hi. lately i have been thinking about getting a new quad in the near future. i was thinking about a 400ex. i wouldnt be racing, just more of a trail bike. i do want to be able to do some small jumps. would the 400ex be good for me or should i consider something different. im also starting to lean toward a 4wd quad. can they handle small jumps okay or should i get a sport quad. thanks

 

The 400ex is great! But it depends on what you will be using it for. If you'll be doing slow stuff and want that 4x4, then go for it, but my little 250x will go just about anywhere even though its only 2wd...

 

the 400ex is an amazing trail bike. and if you also want to get a little extreme you can jump it to. plus it is super reliable, never had problems with mine. the key is to change the oil every other month.

 

Avoid utility quads, unless it is absolutely necessary! Utes are twice as heavy as sport quads. Why lug around that extra dead weight iron (land look like a hillbillie!) if it isn't absolutely essential?

Here in the southwest, sport quads are king and we know better than anyone how to get the most out of 2wd. I actually NEED 4wd maybe 5% of the time (snow!), and can do stuff the inexperienced would never think possible! Sure 4wd is nice lots of other times, but not a necessity....

If you ride tighter trails, then the 400EX is the best choice. The engine will lug down, and you can idle through the nasty terrain. Descent jumper as well. Not the fastest performance quad out there, but there is actually a lot of hop up potential in that engine, with just some simple mods. If properly maintained, they will run forever! Mine is 10 years old now, with no major problems.

If you ride more open trails, then also take a look at the Suzuki Z400 and maybe the Raptor 700.

 

Recon, why do you have to call me a hillbilly. Not all of us live in a desert. Some of us all plow snow, hunt, and don't need speed for kicks.

I think the 2wd or 4wd depends on what you are trying to do with it. I would love to own a sport quad, but it makes no sense in the areas that I ride one.

Sounds like you would be better suited for sport quad. I would only recommend a 4wd if your going to do some work/mud riding. Its also nice to have 4wd on steep loose inclines as well. Good luck on your choice.

 

Just don't mention what octane gas you use, or he'll REALLY lay into you !!!!

 

Because he is very arrogant and thinks everyone looks like him when he's riding one of his ranchers.

recon has a name and belittles everyone who doesn't ride what he rides or think like he does.

I think he has spent way too much time out there in the desert sun.

Personalyy I can't think of anything more useless than a sport quad with the exceptions being mototcycles and snowmobiles.


I guess I must be a hillbilly too.

 

Or oil.

 

lol at the comments about a certain user, a 400ex is a real nice bike, but if your gonna want to do some work with it and plow snow, haul things and stuff then i would look into a foremen, rancher or something, the big utilitys arent all work no play, there still a blast to ride.

 

reconranger, you are an idiot, yeah if you ride in a borring desert all day and that is all you do is go fast in a strait line, yeah buy a sport quad, but if you ride hard, like in the woods, swamps, wetlands, and were there is a lot of snow like on the east coast, get a utility, and they look nicer in my opinion, reconranger you must not ride too hard to think that 4 wheel drive isnt a neccesity, but for me it is , and i would like to see you get through 2 feet of snow with a 2 wheel drive, but i do think snow mobiles have there purpose, theres been many winters in upstate ny that i couldnt get the quad out of my garage