it basically comes down to this - would you rather spend more time wrenching or riding? If you chose riding than get the 400. if you are retired, like to reset valves, compression, change the oil every 5 hours and can ride whenever you want instead of just on the weekends like most of us, then get the 450. I don't know about you, but when the weekend comes around I want to ride it, not work on it.

 

I'm also a Honda man but if I were in the market for a sport I would get a 700 Raptor, the special edition comes with the adjustable yfz shocks on the front and back wich would make it easier to set up the suspention for a bigger rider. Just my .02

 

i still say stick with the 400. if your not racing or wanting the fastest quad out there then the 400ex will be perfect. on my 2002 i have it piped with a pro circut t4, k&n filter and jetted. this made a huge diffrence in the whole rpm range, deffently worth the money. and u can interchange just about any part on the quad for sport ones. the 400 was top of the line a few years back before all the 450's came in. so there are TONS AND TONS of aftermarket goodies. just rember once you start getting in-to the eng the reliablity goes down, and the 400ex's reliablity is none better, (mabe 300ex is[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]). good luck, just rember that every one is going to have there own oppion, and it usually rest with what they own.

bowz

 

LoL this guy is making the 450's sound like an old 2 stroke...oh yea and im sure the oil doesnt have to be changed every 5 hours....

 

I talked to the service manager at the honda shop and he said that the maintenance on the 400 and 450 are pretty much the same but failed to show me a service calander, so Im still skeptical.

I originally started looking at the raptor 700 but its so big and bulky that it just doesnt appeal to me.

Im still thinkin of goin with the 400. I dont plan on racing and I can usually make up for a bikes shortcomings with skill (trying not to sound egotistical), and strength. So I wont win any drag races but oh well. I guess Ill just have to look for alot of 350 banshees to ride with.

Plus Ill save a grand. That makes the wife happy.

Thanx for all the suggestions. I havnt made a final decision yet but ya can see where Im leanin. Ill let ya know what I get when I get it.

 

Lots of missinformation here I'm afraid. The service manager you talked to is absolutely full of it. The 450R has a very small motor oil capacity and needs to be changed more often than 400EX and it still will not be as reliable. Same with the valves, needing adjustments more frequently and much more difficult. There are just too many tales about maintenance hassles with all Honda uni-cam motors to not believe.
You are making mistake in thinking the Raptor 700 is too big for a 6'-2" 220 lb rider. After a few minutes you will love the power and ride especially with the special edition fully adjustable suspension and EFI.
The 400EX is a great choice if you will be content with running it close to stock. It is one of the best wheelying quads of all time. If I were you I would not line up against the dune prepped Banshees though.
All of these are excellent choices recognizing their limitations; 400EX, Z400, Raptor 700 EFI, or YFZ450.
Good luck from a Honda guy.

 

450R just requires more frequent oil changes and valve adjustments once a year. The rest of the stuff about reliablity is just myths.

 

[/quote] If I were you I would not line up against the dune prepped Banshees though.
All of these are excellent choices recognizing their limitations; 400EX, Z400, Raptor 700 EFI, or YFZ450.
Good luck from a Honda guy.[/quote]

I meant to say 350 raptors.

The price tag on the 700 really kills it for my wife....which means it kills it for me too.

 

Hey hoyt read oldturtle's post. I'm not the only one who said this before.

 

yea but im pretty sure he didnt mean every 5 hours homeboy...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]