Before I got my raptor the 400ex was perfect
but I wanted more power,speed and reverse
but I still think the 400ex is one of the
best bikes in the air you can't go wrong
with the 400ex my girl friend now love's it

 

I think if the 400EX had reverse, it would be the perfect quad... then you could put some 22" or 23" mud tires on it for increased ground clearance and traction in the nasty stuff...

you might have to change the sprokets to compensate for the taller tires... or if not, you'd have a top speed of over 70mph... YEAH!

 

DrRod...Without knowing how long its been since you've been in the area.
There are still alot of great places to ride that are close. Just above Sylvan East you can ride the mountain down through Scotch Valley or head out towards 17th street and ride the mountain towards the Tyrone direction. You can cover most of that in a day, Im sure it could be done quicker but we have a tendancy to stop a BS a bit more often as the group grows. That ride has a nice variety of terrain everything from some pretty tough large rock hill climbs to tight trail. There are a few nice trails from Roaring Spring to Martinsburg, nothing real challenging but still alot of fun. I would have to say that my choice of rides would be Steele Mnt, some know it as the snowmobile trails. Ive been riding this area since I was a kid on my MX bikes. The Mnt has every type of terrain you would want, deep mud, Hugh hills (one of which I have still to see anyone ever climb but you allways have those guys that will tell you "I did it but noone was around that day" lol, You can ride Steele Mnt for a week straight and end up somewhere else every time. Thats only a few of my favorite rides. If you ever get back up this way and want to ride drop me an e-mail and we'll hit the trail.

 

But if that Recon had 2" less ground clearance,smaller rear tires and no reverse like the EX, it would be harder pressed when following behind the 450 4x4.

 

Yeah, reverse is great, and there are areas where i really couldn't have got anywhere without reverse. The only problem is that the reverse is a little annoying to use. Sometimes it just doesn't want to go back into drive. As for price difference, it's 700 bucks. And if you took that money and spent it for a new cam, intake, high compression piston, and exhaust (which would total less than $700 bucks) the warrior would be able to smoke a stock 400ex.

 

I just got off of my new 400 ex for the first time. I traded my 500 Scrambler for it at noon today and huried home to ride a bit befor dark and can say nothing but good things for the machine. I have only had abought an hour of seet time so far but WHOW!!!! dose that thing go. I have already got decent air (at least for me) and it flys awsome. All I can say is you most definetly will not be disapointed. Good luck.

 

I have ridden my 400ex in PA before and what you need is a rear skid plate, that will take care of the rocks. I went on the Madera Poker and that had every type of terrain PA had to offer and my 400 and i did great. I got through a few stream crossings that had me nervous. And i didn't need reverse once!