Ill give my info first.

Im 6'2", 220 lbs. Im an experienced dirtbike and sport bike rider but Ive ridden VERY FEW ATVs. Mostly little ones. I recently got stationed in Ft Bliss TX and the big local riding area is all sand. I took my XR 600 out and it was pretty difficult. I was the only dirtbike amongst a sea of quads. Im not used to that much sand cuz Im from maryland so Im looking to buy a quad to add to my growing collection of toys.

I was originally debating between a YFZ 450 and TRX 450 because I wanted to make sure I have enough power to make up for my size. I had pretty much decided on the Honda cuz always had honda dirtbikes and theyre rock solid. Then I started lookin at the 400EX cuz the motor is air cooled and based off an XR 400. Im not much of a mechanic, so the mostly maintenance free XR motors have always appealed to me.

I like the 1K less price tag on the 400 too but will it have enough power to haul me around on the dunes without sand tires.

Also, is there a decent aftermarket for the 400?

 

The 400ex is just lacking in the power side. My suggestion is to get the 450r, tooth it 1 down in the front sprocket, and you will have a sweet dune machine. If you get the 400ex, yeah it is cheaper, but you will regret it when you cant keep up with your buddys (or beat them). Rule "If you want to ride with your girlfriend or wife, get the 400ex. If you want to ride with the boys, get the 450r".

 

A 400EX will easily pull a 220 pounder around the dunes. And you don't need paddles. You can go anywhere the 450s can go but just somewhat slower. The only time it makes a difference is if you want to drag race up the hills. For most dune exploration convoys the leaders are always slowing down just to find safe route and you can stay on there donkey very easily. And then if you get into off dune trails you have the better ride all around. Maintenance and reliability of 400EX is so much ahead of 450s for comperable use. I doubt if I will ever get rid of my 400EX and my XR400.

 

with the 450r u have got maintence maintence maintence. if ya dont mind the compression checks and valve adjustments its a sweet quad. the 400ex thow, i've had mine along time and i love it. nothing will kill it. i'm 6'0" 200lbs and i do just fine in the dunes, no way i can keep up with the banchee's, craptor 700's and 450's when drag racing. but for good ol dunen its top notch, for trail riding, i say none any better. suspention is desence for a new to experenced riders. with the trx450 u step up with the suspention and hp, only ridden a few times and she's fast i like it, alot. i just dont care for thow for how quick the proper maintence comes up, for what u get out of a stock machine. 400ex is proven time and time again and i love it, and the 450 kicks a$$ also. so my but my opionion is the 400 is the way to go.

bowz

 

Hmm, the guy with the 450 says get the 450 and the guys with the 400s say get the 400s. At least your not telling me to get the Z400.

Ok, I grew up in wooded trails but I really like it out here in the southwest and Ill probably stay in New Mex or Arizona when I get out of the army.

I love trails and the dunes here are not like the ones in Cali that you see in the videos. Theyre dunes, but alot smaller. Only a few stories tall.

I love wheelies and I dont jump very high. 5-6 feet max.

I am a HORRIBLE mechanic. I usually end up breaking something if I try anything more than an oil change.

I like reverse too.

THAT SAID, ARE YOUR SUGGESTIONS STILL THE SAME?

I read a review of the 2004 400 and it didnt fair well on the big hills so that worried me but it was an 04 and Im gettin an 07. Im leanin more towards it b/c of the price.

what kinda mods do you guys have on your rides. Are there alot of things available for the 400 that I could boost the power a little.

Thanx for the help and any extra suggestions are appreciated

 

I'll tell you to get the Z400.

From what I could tell the z is just a better machine all around.

 

go with the 450r. The z400 is a good quad, I had one. Hopefully they resolved their corrosion and frame cracking issues.

 

Like I said, get the 400ex and you will be dissappointed. I like how that guys said you will be on the Donkey with the 400ex, well you might as well be on a donkey if you get that quad. In all reality, it is a good quad for all round riding, so dont get me wrong. But it just does not even compare to the 450r, like night and day. I have $600 inot aftermarket parts in my quad and you could put $4k into a 400ex and still would lose in a race.

 

You need to decide how important it is to you to be able to competitively race with experienced riders on their newer 450s. If this is a priority then just get a new 450. You can open up exhaust and intake and then rejet the 400 and this will help alot but you still will not be competitive in the very easy terrain. Major mods including big bore, high compression, cam etc will get even closer to the 450s but then you are loosing the 400s reliability and cool running plus you are still not competitive in very easy terrain.
If you decide on a 450 then take another look at the Yamaha 450s. IMO the Yamaha's are more reliable with easier maintenance mainly due to the combined motor oil system and more durable valve train system. If you are strictly a high performance play rider then also look closely at the 700 EFI Yamaha Raptor. This single cam 4 valve screw/lock nut lower RPM motor will give you reliability and ease of maint very close to the 400EX plus you get performance very close to the 450s. If I were starting all over today with my stable of quads I would probably have a Raptor 700 and no Banshee and no 400EX. And I am normally a Honda guy if all else is equal. No BS here just the facts.

 

The Z400 nice machine ,Frame issues were resolved back on the 04 models ,and the corrosion was resolved by the end of 06 models ,