we went riding for four days and we lost the top end on the blaster so the dealer there has a 99 400ex so i traded in the trailer queen ds 90, and will pick it up next time we go ride. i asked in the honda forum but i guess only one person knew any thing. does anyone know the things to watch on them, it will be my sons ride he is in the process of reading all the magazine back issues that we have, kind of feel bad for him everything he reads says the suzuki is better, so i had to show him the race section, and all the honda wins, he was excited about that. well any help will be great, don't need any engine mods yet he is to young for those, but filter and jetting would be great it already has a pipe so it should be good in that area. well thanks for any info

 

There really isnt much that goes bad on the ex. They are very hearty machines. Honda quads will just about run forever if you change the oil and put gas in them.

 

knew i would get info here on the bomb site had over a 100 looks on honda and one reply. maybe they are that good that they never break, so they don't know.

 

Check out the rear brakes. My friend has gone through about 3 sets of rear brakes on his 400ex. Other than that if it hasn't been beaten too bad then it should be in good shape, they are reliable quads. Of course you always want to check for abuse or damage from a rollover that isn't always visible like a bent steering stem or slightly tweeked frame.

 

Watch the air filter. A buddy put a Uni in the box on his and I guess there is a harder piece it mounts to and it had slid away from the mount area. This happened last Oct. and needless to say. . . he has a new Trinity 440EX with all kinds of new parts (Sand got everywhere.)

I think they are a great bike just not enough power for some of the tall steep sand hills we have (with bigger riders.)

He will love the ability to wheelie it.

 

Rockey is right about the brakes, unless it has the block off plate for the parking brake, I can just about guarantee you will need new rear brakes, but they are only like $20. I have bought about a half dozen 400ex's over the years, all used, all needed new brakes. Also check for bent axle, and stress cracks on the frame. The 400ex is probabaly the best used quad out there for the money.

 

You should of looked over my Son's 400 ex last weekend, He's 13 loves the power and wheelies, they do run on the Hot side so if I were you I wouldn't run it up Comp to many times without a rest. An after market oiler cooler helps I've been told. Mod wise, there is anything and everything out there if you enjoy that. So far we haven't had any problems other than He doesn't have enough money to do the things he would like. I have had a 300ex for a couple of years that has never failed me as well, been rolled many times, brush it off and jump back on, always starts. They both are a little cold blooded, but solid - can't knock Honda to bad they have held off on a new sport model, but that what keep the 400 ex popular I guess.

By the way, if anyone is interested my 2001 300EX will soon be for sale, replaced it with a 650DS[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

hey thanks dasandbomb it is for the boy he will want a few runs at comp but there just isn't that many kids to race so i think he will be ok. have you got those gears ordered for that ds yet, i might be temped to buy them for you so i could see the look on the dale face when he looses to another school bus, i think i'll bring shells stock pipe next time, so i can tell him hers is stock. well let us know when you are going again, i want to bring a few of my other friends they would love to race, your canandale guy, they are the best starters i've seen so they could take his rolling starts. hey look forward to another ride.