i think honda is a great company....besides the fact that they need to co e out with a more powerfull quad. the 400 is cool and all, but they do need to come out with something a little larger, and maybe liquid cooled. and one more thing about hondas, why are they turning 4 stroke? 2's will always rule.

 

Dont you think people have heard enough of this rambling on about "Oh honda needs something a little better with this and that." It'll happen when it happens. For a month after the dealer show all this honda forum had was honda and a new sport quad. Are you people that brand loyal? If you want a great sport quad get a yamaha, Dale, suzuki or kawasaki or still just get the 400ex.

 

Do you think people are rambling on about Honda needs to do this and that because this is the Honda board? Hello!

 

I agree. I too am sick of people whining about Honda needing a bigger, faster sport quad. I don't think they realize that Honda never just jumps into new product lines without extensive enginering and testing. Just deal with it. When Honda is ready to make a change, they will and I guarantee it will be a quality product. Just look at how many recalls and updates Honda has compared to other quads. Not many.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Yes its a honda board. the board is for people to communicate about their hondas, what are the pluses and minuses of them, trying to solve problems, modifications etc. etc. It is not a i wish board. I dont see why these people are still crying about no new honda.

 

Unfortunately that is the way of life. When ever a product comes out, someone else wants a little more. I guess we're just never satisfied. I just got a new Rancher and took it out for the first time. I got it up to 42 mph (not top speed) and that seemed really fast but once I get used to it, I'll probably wish it went 50. I had a 400EX that I regretfully sold (should have both, LOL) and the one thing I noticed was when climbing a steep sand hill, the 400EX basically flew right up it but the Rancher struggled. I suppose it is the extra weight and the fact it is designed more for hard pack rough stuff. Any comments? Thanks BTW, I love the ES function.

 

Honda has not made a 2 stoke in how long, Over 10 years?? If you can afford a quad.. you are probably better off than some. Enjoy what you ride. Honda is smart and test their products thoroughly, probably a little longer than others. They are oportunistic,, meaning they will succed where others have failed or dropped the ball. I'm brand loyal for one reason, I never have to wrench my hondas. If another company insured me that I would not have to wrench and rebuild after a few years then I would not even question about getting another brand. Why doesn't anyone bust on Yamaha for having some of the OLDEST model quads on the planet Blaster, Banshee, Warrior, how about the Kawa Mojavi. Jeeze honda has not updated a 4 year old machine, its the end of the world.. If you don't like it, don't buy it

 

As mentioned, Honda spends a lot of time in testing and engineering. That is because they have the best R&D team of all the manufacturers. When Honda releases something it is final. They only changed one thing other than graphics on the 400ex in 5 years, and that was in 2001 with the addition to a piece of rubber over the battery and starter solenoid. Now if you look at the first year release of the Raptor. On second thought let's not go there, too much to list. It just wasn't tested enough before Yamaha released it. The first Cannondale's had a few problems too. The engine in my friend's 'dale locked up on the first day he had it. I haven't heard too much on the z400 other than a weak axle. I know the 400ex is far from a perfect machine, but I haven't had any major mechanical faliures and I have had mine through some major abuse in the 3.5 years I have owned mine.

 

I love my Z400. =-)

 

Those of you talking about how Honda thoroughly tests, engineers, designs, whatever before releasing a new quad - please answer this:

If that is the "Honda way" then why are Honda's street bikes, dirt bikes and cars keeping up with the competition and their ATVs (especially the sport ATVs) are so far behind the competition???

Me thinks, that Honda could give a rat's *** about what the sport/high performance ATVers want? I believe that Honda is still lamenting the CPSC actions from years gone by and is afraid to build a true high performance machine.