I am just starting to educate myself and I am leaning towards a Honda 400EX, but wanted to know other than the extra 50cc what does the 450R bring? As with Honda/Acura cars and motorcycles the EX is usually the deluxe model and the R is more race tuned. Same situation with the ATVs? If I recall the 450r was thousands more than the 400EX.

That leads me to the point of buying. What would a good price be expected to pay for a new EX? When does Honda do their clearance on atvs and do they run any special financing?

 

Yes, the 450R is a race bread machine with lots of power. The 400EX is a more tame machine that is GREAT for trail riding.

Not sure about when the best time to buy is.

 

The difference between the two is night and day. As far as I know nothing interchanges on the two as they are completely different models. The 400EX is a great trail machine that will pretty much last forever if cared for by doing routine maintenance. The 450R is a race machine that will require a LOT more maintenance than the trail machine because of it's state of tune.

Usually if you're from a northern area of this country, the best time to buy would be in January or February. This is the month hardest on the dealers because it's after Christmas and people are paying their credit cards down from the holiday season. Plus it's still cold out and not that many people are riding. This is the time when you will find deals on machines and financing.

 

The biggest difference is the engines!!! The engine designs and concepts are totally different!

The 450 engine is an ultra modern "thumper" design, the uses formula 1 technology (way oversquare, little light slipper piston, etc.). One nice thing about this engine is that Honda seperates the engine and transmission oils....God bless them!!! All of these engines (not just the Hondas), need frequent oil changes, and frequent valve adjustments aren't a bad idea either!

These engines are all about rev! They scream and make their power way up high in the RPM range. They don't like to lug, and they don't like to go slow. Slow technical trail riding, requires a lot of clutch slipping, which gets real old after a while.

Read an excellent article about thumper engines here:

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


The 400 is kind of "old school". This engine will run trouble free forever, with just basic maintenance. This engine will lug down, and doesn't mind being ridden slowly. In technical terrain, I can put mine in 1st gear, and just idle through the rock crawling sections.

So, if you ride open country or fast open trails, the 450 is the hot ticket! Pure fun, and the thrill of a screaming high tech engine!!!

If you ride tighter slower trails, or even semi-technical terrain (or just need to ride slow with the kids), then the 400 is a real peach!