Hey thanks for the advice. The reason I didn't mention raptor was because it's a bit top heavy and I think it would be hard for me (Weighing 140 pounds) to handle. I figured a lighter flickable 450 would be better suited for me or a 400ex just because it sits lower, but most of the racing we do is in trails.. we hardly ever drag.

Do you think the 400ex would be ok for that? Although I really do think I want a 450 i'm just not sure how much extra maitenance is involved and the average life expectancy of one. I'm going to test drive on this week though.

 

On my TRX450, I change the oil and filter every 3-4 rides(once a month) and clean the air filter every other ride. The manual doesn't call for the first valve adjustment until 250 hours. During the break in period I changed the oil a bit more frequently. I ride all tight trails in the Rockies. The 450 does just fine, plenty of power to get through anything. On a 450 you will be shifting more than you would on a 400 or a Raptor. Because those are true trail quads, they have taller gears. They don't rev out as fast. If you ride tight trails, you may want to think about a quad with reverse. Don't forget about the Z400.

 

Ok, that doesn't sound bad.. but will it wear down quick? I know my friends 400ex has been running the same since the day they bought it

 

It has been running strong every weekend for the past 2 years. Not a single issue.

 

TRX450's and YFZ's are both awesome bikes and LOTS of fun to ride. I've never ridden the 400EX but it sure gets great reviews (and it has a much simpler motor). Almost any new bike will be reliable if you're good about oil changes and regular maintenance. Take good care of it and it will take good care of you.

 

ive had a 400ex, sold it and got a raptor and now i have both the raptor and a yfz450. the yfz450 is hands down a better trail bike than the raptor. you can whip the 450 around the trails like nothing and even with my raptor lowered it still doesnt handle turns worth a *****. not to mention its hard to keep the front end down. i love drag racings the raptor tho. take off to 4th gear riding a wheelie [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

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

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Raptor450



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







FYI the 450s will beat the 700 in stock form. Add the 3 main mods and you got a rocket.















I don't get Raptor owners. Some body can be asking about a completely different ride, like they are here, and they ALWAYS have to recommend a Raptor. The Raptor is a nice quad but he didn't say he wanted a Raptor. He didn't ask about a Raptor.</end quote></div>







It appears that neither one of his choices will be the best machine for his riding style. A Raptor 700 will suit his needs, IMO. If he wants to win drag races the 400EX won't cut it. If he wants a good trail machine the 450 won't cut it. But to suit you cry babies, to answer his question, between a 450 and a 400EX, I would go with the 450.







FYI the 450 is not faster than a 700. We took a 400EX with 440 big bore, pipe and all the goodies, a YFZ450 with a pipe, filter, adjustable CDI, and my stock 700 to the dragstrip(see pics). The 400EX lost every race, I beat the 450 twice and he beat me twice. When he beat me, it was by .2 of a second in the 1/8 mile, I have the time tickets to prove it. I think if I added "3 main mods" I could lose at least .2 of a second off my time.</end quote></div>



You are a better rider than him. That's all I can say. The acceleration on the 450s is better than that of a 700. The 700 (stock) pulls a little slower than the 450s. The 450's should be able to get to top speed faster. That just proves that you are a better rider.</end quote></div>

I took the riders into consideration, I know it is a big factor in racing. Me nor the other guy are great dragracers, but I do have more experience than he does on ATVs, but he is no slouch. They switched riders to a better racer than me, and I beat him because he dumped the clutch off the line and just sat there spinning the tires (the track was very slick that night). The 450 was going faster than me at the finish line, he was going around 68mph and I was running around 66mph. So yeah, he was getting to top speed faster than I was, and if the race was longer than 1/8 mile he may have pulled ahead of me. But the point is, he has mods and I don't, so I'm not convinced a stock 450 is faster than a stock 700 in top speed or in a drag race. We will be going back to the track, hopefully with my buddies with their modified 450R and modified 660 and see who wins.

 

I have a yfz450, by far it has tons more power than the raptors, and is way faster. But for mainly trail riding, you cannot beat the raptor. It has fuel injections, Hydralic clutch and is way more comfy. Do not buy the 400ex they have no *****. I have not had a single issue with my yfz and it has over 200hrs on it.

 

I think you would be quite happy on either a 400ex or a z400... (I would personally choose the z over the ex...) Both are great trail machines and will beat you up a lot less than a yfz450... (which I have) The yfz is a ton of fun, but its a rough ride on the trails and will wear you out faster because it's just so hard not to rip around on it because it's just too fun to give that quick throttle a flip...