Ive got a 2001 ds650 now and its extremely fast.But its a liile too wide for trail riding.Is a 400ex as fast /how fast is a 400 factory or how much would it cost too modify one.Im not in the desert im in Alabama.Didnt have the luxery of test riding here so i had to go buy what felt good by sitting on it. Im 6'1 and 225 would a 400 be too small

 

To give you an idea on the power difference, it takes a 440 kit and a cam on an EX to be competitive against a stock DS in a drag race. A friend of mine has this setup on his EX and I can still take him with my piped Raptor.

 

At my local riding spot I saw two different 416EX's beat Raptors.
I had my girls 400EX that day so I didn't get to race the 416's with my DS, but it would have been close. They also claimed both bikes were still reliable.

 

The 400ex will feel slightly small for you.....but you could get used to it. The thing that you are gonna hate is the power. No question about it, the 400ex is gutless in stock form. Many guys get them for their wives/girlfriends to ride. The "440 kit" only is not gonna get the performance you are looking for. You will have to invest in an full race prepped engine. Guys will tell you that they have $500 invested in their 400ex and it spanks the DS easily. Don't believe them. As a previous 400ex owner, I have been down that road.....and still got spanked by stock banshees when I shifted to 4th gear. Those 416's spoke of earlier probably did run very strong, but it comes at a price. Reliability is absolutely lower as well.
Hold off for a while if you decide on the 400ex.....I guarantee after the Z400 (gonna compete head to head with the 400ex) is introduced, Honda will HAVE TO step up with a better sport atv.
THis is why Honda is introducing the 650 Rincon....they have too! Honda knows the 500cc Rubicod will not sell compared to the 660, 650, and 700.

 

400ex Is a great trail and MX machine but i think they suffer some coming into the drag racing game. Around there is a 416 ex that will run with some moddifed banshees but he is turning 11,000 rpm and yes he has replaced his crank more than once.

There is another with a tritiny 440ex that runs damn good and from what i understand is perrty relaible if i way to build a 400ex for drag it would be a 440 with a race cam ported head, the 440 to me with the XR cam just loose to much in a drag race of course your trail riding as great neither

 

Yes, I have to admit; if you are looking for power like the DS650 has; you better keep it. The 400ex is superior in woods and mx tracks though. The reliability with the 400 will suffer if you mod it to keep up with acceleration you already have. If you can stand getting up to speed a little slower; but flying through trails; get the 400. The 400ex only weighs 399 pounds wet. Just my .02

 

I dont understand how a 400 is soooo underpowered.

When I race my Stock except WB E-series slip-on equipted 400EX against my buddies raptor (actually BOTH my buddies raptors, at the same time)
They do beat me, obviously. But not by that much!! I can out accelerate them in my first gear against their first gear, no question about it. But they dont run very far, very fast, after that. In fact, they both respect how tourquey and quick the 400 is when compaired to the 260+ CC advantaged Raptor.
Hardly enough of a difference to make the raptor the "king" and the 400 "underpowered"!!!!

Thats rediculous!!!!!!!!!!


-Matt
99 400EX, 85' 350X

 

Mr350x brings up a very good point. When drag racing piped and stock Raptors at Little Sahara,OK they only beat me by at most 2-3 lengths. I even beat some stock ones, and even piped before too.

 

I to am in the same boat. I had a 01 400ex and traded it for a 01 ds650. Then I discovered how fun it was to ride in the woods. Now I want my ex back. It does not have near the power but it has plenty if you plan on staying in the woods. Everyone is becoming so conserned with what will out run what in a drag race that they forget to realize that you dont drag in the woods. The ex has more than enough power and speed if you want it for tight, hilly woods riding.

 

I kinda agree with you guys. My girls 400EX runs pretty close (I think ) to a Raptor & my DS even on a long drag. You know, considering the difference in engine size I think it's not too bad.