OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[suburban]

Hey people, first post, go easy

Ive been doing a bit of searching both here and other places on the Honda TRX400ex. Im in the market for my first quad and im looking at spending say 7.5k. Obviously i want the newest and best bike in my budget and that means late model 450's are a few g's more then i want to spend.

Now ive came accross a TRX400ex for just over 7k, 07 model, no idea on hours yet - but my main question was, would this bike suit me ?

Im just over 6'ft, skinny and my riding style will probably involve beaches / dunes / trails. I cant see myself racing or being hugely compeditive at this stage. From a more experianced side of the fence, is this bike likely to suit me power / handling wise ?

best review to date is this one;
http://www.atvpod.com.au/reviews/Honda/TRX400EX/default.asp

Ive noticed a k7 LTR450 for 7.5k online but again, no idea on the hours.

discuss

[Quad]

to dear , its better then that out there .

yfz 450 $7500
ltr450 $7000
kfx 450 $8500

[Big Jb TRX450]

im with quad....go the next step up & mount a 450
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04 TRX 450r
with a bit of this & a bit of that

[bigjon]

Would the quad suit you? Yes. Nothing wrong with the 400EX and there bullet proof as well.

Is it a good deal? Probably not. For $7,500 you can get a very decent 450. If your keen on the 400EX just bargain with the seller. The market for used 400's is pretty small and I'm sure he'll be willing to negotiate after awhile.
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Don't close your eyes during the crash, you'll miss the best part

[suburban]

thanks for the replies people

i guess the thing im going to struggle with is if i find a 450 at a decent price, as with other quads, without an hour meter, how can i tell its a good buy ? and what is a reasonable price for the above mentioned 400ex - perth

[priesty]

$7000 is pretty steep for a 2nd hand 400ex, I bought mine brand new from a dealer for 7500, maybe 5500 if it's in good nick & has nerf bars & a pipe fitted. So far as the quad itself they're better suited for tight twisty trails & such, but perform ok in the dunes etc. Just don't expect to keep up with the 450's on long open stretches. That said , I love mine & wouldn,t swap it for quids, they're a lot more maintenance free & user friendly than the 450's & the amount of hop up parts available from the U.S is staggering.

cheers & enjoy the ride, whatever you end up with.
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The term "Foolproof" seriously underestimates the ingenuity of Fools.


08 700xx

[t&l performance]

theres heaps of orsm 450s in perth 4sale these a 1 owner real nice banshee here now 2007 pipes reeds jet kit k&n only gets ridden 3 times a month when hes back from work $5500 pm me if you want his number

[suburban]

700quad wrote:

theres heaps of orsm 450s in perth 4sale these a 1 owner real nice banshee here now 2007 pipes reeds jet kit k&n only gets ridden 3 times a month when hes back from work $5500 pm me if you want his number

jon pom ?

yeh there are two banshee's i dont mind and his is one of them, but im exploring the idea of a 4stroke aswell

"profanity removed" didnt know the 400ex was worth as much second hand. interesting

[t&l performance]

suburban wrote:

700quad wrote: theres heaps of orsm 450s in perth 4sale these a 1 owner real nice banshee here now 2007 pipes reeds jet kit k&n only gets ridden 3 times a month when hes back from work $5500 pm me if you want his number jon pom ? yeh there are two banshee's i dont mind and his is one of them, but im exploring the idea of a 4stroke aswell "profanity removed" didnt know the 400ex was worth as much second hand. interesting

thats him thats a clean and pretty stout little banshee

[sioux]

you can easily find a 450 for that kinda money as for the 400ex we sold one not lokg ago and i wouldnt give more than $5000 even if it was in perfect nick
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THANKS ATVNRG - AUSTRACO

[SpecialEd_05]

450's are more aimed the track IMO. The engine in TRX400EX, while strong, is a little outdated as is the suspension. If you're looking for a nice all round trail machine in a 400, go the Suzuki LTZ400. Very nice bike and best price for what you get. The 09 model is now injected.
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2005 Banshee Special Edition
-Toomey TR6 pipes
-V-Force3 Reeds
-2-Stage Uni Filter
-BKT X-driv Tyres
-Renthal Bars
-Amsoil Intercepter

[Dazz]

ive seen yfz450 raptor 660 and 700 for that much $$$

[Prokiwi]

Mate if you are 6ft + the only bike id be riding would be a raptor 700 ...you should be able to get an 08 with some goodies for that money.
If u are sand dune bound any 400 is going to struggle with 6ft of body on it ........

and most 450s' are not built for 6ft + riders ....you will feel very cramped . Test ride a Rappy 700 then jump on a 450 and youll understand what im talking about .....
cheers
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It's time too ride !!!!!!!

[suburban]

thanks fellas. Ive been having a bit more of a look around both on and offline and while there are 450+'s out there for the dollers i have they are a few years old. '06 is pushing it so really id be happy with an '07 - id just like to get something as new as possible for my coin

there is a k7 outlaw in the quokka for 8k, but after a bit of snooping around ive noticed some average / crap reviews on the thing while the 400ex shines - but, the only thing holding me back on the 400ex is the power.... perth has many dunes, dont want to shoot myself in the foot..

Ive got my mate downsouth inspecting a LTR450 tomorrow hopefully. If he comes back to me with a good report ill look into that more seriously

[BARN-6]

ltr450s are good value for the dollar i own 2 and have no problems with them at all just make sure you dont go for an 08 unless third gear has been replaced

[Dazz]

the outlaws are totaly awsome dude !
alot of guys would kill to own one ....

[EXrider]

The ex is a great bike but as others have said it's getting on in tech terms, I have one and got bored with it quick.
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05 400ex
Bog stock

[suburban]

thanks EXrider - i was hoping to hear from an owner

whats everyone elses opinion on the polaris outlaws ?

[Predatory]

I live in Perth and race an Outlaw 525 IRS. I am stoked with my Outlaw. I have owned Raptor's 660 and 700, a DS 650, 2 x TRX 440 EX's and a Predator, I have ridden yfz 450, TRX 450, ltz400, ltr450 and a KTM 450 XC( 576 ) I was very taken with my TRX 440's for there handling, MY DS 650 was bullet proof and gave you the confidence to hit anything at any speed, Predator was great but had bad power to weight ratio and all the other 450's each have there own trait's. In my opinion my Outlaw is the most exciting of all the Quads I have ridden and if you can pick one up for that price, you should really consider it. If you are not going to compete and are only going to ride trails, the Outlaw will give you the best ride( and dont let anyone tell you that you cant slide the rear end ). As far as dunes are concerned or MX I cant comment. These are only my opinions from my own personal experiences.
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Its not if you win or lose but how you enjoyed the ride!

[muzzgit]

Walk before you run, son.

If this is your first quad I would not recommend a raptor 700 or anything that powerfull for you. Some people will egg you on to "go hard or go home" but it's your life, and your health should not be put at unnecessary risk. Plus you would not enjoy yourself if every time you ride the thing it scares the crap out of yourself.

In mid 2008 I bought a 2004 TRX400 with a 2 quad trailer for $5000 and I'm happy as. I'm not quite 6 feet tall and am a little on the portly side and I'm in my mid 40's. It's a great fun bike and is easy to ride and easy to look after

I ride in the dunes and trails with some mates --- a couple of DS650's and a raptor 700. Sure, they're faster, and there are some dunes I can't run along the side of for lack of power but I think it will be a year or so before I'll look for something with more stonk.

Almost all the guys who ride fast quads did not start on them. Like most of us they started on something reasonably tame and then worked up to more power as their skill and experience increased.

If you do get a 400, whichever you get, they are all better with wheel spacers on the back .
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Cheers,
MUZZ
06 YFM 700R mine
03 KFX 400 hers

[pumped]

Ive got a 400ex and im a bit over 6ft
it feels like in photos the bike looks too small for me but when im on the bike it feels right, its easy to throw around and handles quite well, it does what i want it to

It would be nice if it was a little wider all round (especially in the rear) for more stability but its a nice bike to ride and a great beginners bike
and its got enough power to still get yourself in trouble

My brother has an outlaw and honestly i prefer riding the 400ex, it may not have the power but to me it feels more responsive in the handling department.

They also require alot less maintenance then the 450's as well

Have a sit on one if possible before you dismiss them for size reasons, they arent really much different to the 450's
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08

[suburban]

thanks guys. Some sensible feedback also muzzgit

It is my first quad, but not the first time i have ridden (granted, the bikes ive been on are in a different league to what im looking at)

Im not a meat head so i think ill go ok with something insane out the box. Im not one to push my limits to look good, ill learn and ride within my capabilities - same as i do on my motorbike (Z750)

got my eye on a k6/7 LTR450 atm - will see how that pans out..

[phrozin]

I actually read the same review from atv pod myself most of what is said is about right It was a factor in deciding to purchase a rex myself. I have just traded my 07 rex for a yz I got $6700 for it from a bike shop so don’t know if you’re going to pick up a late mod quad for 5k unless its crapped out. I have also upgraded to a new kfx450r wile the kawa is a great bike I miss my rex, the Honda didn’t require anywhere near the input the kfx does to keep it all under control and when I get home after a ride I know I’ve just been wresting an alligator.

I retied from Mx in 94 and decided to get back in to dirt bikes a few years ago as my son wanted to take up mx, my tied old beat up bones wanted some thing that wouldn’t beat me up to much and that bike was the trx400ex. Many times I raced my bro’s yam yfz450 and other 450 quads the rex was more than capable to give them all a hard time! So if your new to it all you cant go far wrong with a trx400ex they go good, handle great very easy to go fast on. Some will disagree but You will find a lot of the go fast in down to the rider

[suburban]

page 19 of the "show us your ride" fellas

thanks for all the help and suggestions handed out

[Dingo555]

suburban wrote:

page 19 of the "show us your ride" fellas thanks for all the help and suggestions handed out

Another LTR rider Very good decision. I have an 06 and an 07 they are fantastic bikes
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10 LTR 555 Dingo
06 LTR 94 Kay
Thanks for all the support and good advice
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