So here is a quick question. Do you think a bone stock 01 400ex would make it through the whole Baja 500 with no problem or major problems? Or will it just end up breaking 1,000 parts by the 50th mile?

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Trail Riding - 2001 Honda TRX400EX

 

As far as durability, it is probably the absolute best machine you could ever pick! Honda has always dominated Baja, and in its day the 400EX was king!!!

That said, no way are you going to even come close to winning against all the 450R's. Usually one would gusset the frame and locktite every single nut and bolt on the whole machine. Plus, you will be beaten to death if you don't have some awesome aftermarket suspension. It is also a good idea to widen the quad so you are more stable at high speed. Lots of other very important things like skid plates and great rims and tires, superb lighting for night, etc, etc. (It is interesting that Honda ran the 700XX last year. In my mind it doesn't make a good desert machine, but they need to promote it somehow, so they chose this venue.)

If you are serious, you might want to go on "racedesert.com" or "offroad.com" and look for some advice. I would not try it, unless I had lots of pervious desert racing experince in District 37/38. The entry fee is pretty steep, and you will need a lot of friends to drive a chase truck. The best bet is probably to use the Honda pits!

 

Cool thanks man! Yea I am not getting to serious about this just yet. It is still an idea in the book. But I do plan on taking that 400ex on a good Baja run. I am probably gonna buy some good long-travel suspension and some LED's for it for now.

 

Start by doing the Baja 250. It is short enough that you can ironman it.

 

And an IMS Desert Tank.....the one on my 400EX holds 5.3 gallons!!!

The quad can't stay "stock" for long.......