I just got a brand new 400ex to replace my 01 raptor. I hated the raptor. It went fast and straight, but thats about it. Its a pain to handle, and its more unreliable than a banshee. (how that is I dont know). I got my 400ex and I love it. It is just slightly slower than a 400z. You get a pipe and you cant tell the difference. Its also a lot lighter than any of the new quads. It also handles better in my opinion. The 400z should have been a lot better handling wise, and they have extreemly weak frames. I have heard of several people bending the frame in small wrecks. Theres even an article in Dirt Wheels on where to get it gusseted to fix the weak frame.
I say go for the 400ex. If you not buying it now then save up and the new honda quad will be here in December. Im going to save up for it this summer.

 

Riznaptor, How do you know the new Honda quad will be out in Dec.?

 

Just my .02 cents. If you are going to consider buying the 400EX, then you need to get it at a good price. They list for $5699 but the dealers here in Southern California are cutting huge deals on them. two different dealers offered $5300 OUT THE DOOR. Honda is getting beat up right now by the competition but I spoke with the dealer today and they confirmed that the new Sport Quad is going to be a 450cc, liquid-cooled, reverse, but wont hit dealer showrooms till November. The dealers will see it at the show in September and then start taking orders for them from Honda so the public can have them for Xmas.

 

Will the new Honda quad have the same motor the cr450f dirt bike has? Man, if it does, that thing will be a ROCKET! Anybody want to buy a 2003 kfx 400 in November![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I just bought a brand new 2003 400ex for an OTD price of $4,750 (which includes the $300 dollars from Honda). Selling the Raptor in a few weeks (it is now my spare quad). I plan to get the new Yamaha 450 or Honda 450 when the first one comes out.

/NotuRaptor

 

I bought a 03 400ex last November and i love it. It has never faultered and with a little work it is not any slower than anything else. If you are just looking for speed get a canondale. I am sure you can find one cheap since they are going out of business. Then your buddies will be eating your dust. I would have to say for a good riding machine get the 400ex. I trail ride all the time and i love it. I have never had any problem going anywhere else anyone else is going. RIDE RED!!!!!!!

 

amadrid, I'll be amazed if a new Honda sport is out by Nov. 2003. Only because they haven't announced anything yet. We've known about the Rancher 400 for awhile now and Honda hasn't even released a price on that yet. The day they release the 450 (if they do?) I'm going to buy a 400EX super cheap. Unless the new 450 is irresistible.

 

Go with the 400EX! I have one and i love it! the no reverse does suck, but it is still worth it. Up here i don't really have to worry about it being air cooled and i don't think you would have to worry either.

 

I also want a 400EX and am saving my $$$ as I type. I do have a question since I've seen the same thing come up a few times though and that is this...Are there any real problems with just air cooling? I suppose there could be power differences but for those of you who may live in a hotter climate does this really come into play? I could understand it if you were sitting @ idle for extended periods but other than that are there any real issues with, say, slow trails that you cant just fly through where no real speed is reached for a period of time?

Just wondering. I really want one bad!!!

Dave ><>

 

I spoke to 2 people at Thousand Oaks Honda and both of them said that they knew that Honda will make the formal announcement about the new quad at the dealer show but that the consumer will not be able to get them before late in the year around November. Yeah, they are using the CR450F motor. Supposed to be 30 lbs lighter than the Z400 and crank 55hp.
I'm in a quandry - do I buy now or wait till the end of the year? I hate the idea of losing a whole summer waiting. I almost bought the 400EX but knowing that the new one is coming..damn! But you can pick up a new 400EX really cheap. The new quad will probably be around $5800 plus tax, license, blah, blah...so really $6200 OTD - OUCH!