First of all lets clear up this "legendary 250r" thing. In stock trim the honda 250r was not at all very impressive in relative terms. The after market companies are the ones who made this quad into a legend. If fact go ride a bone stock 250r if you can find one, then ride a bone stock 450r and tell me what you think?

Funny thing is, I really could care less about what quad does well in MX, so in my world, which is the only one that really matters the Honda has the best line up. Different strokes for different folks.

 

Hey Joe,

I agree on the bike, though my trusty XR400 has never let me down and has plenty of power so I'm not sure I'll upgrade any time soon. I assume you ride the Black Dog & Rat Rog's? I know Tom and am planning on riding sweep at the Rat Dog again next weekend.[/quote]

where on earth is that? I mostly ride jones creek, and up on mt st helons- sometimes eastern oregon such as millican or henderson.
Joe

 

Rooster, its been a while! Where are the other old timers (1999 to 2000) people on here, alaskaweasl, the guy in utah and such?
Total chrunover is amazing!

 

JRM, I agree. I don't see many members that were on here at the start of the century anymore. I don't know if they moved to a different forum, got out of atving, or just stopped going on forums.

 

Crayfish, I agree with you about eh 250R and the aftermarket. Back in the 80's both the Quadracer and 250R were very similar in performance. The 250R just proved to be more durable and it became more popular. The Quadracer actually had a more advanced engine that was more powerful, but the frame wasn't as strong and the front end didn't have as precise handling. Funny thing is that some of the mags rated the Quadracer as being more predictable on the track compaired to the 250R. This was especally true with the first year '86 250R that had a tendency to spin out.

Anyway, it is great that Honda has finally put reverse on the 400EX. However, it shouldn't cost and extra $500. The 450R has not compared favorably to the YFZ450 both on the track and in reviews. IMO, Honda should have installed reverse on the 450R to have made a truely great trail quad because a lot of posters keep saying it is more of a trail quad than a race quad. One would think that next year, Honda would fit e-start on the 450R since the CRF450X has it, so the cases have been designed. Will they, i truely doubt it.

 

Well,
I been into the 3-4 wheeler scene since 1983 and even though I own a 2003 Rincon,im extremely disappointed that in this day/age of features,Honda is STILL using drum style brakes,no front lockers,no adjustable shocks,and no reverse over-ride switch,AND they are more EXPENSIVE than their competition.

I'll be looking at another 4x4 this yr,and it sure as hell WONT be a Honda.

WAKE UP---HONDA!

Bill

 

I think that 500 bucks is to much just for reverse(and new plastic). I hope that Honda offers both an R and EX model similar to the r and x on the motorcycles. Truely give us a choice, that way the R model can come with the HRC cam already installed, different gearing for the mx track, kick start only etc. Then the EX can have e-start, wide ratio gears, reverse, essentially follow the pattern set forth by the motorcyles. One green and one red sticker for us Ca folks. Then they can do away with the 400ex and streamline there product line. But what do I know?

 

I just have one question....does honda know how to build an engine with dohc?

 

i think i can answer this one. i have both. its amazing of how this 18yr old quad can more than hold its own it terms of power, handling and reliability (mine went 16yrs before its first rebuild and really didnt need it). the plain truth is that the 250r is more balanced and handles better. there is no twitching either. besides, for those who are new to the sport or too caught up in hype, it took the manufacturers nearly 15yrs to make something comparable...

so, yes, i would say there is some truth behind the "legendary 250R" thing. honda did ok with their 450R- i mean alot of advances, great engine, excellent shocks, but they did not trump the original R. sorry. they should have made 2 versions of the 450R: a trail version w/ estart (maybe reverse) and a pure race version. regardles of my wishing, IMO, they need to: 1. move the engine slightly forward to have better balance, 2.lower the center of gravity, and 3. maybe put a slightly longer swingarm on it to get the handing better. estart would be nice as well; at least as an option.

all in all the 450R is a good bike, and i like mine, but when compared back to back and not on paper or in someone's head, it isnt the bike that the original R was.

 

Let's think of the the top dogs here now...Arctic cat, bombardier, kawasaki, polaris, suzuki...not one of them has a 450cc race class quad. Neither arctic cat or suzuki offers a big bore sport quad...

Honda has at least brought a 450cc race class bike to the table...so how does that make them the worst line-up out there? No, no I tend to disagree. Yamaha has ALL bases covered I will give them that there is no denying the truth, now if they would just specialize and make a gncc bike, tt bike, etc. So please...explain your logic in saying that honda has the worst line-up. They have a wider selection of quads over most of the other manufacturers...yet they are still worse. I don't quite understand that...except that you are brand-biase, and may need to pull your head out of the roost[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

(man nothing against you, just seems to be a common theme lately, though there is no basis for the statement)