I'm really hooked on the idea of a Honda 400ex sport quad... In my mid thirties, 5'11", 180lbs, and a first time rider....I don't need the fastest quad on the market, I want dependability. No interest in MX other than as a spectator....only interested in putting around the neighborhood and trailriding.

Almost every post I read about sport quads references either dunes or MX. With the 4" clearance on a sport quad, are they really suitable to trailriding? I'm sure they're great for riding on old dirt service roads, but can they really handle a standard trail with such minimal clearances?

Trails and service roads here (central Alabama) generally have diagonal ruts and mudholes at some point or another. The last thing I want is to spend riding time pulling the quad out of every mudpuddle or, better yet, blowing out the rear sprocket because of a rut. Most of the people I see riding quads are on utilities...but I think that is more dictated by their dual purpose nature.

Anyone out there have any practical experience that they can share? Is a sport the way to go, or should I look elsewhere?

Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome to the forums fenrec.

The 400ex will be fine for the type of riding you will be doing. Now it won't go through the deep mud like a 4x4 would, but is a lot easier to handle on the trails. If you're worried about the sprocket, you can get a swingarm guard and that would protect it, to an extent. You'll lose maybe 1/2 inch of clearance. If you really wanted to get the clearance back, you could go to a bigger tire.

 

Is the 400ex going to have the torque to spin a bigger tire without ragging the engine?

 

My freind went from rear 22" tires to 24" on his chain drive 300 Lakota, He lost some top end but does not bang every object on the trail any longer. Also the tires were more agressive and he goes through place easily that use to give him trouble.

 

A lot of times people pick a 4X4, and a lot of times it's overkill...and they end up on a huge 700 pound slug. I guess they figure better safe than sorry....

For me, my motto is to "never ride a utility anywhere you can ride a sport quad"! Here in the southwest, that means I am just fine 95% of the time. Only when the rocks get to big, the streams get to deep, or I go deliberately looking for snow, do I actually need a 4wd. (People think the desert is just a bunch of sand.....not so! Most So. Californians have to drive several hours to get to dunes.)

I would say take a good look at your local conditions, and if you see any sport quad riders, flag them down and ask how they are doing. Also inquire at your local dealerships. There are lots of sport quad tire options out there, and also light winches intended for sport quads.

They need to make these in 23" front/22" rear..... http://www.itptires.com/sportatv/mudlite_sp.html

 

I ride trails with my 400. Its just fine, and most of the fun mudding spots are now closed down, and there really isnt much need to 4x4 for trail riding. If you go the bigger diameter tires on back, go for one tooth smaller sprocket on front. Thats one of the best mods Ive done to it, really helps the acceleration, and only kills top end by a small bit.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: fenrec
Most of the people I see riding quads are on utilities...but I think that is more dictated by their dual purpose nature.</end quote></div>

For your area I think you might have hit the nail on the head. I have a 400ex and I go everywhere my cousins and uncles go on there 4x4's We're about 50/50 sport to utility. There has never been a place we've road (only ride trails) that any of the sport quads can't make it.

BUT if you see everyone else riding the 4x4's then you should go talk to some of them and see where they ride. Make new friends and riding buddies. Like like RR said above, most 4x4 is over kill I'm in Northern CA and we get our share of every weather thinkable but i know its not as bad as AL. Talk to the locals but be weary of all the sales guy they will want you to buy their stuff. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Good luck in your purchase!

 

We do not have many sport ATVs on our trails I think more due to them having no racks for camping , hunting , fishing and massive amounts of beer , but there are many 2wds Utilities. I,m just amazed at the trails a 2wd can get through they just have a different riding style. A 4x4 will creep through that hard spot while the 2wd will gun it and let the roster tails fly to get through.

 

personaly if your gonna get a 400, go to a suzuki powered machine , they have got more power than the ex and ride good on trails, i have never had a problem with mine and i ride in some pretty rough stuff here in southern west virginia . my buddie has a ex with the 440 kit and still cant run with me

 

A compromise might be one of the 2wd smaller utilities. I had a 2wd Rancher once, and it was nearly as sporty as the 300EX I had at the time. You get racks, fenders for mud protection, and better ground clearance. The big advantage is, you don't have 40 pound of extra weight on the front end where it does the most harm. A 2wd Rancher 420 should rip!