[New 2008 models unveiled] - ATV Riders Forums - Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Polaris, CanAm, Arctic Cat, Kymco ATVsPages:1
New 2008 models unveiled
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Posted by: FoxHondaRider
I still have no word on the 400ex, all i know is that the new models are out. I'm waiting for pictures or descriptions. I'll keep updating as i get info, check the open forums topic I have on it
Posted by: Honda10
r tey onte honda site yet?
Posted by: FoxHondaRider
Here she is guys!
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a12/VolcomSurferBrad/15617_preview.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a12/VolcomSurferBrad/15606_preview.jpg
Yeah thats a 400ex
Posted by: exrider272
UGLY
Posted by: FoxHondaRider
I'm not that inpressed with any of their new models. The 700xx looks like crap. 400ex didnt get that gas suspension front upgrade. Plastics are pretty cool i guess
Posted by: exrider272
the only thing i can c that i like is the seat ahha there so ugly none of thats goin to be a big hit
Posted by: FoxHondaRider
yeah the rear oif the seat was widened. Like i said give honda some time. 700xx deffinately needs a lot of improvements and the 400ex still needs them front gas shocks. i guess we wait for another few years :/
Posted by: 07250ex
wow well now i know for sure im buying an 07 and hoping i can get an 08 seat lol
Posted by: FoxHondaRider
I like it, the front plastics and seat to say the least. I was really hoping for some gas shocks up front though :/
Posted by: bigmikey119
I like it!
Posted by: gncc025
the 400 actually looks OK to me, minus the headlight. as far as the rest of the new hondas, i think the sht hit the fan.
Posted by: FoxHondaRider
agreed, 400ex is nice even though its missing its front rezzies :/ but the plastic looks better than the others! I like the sharp edges in the front and the seat widened in the rear
Posted by: FoxHondaRider
NOW I REALIZE THE RIVETS IN THE PLASTIC!!! NO MORE FLOPPY FENDERS! YAY!
Posted by: GPracer2500
I think the 400 looks good.
Posted by: 04TRX400EX
The 400EX looks pretty good to me. I like the revised plastics and the new seat looks good but where is the rezzie suspension to compete with the Z400 and no performance upgrades? Disappointing. I was hoping the 400 would be the trial run for EFI before it makes its way to the 450R.
As far as the 700XX goes, I'm not too big of a fan. It looks to be more of a competitor to the Yamaha Wolverine than the Raptor and I don't know how I feel about the IRS. Too heavy. And there is way too much plastic going on. Again, disappointing but I do like the EFI ... that means Honda is at least developing it for other models.
Posted by: mitchamus
WOW how disapointing at least for me from honda. I think the ball has been dropped. The side x side and the 700 - what were they thinking.
I can see not really changing something thats not broke but come on. lets get some fully adjustable shocks. maybe some thing else, antivibe stem, fat bars, hydrauluc clutch anything. why would you buy this 400 over a Z400. The efi is not really a big deal at least me.
Posted by: 400exfan19
dosnt look to bad, just takes gettin used to
Posted by: hondaracer_34
what the heck? the 400 plastic looks ok..i dont even know what to say....
Posted by: 2004exrider
I like it better than the previous look, the 700xx needs some different plastics though, very dissapointing 
Jimmy
Posted by: 250Renvy
Anymore, honda makes it really hard to be a honda fan.
They make hype about nothing and make you hope but nothing.
So what the 400ex has new plastic - all that is, is another version of bold new graphics. Reverse for 05 was an improvement. Liquid cooling or rezzie shocks or something should happen when you "redesign"
AS for the 700x, it has potential, but it will need a lot of lightening and it should have gas shocks on all 4. At least it's liquid cooled, efi, but the rad looks just like the can-am.
If you look at the specifications on most of these, they now have a 1 year warranty.
Posted by: TheNewn
I'm extremely disappointed with the 700xx...I wanted something to compete with the Raptor 700.
My first th ought was "WTF?" I think honda, like other people said, really dropped the ball...
Posted by: RideRed84
I'm pretty impressed with Honda other than the 400ex. With all the hype I expected more than just new plastic. But the 700 is impressive because the rumor was a 650 that wouldn't be able to compete with the raptor. But instead they gave us a 700 true big bore sport quad. It might not look great but I'll bet it's a performer. No auto trans like the KFX. The only thing I don't like is the IRS but I imagine there will be a straight axle option, at least I hope so like on the outlaws. And then there is the SxS which Honda really needed to stay competitive. Like I said I'm impressed and can't wait to see the 09 450R.
Posted by: TheNewn
I hope to GOD there will be a Solid axle version of the 700xx...maybe its minus one x.
If there IS, i want one. if not, Hi Yamaha.
Posted by: rancid
have you ridden a 525 outlaw irs, its not any heavier than a raptor. but its alot faster, and i ride a 450 yamaha and i dont even own a polaris. the new outlaw is lighter than the old one and handles very well, its not meant for mx. so so unless your not building a hillshooter or racing mx, why not a irs. plus you can ride alot longer without beating the hell out of yourself.
Posted by: coreymx58
i think the new 400ex looks sweet i like it better than the 2 older models. jmo
Posted by: honda8&3
the 400ex looks nice but WTF no new suspension. And the 700ex looks like chit to me. The front fenders look gay. Looks like they took 450r fenders, shaved the fronts and put on big @$$ replacement fenders.
Posted by: ingleful
i think the 400 looks like crap!...i like the ollllld 400s alot better then the last to models.
Posted by: honda8&3
quote:
Originally posted by ingleful
i think the 400 looks like crap!...i like the ollllld 400s alot better then the last to models.
x2
Posted by: CarGuy7a
this is straight from http://powersports.honda.com/atvs/s...delId=TRX400EX8
Offering one of the best sport ATV engines Honda has ever produced—a 397cc air-cooled, dry-sump design, the TRX400EX is an awesome performer. The rest of this race-spec machine is first-rate too, boasting triple disc brakes, long-travel suspension, reverse, aluminum wheels, and new for 2008, slick new styling that now makes this TRX even harder to beat.
uhh my question is how does slick new styling make a quad harder to beat? that's hilarious seeing is how they changed nothing but the plastic. looks like cheaply redesigned Raptor plastics to me. i think it's dumb looking.
as far as the TRX700XX, i think this one will turn out like the Kawi V Force 700. 5 people might buy it.
man Honda really bent over and pulled these out of their butts.
Posted by: RosquistRacer39
When did honda start taking advice from polaris? There building bikes that way a ton and look like crap. Even polaris learned that you make things lighter, not heavier?
As for the 400 it looks like they took plastic style from the LTR and YFZ. I dont care what it looks like as long as the performance is there.
Posted by: ingleful
yeah i was thinking YFZ to
Posted by: JDMThoughts
I like the plastics on 05s and up and think this new plastic setup is just as nice. However the bike isn't revised and the big bore sport quad which I will now re-name Turd Sandwich is a big let down. I have actually considered getting a Raptor, but have not rode one to justify the purchase. I had big hopes for this bike as I would use it as a trail bike, but I wouldn't wanna be caught dead or alive on it. Talk about hideous, that has KFX700 styling and the KFXs are some of the ugliest bikes out there in the sport category. I hope to god that the rest of that bike can hang with a Raptor otherwise, this bike will be gone in a few years. Big thumbs down to Honda.
Posted by: 67mopar
the 400ex is o.k. but the 700 and the side by side is just makin me lose respect for honda. they could of made their side by side a little better and it seems that they tried hard to be like polaris on the 700 and 400ex with the independent rear suspension and the fender mounts on the top of the plastic. i thought they'd try to be a little more different, not that they're not cause they look like nothin i've seen before. but i guess i'll just have to wait till a local dealer gets one so i can check it out up close.
Posted by: rancid
wow i just looked on the honda site and i cant beleive they made it over 100 pounds heavier than a irs polaris. even funnier honda is learning from polaris, what a slap in the face to honda. i was looking at the plastic and it looks like you could remove the bulk of the mess and it may not look so bad. but it still weighs to much. it is less than a v-force still. i think polaris might just beat up on honda and yamaha this year with their new 450 and 525 ktm rides and the much lower weight. and im not normally hating honda i do also ride a crf450 bike.
Posted by: 450rRider1105
i think it would look pretty sick if you took the front headlight off...it would kinda look like a yfz
Posted by: ohioEX
I was thinking the 400EX looks a lot like the Yamaha YFZ250 quad. Any one agree with me on that one?
The 700 will need some trimming of the front plastics before I would be seen on it. With 11" rear wheels, tire choice will be pretty limited too.
As far as the Big Red goes, I think they should have made a sportier version to compete with the Rhino and RZR.
Posted by: project400ex19
Ditch the headlight and it looks like a YFZ wanna-be. What was Honda thinking, change out those crappy shocks. If i wanted a YFZ i would've bought one.
I better stock up on 05 bodystyle parts so i never have to change my body style to that ugly creation!
Posted by: project400ex19
I just looked at the 700xx....GOT PLASTIC? that thing looks more like a damn cyclopse Honda Accord than a ATV. I used to be extremely honda biased....but i can see my loyalty slowly fading away if they keep building that ugly crap
Posted by: Hondamaster5505
Im gonna call Honda and ask them wtf they were smoking when they designed the 700xx! Whatever it is, it aint good. lol.
Posted by: eliasxr400
quote:
Originally posted by rancid
have you ridden a 525 outlaw irs, its not any heavier than a raptor. but its alot faster, and i ride a 450 yamaha and i dont even own a polaris. the new outlaw is lighter than the old one and handles very well, its not meant for mx. so so unless your not building a hillshooter or racing mx, why not a irs. plus you can ride alot longer without beating the hell out of yourself.
He's right. If you want an MX Quad get a 450. The 700 will be a great trail, dune and play bike. It may be a little ugly but it should perform. The weight listed is with all liquids added, even gas. As for the 400ex, I'm a little let down. It looks great but where are the improvements???
Posted by: 97WarriorRider
I highly doubt that they will ever improve the suspension on the 400ex as everybody is focused on 450's now..I know i know alot of people still ride 400's...but i think they killed the 400 with the new plastics..I think the original was the best looking 400ex ever
Posted by: drzoo2
I see they spec a 38mm pumper carb on the 08 400ex. Has it always been this large?
z
Posted by: alberndt
All I have to say is my next quad will probably be orange.....and fast.
Posted by: ingleful
quote:
Originally posted by alberndt
All I have to say is my next quad will probably be orange.....and fast.
X2
Posted by: FoxHondaRider
quote:
Originally posted by drzoo2
I see they spec a 38mm pumper carb on the 08 400ex. Has it always been this large?
z
yep, you can do a comparison model even between diffrent years. everything is the exact same except the new 1 has a longer warranty
Posted by: project400ex19
quote:
Originally posted by alberndt
All I have to say is my next quad will probably be orange.....and fast.
Amen, as for those who don't know what we are talking about....KTM
Posted by: FoxHondaRider
eh ktm 450 has a pretty sweet setup but Honda is my thing. They build great reliable things.
Posted by: RosquistRacer39
Ill give it to honda the ex is reliable, and the new 700 should be as well because it will be sitting in dealers lots at $7899. You cant sell crap for the price of gold.
I agree, this year I bet the tracks are going to be orange.
Posted by: project400ex19
quote:
Originally posted by FoxHondaRider
eh ktm 450 has a pretty sweet setup but Honda is my thing. They build great reliable things.
Don't forget UGLY, your mom couldn't even make the new hondas look good....lol sorry man i just had to.
Posted by: chrisrzz1012
I don't mind the looks of the new 400ex. If you take off that goofy headlight and put on a Trailtech lighting it would look cool. But shocked no adjustable fronts same old crap. As for the 700xx what were they thinking on it. the plastics crapy and the IRS on the back ? Don't they read mags and look at they internet on what works and don't. Give the 700xx a year or two it will be changed or gone. The only good on it is the motor thats it nothing else.
03-400ex stock
02-400ex modded
02- 426ex racer
86- quadracer 250r
Posted by: EX LONERIDER
quote:
Originally posted by project400ex19
Amen, as for those who don't know what we are talking about....KTM
ia gree with that... the hondas will go by the way side and orange will dominate the track..... you want proof? take a look at the yearly dakar race and see the top 22 bikes in the polls. looks like a KTM sponsored race mot of the time.
honda is in trouble if they dont sell that bike. i just wanna know who said "yea, that'll look cool!!! people will buy it"
i wanna see what'll show up at the desert the most this year.... hondas, yamahas, or ktms?
Posted by: honda300EXtreme
personally i like the new 400ex,
i love the new plastics, its definatly the most aggressive looking one yet,
but i cant believe they havent updated the front shocks with gas shocks 
or added a removable grab bar,
i am definatly curious to see how the 700xx performs, i think some people are underestimating it.....
Posted by: FoxHondaRider
quote:
Originally posted by honda300EXtreme
personally i like the new 400ex,
i love the new plastics, its definatly the most aggressive looking one yet,
but i cant believe they havent updated the front shocks with gas shocks
or added a removable grab bar,
i am definatly curious to see how the 700xx performs, i think some people are underestimating it.....
Completely agree. All things take some time of getting used to. I think the newest 400ex is one of the nicest looking style of 400ex. gas shocks was what i was hoping for, nothing else. maybe throw in an efi or liquid cooled idc but gas front suspension is what it needed to bring it up to par. As for the 700xx, yeah looks maybe arent so hot but maybe in person it might be better looking. I still bet it rips. Its a Honda guys come on, its going to be good
Posted by: Hondamaster5505
i like the new 400ex, Take the headlight off, put 450r shocks on, and buy new rims, and it would look sweet.
Posted by: FoxHondaRider
agreed on that 1
Posted by: CarGuy7a
quote:
Originally posted by EX LONERIDER
ia gree with that... the hondas will go by the way side and orange will dominate the track..... you want proof? take a look at the yearly dakar race and see the top 22 bikes in the polls. looks like a KTM sponsored race mot of the time.
honda is in trouble if they dont sell that bike. i just wanna know who said "yea, that'll look cool!!! people will buy it"
i wanna see what'll show up at the desert the most this year.... hondas, yamahas, or ktms?
well i read in dirt wheels mag. that the Honda factory rider Tim Farr signed with KTM to test and tune the new quads. what does that tell you?
Posted by: EX LONERIDER
quote:
Originally posted by CarGuy7a
well i read in dirt wheels mag. that the Honda factory rider Tim Farr signed with KTM to test and tune the new quads. what does that tell you?
exactly..... how long before honda, yamaha, and suzuki riders start turning into ktm riders? it just seems like ktm has their act together and brings their full game to the table.
honda has been lagging behind in their atv department soon after the release of the 400EX... evryone has stepped up their development on atv's except honda.... suzuki came out with a liquid cooled high compression machine after honda released the 400ex. then yamaha came along with the 660 raptor. then kawasaki with their suzuki in kawi clothing. honda still had the 400ex. not untill yamaha came out with their yzf 450 did honda do something to come out of the hoole they were living in with the 05 450R. suzuki then came out with their ltz450, then kawasaki with their 450, and then yamaha revised the raptor with an all new 700. all the meanwhile a few others like polaris, bombardier, and cannondale also were in runnings to make the quad scene. finally KTM stepped up and came in with their bikes wich im sure will whomp on anything at the local tracks and deserts. honda........ still with the same 400ex wich by no means has anything wrong with it. its just long in the tooth for where the sport atv's are at.
now, 2007 there's been hype about "what's honda gonna do" to answer the call of all these bikes coming out and what do they do??? they make the honda 400ex have an identity issue with wanna be yamaha 450 plasics and change nothing else to improve a good desighn...... and release a damn elephant looking quad with a disappointing IRS system wich is more directed twards the trails. if i wanna ride trails.... ill get on my 4x4 rubicon thanks. the whole idea of honda coming out with a 700 big bore bike was to make competition for the current king of the hill at the desert wich was the 700 raptor.
honda better pull their head out of their you know what or people as some already stated will start turning away from honda atv's all together.
........ end rant
Posted by: TheNewn
^ couldnt have said it any better myself...
Posted by: Hondamaster5505
Ya know, its funny.
KTM's first attempt at an atv, and its better than the ones that been around for years now..
But i have faith in yamaha, whenever somebody came out with something, yamaha comes out with something better. Im sure by next year, the yfz450 will be heavy competion for KTM.
IMO
Posted by: EX LONERIDER
quote:
Originally posted by Hondamaster5505
Ya know, its funny.
KTM's first attempt at an atv, and its better than the ones that been around for years now..
But i have faith in yamaha, whenever somebody came out with something, yamaha comes out with something better. Im sure by next year, the yfz450 will be heavy competion for KTM.
IMO
see.... you just made a very valid point. from what ive been reading in dirt wheels mag, the yfz has been coming out each year with simple yet effective upgrades to their bike each year. better brakes, gas shocks, etc. they have made improvements to the bike little by little each year in order to keep the bike up to par.
ktm, right out of the gate must have asked all the racers.. "what would you like on a bike"? note the stainless braided brake lines, HUGE wave rotors, fully adjustable ohlins long travel shocks, no link rear shock system, easy to check/adjust valvetrain, wholeshot tires!!! they did their research. simple enough, its a reace bike straight out of the box. you get all the stuff you usually have to buy and modify on any other bike stock.
ktm is a smart company. they seen what people wanted in a quad and made it. so what does that tell you about the company? i can almost garantee you once they get their quads out, they'll also come out with their big open class bike ( LC640 ) version to whomp the rest of whatever competition is out there too.
Posted by: 07250ex
quote:
Originally posted by Hondamaster5505
Ya know, its funny.
KTM's first attempt at an atv, and its better than the ones that been around for years now..
But i have faith in yamaha, whenever somebody came out with something, yamaha comes out with something better. Im sure by next year, the yfz450 will be heavy competion for KTM.
IMO
absolutly true i dunno y everybody is so partial to the 450r over the yfz the if any one remembers 05 - 06 yfz changes they changed about 80 things .... and the yfz actully has always been faster then the 450r rider is just ussuly the difference ....
04-05 450r: 33 hp
04-05 yfz: 36 hp
06+ 450r: 36-38 avg
06+ yfz: 38-40 avg
Posted by: EX LONERIDER
quote:
Originally posted by 07250ex
absolutly true i dunno y everybody is so partial to the 450r over the yfz the if any one remembers 05 - 06 yfz changes they changed about 80 things .... and the yfz actully has always been faster then the 450r rider is just ussuly the difference ....
04-05 450r: 33 hp
04-05 yfz: 36 hp
06+ 450r: 36-38 avg
06+ yfz: 38-40 avg
yup, the yfz has always been a hair above the 450R. the yfz is a nice bike but the thing ive noticed is that yamaha builds their bike with a bigger bore then stroke over honda. honda builds em to pull harder off bottom then up top... from the two bikes i rode (yfz and a R) the 450R seemed to pull harder off bottom then the yfz but the yfz pulled away from the R at top end.
now, all in all keep in mind that KTM has had enough bikes to view mistakes on. they took all that is wrong with every bike that was out there, took the best out of all of them, and made what they are coming out with now.
Posted by: Hondamaster5505
I like how the ktm has an adjustable axle straight from the factory, i think u can make it +2 for racing.
Cant wait to see how yamahas gonna take this challenge. This is one of the most popular classes of atv's, and yfz has always held its own against the competion, even over the EFI 450's, Now they have a TRUE challenge.
Posted by: 07250ex
yeah yfz aint got much of a low end but its top end is a thriller and it revs quick so who cares 
Posted by: Forest
this thing is garbage. same crap diferent box. take a look at the new ktm. those things are sick. i went to see one in person the other day and i liked 99.9 % of everything i saw from the engine to the ergonomics of the controls. definatley a thought through machine. i cant stand that orange though. I just dont get what honda is doing this this IRS. if they are trying to get some of those raptor 700 sales they are going to bomb. IRS is for utility quads they should have just made the 700xx 4 wheel drive paint it cammo ad awinch and put it over with the hunting quads. the only thin i like is the new seat on the 400ex and the plastic is ok. but i dont know why they had to go and change the light. i like the 05-07 headlight way better
Posted by: project400ex19
I don't know where the closest KTM dealer is to the middle of no-where(where I live) but i might have to drive and put my name on a list 
Did anyone notice the hydraulic clutch too? It's probably going to be a spendy unit though. Anyone have a price tag on one of these babies?
Posted by: rancid
not everybody racess mx, so the irs can be very nice. try riding a yfz through some rocky stuff as fast as you can ride the 525 irs through it. after trading for a while with my yfz with my buddys 525 for a while, it was much better on the 525. and it has a ton of low end and top end. the 525 has no problem where ever we are riding. it always ends up in front of our group of 450r,s and yfz,s and some banshee,s. and you cant compare the 525 to the raptor it will eat it up everywhere, and you wont be beat to hell at the end of the day.
Posted by: Honda10
i think the 400ex is nice besides the fact that they did not put gas shocks on the front. But the 700x needs a little getting use to.
Posted by: chrisrzz1012
Come everybody this supposed to be about the 400ex and/or the 700xx not the YFZ-450 quad. Personaly I think the YFZ is a good quad but its not going to be better then the KTM. I'm true to honda I owned and ridden every Yamaha sport quad they make and the turning on all of them sucks. I turn better on my 400ex's then the raptors and YFZ's. I upgraded to better shocks on the front and it made a big difference then stock ones. So if you like honda give them time they will improve on there stuff.
03 stock 400ex
02 modded 400ex
02 racer 426ex ( building)
86 quadracer 250
got a killer 82 xr-500r for sale
make a killer motor for your quad project
Posted by: skate2ride
I dig the white plastics but thats it. They need to really get some rezzies on the things.
Posted by: casey_lamm
love the white...and overall I think the new seat and plastics...are nice...but what im disappointed in...was i was looking for a reason to trade in my 07 for the 08...Its not going to happen....with the changes they are making it really gives no one a reason to trade in their old...
Yamaha seems to do that better. I know a few people that sell theirs and buy the current model year every few years...
oh well...there is always next year right
quote:
Originally posted by skate2ride
I dig the white plastics but thats it. They need to really get some rezzies on the things.
Posted by: 250Renvy
The thing that's the most frustrating is Honda's commitment to two-wheelers.
There was a thread on here digging a little deeper into it but the facts are that ATV's outsell everything else combined and yet the manufacturers keep sinking that money into their "OTHER" race products.
Look at the updates for the CRF - 2008 CRF450R is sharper than ever, with all-new works-style brake rotors, retooled frame geometry, and the revolutionary new Honda Progressive Steering Damper (HPSD). The gauntlet has been thrown. Again.
A steering dampner on the bikes but not on the quads.
How do we get the message out that we want more than "bold new graphics" and new looks.
WE STOP BUYING - but nobody will do that because HONDA somehow has so many loyals and people who buy solely because it's a honda which somehow equals reliable?
I guess they are good old reliable. It's pretty reliable to expect honda ATV models to stay the same year after year.
Posted by: 07250ex
quote:
Originally posted by 250Renvy
The thing that's the most frustrating is Honda's commitment to two-wheelers.
There was a thread on here digging a little deeper into it but the facts are that ATV's outsell everything else combined and yet the manufacturers keep sinking that money into their "OTHER" race products.
Look at the updates for the CRF - 2008 CRF450R is sharper than ever, with all-new works-style brake rotors, retooled frame geometry, and the revolutionary new Honda Progressive Steering Damper (HPSD). The gauntlet has been thrown. Again.
A steering dampner on the bikes but not on the quads.
How do we get the message out that we want more than "bold new graphics" and new looks.
WE STOP BUYING - but nobody will do that because HONDA somehow has so many loyals and people who buy solely because it's a honda which somehow equals reliable?
I guess they are good old reliable. It's pretty reliable to expect honda ATV models to stay the same year after year.
maybe there worried if they try and make it better then the zuki they'll fail and the quad wont be reliable =p
Posted by: RosquistRacer39
[QUOTE]Originally posted by chrisrzz1012
[B] I turn better on my 400ex's then the raptors and YFZ's. I upgraded to better shocks on the front and it made a big difference then stock ones. So if you like honda give them time they will improve on there stuff.
Thats the point, honda has had how many years to upgrade the ex? All they have done is added reverse but nothing in the way of performance. And you shouldn't have to sink thousands into your bike to make it better, KTM got that point. Cannondale also realized that but they could have used more R&D in the motor department. If those bikes had stuck around I think the other makes would already be made race ready. The Big four have been screwing us for years selling quads that haven't been up to par in stock trim. Now the KTM comes out my loyalty has changed to a company more suited to produce bikes that you don't have to sink thousands into.
Posted by: JOEX
quote:
Originally posted by RosquistRacer39
[QUOTE]Originally posted by chrisrzz1012
[B] I turn better on my 400ex's then the raptors and YFZ's. I upgraded to better shocks on the front and it made a big difference then stock ones. So if you like honda give them time they will improve on there stuff.
Thats the point, honda has had how many years to upgrade the ex? All they have done is added reverse but nothing in the way of performance. And you shouldn't have to sink thousands into your bike to make it better, KTM got that point. Cannondale also realized that but they could have used more R&D in the motor department. If those bikes had stuck around I think the other makes would already be made race ready. The Big four have been screwing us for years selling quads that haven't been up to par in stock trim. Now the KTM comes out my loyalty has changed to a company more suited to produce bikes that you don't have to sink thousands into.
The 400ex was never intended to be a race quad. It's an all purpose sport quad which IMO jump started the quad scene into what it is today.
I don't think the racing segment of quad buyers is large enough for them to justify producing a race ready quad.
If the 'Big Four' produced race ready sport quads there would be very limited aftermarket sponsorship for racing. Unless they did it themselves and that's been slow coming
Posted by: EX LONERIDER
quote:
Originally posted by JOEX
The 400ex was never intended to be a race quad. It's an all purpose sport quad which IMO jump started the quad scene into what it is today.
I don't think the racing segment of quad buyers is large enough for them to justify producing a race ready quad.
If the 'Big Four' produced race ready sport quads there would be very limited aftermarket sponsorship for racing. Unless they did it themselves and that's been slow coming
you have a point.... i think it was the public that needed a better all around bike and thats where the EX came in. i remember reading about it and it being dubed' the king of the dunes. it was a definate break through in sport quads.
now as far as a race ready bike, i think some of the top four have now realized they need to make a couple of bikes in order to satisfy everyone. yamaha has done well with the models like the 450, the raptor, and their other smaller quads. now that KTM has shown up, they are setting the standard for the "RTR" (ready to race) out of the box quad.
from what ive seen however, KTM's overall theory on their bikes has been ready to race straight off the dealer floor. their motors (from what ive seen) are leagues above the rest of the bike makers. their final finish in product is way above the rest as well. anything they usually have their bikes in dominates the top places over any other bike, and if you've seen a few Dakar annual races you'll know what im talking about.
simple enough.... i think that if honda wants to keep their head above water they are gonna have to step it up a notch or two with something other then "bolder new plastics" 
pfff!!!
Posted by: RosquistRacer39
quote:
Originally posted by JOEX
The 400ex was never intended to be a race quad. It's an all purpose sport quad which IMO jump started the quad scene into what it is today.
I don't think the racing segment of quad buyers is large enough for them to justify producing a race ready quad.
If the 'Big Four' produced race ready sport quads there would be very limited aftermarket sponsorship for racing. Unless they did it themselves and that's been slow coming
I agree that the EX is what help to jump start the sport atv market for sure. I am just sick of bikes getting all the attention, when quads are the bigger market. I would just like to see more updates, because soon when the 250 four stroke race quads come out the ex won't be able to keep up with them. I think it will be phased out.
I would have to believe the market is big enough for race ready quads or KTM wouldn't have gotten involved in it. We will have to wait and see. Racers are not the only ones who like all the aftermarket features on a quad. As far as sponsorship, I can go without 20% off a set of $2000 shocks, $1000 a-arms, $800 swingarm etc. If the bike is already set up with these features and costs $1500 more I am money ahead.
Posted by: JOEX
I don't know what the market share is between quads and bikes but if quads are a larger share it's because of the recreational riders, weekend warriors & farm use, not dedicated racers. I'm sure that segment is growing but bike have decades history behind them and quads have alot of catching up to do. Quads may get there but it may take a few more years
I agree many folks like to add aftermarket parts to their machines but they also like to choose which brand to use
This is just my opinion based on my observations of course
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