I like the 400 ex but the 450 no thanks

 

If he is going to race, mx, yfz is the way to go. It's a bit quicker and a bit faster too. Also it handles better in the mx track and in the rough sections. For the dunes, I have to love the YFZ, I for one thing was going to get the R, rode it, and change my mind. For long trails the R would be the best, because of it's more comfortable for long rides, and also I did like that the suspension felt good on slow rides unlike the YFZ, which is really not a problem. It's up to your friend, if he likes red or blue, electric start or kick starting it, but I've been thrue there and when with blue.

 

400ex+mods

 

if honda suck , it suck very good

 

personally id get the yfz

ive ridden both in the woods and dune riding out at pismo while on vacation and to me the yfz was better in both cases

 

The 400Ex would defenatly need alot of money into it to match the new 450's. Like thousands of dollars, for better suspension, and to match up the quickness of the 450's. Maybe a Z, but that still needs some cash.

 

YFZ, electric start and reverse!

 

Um, just a little correction, the YFZ doesn't have reverse, I wish it did though.

 

If you go all out and have a engine builder do the work, you could spend thousands. I've put under $600 into mine(engine,suspension,nerfs, etc) and I can give my buddies YFZ a run on the mx track gears 1 through 4 and my suspension is very impressive. He can beat me up the sand hills pretty easily, but between me and the quad I carry 85lbs more than he does. I would imagine he has 6 - 8 more hp than I do, but my gearing/mods makes mine pretty quick. That being said, if I was in the market for a new quad I would go for either the YFZ or the 450R though.

Last weekend at the dunes I was with 2 guys on piped YFZ's and another guy on a stock 450R, the YFZ's beat the 450R but not as much as I would have guessed. I imagine with equal modes the 450R would run with the YFZ's.

 

That may be true, but you really need a good motor builder to keep up with them. So has your buddy decided on anything?