I have a 2001 400ex and LOVE IT! A buddy is selling a 06 YFZ450. I'm interested as I like to ride trails...FAST.

Any thoughts on the 400ex versus the yfz450?

 

yfz all the way...the difference in power/suspension/weight/...everything will BLOW you away.....BUY IT!!!!!!!

 

I sold my EX for my YFZ. Although I loved my EX, I made the swap and never looked back.

 

The upgrade is roughly the same as going from a 250X to the 400EX. I would do it, nothing does trails FAST like a 450.

 

TRX1000, I've heard a lot of good things about the suspension on the YFZ's. That's a big reason I'm thinking of making the switch.

Koopa, are you a trails rider too? Either way, how's the power in first and second gear on the YFZ? I was riding this past weekend up some real steep rocky hills and used every bit of power in the 400ex.

Scooter, unfortunately I've never been on a 250x so I can't compare it to a 400ex. I'll just assume that's a pretty big difference.

 

Ya, man I rde lots of trails. You sound like you ride the same terrain we do. Lots of trails and hill climbs. There is a small rock hill range behind the town I'm from. We ride it alot. The EX would handle it but, I really had to dig deep in her. The yfz handles anything I can throw at it. I love it. As long as your trails can open up and get air to her once in a while you won't have any problems getting hot.

As for the low end power. Alot of people talk about that on the 450's. They are race engines and like to rev. You can't pansy out in the middle of a climb you have to learn to use the clutch if you do pansy out and keep her reved. Kind of like like you did back in the day on the 2 strokes. It's not bad at all. You'll learn how to ride her in the first couple rides.

BTW I have experience on a piped YFZ only. I have road a Honda 450R with and without a pipe. I'm assuming the YFZ will be similar. Add a pipe. It's a must. You will gain LOTS of low end from it. Lots.

 

a pipe on a z makes a BIGG difference. my buddy has a GYTR slip-on,GYTR filter kit,holes in air box lid, cam mod,that power wing thing that goes in before the carb and running a 172 main and a 55 pilot. lets just say ...IT RUNS and susprisingly it has quite a bit of bottom end on the stock cams. my bulit ltz455 has hotcams for top end and it will still rip pretty good in my trails. but like stated before, you cant beat the power the yfz has.

 

Take the 450 you will love it

 

I have a 400 myself and have ridden and have friends that own a yamaha 450. I can tell you that they are both fast and somewhat reliable quads but the yzf450 is faster yet the honda400ex is much more reliable. Ive had my 400ex for four years so far and the only thing that ive had to do to it is change the spark plug out and ive only had to change the oil about three times.

 

Take care of the YFZ properly and you won't do anymore than that to it. I've heard the reliability of the 'ol EX spoken many times. But, I've learned the have common problems like any other vehicle. Namely, timing chain **** to stretching and headlights electrical assembly problems being the most common.