[Agro]

I have an 06 TRX400EX that I got used. It had stock tires on it that I replaced with GBC XC masters: 21/7-10 and 20/11-9. I took it to the desert and rode it around and then rode my friends 01 TRX300 on stock tires. Looking at the two (I forget his size), but his rears were large puffy tall tires and mine are wide lower profile flat profile. I wonder if that is the main reason that the TRX400EX felt like it was kicking my butt (more work, exhausting, etc.) than the TRX300? Both stock suspension, cant speak for compression, rebound, preload, all that, but this is just general riding around camp, no jumps, no racing, but desert bumps ups n downs.

I looked at other people out there's quads that were newer like mine and they seemed to have the same style rear profile setup.

I then got to thinking maybe some TRX450R front shocks may improve the ride (from reading online), but not totally sure that is the real fix. Also not sure about rear shock. Not so much interested in dropping a lot of money in this thing as it's primarily used for anyone who wants to ride along with little experience (I ride my dirt bike).

Thanks!

 

[Goober]

Hi great question. I have no experience with the sport model whether suspensions or frame or tire combos.
Generally I thot sport machines would be nimbler than utility machines but there’s a lot to consider.

For starters a smaller diameter tire is going to ride rougher than a larger diameter tire. Tire type, width and air pressure. Shorter shock travel and higher preload differences have effects. Are either of these 4wd? That can also make handling harder. Frame weight. Just a handful of considerations

 

[Agro]

Hi great question. I have no experience with the sport model whether suspensions or frame or tire combos.
Generally I thot sport machines would be nimbler than utility machines but there’s a lot to consider.

For starters a smaller diameter tire is going to ride rougher than a larger diameter tire. Tire type, width and air pressure. Shorter shock travel and higher preload differences have effects. Are either of these 4wd? That can also make handling harder. Frame weight. Just a handful of considerations

TRX300EX and TRX400EX are real similar, both RWD. The tire profile was hugely different, both were at 4psi. While I know the tire profile can make a difference in ride in any vehicle, I am not sure that is the main reason. It may be, but it also could just be suspension. Perhaps the TRX300EX comes real boat soft and the TRX400EX is a bit more sport suspension and stiffer.

I am curious on TRX400EX if anyone who has gone to the TRX450R shocks can speak to what is so "superior" (as I have read on the forums) vs the stock? In what aspect?
I can say that going from stock blown shocks on my F-250 to Bilstein 5100's, it had less roll and rode nicer on the fwy, but I cant say it was any softer/pleasurable of a ride in my F-250. It's still a beast. Lifting it, different leaf springs, different tires (perhaps larger, not 8 or 10-ply, not 80psi, etc.) can of course make the ride completely diff.

Thanks.

 

[SamUK]

A lower profile tyre, a flat type tyre especially will definitely feel a lot firmer. Not sure what your shock settings allow but I’d lower the compression rate of the spring and raise the the compression of the damping a little.
Not had much to do with sports quads but have tinkered with suspension, on flat mildly bumpy ground I found it’s better to be over damped than over sprung.


Edit: Alternatively you could lower your tyre pressures.

 

[XplicitRacing6]

Hello.... a little confused by what you said...... "Kicking my butt" .....are you referring to the 400 not running as fast as the 300??? Smaller tire... The more you are going to have to shift.....AND less top speed.... bigger the tire...... less shifting.....higher top speed...My race bike (Honda 416cc) I run 18's on the rear and my stock 400ex....Running 21's.... almost beats the race bike..... I have 3 honda 400ex's and I'm not quite sure what's wrong with your front suspension your complaining about.....You also mentioned running 450 shocks??!?! Why?? They are almost Identical to the 400ex front shocks, the only thing you are going to get out of running 450 shocks is a little more travel (Maybe a inch at the most) I don't think the stock shocks you can fill up with nitrogen but if you are wanting to go aftermarket.... Go with Race Tech Shocks... They ride like you're on a cloud AND you can fill them with nitrogen... Around 120 Pounds is good....

ALSO.... the stock rear shock on your bike..... there is a ring that goes above the shock that adjusts the preload of the spring... you can use channel locks and make the spring tighter (Ride higher and stiffer if you are bottoming out) just make sure you have the rear end off the ground.... makes it a lot easier.... speaking from experience lol

If you have anymore questions feel free to ask.... I'm very familiar with the Honda 400ex's and the 300ex's... etc ...

 

[UnkleRaRa]

Sounds like you just need to soften the compression and rebound of the rear spring.

When I first picked up my 400 it was WAAAY too stiff in the rear (I'm only 150lbs).

Once I adjusted the rear it was MUCH better.

Not a whole lot you can do to the front springs other then adjust the pre-load.

 

[SlammedRanger]

The only way the 450r shocks are any sort of upgrade is if you weight north of 225lbs and you do a +2 front end. They will be stiff as metal bars if your anything under or do anything less. The reason the 450r shocks are so desireable is the adjustability. They are compression, rebound, and pre-load adjistable. And they can be sent off and re-valved and setup for your quad and riding style. The stock 400ex shocks are refered to as pogo sticks because they work on the identical prinicpal as a pogo stick and they are honestly garbage. Most likely someone cranked the pre load all the way tight so it could jump even small jumps without bottoming out. I got a nice set of tcs triple rate remote resi shocks forsale that would transform the ride of that quad. It would ride very similar to your dirtbike and soak up alot if not all of the bumps your talking about. My .02