450R, One Sweet Machine!
Apr 18, 2005 | 12:41 AM
#1
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Red Rider
Honda, accept nothing less!
Honda, accept nothing less!
Joined: Dec 2002
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450R, One Sweet Machine!
Had not ridden the 450 for several weeks. I don't have room in the trailer for more than five bikes, so when we go camping for the weekend the 450 gets left home. (The 400's are better machines for putting along with the kids, anyway.) I got tired of seeing it sitting there neglected, so I took it out for a run in the hills behind my house. This is typical So. Calif. earthquake fault stuff.........steep, rugged hill climbs and descents, and fast trail along the ridges and in the canyon bottoms. And, the occasional impromptu MX track, here and there.
I have been riding the 400EX back there, because the winter rains have left the hill climbs very rutted and technical. With the EX, I can pick my way through the technical stuff at low speed, so I thought that was the ticket. Well, this technique doesn't work with the 450R, which likes to rev and is geared tall. I tell you, the 450 just blasted though everything, 2rd gear pinned. I never even slowed down for stuff that would have stopped the EX cold in its tracks. And dancing through the whoops along the ridge lines at sunset, was absolutely superb. Got to ride this thing more often!
I have been riding the 400EX back there, because the winter rains have left the hill climbs very rutted and technical. With the EX, I can pick my way through the technical stuff at low speed, so I thought that was the ticket. Well, this technique doesn't work with the 450R, which likes to rev and is geared tall. I tell you, the 450 just blasted though everything, 2rd gear pinned. I never even slowed down for stuff that would have stopped the EX cold in its tracks. And dancing through the whoops along the ridge lines at sunset, was absolutely superb. Got to ride this thing more often!
Apr 18, 2005 | 01:57 AM
#2
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450R, One Sweet Machine!
I have found that if I ride one of mine 3 or 4 times without riding the other, I feel the same thing. I know what you are talking about completely, and it puts a 4 sale sign on the EX.
Then I ride the EX and I can't sell it for 12 grand.
Then I ride the EX and I can't sell it for 12 grand.
Apr 18, 2005 | 10:23 AM
#3
Shed Knocker Rider
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450R, One Sweet Machine!
This isn't really relating to the 450R to much, but Lately my 440ex with MANY hours on it has been getting overshadowed by my Z400. Well my girlfriend wanted a new quad to herself and she wanted a new 400ex w/reverse. I sold my 440 and told her I would give her 1500 to make up the difference she didn't have on a quad. Being a guy and loving the sport I tried to talk her into a 450R even tho a 400ex would be perfect for her. Well she wound up getting a 05' 400ex.
At first I wasn't to excited, but once I rode it I changed my tune. Granted they are not a power house, but 400ex's are still great quads unless your racing. I don't think I liked riding my old one so much cause it has taken a lot of abuse over the years and just doesn't feel good anymore, even tho I have kept up on the maintnance. They are even a little quicker now with the closer gear ratio's, and reverse is nice for woods riding.
What Im trying to get at, is a 400ex should still be a option for a typical trail rider even tho they are not the next best thing anymore. Think about what you want from a quad, not what is hot right "now". Even tho I would like a 450, they wouldn't be good for me for a primary bike cause I race bikes not quads, so I need a trail machine. If the Z400 wasn't out, I would probably buy a EX for myself. Plus for 5200 OTD you get a nice package that will last you forever if treated properly.
At first I wasn't to excited, but once I rode it I changed my tune. Granted they are not a power house, but 400ex's are still great quads unless your racing. I don't think I liked riding my old one so much cause it has taken a lot of abuse over the years and just doesn't feel good anymore, even tho I have kept up on the maintnance. They are even a little quicker now with the closer gear ratio's, and reverse is nice for woods riding.
What Im trying to get at, is a 400ex should still be a option for a typical trail rider even tho they are not the next best thing anymore. Think about what you want from a quad, not what is hot right "now". Even tho I would like a 450, they wouldn't be good for me for a primary bike cause I race bikes not quads, so I need a trail machine. If the Z400 wasn't out, I would probably buy a EX for myself. Plus for 5200 OTD you get a nice package that will last you forever if treated properly.
Apr 19, 2005 | 01:05 AM
#6
Trailblazer
Joined: Mar 2005
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450R, One Sweet Machine!
Last Sunday I went riding with two of my neighbors, one of them has a black 450R and the other one a yellow Z400.
We took a shortcut through the streets where we live, and proceded trough a dirt road behind some factories. That took us out to an awesome dirt trail that leads to a "Y", where you could go to Rosarito (coast town next to Tijuana), or all the way to Cantamar (coast town with sand dunes). We had SUCH A BLAST!!! The trail had a little bit of everything from tight trails, steep rocky hills, a ranch with an MX track, and wide straight dirtways where we ripped through at full throttle. We must've seen over 60 other quads and about 40 dirt bikes. There's even a little market/restaurant on the side of this dirt road, where we met a couple other riders (who were the ones who told us about where the road led to). I was completely unaware of these trails, and we're planning on going again next Sunday, this time at the crack of dawn, so we have time to go all the way down to Cantamar (2 hour ride) and back (another 2 hours). I'll be sure to bring my camera this time.
Anyway...my point: I'm SO in love with my "R"! It's almost as if it's running even smoother than when it was brand new. The powerband is so crisp and responsive, and the suspension so incredibly forgiving on my a$$... Buying this baby last month was definetly THE best decision I could've made, and I can't recommend it enough to those other members who frequently ask for advice on what to buy. Lack of electric start? I dunno about everyone else, but I can kickstart my engine sitting down!
I saw the title of this thread, and I had to share.
We took a shortcut through the streets where we live, and proceded trough a dirt road behind some factories. That took us out to an awesome dirt trail that leads to a "Y", where you could go to Rosarito (coast town next to Tijuana), or all the way to Cantamar (coast town with sand dunes). We had SUCH A BLAST!!! The trail had a little bit of everything from tight trails, steep rocky hills, a ranch with an MX track, and wide straight dirtways where we ripped through at full throttle. We must've seen over 60 other quads and about 40 dirt bikes. There's even a little market/restaurant on the side of this dirt road, where we met a couple other riders (who were the ones who told us about where the road led to). I was completely unaware of these trails, and we're planning on going again next Sunday, this time at the crack of dawn, so we have time to go all the way down to Cantamar (2 hour ride) and back (another 2 hours). I'll be sure to bring my camera this time.
Anyway...my point: I'm SO in love with my "R"! It's almost as if it's running even smoother than when it was brand new. The powerband is so crisp and responsive, and the suspension so incredibly forgiving on my a$$... Buying this baby last month was definetly THE best decision I could've made, and I can't recommend it enough to those other members who frequently ask for advice on what to buy. Lack of electric start? I dunno about everyone else, but I can kickstart my engine sitting down!
I saw the title of this thread, and I had to share.
Apr 19, 2005 | 05:41 AM
#7
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450R, One Sweet Machine!
Originally posted by: raptor3507
i have a blaster that top speed of 98 mph
i have a blaster that top speed of 98 mph
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Apr 19, 2005 | 08:57 PM
#9
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450R, One Sweet Machine!
Originally posted by: 2fun
Stock motor no doubt.......
Originally posted by: raptor3507
i have a blaster that top speed of 98 mph
i have a blaster that top speed of 98 mph
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