if your gonna ride trails that are pretty rough i'd say get the 400. my friend just bought an 05 450r about a month ago and all we ride is trails. the first time out he was pissed because he doesn't like to ride the clutch but had to in some spots. hes had it for sale for about two weeks now looking for something more trail worthy. and the valves aren't as easy to adjust as they are on the 400. you have to mess with shims instead of turning a screw.

 

LOL, Because I had to put so much money into my 400ex to make it comparable to a 450.. Just because its what I have doesn't mean I think its the best.. You kno it? going from a 300 to a 400 isn't really a big jump.. A nice one definatly but those 450's got potential.. Wanna see pics of the one we built up? This 501 stroker was the fastest 4 stroke at Silver lake so far this year besides 1 turbo YFZ.. That is w/ out spray too. Last year the nitrous messed every trip up.. And throwin a rod threw your cases isn't cheap..

 

for tight trails a 400 will be king! that extra power on the 450 is useless on tight trails were the 400 is right at home.

 

i ride trails and the ocasional jumps... personally i wouldnt ever own a 400ex ... sure the 400 can do everything te 450r can except for go as fast... why not pay more to go faster... o and maintence... god for bid you take care of something you purchase don't whine about something you should do... just don't do maintence and complain when you don't have a wheeler taht runs.. they come with all of them just do it and get the 450r you won't regret it the 400 on the other hand is most likly going to be regretable

 

I have had the opportunity to run the 400ex and the 450r. For what I do, I chose the 400ex with one tooth down in the front sproket. It has all I could ever need for hill climbs and woods rididng. The 450r, even geared down, has a big disadvantage in the woods! Dont even think about riding a stock 450r in the woods without regearing. My buddy had to gear/pipe/rejet/and cam his 450r to keep up in the woods and he is a good rider.

 

If you are just riding trails, go with the 400. I have both and the 450R is a pain in the #$% in the trails, constant clutching to keep the rev's up. The 400 cruises much better in the trails. But, if you are going to ride the open dunes/track etc, the 450R with an HRC kit hands downs is one of the best bikes out there. Just my .02.

 

The 400 is the way to go for trail riding its got a torque curve that the 450 can only dream about. I had the same delema when I was looking for a bike and this is why I went with the Raptor over the YFZ. And lets not forget the newer 400's come with reverse.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: WheelieKing

Yeah if your goin fast enough and are in the right gear you won't have to slip the clutch.. Stock 450's are good cruisers</end quote></div>



that is bull ****

 

400 if you ride mostly trails. 450 if you ride more open, faster terrain.

The 450 needs frequent oil changed, because its little slipper piston passes combustion gas into the crankcase (all the 450's are like that...not just the Honda).

http://www.belray.com/scripts/...1d7-b921-64a4cf6d0144


The 450 will benefit from more frequent valve adjustments as well.