 months from new) and found a not so nice mixture of dust, rust, water, and grease, especially in the axle carrier. The disk side dust seal was shot and had made the problem worse. The swingarm bolt was already starting to stick, that is not good, trust me. I just re-read your post and see you like mud very much. I highly recommend checking over the above mentioned items. I check/grease the axle carrier two or three times a year. The a-arm pivots had a plenty o grease on mine. Still they need to be inspected.

My list of mods:

Tag bars, PRM full chassis skid plates, works triple rate front shocks, X-33 axle, rear Shredder tires.

 

I had those same bolt problems as you did. I would not recommend locktight on any part just tighten them up hella. They won't brake like the engine bolts. If you mod your bike like I do you will need to get those bolts off quick. As for wreaks humm... I was riding here in vegas in some soft sand haulin ***** when my front left tire was sliced by some rock under the sand, I was turning right at the time so momentium through the bike to the left me along with it. I jumped off just before the bike flipped. Bent my handlebars all the way down and bent my Silencer down a tad ( actually that helped because now my fmf powercore does not touch the rear plastic) I also was out for six weeks (of hard riding, you will never get me off my quad)with a torn MCL in my knee. Actually it has been 6.5 weeks now and it still hurts. And my mods are awesome. I have about 35 ponies Getting durablue x-33 rear axel soon. And a Lectron Carb. Check out http://www.geocities.com/~gtthunder/testbed_set.html for dynojet runs on differently modified 400's

 

Thanks Phil i will check that out. Nice page.
00 400ex
www.geocities.com/cory_14/

 

Had my 400 since like march. Had some problems with the foot guard bolts too. Took them off and got graydon nerfs. This past weekend, I rolled it on a off camber and bent the steering stem. Bought a lonestar anti vibration. Great stem. Thats pretty much it. Want to get tcs shocks. Curtis sparks pipe and silencer, air filter, air box lid, advanced timing key, and cdi on the way.

 

Skunky,

I BROKE my X-33 axle friday at the MX. It was a real crowd pleaser! I raced four moto's on it before it broke. I talked to Durablue today, he said the X-33 is very rigid because it is hollow. He also claimed the 400EX is a rigid quad and the two add up to too much stress on the extended axle. He is going to let me trade the X-33 for a Eliminator solid axle. The Eliminator should flex more (I hope). Belive me, I have pounded the heck out of my stocker, and it never bent or broke. I just wanted more width, so I bought what I thought would be the strongest axle. Also, if you do get a X-33, Durablue is out of stock. He said they will be out for at least 4 weeks. If you get one and break it right away, you won't get a replacement very soon.

 

When I bought my 400EX in March, a friend bought his at the same time. His was always difficult to start when cold, mine has never been difficult. I've had some trouble with the bolts that hold the black plastic on. I don't care for nerf bars, so I just fix them when trouble occurs.

 

I like nerf bars but i like the plastic it keeps some mud off you and protects you a little. If you get gradon proline nerfs you can leave the plastic on

www.geocities.com/cory_14/
00 400ex

 

I disagree with the nerfs being a waste of money...while jumping and doing tricks they are a big plus to have in case your foot doesn't come back down on the peg.