I owned a 2000 model 400EX previously. I admit it was a little under powered in stock trim. I modded it heavily with a 416 11:1 piston, TC racing cam, Big Gun system, jetted, K&N, Lectron flat slide carb, etc etc.. All of that made it a fun machine and it would run stock Raptors, and most any bike to 4th gear. I believe the 400EX stock was 26-28hp and modded probably 32-34hp. I am a Honda loyal after laughing at my buddies working on their Banshees all the time. Raptors feel a little unstable to me. I have not even ridden my new bike yet. I bought it sheerly on Honda's reputaion, my old 400 experience, and numerous write ups. I think it is suppose to have about 48hp stock which is way more than my old built EX. So I am really stoked for the weather to clear up and take it out. I saw the black 450 and just had to have it she looks so Evil! I am already missing the electric starting EX[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] I really hope I am as pleased with this as I was with my old faithful 400EX.

 

damn that thing looks sharp dude,have fun on it![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Why doesn't the html post the picture?

 

Because html doesnt work on this board. It will only handle external links.

 

nice, i love how the black 450 looks!! have fun! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

It rain 12 inches across most of Dallas today. I found an empty field and rode the 450 for about 45 minutes. It is geared HIGH in first no creeping at all. The kick start was old the first day and only gets more lame. I would either buy clutches or a sproket for trail riding as it will not climb a hill at any slower pace. I got covered with mud and water spray. I am just putting around but it picks up quickly and pulls more rpm than the 400ex. I read in this months 4 wheel action the stock 450 only dyno'd 33hp[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] what's that... I thought these were in the 40's stock. That is only 10 more HP than my built 400ex, the price increase isn't worth the power alone..

 

exact reason i went for the 400....

trick quad though

 

I was tired of being slow[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Kidding, I owned a 400ex built up for 4 years. It was still not my ideal machine. I bought the 450R because of the suspension and engine. The older I get the more I want a stock machine that serves my purpose. Next will probably be a Rincon GPS. I like the power and suspension improvements over my 400 it will be a better dune machine. I would still use the 400 for trail or relaxed riding.

 

check your MSO (certificate of origin) that came with the quad. That will tell you the hp at the crank. My V-Force says 49.4 hp and the DS 650 I think said 48.6 hp.

 

I knew the DS was around 48 but was surprised to see that the 700 was more. I thought that the DS had the most. I know it's the fastest (stock) but also thought it had most HP. Guess I was wrong. Why then is it so much faster than the 700? does it lose alot due to the shaft or is it heavier or what? Just wondering since I was recently looked at a 700 for my wife.