Ive been riding for 5 or 6 years now but just revently got into the sport world. I know on a utility you can stand up and put all your weight forwards on steep climbs but want about a sport. CAn you put all your weight forwards or will it take to much weight off the back and cause you to spin out. I am just wondering thinks for the help guys

04 400ex
pro circuit t4
tuff nerf bars
renthals
razors
douglas wheels
k and n air filter

03 wolvy
fmf megamax
25x10x12 bearclaws
uni air filter
pro flow kit
unlocker

 

i just sit foward on the seat when i go up step hills i dont really stand up when goin up hills unless im lookin for rocks or logs in the way i just sit like almost to the gas tank forward... i guess u should just go out and try it a couple time see what feels the best

 

I grew up climbing wicked hills! Around my house, if you don't hill climb you won't be doing much riding.

If you can, the best technique is to just sit and find that balance point where you are almost doing a wheelie, but not quite. That is where you will find maximum traction! If the climb is technical, yeah you are going to have to stand up and finess your way through it.

Sport quads climb hills using MOMENTUM. Light weight and a favorable weight to power ratio, are the sport bikes big advantage. You do NOT try to grapple for traction like you would on a 4X4 utility! Attempting that tactic will get you crashed.

I find the 400EX to actually be a very good hill climber, because all its traction gets to the ground. More powerful bikes will spin their wheels, and actually lose traction and waste that extra power. We have a place locally called Hungry Valley (Gorman). You see pictures of it all the time in the magazines (almost every issue), because they test bikes out there. It has some wicked hill climbs! After a while the surface gets a slick hard pack, which will make your rear end fishtale if you aren't on your game. Plus, there can be overhangs to deal with. I was out there last weekend, and the 400EX was climbing stuff better than anything. I was riding with a Rincon, and I was kicking his butt.......... He had a 250cc displacement advantage, but that couldn't match the EX's 225 pound weight advantage! I was doing stuff that many dirt bikes were having trouble making.

 

IMO the 400ex isnt that great of a hill climbing machine.my buddy has a 02 piped,jetted and aftermarket airbox,his machine pretty much falls on its face when he attempts long steep inclines were as my scrambler will climb the same hill without even really trying..

 

After owning a 400ex peviously, I would not recommend the 400ex as a good climber. The way light front end wants to come up on steep grades. Wheelie machine = yes, climber = no.

 

Never found a hill I couldn't climb on my ex. I personally think it is a great hill climber. Keep in mind that tires come into play a lot when it comes to climbing hills.