Thanks, I am going to wash it this afternoon, and I will check it out.

$6300 is a bit much. I got mine for 5199, most of my ridin buds got theirs for 5099 (+tax, setup, license, comes to about 5500-5600) They are worth it.

 

86atc250r,

I have to admit I've been riding less yrs. than you. I started when I was 7 so this spring makes 19 yrs for me. I would go into race stats with you but I'm sure you're not interested.

Anyways, the point is some of us are'nt in KS anymore and we've woke up to reality. I NEVER said a STOCK Warrior would beat a 400EX. However I did say that the EX needed a little REFINEMENT. (REF=frame & engine smoke)

I will state that an EX can NEVER take the abuse that a Warrior can.(both stock) I will also agree that the Warrior is outdated, slow and has crappy handling. It needs an upgrade, bigger and better things have came along since '87. This quad is in it's 13th year of production and has no defects structurally or mechanically. (not to say there aren't a few lemons)

But, that's not the issue of this post.(400EX vs. Warrior) The issue is that YOU refuse to admit the EX has a frame and engine issue. I'm not EXhatin', just trying to for-warn a problem.

I would really hate to buy a quad made for Racing, give 5-6 grand for it and have to replace the frame & engine because it couldn't take it.

Whatever you like and ride is fine by me and I didn't mean to hurt your Hondapride.

 

Now Duster,

I assume you are trying to insult me because of where I live? Take a look at my profile, most of the info is bogus, including where I am from. I would correct all that stuff, but unfortunately this site can't figure out how to make it all work. Grow Up.

Have you looked at my pics (see the link below)? When was the last time your buddy's Warrior was air'd out like that? Mine goes thru that practically every time I ride it, and still hasn't broken anything yet. All I am saying is that given the SAME punishment, the Warrior would show more serious problems. Unforunately it isn't capable of putting itself in a position to be punished the same.

Oh yeah, I never mentioned I have a buddy with a Warrior that rides his hard. I won't go into the details of the experiences it has had, but let's just say his hasn't been the pinnacle of reliability your friends has been. Although I do have another buddy with one that hasn't been ridden hard, and can you believe that he hasn't had much trouble with it? Amazing how that works.

It's not that you are attacking my Hondapride. In fact I am very seriously considering a Cannondale when it comes out, I don't owe Honda anything, it's just that they have offered the best bikes for me for a long time. It's your condescending tone and persistent exaggerations on topics which you have obviously had very little exposure and practical experience, that gets to me.

You come into this forum, see a couple of posts (eg. engine smoke thread, frame stress thread), then jump on the wagon and start rambling on like you are some sort of expert on the topic. That bothers me. Although after seeing your posts on various topics since you have joined on here, I can tell how much you really know. So why don't you go to the Polaris forum and talk about something you actually have some experience with. Which leads me to my next point. You don't see me over there telling those guys the problems with their bikes, you know why? I don't currently own one, don't have any desire to try to impress/stir up those guys, and don't care to argue with them.

 

I don't see any point in keeping up this "pissing contest" with you any longer. It's obvious to me now that you will continue to dodge the only point that I'm trying to make. After going back through my e-mail notifications, I realized that you were the only one that seemed to be out for an arguement.

You my friend seem to be the only one in DENIAL of the fact that the 400EX has a few problems that Honda needs to address. (not to say that others don't have problems too)

Also, I don't think I have said anything that warrants personal insults from you. I mearly stated a couple of FACTS. I ride with 400EX owners every weekend and I have only stated facts that they have told me and proof I saw with my own eyes. THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS.

Oh, by the way, I don't own a polaris. However, I will be taking over payments on a tricked out 2000 Team Alba Warrior with lots of extra's, that I've been riding all weekend. This quad is scarry-fast for a 4-stroker and handles excellent. It is impressive enough that one of my riding buddies will be giving me a good faith deposit for 1st dibbs to take it off my hands when I buy a Fx400 or the like.

Duster
2000 Team Alba Warrior
...too much to list

 

I think we are both guilty of the insults, I apologize for my part. As I said before it's the condescending / "told ya so" tone that rubs me wrong.

I don't think I have dodged any of your points. I have offered my thoughts on both the frame and engine issues, as well as acknowledged the issues on my own bike. You, on the other hand have not once responded to any of my statements that the Warrior, for instance, would do no better given the EXACT same treatment. In fact, you continue to insult and bash in other threads.

As for the Polaris statement, sorry, I could have sworn you said you had an S400 or 400L or the like, back when you were arguing with Toyman about a S500 and 400EX in a drag. It just seems like you have started plenty of arguments since coming here, you also seem to work in some Honda bashing in each of your posts. I am wondering why.

BTW... If you don't mind me asking, if you're not riding a Polaris right now, what are you riding?

You would probably be much better received posting with a little less "I'm not trying to bash or insult, just trying to...". If you have to explain that you're not, that usually means you are.

Congrats on the new machine, hope it makes you happy. Maybe the FX400 will be the end all - be all quad and we can be friends .

PS... Keep an eye opened for a guy named Aaron riding a '99 EX in Fayetteville NC. He'll be more than happy to demonstrate what the EX is (and isn't ) capable of. Fun to watch if nothing else.

My apologies to everyone else for continuing this meaningless dialog, this will be my last post to Duster....

 

I almost forgot, another thing to keep in mind on the control arms and other areas flaking paint is that the 400EX is not powdercoated like the Honda's of old. This causes the paint to crack and chip much more easily in area's of flexing (also note the greater instance of rock chips and paint flaking that simply did not occur on the older bikes).

I have been thinking of magnafluxing my lower control arms to see if there are any real cracks or if the paint has just flaked. I'm guessing the paint has just flaked (so far) on mine as I managed to overshoot a double on Saturday and landed on the front hard enough to jam a wrist, bend the front wheels, and squish a nice set of aluminum bars w/crossbar with no apparent damage to the control arms.

Another thing I have noticed after riding with and talking with other EX owners is that riders that weigh in around 200 (or more) have a far greater instance of broken stuff than riders that weigh around 175 or less. Go figure...... Anyone else noticed the same?

As to not upset certain individuals, no, the 400EX is not perfect & there are some things I wish Honda would change, but it's not nearly as bad as you make it out to be.

 

It is my understanding that the Honda TRX250R frames were constructed out of cromoly, not mild steel as I had previously thought. Are you guys sure that this frame isn't just thin-walled chromoly tube?? Welded areas of chromoly aren't as strong as the nonheat affected areas.

 

Everything I have seen says that the 400EX frame is made of mild steel. I was under the impression that my old 3 wheelers where chromoly as well.

I have noticed that my 400EX frame will dent on the bottom where rocks hit, where my 3 wheelers would not.

 

Hey, I would like some undercarrige protection. I don't have all that much to spend ( had to buy my 400ex with my own money). www.prm-atv.com has skid plates and stuff for cheaper, but is it made of bad quality? should i go with the 129.92 DG skid plate as compared to the 65.95 PRM skid plate?
Just thought I'd ask after hearing about rocks cracking the frame.

Chuck

'00 400ex

PS: I'll be racing the monster warrior tomorrow! Tough match!

 

Rocks weren't cracking the frame, only denting it and chipping the paint.

I really need to get some protection too, but want to find something as light as possible, as some of the offerings are quite heavy. Haven't looked into it much yet though as I am trying to sell our extra house before spending much money on my 400....

Let us know how the Warrior race goes!