400ex to yfz450?
Mar 1, 2010 | 06:24 PM
#11
Thread Starter
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Weekend Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, MO
trx450r would be sweet...but could never convince my wife (not 100% sure I can convince her to let me buy my buddies). If I don't buy my buddies I'll stick with what I have for a year or two
Mar 1, 2010 | 08:59 PM
#12
Range Rover
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: cheyenne wyoming
I think you will be happy either way, your situation says you got a lot of responsibility... if you can simply get out and play more would probably bring a brighter smile... they are both great machines, the YFZ is simply built more track orientated than the EX, and simply has more power stock for stock. now which one is the more fun, thats up to opinion. i guess what does your gut, and wallet say... either way just have fun, that is what the sport is all about...
Mar 1, 2010 | 10:56 PM
#13
Extreme Pro Rider
Mopar Man!
Mopar Man!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,333
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs Co
Cant believe I am going to say this LOL 
But if you are a trail rider stick with the Honda 400EX, these engines are built for trail riding and require a lot less maintenance than any of the 450 slipper piston engines, which is what you need for tight trail situations. As much as I love Yamaha the 400EX bikes are hard to beat for a smaller trail machine!
But if you are a trail rider stick with the Honda 400EX, these engines are built for trail riding and require a lot less maintenance than any of the 450 slipper piston engines, which is what you need for tight trail situations. As much as I love Yamaha the 400EX bikes are hard to beat for a smaller trail machine!
Mar 2, 2010 | 12:46 AM
#14
The Facility
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,062
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
For the amount of hours the atv has on it and the condition it's in (looks brand new) I don't think 4K is too high. Don't care to look on craigslist because if I buy this it'll be as much a favor to my buddy as me upgrading to a faster quad. (I imagine he'll take 3-something for it though)
Knowsalot, I think you make a great point and I wish I knew if I was taking full advantage of the 400EX. I want to say yes but I have no idea.
I doubt that I'll ever get the chance to race it (I'm a high school teacher, coach 2 sports, and will be starting a family with my wife in the next year) but I would have NO embarrassment at showing up to a race with my 400.
I raced mountainbikes in high school and then for Mizzou and was the same way. The skill of the rider in many cases is just as important (or more so) than the ride they have.
You mention you prefer the 400ex on tighter courses. Is this because the 450 is wider? That would be a concern of mine. I love the trails I can ride on right now.
Knowsalot, I think you make a great point and I wish I knew if I was taking full advantage of the 400EX. I want to say yes but I have no idea.
I doubt that I'll ever get the chance to race it (I'm a high school teacher, coach 2 sports, and will be starting a family with my wife in the next year) but I would have NO embarrassment at showing up to a race with my 400.
I raced mountainbikes in high school and then for Mizzou and was the same way. The skill of the rider in many cases is just as important (or more so) than the ride they have.
You mention you prefer the 400ex on tighter courses. Is this because the 450 is wider? That would be a concern of mine. I love the trails I can ride on right now.
It's ridability over the long haul. On tighter courses with less straightaways, the 400 is always my pick because I can just click it into third gear and pretty much keep it there and just lug the engine on a steady pace. It's far less fatiguing to ride fast than a 450 and in my opinion,..a faster way around the track than the point and shoot method.
I'm not going to lie,..Ive been smoked by 450s when racing the 400....but I've also whipped my share of them as well. A 24HP machine is every bit as competitive with a 44HP machine if none of the machines on the track can use more than 20 of them for 90% of the track length.
The YFZ has more peak torque than the 400EX as well, by about 10 ft lbs.
But when you are talking RPM ranges less than 6500RPM, the EX has more than the YFZ everywhere in the power spread. 6500 RPMs on a YFZ is still moving along pretty good even if you are in the lower gears,..however, this speed is not sustainable but for the fastest of the fast on a trail ride....much less a race.
A 450 in many cases makes one FEEL as though they are hauling butt,..much like the 2 strokes of the past, but in reality they are essentially spinning their wheels, wearing themselves out, and looking good rather than actually producing quick lap times.
I'm not picking either machine over the other. Like I said, I own both and still race both because they each have their weaknesses and advantages. I would definitely urge you to find a riding partner with one so that you can get a feel for what they offer. A 450 could be just the ticket or maybe it's not. You arent going to know until you ride them back to back. Good luck.
Mar 2, 2010 | 10:44 PM
#15
Thread Starter
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Weekend Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, MO
It's ridability over the long haul. On tighter courses with less straightaways, the 400 is always my pick because I can just click it into third gear and pretty much keep it there and just lug the engine on a steady pace. It's far less fatiguing to ride fast than a 450 and in my opinion,..a faster way around the track than the point and shoot method.
I'm not going to lie,..Ive been smoked by 450s when racing the 400....but I've also whipped my share of them as well. A 24HP machine is every bit as competitive with a 44HP machine if none of the machines on the track can use more than 20 of them for 90% of the track length.
The YFZ has more peak torque than the 400EX as well, by about 10 ft lbs.
But when you are talking RPM ranges less than 6500RPM, the EX has more than the YFZ everywhere in the power spread. 6500 RPMs on a YFZ is still moving along pretty good even if you are in the lower gears,..however, this speed is not sustainable but for the fastest of the fast on a trail ride....much less a race.
A 450 in many cases makes one FEEL as though they are hauling butt,..much like the 2 strokes of the past, but in reality they are essentially spinning their wheels, wearing themselves out, and looking good rather than actually producing quick lap times.
I'm not picking either machine over the other. Like I said, I own both and still race both because they each have their weaknesses and advantages. I would definitely urge you to find a riding partner with one so that you can get a feel for what they offer. A 450 could be just the ticket or maybe it's not. You arent going to know until you ride them back to back. Good luck.
I'm not going to lie,..Ive been smoked by 450s when racing the 400....but I've also whipped my share of them as well. A 24HP machine is every bit as competitive with a 44HP machine if none of the machines on the track can use more than 20 of them for 90% of the track length.
The YFZ has more peak torque than the 400EX as well, by about 10 ft lbs.
But when you are talking RPM ranges less than 6500RPM, the EX has more than the YFZ everywhere in the power spread. 6500 RPMs on a YFZ is still moving along pretty good even if you are in the lower gears,..however, this speed is not sustainable but for the fastest of the fast on a trail ride....much less a race.
A 450 in many cases makes one FEEL as though they are hauling butt,..much like the 2 strokes of the past, but in reality they are essentially spinning their wheels, wearing themselves out, and looking good rather than actually producing quick lap times.
I'm not picking either machine over the other. Like I said, I own both and still race both because they each have their weaknesses and advantages. I would definitely urge you to find a riding partner with one so that you can get a feel for what they offer. A 450 could be just the ticket or maybe it's not. You arent going to know until you ride them back to back. Good luck.
Mar 7, 2010 | 01:18 AM
#16
Trailblazer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
I know we are about 1 1/2 hours away from each other but I picked up a 2006 yfz 250 bill balance today for $3300. Still have nipples on the tires.
I too had a 400ex great bike but you not only have to compare power, but you need to compare componets if you are going to compare stock bikes.
If you plan to mod the bike out you are better off getting rid of the 400ex because there is not that much you can do to "wake up" the machine.
My opinion is to switch it out with something that has more potential. A 400ex is a good starter bike.
If you do keep it I would strongly suggest upgrading the suspension before racing.
I too had a 400ex great bike but you not only have to compare power, but you need to compare componets if you are going to compare stock bikes.
If you plan to mod the bike out you are better off getting rid of the 400ex because there is not that much you can do to "wake up" the machine.
My opinion is to switch it out with something that has more potential. A 400ex is a good starter bike.
If you do keep it I would strongly suggest upgrading the suspension before racing.
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