Another factor you should consider is the size difference. The 400 is a few inches longer. If you are tall, 6 foot or so, you would fit
better on the 400. In this case, size does matter. Pushing the 400 around isn't that big a deal.

 

Go for the 400, and the 300 does not rip a blaster apart by that much. I bet after a while you will not miss the reverse, i rode my friends warrior plenty of times and never used the reverse. I myself am thinking of either a 400 or a banshee, the 400 has such great suspension, but man, once you feel that two stroke hit its great, but the 400 has good power. enough of that, Go for the 400.

 

I was thinking of getting a Banshee too, instead of a 400EX, but since I've dealt with 2-strokes for a while, I'm tired of replacing plugs and having to service the damn thing every season. So I figured, lemme give 4-stroke a shot...

-Z71man
97 Chevy shortbed Z71, 350, 5-speed, 6" Superlift, 33x12.5 Swampers
94 Polaris Sportsman 4x4 400 - bone stock, but bada$$

 

400EX HANDS DOWN - I'VE RIDEN MY BROTHER'S 300EX - NO CONTEST - THEY ARE BOTH NICE MACHINES - 400EX HAS A PLUSH RIDE - EXCELLENT POWER - YOU CAN JUMP ANYTHING ON IT - YES IT REALLY LEAVES A 300EX IN ITS DUST - HOP UP A 300EX ALL YOU WANT, BUT IT WILL NEVER GROW UP TO BE 400EX

 

As far as the 400 or the 300, go for the 400. Like the other guy said, size does matter. As for the 400's suspension, I like my banshee's way better. Mine rides smoother and I bump around way less than my friend does on his 400. The banshee feels lowe to the ground and much more stable, even though its 2"s narrower and has .5" more ground clearance. The 400 feels like you are way up on a tippy horse, and uncomfortable taking corners. Take a banshee for a wide open throttle blast through a couple gears, then take the 400. You'll look down to make sure its a 400, not an old 200X. The downfall is the stiffer thumb throttle and a lot more clutchwork.

Anyways, this wasnt about banshee's vs. 400 EX's, so I'll shut up now.

Eric

 

Thanks guys. KEEP THE OPINIONS COMING THOUGH. I like to hear what everyone has to say. I'm going to the Honda dealer on Saturday to see what they have to say and maybe take a test ride or something. I'll keep you guys posted with and BS the salesman tries to give me. It should be fun. But like I said before.....the more info the better, so anyone who has anything else to say or some possible back-up for anyone else's points, feel free to post 'em up.

Thanks guys.....

-Z71man
97 Chevy shortbed Z71, 350, 5-speed, 6" Superlift, 33x12.5 Swampers
94 Polaris Sportsman 4x4 400 - bone stock, but bada$$

 

The 300 ex is a pretty small machine, almost as small as the blaster, but a blaster will beat it in top speed. A warrior wouldn't be a bad choice. they have excellent power and handling. It has reverse and electric start, it cost about $700 less then the 400 ex. The 400 ex is a much better machine then the 300 ex, handling wise and power. Any of the choices though would make a great machine. It basically comes down to brand preference and type of riding.

 

Ya know, I'm kinda pondering the blaster too. I think it definitely has the most bang for the buck. It's half the price of the 400 and significantly less than the 300. I have riden a blaster before. They're pretty quick bikes. If I decide to go economical, there's no better buy than a blaster.

-Z71man
97 Chevy shortbed Z71, 350, 5-speed, 6" Superlift, 33x12.5 Swampers
94 Polaris Sportsman 4x4 400 - bone stock, but bada$$

 

Two of my friends have a banshee and a 400ex. Let me tell you a banshee would kill a 400ex overall in acceleration and top end. They have nice suspensions but like you said they are two-strokes and you want to give 4 stroke a try but unless you really race the thing 2-stroke really have less maintenence than a 4 stroke(considiering oil, valve and cam adjustment, oil filter etc). If you keep fresh oil and use good mix a 2 stroke engine will last you a while. My 86 quadracer starts in one kick and the thing is 16 years old. I have also raced my friend (who has the 400ex) and i beat him off the line and i maxed my quad out long before the 400ex but you will never use top-speed on any quad unless you have a long road (which is what we used). I am also 20 pounds heavier.
The 40ex is a nice ride though, it's got a nice suspension, good seat and can do lots of wheelies but i'd rather go with a banshee.

 

I HAVE HAD A BLASTER FOR 6 YEARS AND I HAVE BEAT THE LIVING CRAP OUT OF IT, IT'S
ONLY ABOUT 320LBS, JUMPS REALLY GOOD, CLIMBS HILLS GREAT. BUT IF YOU ARE OVER 6 FEET AND YOU ARE MORE THAN 200LBS I WOULD SAY GO FOR A BIGGER BIKE LIKE A 400EX.
THE BLASTERS PRICE MAKES IT REALLY ATTRACTIVE WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT A 300EX COSTS $1500-$1700 MORE. THE WARRIOR IS PRETTY BIG AND HAS REVERSE, I THINK IT COSTS ABOUT THE SAME AS A 300EX, POLARIS MAKES A LOT OF BIKES BUT I HAVE NEVER RODE ONE, HMM, LOTS TO CONSIDER HERE.

 

Z71DUDE
ONE BIG QUESTION BEFORE YOU BUY - WHERE WILL YOU BE RIDING THIS THING? - WOODED TRAILS, DUNES, YOUR BACKYARD OR WHAT? - THAT IS A BIG FACTOR IN DICIDING WHAT YOU BUY - THESE GUYS KEEP TALKING ALL THIS S#*T THAT BANSHEES ARE SO FAST - BRING ONE INTO THE TIMBER WITH ME AND 400EX, AND BY THE TIME WE LEAVE HE'S GOING TO HAVE NIGHTMARES WHERE ALL HE SEES IS THE BACK OF A 400EX
ZIGZAG - Y2K 400EX - BIG GUNNER

 

I do all kinds of riding. Primarily sand, but I do mud and jumping a lot. High speed is not so much my area.....accelleration is. In this case, I can't see getting a banshee over a 400.

 

If you want acceleration, then why would you want a 400EX over a banshee?

 

Cause it's a 4stroke. I'm sick of 2stroke.

 

Thats fine if you're sick of it, I just dont see a 400EX out accelerating a banshee. It will obviously have more low end torque, but whats so good about that.

As for the guy that thinks he'd be showing a banshee his taillight through the "timber," that would completely depend on the drivers skill. You may be good on your 400EX, but if you put an equally good rider on a banshee, the only thing you'd be smoking is mud caked in your goggles.

Not trying to start a flame, just dont [censored] on banshee's when you've probably never ridden with one, and you obviously havent ridden with any of them.

 

Here's my two cents worth. I have a 400ex, wife has 300ex, 300 has half the power. period. I agree about riding a 400 in the woods versus banshee. We tow banshees out all the time. Here in Washington our Honda dealer sells 10-20 400ex's a month right now. Cant beat em for trails. Great all around quad. Banshees are king for the sand though, no denying that.