Hello all,

I just introduced myself in the 'intro' section, and I hope I am posting this in the right spot... (Thank you in advance for your insight.)

Anyway, being in the market for a new ATV, I am stuck between a couple choices. I do not have enough experience to confidently make on either, mainly because it has been a while since I have 'needed' one.

My current ATV's:
The KingQuad is mainly used for barn work, we did bring it to Johnson Valley CA for a trip and it preformed well, but with pretty much no give in the suspension, I think all 4 tires were off the ground more then they were on (husbands ride). The LTZ is my whip, usually ride it in sand pits/misc trails/bring it to CA/UT when we go on vacation. (Love the reliability of it)

Why I am looking in to Honda:
So, the bike I had before my LTZ was a 2002/3 (it was a long time ago) EX400 (440) that was 'done up' - ya, I don't know to many specifics but that bike ripped. It was set up for my nephew to race, but he got into dirt bikes more. I cannot get (back ordered) a new LTZ, and I know my old 440 was simply faster off the line and flat out. So I am considering the TRX400 or 450. I am leaning towards the 450 because, well... why not? I like the fact that it has more power and it is white... ya, I'm playing that girl card.

So, this is my question, taking in to account that I do not race, but we do spend a week at a time in the desert for riding, (1) why would you take the 400 over the 450? (2) how is the reliability of the 400/450? (3) How often on the newer Honda's do you have to do the top end? (4) Personal experience and insight/known issues?

And the big one, how picky are the new ones on fuel, some of the places we go we cannot find 93, only 91... insight on that/additives?

Thank you again for reading and for your time.

 

All the 450 are motocross motors so the have a limited hour time before rebuild.
ATVs like the 400ex and z400 are a fun yet are not as stressed to the limite and are much more reliable.

I used to motor cross race and 450s needed a rebuild every 150hrs to stay competitive.

 

1) The 400 is going to require less frequent preventative maintenance. The suspension is also a bit more comfortable for general trail exploring and riding done at slower than warp speeds. Reverse is a plus to many(not a big deal to me though.)

2) Given proper PM, both should be reliable. The 400 wins by a bit given the lower tech motor, lack of cooling system, etc.

3) All 450's, regardless of manufacture, require frequent top end rebuilds. If you are racing it, constantly bouncing off the rev limiter, or otherwise abusing it then figure 20 hours tops. I have heard of getting 50, 75, 100+ hours out of motors ridden under more reasonable circumstances. The key is it costs 3-4x as much if you blow them up(any motor) vs rebuilding BEFORE a catastrophic failure. Also stock and forged pistons tend to last. Cast not so much.

4) A built 440EX will be fast, but they tend to offer nothing over a 450, not even reliability. Both are fun trail quads, but 450s tend to overheat if just put putting along. If you are using 2nd and 3rd gear a lot with the Z, you should be fine. The short 450 slipper pistons tend to pass a lot of combustion contaminants into the oil. Coupled with a small oil reservoir the R would need oil changes during a week long riding trip.

5) 91 octane is fine on any of the stock 450s. The 400 should be happy with 87.

 

I love my 400 simply because it is dead reliable, 450s always need more love to keep going. If you trail ride, you will have to ride it like a 2 stroke, they don't like being lugged around. Gas, I run premium in my 400 regardless, most all owners manuals for these things say to run that. They just run better on premium period.