When the 400ex was first released did it have problems? What problems have you had with yours? The problems that I have had with mine were missing screws from the plastic, and a tailight bulb burned out. Thats not quiet as bad as the raptors a-arms and axles bending. I feel bad for the people that have had the problems. That would stink hard core waiting all that time and then something go wrong.

 

I have a 2000 400ex and it has gone threw 4 front shocks, new axel barrings, the brake snapped, oil tank moved and broke, shock broke off a arm and that was about it. I also had little things here and there.

 

A lot of people, myself included have snapped their swingarm. I dont know if its abuse or a defect though, hopefully yours doesnt! It seems to happen right up by the pivot bolt.

 

Your problems (surfer) sound more like abuse than design flaws....

I do a lot of jumping, I also inspect my bike thoroughly after each ride because of how it's ridden. I caught the crack on the lower shock mount before it became a problem. I also upgraded shocks before the stockers caused stress problems on my frame, as I was bottoming them out consistantly.

I have not broken a swingarm, although I have a bike at my house that has. It was abuse.

Nearly all the rest of the swingarms I know of, happen at the MX track, too many bad landings (overshoot or undershooting)....

My problems have pretty much consisted of a few lost screws (that I missed with Loctite), a burned out tail light, and a couple other minor issues.

 

I have a 99 and have had no problems. I ride hard (dunes), but I do take very good care of my stuff. My friend that rides the same as I do has a 00 model. It has had two problems. The throttle was adjusted improperly. Fixing that made a huge difference. And he has lost a ton of screws and bolts. I swear they changed the quality control or manufacturing process when they went full production. He has lost fuel valve, handle bar ends, plastic screws, etc. I keep checking mine and they are very tight.

 

Hey Gabe! After looking at your new picture, I guarantee that your subframe is bent. I brought this up before and I don't remember your answer. Does the left part of the grab bar sit a little lower than the right when looking from behind?

Issue 2 At that track, how far peak to peak and how high are you getting? Pictures can be deceiving, but I am almost positive you have me covered. We have a 45 ft double peak to peak that you get about 13 ft high (top of second gear) and a 60 ft tabletop, same height, but middle to upper third gear (less pitch). Waiting on recovery from getting my wisdom teeth yanked so I missed the last 2 weeks of track riding. Maybe tomorrow I can get some pictures taken.....

 

My subframe is bent just a tad, really not bad at all.

That jump was 82' peak to peak - probably clearing around 100' to land nicely in the middle of the down ramp. I'm guessing about 20' of height? Pretty much maxed out in 3rd, leaving the face at full throttle, and loading the suspension really hard for extra lift. I hit it in 4th a couple of times, but felt more comfortable in 3rd (somewhat short, rough path leading to the face of the jump prevented strong take off's in 4th)....

There are a couple more pics of that jump in the "Radical Robs" section of my site, if you didn't go there. None of them are really that good, the wife was using a camera she was unfamiliar with (older manual adjust SLR) and was having a little trouble with the adjustments.

 

I have a 99 and as for problems?????? Have not had one prob yet!! Good topic to bring up!!