After deciding to sell my LT and buy a 400EX, I finally had a chance to spend a fair amount of "quality" time on a '99 400EX. I was very disappointed, to say the least. Is this the handling all the mags are ga-ga over? The shocks were WAY stiff- so much so that it was tippy! It surely wasn't slide freindly, either. The motor was torquey, making it a wheely monster, but it sure didn't have anything higher up in the RPM range. And it really didn't feel like a 250R (as far as handling) as much as everyone has said...I'm sure I'll get blasted by Honda guys for this, but I could cut corners under that EX with my junky '87 LT!
I'm sure if I could've set the shocks, changed the front tires, and played with it some more, I could've gotten it more to my liking. But after paying $5699 I'd sure have expected more. I'll just keep my "crappy, slow, prehistoric" $1600 LT- and have $4099 to hop it up with!
Greg Coats
'87 LT250R
'00 Rancher (see I don't HATE Honda )

 

Good question....I agree with you on most of your complaints.

 

I think they suck. motor wise.

 

I'll agree with you on your 'findings' with the 400EX. I have an 86 LT and I love it, it feels like you can't wreck it. You feel as if you are part of the bike, not on top of the bike. Now, I am not saying the LT is perfect, cause it is not. But, I see no other quad on the market today that can make me justify spending 6 grand for something equal to or less than what I have already. I like the fact that the companies are coming back out with the new sport machines, but I also think they are living off of 'borrowed' time. 10 years between a 1990 and 2000 model street bike or a dirt bike, is a night and day difference, no comparison. Show me the ten, even 14 year difference between a 2000 quad and an 86. I see no 6 thousand dollar difference. Later

 

Amen brotha, I see no reason to buy a new quad when my "gran pappy" Quad can run circles around them. But I do have to say, when suzuki comes out with there DRZ 400 motor in a quad, I will be tempted to buy one. But who knows, for now my LT does me just fine!