I'm partial to honda with their reliability, and the way I have seen Honda stand behind their product when they don't really have to.
I have an 04 400ex, last year before reverse, and the only thing I ride is tight hilly trails. It has enough power that first gear tends to want to flip you back, and can pull you up the hill in second even from lower rev's. It has great suspension with plenty of travel for a great ride that is easy to control.
The only "mod" done to mine is swapped the front tires from one side to the other to get an extra inch or two of width.
There are a couple fields for me to open it up, and it has enough power without opening the pipes up or a big bore kit.
If I do anything else to it, it will just be skid plates and things like that.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: DesertViper

ATV Sport Magazine just did a shootout on 450cc sport ATVs to see which one was the best for trail riding. Here is how they finished:



1. KTM 450 XC

2. CanAm DS 450

3. Polaris Outlaw 450

4, and 5. Tie between Honda TRX 450R and Yamaha YFZ 450

6. Kawasaki KFX 450

7. Suzuki LT-R 450</end quote></div>

none of the 450s are really good at trail riding though. the 400s and the raptor 700 are much better for everyday trail riding.

 

I have ridden a z400 on the trails and its pretty nice, but compared to a raptor 700 not even close in power. Plus most trail rides have a section for wide open riding and hill climbing and the raptor is great for those too.

 

HANDS DOWN GOTTA BE 700R NO CONTEST!!!!!!!!

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: YamRap

I have ridden a z400 on the trails and its pretty nice, but compared to a raptor 700 not even close in power. Plus most trail rides have a section for wide open riding and hill climbing and the raptor is great for those too.</end quote></div>

Umm, It shouldn't be considering the engine displacement.

 

SUSPENSION AND FUEL INJECTION MAIN REASON

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: DODGE57HEMI

SUSPENSION AND FUEL INJECTION MAIN REASON</end quote></div>

+1 the suspestion and frame is far better than the 400s when it come to the speed department.

 

the MTX450 is really an excellent trail machine

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: bigned1904

none of the 450s are really good at trail riding though. the 400s and the raptor 700 are much better for everyday trail riding.</end quote></div>

Depends on how fast you want to ride those trails. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Trails? I'm gonna have to say the Lakota on this one[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]