I have ridden 250Rs for years (since 86) and in the near future I am going to buy a new Honda four wheeler. What keeps me from getting the 400EX is I am waiting to see if Honda is going to make a bigger sport quad. Hopefully a 400 like quad with the XR650 motor. But if not, I will buy the 400EX. I would like to know from you 400EX owners out there what the quad is like and if you have had previous 250R experience, were you dissapointed? I actually at one point switched from the R to a 350X and loved the motor but missed the R's handling.

 

I know that i'll be shelled for saying this but, I recently purchased a 400ex after riding 250r's for a while and I was dissapointed with the power of the 400ex. In stock form, the 400ex is not a power house. If I were you, I would try to ride one for a while before I bought one. On a positive note, the 400ex's stock suspension is very good for normal trail and gravel pit stuff. The 400ex has enough power to do most stuff, but you will probably miss the "hit" of the 2 stroke. This is just my opinion and I'm not trying to make any "sensitive" 400ex owners mad, I own both and do many comparisons between the 2.

 

If you loved the 350X's motor, you'll love the 400EX. It has about the same horse power as a stock 250R, but has no hit. The handling is very similar between the 400 and the R.

My experience with R is limited to a day of riding one on the sand at Pismo, but I owned a 400EX for a couple of years. Many riders (myself included) get bored with the tame output of the EX. That's why you see so many 440's out there. Otherwise, it's an awesome machine.

 

my brother owns a 400ex and he and i both love it. its has a PRM bumper and skid plates with DOUBLE-BARREL pipe K&N air-filter and holeshots on gold 250r rimes. i think it has awsome power handles great. it just doesn't give you the same thrill as a 2-stroke. but i think you will be pleased if you buy one. if you do buy one and for some reason you don't like it, you can always put a xr650 put right down in with little trouble.