[Kerrnol]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum and looking to buy my first ATV, Been riding dirtbikes for some time now and would like a quad to play in the trails on. I am looking at the Honda TRX 400 EX for my first atv, any pros or cons with this machine? anything in particular to watch for when buying one?

What are your thoughts on the 1999-2004 non reverse model? how often do you guys use reverse and should I exclusively look for a 2005 and up with reverse?

Thanks!

 

[dr. feelgood]

They are a great machine. Super reliable assuming you don't open up the motor and go crazy with mods. If it were me I would go for an 05+ for the reverse since I mainly ride trails. I dont use it all that often but it's nice to have when you need it. I went for the KFX450R because it was one of the very few 450s with reverse.

Rob

 

[Kerrnol]

Ya I was kinda leaning towards a 05 and up, I would really only use the ATV for trail riding. Just wanted to get some knowledgeable opinions

 

[fastdog]

Personally, I wouldn't consider a quad without reverse. I do mostly trail riding and for that it can come in real handy. It may not be a big issue to roll a quad over a hard, flat surface where you can get good footing, but they get real heavy, real fast anywhere but ideal conditions. Get yourself at a dead-end or some terrain that you can't navigate, and you'll either have to wrestle the quad around in what space you have or hope you can roll it back by hand.

Now, if you're riding wide open spaces then it might be less important.

 

[Kerrnol]

Personally, I wouldn't consider a quad without reverse. I do mostly trail riding and for that it can come in real handy. It may not be a big issue to roll a quad over a hard, flat surface where you can get good footing, but they get real heavy, real fast anywhere but ideal conditions. Get yourself at a dead-end or some terrain that you can't navigate, and you'll either have to wrestle the quad around in what space you have or hope you can roll it back by hand.

Now, if you're riding wide open spaces then it might be less important.

Yes these were the situations i was concerned about, not very often will I be riding open trails, and if there is a tight section that I would need to turn around I could see that being a bit of a hassle to try and muscle the quad around.

 

[dr. feelgood]

As an added bonus, the 05+ models have the redesigned nose to look more like the 450R. I like it more, but some people still prefer the bug-eye models

Rob

 

[Kerrnol]

As an added bonus, the 05+ models have the redesigned nose to look more like the 450R. I like it more, but some people still prefer the bug-eye models

Rob

Ya i have seen that they changed the nose of the machine in 05 and up, There is a guy in a listing close to me that has a 2007 with the older style plastics as spare and the newer style, I am surprised they are interchangeable.

I kinda like the look of the bug eye plastic but really want the reverse feature

 

[SlammedRanger]

Welcome to the forums! Get the newer one. Reverse is more useful then you would ever imagine. And they changed the gearing(internal and external) and widened the rear alittle bit. Overall it is a way better machine. I have owned old ones and they always sounded like you were killing it when going wide open and the different gearing took care of alot of that. It also always seemed like you needed to be in 2nd 1/2 gear. Constantly bouncing 2nd to 3rd to keep it in the fun zone. My .02