In the future im going to be looking for a sport quad. I drove a 400ex before and the power doesn't impress me at the least. Im a BIG honda fan and wouldn't own anything else except a honda or a yamaha. I don't want to be known for hating other companies but I don't trust them. The Rapter that yamaha has is a good on for me but it's just to big of a bike{660cc is to much I think}. I was hoping honda would put the crf450 moter into a 400ex like fram. I would also like for it to have a reverse. Do any of you think honda will do this?

 

As good as an idea it may seem, I don't believe it will happen. In the last issue of dirt rider magazine (For motorcycles) the writters asked Honda if there would be a versoion of the crf 450 made for off road and not just the race corse. Honda said no. I feel that honda would put this motor in an off road dirt bike simmalar to the drz or yzf befor it would ever put it in a quad. One of these days honda might get serious about the atv sport market but till then we can only wish.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]

 

The problem with the CRF450R engine is the same as the YZ400/426F series, which is that they need constant maintainence. They need to be rebuilt every 3-4 races when ridden hard, or so I've been told. That may be an over-exaggerated, BUT, Honda has a reputation of reliability to uphold so I doubt that they are even considering throwing their high-strung racing thumper engine into an off-road mount, let alone a quad. If anything, we'll see a XR650R-derived technology in an improved XR400R first, and then in a quad. Honda is very successful with the XR650R layout. I actually bet that they are working on a smaller version to replace the dated XR400R. Either that or they don't mind the DRZ-400 taking the market share.

BTW- lovinhonda, the 660 in the Raptor only puts out 400-class power stock. It only breaks 40hp with the help of an aftermarket exhaust slip-on.

 

yes those crf450 are very high strung and require lots of maintanence, something the average atv customer is not willing to do. Also those power rating, 45 hp at the rear wheels i believe. Put that same engine on a quad and watch the numbers drop, much more weight to move with the axle, two drive tires instead of one, in addition each tire is much bigger, heavier and lower pressure. It would be a move in the right direction but I would rather see a watercooled 500 from honda putting out 40 hp and having good reliability. The day that happends my 250r will be for sale, well, maybe not.

 

If you only want honda or yamaha and seing how a 400ex isn't enough power and the raptor is too big.

1. Get a yz426 engine and stick in a 250r frame.

2.Get a 400ex and make it a 440 or a 460.

3. Buy a 2 stroke.

If none of these ideas please you. I don't know what will.

01 400ex (yellow)
Pro Circuit exhaust
AC Propegs
Renthals

 

Superman28, you got a good point but im not going to do what you said. I guess i'll look towards a yamaha rapter but i'll wait awile and see what honda does. Thanks for all you'r reply's