No you shouldn't have to. The top end will not wear out as fast as it does on the CFR450R. The piston has a longer skirt and not as much compression.
I heard rumors of having to rebuild after 20 hours, but that's all they were was rumors. When I go to the dunes I get over 20 hours in 3 days. Mine runs great and I've had it for over a year.
Keep the oil and filter changed often and you'll be having fun on it for a long time.

 

Honda1478-That only buy Honda thing is just dumb. You can see my bikes below. All Hondas, except for one.......the Z. If you don't get it, well........... Honda is nuts if they think they can ask the same MSRP for the old school EX as for the Z. What we really need for the trails is a TRX450X.

Yes, it's simple physics, not rocket science! The 450 revs out. The more times the piston goes up and down, the sooner it is going to wear out.......you do the math. For an extreme example, the CRF250 revs out to 1,400 rpm. At that speed, that little piston goes up and down 100 TIMES PER SECOND. Naturally it's going to wear out quickly.

 

I just picked up a leftover 04 400ex for 4400 last month, look around someone might have one left.

 

Ok ive thought about it Reconranger, and ur probably right. Now I have to make a decision....either buy a leftover 400ex for 4500 or buy a brand new kfx400(i want green) or 400ex w/ reverse. What would u guys do?

 

I just bought a leftover '04 400EX for $4380 plus tax and they also threw in a free $100 helmet. I really considered a Z400 since my cousin that I ride with alot has one. I considered the '05 Z400 but on my cousins '03 Z400 I just don't like the ergos and handling as well as the Honda. I still can't quite figure out why I prefer the Honda over the Z but it feels so much more like the natural handling that I like. Some factors that could be making me not like the Z is that my cousin weighs about 50 lbs more than me, so the suspension is probably not set up well for my weight and he has installed 22's on the rear so the gearing is higher plus this probably changes the balance some. The '05 Z might be better with the piggyback front shocks and other inprovements. The Z is more powerful and is a fabulous quad, it just isn't for me. My other cousin rides a VForce and it is a very easy quad to ride fast but again I just don't like the ergos and the heavy feeling handling effects. My other ride is a P650 and the VForce feels like the utility based machine it is compared to the crisp handling, smaller, lighter bikes. There is lots of great quads out there, you just have to find what feels best to you with the type of riding you plan on doing. I mainly ride wooded trails and the 400EX is the best handling quad for that type of riding that I have ever rode. Just my .02! Good Luck

 

Don't let someone on a forum talk you out of what you really want! I've had both the R and the EX...EX is an awesome all around, take anywhere quad. THe R is better in the dunes and high speed trails. If I could have ONLY one quad, it'd probably be a 400EX.

 

Btw, how much do you guys think I could get for a trade in on my 250ex. Its in pretty good shape, runs great. It needs new rear brakes and a heel guard, but thats all thats wrong with it.