I took my 400EX out yesterday for a little fun trail riding with some friends, caught rut that tossed me like a rag doll. Few bumps to my ego and thankfully no serious damage to my quad. I did bend a tie-rod which we beat back somewhat into shape so we could continue to ride a while longer. I'm just running a stock machine and just trail ride, occasionally hitting the jumps but no serious racing. Does someone make an aftermarket replacement that is a little stronger without going into a full suspension kit or "race tech" quality at "race tech" price.

 

The tie rods are $8 a piece. They are cheap because they are cheap. I keep a spare where ever I have a 400ex. Go to the bike shop and buy 2. You have to have a weak link. If the tie rod doesn't bend something will. A wheel is around a hundred dollars. The steering stem is $200. The frame would be???? Do you see where I'm coming from?

 

Totally agree. Try putting a price on the weakest link if it ends up being your wrist. Tie-rods are super cheap. Do you think the accident might not have happened if it didn't bend?

/jon

 

It seems that if it was that weak it would brake sooner or later,or are they just super cheap and ssuper weak???

 

Actually OEM steering stems for 400ex's are only about 50 dollars.

 

yea but who wants OEM?

 

I'm one who feels the "weak link" that manufactures put into tie-rods is too weak. One can put on a stronger set of tie-rods and still not worry about damaging other parts. You can replace stock ones with stock and for some, that is fine. I rather repair it once and never have to worry about it again.

So did the rut bend the rods or the roll-over? If it was the rut then I would put a stronger set on, if it was the roll-over, well it doesn't matter what you put on because something is bound to break or bend when you quad isn't on it's wheels.

 

The Burgard stem on my 400 was right at 200, I already have a bent OEM part. Didn't want a collection of them.

 

noone does.. that's why aftermarket parts are available.. so when you break or bend your OEM parts they can be replaced with Stronger parts

 

I'd buy a stock 50-dollar steering stem before I would spend 200-300+ dollars on an aftermarket one. Its cheaper if my stock steering stem bends than my handlebars! Speedy, aftermarket parts are not necessarily stronger than OEM. Take rims for instance stock rims are way stronger and lighter than your normal Douglas 190s or T9s.