Get a 400ex you will get power hungry if you buy a 300ex, I love my 400 very relieable machine if I say so, nothing has broken yet on it. You can buy so many aftermarket parts for a 400 it's unreal but the 400 doesnt have the suspension like the 450R does but you can put the R shocks on a 400 and its even better. I personally have $2200 into my 400ex but im gonna stop there cus i want to trade it in for a Quadracer R450.

 

I myself am a 400ex fan to the core, i mean i like the 450's but it seems like to me too many people have them or brag about them that its not even funny. Besides that look at the price tag on them the sticker price on my 400 was 5899 (05) they have went up to 5999 now i beleive, and the honda 450 is like what around 6500 or so and look at the maintainance aspect, they have to have valve jobs like no other so unless you want a full out "racing" quad for the track then i suggest the 400ex. It has good power, a good ride quality, and with a few extra dollars put into it you can customize it to almost exactly what you want it to look like as far as cosmetics, tires, bars, whatever for just as much or a little more than a stock 450. Thats why i chose my 400.

 

I've never driven a 300ex but I'll still offer my 2 cents.

Get a 400ex. If you're getting a new machine, by all means the 400ex is the #1 choice. However, if you're getting used and absolutely need reverse, get a 300ex.

Why get a 400ex over a 300ex?
simple:

-Like many have said in this thread, it's got the power
-The new models (I think as early as 2004) have reverse and is easier to use than the 300ex
-If you trail ride and feel that the 400ex is too fast, you can always lower your gearing. I'm running a 14 tooth front sprocket (15 tooth is stock) and I find that it yields incredible results. A lot of my riding is high speed however, a 15 tooth front sprocket was geared high enough so that the engine never revved to the limit. I still don't rev right to the limit but my bottom end is incredible. The powerband is so much easier to control and it is very hard to stall now. I BARELY ever "feather" the clutch now. I can go real slow in first if I want and you can change gearing in many ways. Change tire size, change sprockets or even play around with your transmission (I've never done this and never heard of anyone that has).

My opinion on the 400ex gearing:
I wish 1st gear was lower so the sprocket change was unesecary.

-Jed

 

2005 400ex is the first to have reverse.