I plan to buy either a 300ex or 400ex this summer, but need a little help in deciding which to get. I've been riding 4x4 ATVs since I was 5 (I'm 20 now), so I consider myself a very experienced rider. I like the 300ex because it's $900 cheaper than the 400ex, and becaue it has reverse. I plan to take it to the dunes or MX track on occasion, but 90% of my riding will be in the woods/trails, so reverse would be nice, but not a must-have.

Anyways, my question is this: Does the 400 pretty much waste the 300 as far as performance goes, or can the 300 hang in there pretty close with the 400? Would a 300 with an aftermarket pipe, K&N, and rejet kit be close or even equal the 400 in power/performance? Also, just for comparison (because I've ridden one), how do the 300ex and 400ex compare to a Yamaha Warrior?Thanks for the help

 

I recently purchased a new 400ex and am very impressed with the performance it has stock. I also have a 300ex that is still stock, and the 400 runs it over! As far a the Warrior, a friend bought a new Warrior at the same time as my 400ex, and to be perfectly honest, the warrior BARELY outruns the 300ex. I stress BARELY!

 

the 400ex has a lot more power. the 300ex still wouid'nt hang with the 400 even with all of the extra stuff u said.i would get a 400ex even thow it doesnt have reverse. you could alwas sling it aroun instead of backing up.

 

I bought a 400EX last month and they are awesome. There is no choice between them. The 400 has more power, engineering, and weighs less than the 300. Plus resale is much better on the premium machine. The 400 is bread for racing, and the 300 is made for recreation and economy.

 

I have a 300ex with a mickey dunlap 345cc kit on it 14 tooth front sprocket stock rear 18" tires K&N filter larger pipe & silencer midrange cam and it's about even with a stock 400ex on a homemade mx track with about the same skill level of riders on both. You be the judge but if it was me there would be no question 400ex all the way.

 

Do you want reverse?

Yes = 300EX
No = 400EX

For the terrain that I ride on (mostly all wooded trails) my 300EX has kept me quite content.

 

The resale will be much better with the 400, so you'll get your $900 back. The 400ex blows the 300ex away no matter what u do to it, unless u want to spend $2500 on your 300ex, and you'll still have the shorter wheel base to contend with. You won't miss reverse. I had a Warrior before i bought my 400ex, and if i had to choose between the warrior and the 300ex i'd chose the 300ex, even though it's slower. It is easier to ride, is better built (my opinion), and feel 100lbs lighter.

Good luck.

 

Definitely the 400ex. With the performance you gain, reverse should not even make it a close decision.

 

You said you would be doing most of your riding on trails and wooded areas so I would go with the 300EX. The reason being that the 300EX is a smaller machine with a shorter wheelbase. Also in my opinion reverse is a must even though the reverse on the 300EX is a pain in the butt. There is a new reverse kit out for about 30 dollars that will make the reverse on the 300EX very easy to operate. Everyone always talks about the 400 blowing the 300EX out of the water. This is true but the 300 and 400 are in different classes all together. Im my opinion go with the 300 because in some cases less is more.