I will say that I have owned a variety of machines my whole life. I have owned several different Hondas and have ridden things I do not own that were not Honda. Personally, I will say that the moron who in the other review above said he blew up his Honda, is full of crap. The whole story is not there, that is for sure. The only way this could have happened is that it was misused and ill-treated, especially new, and not broken in. Honda reliability is one of the best. I am very very VERY hard on my equipment and toys, and I will admit that my maintenence is sub-par sometimes, but not on everything, it all depends on what I own. I do take care of what I do own, but it is not what is recommeneded, and my point is that Honda is one of the best out there. Its durability is one of the best, as well as its reliability. My 450R is absolutely incredible. One thing to keep in mind is that it is NOT race ready, like other quads claim to be. Yamaha YFZ450, and Suzuki LT-R 450 are the only 2 that claim to come straight out of the box race ready. This is at the amatuer level, at best, so remember that. The 450R (I have an 04 and 06), kick start, and electric, and both started right up. So I can say that it's all a matter of what you do, whether you race, or trail ride, as well as preference. The power is amazing. Compared to my 400EX, they don't really, but they still do. They do in that they are both very light machines, will wheelie incredibly easy, and have very useable power. The 400EX might put the engine power to the ground a little different, in that if you are more into maneuverability at slower speeds, the 400EX is more tight-trail friendly (I ONLY MEAN THIS IN THAT YOU CAN RIDE THE 450R FASTER THAN YOU THINK), while the 450R is a far more race-bred machine. Once again, both machines are absolutely incredible. The handling of the 450R is far superior to anything out there, and I might even be so bold to say that it is comparable to the new Suzuki 450, minus the width of the Zuki. Honda's 450R can be driven much faster and harder than you think it will handle, as opposed to comparable machines. Yamaha is a very stiff ride. It was meant to be airborn, but I do not find it to be the best machine out there by any means. I am NOT implying you cannot jump the Honda, I am just saying that Yamaha designed its machine with that in mind. If you were to compare the two, the Honda feels so balanced in the air, sort of like the classic 250R, but even better than you can imagine. If there was one machine to compare the 450R to, it's the Suzuki Z400. The Honda beats it in almost every aspect, but the 400 is a lot more like my EX, it's a very nice machine, but you can't hold a candle to the 450. Close, but not that close. I also used to own a 2003 Suzuki Z400, and I ran into some frame issues, ie., broken frame, but this issue is because of weak spots that were not found until after production, and were not an issue on every machine. (I have since sold my Zuki when the Honda came out). This can be addressed by gusseting the frame, but this is aside and I am saying this because Honda has given me NO issues whatsoever. Bottom line, of all machines out there, the Honda is your best choice in every category. If you want race ready, you're never going to find it without spending nearly $25,000 in additional work to ANY quad, I don't care what you buy. But as far as every area is concerned, Honda is the best. I have run into issues with a YFZ450 with blown seals on the front shocks, transmission issues (NOT just me too), and I had a lot of random broken parts just from normal riding, nothing expensive, but nothing like that broke on the Honda. For the Suzuki Z400, it was just frame issues for me, and a blown rear shock, but that was my fault. My Suzuki 450 was short lived only because I was racing and had a bad wreck and it pretty much totaled the ATV, so I have yet to really ride that and give it anything except for my few times out on it.
Upgrades/Accessories: Pretty much stock except for aftermarket exhaust, different tires, some graphics, and air filter.
Reviews are provided on an "as is" basis with no warranty and should be considered entertainment only. Reviews should not be used for any purpose whatsoever, including but not limited to, making decisions about any referenced vehicles, products, modifications or other information.
ATV Disclaimer & Safety Information
Riding an ATV can be dangerous. To ensure your safety proper protective gear should always be worn. Remember to always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. Never carry passengers unless the ATV is specifically engineered to accommodate them. Riding at excessive speeds or engaging in stunt riding is extremely dangerous. Be extremely careful on difficult or unknown terrain. Never ride while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Many ATV’s are recommended only for highly experienced riders 16 years and older. Please make sure that you are riding an ATV that is age appropriate. Riders younger than 16 years of age should always be supervised by an adult. We recommend that all ATV riders take an approved ATV training course and read their vehicle owner's manual thoroughly. When riding your ATV always stay on established trails in approved areas. Keep your riding areas clean and respect the rights of others. Always obtain permission before riding on private lands, and obey all the laws and regulations governing your riding areas.
