I agree I have a 00' 300ex and It will keep up 400x,And it has a little more ground clearence. A 400ex is 4.1" and a 300ex is 4.9" so it is all up to you, But I have to say I have ridin both and the 300ex is more comfortable for me.

 

I disagree, I havent seen a 300ex yet that can keep up with a stock 400ex, I suppose if you wanted to put multiples of thousands of dollars in it you could...don't get me wrong. I have owned both, It is like comparing a Chevy caviler with a Corvette they are in different classes. Luv2ride, it depends on the experience of the riders. When I first got my 400ex, while it was still stock, I rode with a 300ex and a 350 warrior, both bored, cammed, and totaly tricked. Both riders have been racing for years, and I was way faster than them. Of course they both has thier excuses...wrong air pressue, the wind in the wrong direction, too cloudy..hehe

 

300EX = 16 HP
400EX = 28 HP

Not a chance in H3LL that a pipe will make that difference up. Either you guys are dreaming, 400EX rider needs learn on a smaller bike, or something else is very, very, wrong (note 400EX throttle adjustment problem).

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Gabe

'86ATC250R
'86ATC350X
'00TRX400EX

 

Locos,
Give us 300ex riders some credit. At least compare a camaro to a corvette. C'mon now, i think the 300ex would keep up with most cavaliers.

 

OK I AM GOING TO SETTLE THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL

THE ONLY THING THAT A 300EX CAN"T DO IS RACE IN THE CMRC EVERY THIS ELSE IT CAN DO AND I THINK THEY ARE BOTH BULLET PROOF QUAD BUT THE 300EX SEEMS TO BE MORE RELIBLE

THIS GUY JUST WANTS THE QUAD FOR RIDING TRAILS ETC WHERE THE 300EX HAS A DEFFINENT GROUND CLEARENCE ABILTY AND OO YA THE 300EX IS ALOT BETTER IN SNOW (GROUND CLEARENCE)
SO IT NEVER HAS TO BE PARKED EVER!!!!!!!!

JUST MY 2 SENSE

DG_300EX
98 300EX WITH TONS OF DG MODS

 

I hope I dont sound like a real jerk, but to me it really isnt very fair to compair the two. A 400EX is much more like a 4 stroke version of the 250R, while the 300EX is just a heavier 250X with 32 more cc's.

The price difference is less than a thousand dollars, and it would cost at least $1500 to bring the horsepower of the 300EX to a level even close to the 400EX. Just at a guess to get a 300EX engine up to 28HP you are probably looking at pipe, cam, hi-comp piston(probably a big bore one at that!), bigger carb, some kinda of porting, and all of this would have to be top of the line race mods like TC, Sparks or Powroll.

Some people have mentioned ground clearance as an issue. Well, just buy some 22" ITP XCT Holeshots like I did. I went snow wheeling just yesterday in about 7 inches of this white crap that keeps falling. This a rather inexpensive way to overcome the ground clearance issue. For a mere $220 I have a quad that is faster and can go in the snow like crazy.

Ok, then you still dont have comparable suspension, frame geometry, and the virtually endless possibilies that the aftermarket companies are coming up with. From what I see the aftermarket companies are diving full force into making the 400EX twice as good as it is stock.

The 400EX is not as good stock as a 250R, but its torquier, more even power delivery and similiar frame geometry make it a much more likely candidate for a life long quad than the 300EX, much like the 250R is. I know if I had a 250R all decked out I would never get rid of it. Just like I will more than likely never get rid of my 400EX. If you really are planning on getting and keeping a quad for a long time(say at least 5 yrs.), and putting alot of mods and time in it, at least start with the best platform available, and that is the 400EX(or 250R).

Another note is there are so many people who ride atvs(each at their own pace). That you really cannot take that someone is keeping up with someone on a 400EX with a 300EX that there still isnt a huge difference between the two. For instance I have seen a Banshee ride behind 5 utility quads, I dont think anyone would be crazy enough to say a Banshee isnt way faster than a utility quad. Just like when I go riding I can stay out in front or have no trouble keeping up with a heavily modified 440EX. Since each of our skill levels are close the bikes dont make too much difference. We each have equally good handling quads he just has more motor than me, and uses it different he torques and I rev. So whenever anyone tells me they can keep up with a 400EX on a 300EX I just take it with a grain of salt, because last time I looked behind me I didnt see any 300EXs.

Adam Smith
99 400EX

[This message has been edited by ADAM400EX (edited 02-01-2000).]

 

Matt,

You are 14 now but in two years when you are 16....You'll thank us for talking you into the 400EX. I'm a big rider as well and I couldnt imagine riding anything but my 400EX.

Good luck and at least you have the good sence to go Honda!

 

hey guys thnx fer all the response .. i have decided to go with the 400EX why u ask ? well because ima big kid and well the 300ex is maybe a bit small fer me because on my 350 is just right fer me but i could use a bit more speed. i dont plan on raceing any mx or anything like that just kinda out in the clay pits ( a huge 80 acre pit madeout of clay its really cool) welp now itz time to find a nice used one cuz mom says i gotta find a used one at a good price b4 i get a new one....
later,

Matt

 

I DONT SEE HOW ANYONE CAN SAY A 300EX WILL STAY WITH A 400EX. WHO WERE U RACING AGAINST A 5 YEAR OLD THAT COULDNT GET IT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. I MEEN THAT IS IMPOSSABLE TO CAMPARE THE TWO MACHINES. I HAVE A 99 400EX STOCK NO UPGARADES AT ALL AND I RIDE W/ A GUY THAT HAS A AFTERMARKET EXHAUST AND I LEAVE HIM BEHIND AND NEVER SEE HIM AGAIN. GO FOR THE 400EX KID. IT IS THE BEST BIKE ON THE MARKET. SOE PEOPLE SAY THE NEW DS650 IS THE NEW KING BUT I DISSAGREE. THAT BIKE IS WAY TOO BIG. IT IS ABOUT 100lbs. OVERWIEGHT. GO FOR THE 400EX OR WAIT A YEAR AND GETR THE NEW YZ400 QUAD. THAT BIKE IS GOING TO BLOW AWAY THE COMPITION. IT IS SUPPOSED TO PUT OUT AROUND 50 HP STOCK.
CHRIS400EX
99 400EX
96 KODIAK 4X4
90 LT500 "QUADZILLA"
86 ATC250R

 

Well here is my take on things. I am 6'1" and weigh 220 pounds. I ride a 250X and i have all the room in the room on it. I believe for an inexperienced quad rider such as yourself, I am talking about riding with clutches, more power, more capabilities, not that you are inexperienced, but with a sport quad you are. I believe you should give a used 300EX a try. GREAT QUAD!! after you have gotten used to that, you can trade it off for a 400EX, even greater quad!!! and about the snow thing........give it a rest, we are talking about eight tenths of an inch. Not much of anything. you will be happy with what ever you get, no doubt you cant go wrong with either of them.

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BigDog 250X