i am looking for a new machine. what are some common problems with the 400EX? are they reliable? and how are the engines, do they hold up well or do they need well adjustment and other things done to it regularly(like every week)? i am asking because i have to adjust the valves on my mojave every week because it sucks.

 

I have a 2002 and I love it despite what some people may say, due to lack of Power, No Liquid Cooling and No reverse. The way I see it, who needs to go 65mph in the woods, No Reverse and no liquid cooling means less moving parts that can get broken and need to be fixed. I've never adjusted the valves or anything like that yet. I just do the oil changes, change the air filter, grease the chain and put in 92 octain and I'm good to go. I Beat the snot out of mine and I've never had a problem. People say that the axle bearings will go in 2 years or so. Other than that.. I havn't heard of any problems. If you want reverse and liquid cooling, just get the Z400 because its just a 400ex with the extra stuff.

 

The 400ex is about as reliable as they come. That doesn't mean you don't have to do routine maintenance. If you change the oil regularly, keep the air filter clean and oiled, and get the valves done when they need it (maybe every year or so) then it will last a long time. Just curious, why do you need to adjust the valves every week on the mojave?

 

Get the honda you won't regret it. Honda makes the most reliable equiptment period.



----Keep the rubber side down***

 

In thousands of miles of hard a$$ desert cross-country riding, the only problem we ever had was a short in the headlights. This bike is solid and will not let you down!!

 

MOJAVE02- I never had one problem out of my 400ex when I had it. I think you will be happy with it.

 

Every week? To get that far out of adjust the engine must be put under extreme duress and or very high rpm's.

What kind of riding are you doing?

Chet

 

yes, i do ride the bike at very high RPM's, but that is no reason for the valves to come out of adjustment. kawasaki claims that i should adjust my valves every 10 hours. it is not a problem with the valves, because i just got new ones put in under warantee. now it is in the shop again for a top end rebuild and another(yes another) valve job(the last one was done 1 month ago). i just hope kawi warranties the valves again and the top end this time. but thanks for all the info on the 400ex i will seriously consider it.

 

Mines to new to have problems..........

Hopefully it won't......[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

you can run the engines into the ground, and itll still run...


i had my first problem today. i think it may have been my fault though. i dont know. anyway, the axle is loose in the axle housing, so i am in the process of taking off the axle and getting new bearings, seals, everything