lower gear ratios mean higher top speeds. You will notice the 450 has a much lower 1st gear ratio, giving up some low end grunt. But 5th on the 450 is just a little lower than the ex, losing top end.

The point of the post, however, is the ratios and thier relation to each other. Notice that the difference in the gear ratios of the ex is larger between any 2 gears than in the 450. This means that the rider needs to shift faster throughout the powerband.

 

ok, i'm a lil confused. on the 450, because of the close ratio gearing, do u have to shift faster? or is it that with the 400 cuz of the lack of close ratio gearing, that you have to shift faster?

 

On the 450, the steps between gears are smaller. So, you are going to run out of gear sooner, and therefore need to shift sooner. On the other hand, you don't want to short shift the 450, because the motor does its best work at higher RPM.

 

ok, kool. that reminds me of when i rode my buddie's yfz 450 after riding my 400EX. if i pulled a gear low while turning, it would stall, but i felt like i was shifting every half second when accelerating. i prefer the way the EX is set up. jmo