Can 400ex handle water?
#1
12-15-1999, 02:47 PM
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I have a stupid question for everyone regarding riding a 400ex in water. I want to find out how well it will stand up in 2' or less water, specifically the rear axle bearings.
I had an '86 250R with a +2" axle, and after two rides in the Pecos river, shelled out the rear bearings, almost destroying the bearing carrier with it. Now I'm not sure how good the bearings were to begin with, but suspect whoever put the longer axle in didn't quite get the o-rings in right, or should have replaced them. I'm sure the added side load of the 2" longer axle contributed to their death, but also think the sandy water killed them quicker than normal riding would have.
This is one of my favorite riding areas, with shallow water and long sand bars, and I need to know how a new stock 400ex will hold up. I'm considering selling my 300 4x4, which does great even when the water covers the front fenders, to get a 400ex, but not if I can't at least cross the water between sand bars, anywhere from 1' to 3' deep.
What do you think? Would the stock bearing carrier hold up to repeated underwater runs, or will I be replacing bearings continuously? I was also concerned about a previous post that mentioned bogging when entering water but couldn't find the thread, did someone figure out if dielectric grease on all the terminals would help prevent this? Thanks.
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I had an '86 250R with a +2" axle, and after two rides in the Pecos river, shelled out the rear bearings, almost destroying the bearing carrier with it. Now I'm not sure how good the bearings were to begin with, but suspect whoever put the longer axle in didn't quite get the o-rings in right, or should have replaced them. I'm sure the added side load of the 2" longer axle contributed to their death, but also think the sandy water killed them quicker than normal riding would have.
This is one of my favorite riding areas, with shallow water and long sand bars, and I need to know how a new stock 400ex will hold up. I'm considering selling my 300 4x4, which does great even when the water covers the front fenders, to get a 400ex, but not if I can't at least cross the water between sand bars, anywhere from 1' to 3' deep.
What do you think? Would the stock bearing carrier hold up to repeated underwater runs, or will I be replacing bearings continuously? I was also concerned about a previous post that mentioned bogging when entering water but couldn't find the thread, did someone figure out if dielectric grease on all the terminals would help prevent this? Thanks.
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#2
12-15-1999, 04:35 PM
Ive been riding my 99 400ex in missouri creeks all summer. Including a trip to little sierra in OK.(sand) I also competed in nine hare scrambles. After riding at a place called Chadwick which involved several hours of water from six inches to two feet deep. I decided it was time to pull the rear axel and swing arm for inspection. Found no problems. Repacked the bearing and reinstalled. Im not into big air so this may have contributed to my good luck. But I did hammer through a lot of creek beds and water.
#3
12-15-1999, 04:39 PM
Well....ATV=All Terrain Vehicle. Usually from what I heard, the 400ex does good in water as long as you do not continuously go into water minute after minute. And if you do have a water problem in you bearings than up grade your bearings and seals with aftermarkey ones. I know that honda does not have the greatest bearings in the world!
xcracer250x----92 250x---96 cr125
xcracer250x----92 250x---96 cr125
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