Hey I am looking to jump to a 4 stroke in motocross. i was wondering wat you would rather have FOR THE MONEY...keep that in mind. would you rather have a 400ex or a 450r for $1,000 more than the 400ex? which is a better deal?

 

5 years ago, the 400ex was the best choice. But today, the 450R out classes it. The 450R is the best choice today for racing.
It's an awsome machine! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

if you can find a used 400ex for cheap id say go for it. you can mod it and get a good machine for cheaper

 

ok but with the 450r...is it true about the 100 hour rebuilds. or if you take care of your machine and change the oil every, or every other time your ride...will you be able to go longer with out the rebuild?

 

If your thinking on getting into racing "for real" and are serious etc you had better be preparred to be maintaining everything more than you would on a normal trail ride type machine.

So dont let maint be your deciding factor.

Interesting that you bring the economics into play for this decision, as that is a fair way of approaching it, and also one that I put into the mix and part of why I am still owning the 440.

Now if your looking at both models brand new from the dealer I think you will be way ahead in the long run going with the 450 as it has more (more power, resale value, suspension, technology, etc). If you looking at used then it changes a whole lot.

First you have to consider even if your looking at a used 450r it is going to be priced close to what you could prob get it for at a dealer who discounts, so I would suspect unless its beat to crap etc your looking at close to $6k or more. The 400ex on the other hand is selling pretty damn cheap in the used market and you can find some serious deals on them.

The best "deal" would be too find a used EX that was fairly well modded with all the things you would need or want to race (nerfs, wheels, tires, bars, skids, kill switch, engine mods, and maybe even some suspension) for a fair or better price. I have seen 01-02 models with all the basics and some engine (416's and even some 440's) sell in the $3-4K range, and the ones that are actually sold with the aftermarket shocks still on them (most sell seperate) are not going for much more.

All those things may not do too much to your potential resale value but they will save you literally thousands in buying mods, and thats where these become the true value.

Now will they be killing all the 450's on the track? I doubt it, but they can still be competitive in the lower amature classes when set up right, and also lets not forget that a faster or better rider can beat a slower one on a faster machine anyday as its really mostly rider.

The quote i see all the time is "its 90% rider and 10% machine so you better make that 10% count" but it wount me anything if the 90% isnt there.

 

Hey, I don't know where you're from, but I've gotta a pretty badass 440 that's for sale! It's got the 440 kit, high compression piston, race cam, race carb, rev box, full exhaust system, KandN full intake, nerfs, full skids, and a bunch of other jazz. We want $4700. for it. It's in absolutely perfect condition, and has less than 100 hours on the new top end (440). Its also got full set of knobbies and full set paddles, 2 sets of plastic (one stock red, the other with an airbrushed flame paintjob that looks absolutely killer!) and some othe goodies. I don't race mx, so I don't know how it'd do there, but in a drag with my yfz 450, it keeps up. It doesn't win, but int's not behind by much! I bet it'd be side by side with a stock/nearly stock trx 450. It's got tons of power, and is a lot of fun to ride! My parents just bought it for the summer so that they can ride with me. We're the second owners, and the last lady that owned it was a bit on the scared side, so it really never saw any hard action. Why they built it so much I'll never know. I guess they just had a case of "little man" syndrome, and wanted badder toys than everyone else! Anyway, it's bad-***! Let me know if you're interested!

 

i dont think so... i live in iowa. but anywayz if anyone has any input on the rebuilds, or owns a 450r i would like to hear their opinions.

 

That's cool. Just thought I'd throw that out there! Good luck!

 

ya thats fine... still no more new information on the rebuilds?

 

What exactly are you looking to find out?

Do you want the time that the mfg recomends before rebuilding?

Sorry if I seem confused but I dont want to answer the wrong question etc.