Thinking about buying a 450es. Is $5700 a good price? I live in Nebr. Thanks.

 

Does't suprise me that your Big Red 200 will do 60 mph, mine was recently rebuilt with a higher compression wiseco piston and with the gearing I got she'll topout at 55mph, but still climbs hills good with only one person on it.
PS I like the pogo stick analogy.

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Ride the "WILD" country , South Gillies, Ontario, Canada

 

Wehem, the price is right. I bough mine for $5,695 before taxes and $6,299 out the door.

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Gap Arrington Dickson TN Honda ForemanES "and Yeller at that!"

 

Sportsman500,
My Arctic Cat 500(with 600) rides ALOT better than the 450s(with 575 miles) that I rode today. It had 27 inch Maxxis MudBugs on it but I know they didn't make that much of a difference. After rideing that 450 i am glade I bought my Arctic Cat 500 instead. I must also say that The owner of the 450 did not like how my bike leans in the turns though. We were both glade to have our quads back.

I think you would have been better off with the cat because for 1.) it's ride is second only to the Sportsman 2.)you wouldn't mind the leaning of the A.C because the Sportsman also leans in turns 3.) the A.C has more power 4.)It's bilt to last, like the Honda

I think you made the wrong choice by byeing the Honda 450 over the Arctic Cat 500. Why did you get sell the Sportsman for the 450 anyway?

Arctic Cat 500, Sorry but the 450 just ain't for me

 

The two Honda 450's I'm most familiar with had their stock shocks loosen up and ride better after 125-150 trail miles.

I had the seats recovered with extra padding on my Honda 300 4x4 and my 1998 Suzuki 500 4x4, but NOT my 1999 450ES. I've thought about doing it, but haven't. Whether or not it needs it is subject to debate, but it certainly doesn't need it as badly as the other two did! It really does help quite a bit, both in providing more cushioning, and in providing a wider seating surface. I had a 3/4" firm foam pad added to the top surface, and then another 3/4" firm pad wrapped all the way across both sides and the top, making the seat about 1-1/2" taller and wider.

Works Performance shocks (approx $600 for a set of four) do help in comfort and handling at speed, and provide more wheel travel and chassis ground clearance (but not rear axle clearance). Naturally, the extra wheel travel does cause a slight, but noticeable, loss of stability on side hills, and really noticeable forward pitch when descending scary-steep downhills.

I've also installed the Highlifter High Performance Kit (modified air box, new carb jetting, & new muffler). I recommend it for those who just have to have a little more.

I've also installed the Highlifter Big Bore kit, but I DO NOT recommend it. The power gain from 34cc was barely noticeable, and the problem with piston-slap from the cheap Wiseco piston is so bad, I'm considering buying a new cylinder and going back to my stock piston.

I'll soon be throwing out my Blackwater XT tires (nice ride and good ground clearance, but I'm SO sick and tired of all the flats) in favor of rough riding but highly reliable Bi-Claws (like those on my 300).

So far I've had no shifter problems (seemingly a 2000 models problem) or dead battery problems (apparently a 1998 models problem).

I still wish I'd bought a 450S instead of an ES, though!! I don't like floorboards period, and I don't like having to use my left hand to shift, while my left foot does nothing at all!

Gordon Banks
NEW EMAIL ADDRESS: glbanks@bellsouth.net
2000 Honda XR400R
1999 Honda 450ES
1997 Honda 300 4x4