Great, trouble free machine!

Break it in hard! Use petroleum oil during break in. http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Change the oil (crankcase and transmission) and oil filter after about 1 hour, to quickly get out any metal shavings.

Best to run a high quality oil, preferably a synthetic (after break in). Being air cooled, the engine can get a little hot sometimes and the cam area can be subject to wear, so running oils that are on the heavier side helps.

Absolutely do not neglect the first valve adjustment at 20 hours.

My oil preference is Maxima Extra, ester synthetic. Some good oil info. http://www.thumperfaq.com/oil.htm

 

Reconranger,Thank you very much on the info you provided to me.
The links you left will come in handy when i pick up my Quad this Saturday.
This is, in my opinion the BEST ATV Forum site out there.
Thanks again for the input,The plug guy

 

One clarification. Like most quads (except the Honda 450R), the engine and transmission on the EX share the same oil.

I said change the oil in the "crankcase and transmission", and that isn't a good way to put it at all. You will actually drain the tank that is in front of the engine, and the crankcase/transmission from a bolt on the left side of the engine. See your owner's manual, it has pictures!

 

Here you go: http://www.atvriders.com/articles/oilchange400ex.html

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Thank You Very Much for the info,I picked up my Honda 400EX on Saturday at my local dealer.Man, what a machine.I did,nt get to take it out till Sunday A.M.I brought it to a beautiful riding area in Middleboro Ma.with my brother and his son.He 10 years old and just learning to ride a Kawaski KDX110.My brother dave does'nt own a bike or quad , so i let him borrow my Komoto 250 quad,
I rode the Chinese quad a couple times and was happy with it till i got my Honda,WOW!! What an incredibly fast machine.
I was shocked at the fast pick up it had,Not to mention the way it cuts through the sand .
This quad turns on a dime and handles the biggest whoopdie doos i've ever seen with ease.
This is only the 4th time riding a quad in my life and it felt like i'd been riding for a while on this machine.
I think it helped having 18+ years of riding motocross under my toolbelt and the awesome ability of this quad.
But , I'll tell ya i'm a hurting pup today,Spent Sunday practicing my turns , whoopdies,up hills , down hills and traversing slopes and ridind through mud and puddles.
Very glad i bought this machine and once again Thanx for the info.
Thepluguy

 

Sounds like you like it! My dad had an 05 400ex. It was very nice. until he sold it...[img]i/expressions/brokenheart.gif[/img]

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Baconbits

Sounds like you like it! My dad had an 05 400ex. It was very nice. until he sold it...[img][/img]</end quote></div>

OUCH![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

 

400EX's are very reliable so you should'nt have any trouble with it.