I am looking to buy a new 4-wheeler. I ride on backroads, logging roads, in northwestern pa. There is some mud, and hills. I want the speed but i don't know about not having reverse. Do you think I should pay 1000 more for a 400 or just go with a 300 with reverse and forget about the speed and all that nice stuff a 400 has.

 

What do you ride now? I owned a polaris scrambler and now a 400ex, on a heavy 500 lbs machine like the polaris you will need reverse. On a 300ex or 400ex there light enought to move around yourself. The only time when I would like to have reverse is when I'm unloading it from my truck. Think about were you are going to use it, its easy to live with out it.

 

I know that I use reverse alot. I dont exactly ride the same kind of places you do. I mostly mud ride. Howevr my cousin has a yamaha blaster and really wishes he had reverse. I know a guy that has a yamaha warrior with reverse. I've rode with him before and he seems to like the reverse much better. He also owns a banshee but for riding on trails or in muddier conditions he takes the warrior. It has pretty good speed to. I have never rode or rode with a 300 or 400 ex but I think they are pretty awesome. If you want to race go with the 400 if you mostly trail ride I would get the 300 it has decent speed and reverse which is very useful at many times. Good luck with you decision

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Matt Sibley

1999 Honda 300 4x4 Vampires and 2500 lb. winch

 

Today i got to drive a stock 400ex and i got in a place where i needed reverse and all i did was get off and push it back, it was no problem,,i also got to ride a 300ex and the power difference isnt too much different i mean the 400 has a lot more speed top end, i would probably buy the 300 and spend sum of that extra 1000 bucks on modifications, thats what i think, but there both great machines u lose no way

 

If you want speed in the least bit buy the 400. Better to push once in awhile than to kick yourself everytime you see a 400 while you are on your 300. But my 2 friends have 300EX's and I wouldn't call them slow either. If there aren't alot of times you get to really open it up then the 300 could be a better choice. I guess it depends how "power hungry" you really are.
c-ya,


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Andrew Thomas

'99 Scrambler 400 & '99 Trailblazer, both with RCR mods.

 

Reverse would be handy at times, but I never find myself wishing for reverse.

The power difference is substantial, remember if the 400 you test rode is a Y2K it's throttle is probably not right, and will kill the HP, I was quite unhappy with mine at first.

A stock 400 makes about 28 hp, a stock 300, about 16 hp, I believe the 400 weighs a little less. Makes for a definate power difference, suspension and handling on the 400 are far superior as well.

A decision on the 400EX will not leave you wishing you had went the other way, can't say the other choice would give you the same feeling, unless you just need to save the money.

BTW, it would cost substantially more than $1000 in aftermarket parts to make the 300EX compete on the 400EX power, suspension, and handling levels, then you would have a tempermental modified bike.

Gabe
'86ATC250R
'86ATC350X
'00TRX400EX

 

I was in the same situation as you this last July. What to buy? 300EX or 400EX.
I rode them both, at the dealer and out on the trail.(my friends quads)
I brought home a 00' 300EX. Why?
First of all, I like the way a 300EX looks better. I took off the front fenders(black) and replaced them with OEM red fenders. So now the entire quad has red plastic. Very, Very sharpe!!!
Second, the 300EX has more than enough power to satisfy everyday riding conditions. I have been riding quads for 10 years and there is very few places that you can't get too on this quad.
Third, It just suits me well. It feels like Honda built this machine just for me.

400EX vs. 300EX. There is no doubt in my mind that a 400 is a little better in every catagory except reverse. And that's not a big deal. If your too lazy not to have reverse, you shouldn't be out there riding.

I have jumped my 300EX between 5 and 6 feet in the air and yet to bottom out the stock suspension. I can ride a wheelie in every gear. Including 5th if I have something to launch off of. And I have the proven reliability of a Honda.

I don't think that you can go wrong with either machine. Good luck with your choice.

Chris 00' 300EX

ps. even though I am completely satisfied with the power of my 300EX. I am getting a WhiteBrothers 4-stroke power-up kit. So I can pass up my friends Warrior... he.. he...

 

I was also in the same situation about a month ago. The decision was between the warrior, banshee, 300ex or 400ex. The 300ex was a great choice. Most of my riding will be done on trails in central pennsylvania and reverse is definately a plus. This quad has been great on the trails, in the mud, on hills, and almost anything thrown at it. It is plenty fast enough stock for tight trails, and still has enough power to have fun on the straights. As long as racing isn't your primary focus, save the money and get reverse...