Honda 400X: Owners’ Report

After Honda stopped production of the TRX250R, it took them 10 years to offer something to replace it. The allnew 1999 400EX was Honda’s fourstroke version of a top sport quad that became the new measuring stick. The engine had basically come from their XR400 dirt bike, which meant it was a proven design for durability. The 400EX owners in this survey back that up. Over 60 percent own machines from 2004 and older, and it still gets an excellent rating in durability by 95 percent of them. The largest model year of owners was 2003, and even they didn’t have much to list for things that have worn out.

2008 to 2014

You’ll note that many of the 400EX owners wished their quads had a reverse. Just so you know, the 2005 model was the first to have a reverse gear, and that feature has remained ever since then. 2005 was also when Honda changed the original 400EX body style. The next styling upgrade in the plastic bodywork happened in 2008. It was still called the EX, but in 2009, Honda dropped the E and simply called it the 400X. For the past five years it has had the sleeker look of the 450R, but underneath it still has the parts that have proven to be as reliable as a hammer. If you’re looking for a good, basic sport quad but don’t have a big budget, shopping for an older 400EX would be a safe bet.

2005 to 2007

Model year
(of surveys received)
2013……………………………….. 2%
2012……………………………….. 3%
2011……………………………….. 4%
2010……………………………….. 1%
2009……………………………….. 3%
2008……………………………….. 2%
2007……………………………….. 9%
2006……………………………….. 7%
2005……………………………….. 5%
2004……………………………… 12%
2003……………………………… 20%
2002……………………………….. 4%
2001……………………………… 12%
2000……………………………….. 9%
1999……………………………….. 7%
Types of riding
Leisure trail riding…. HHHH
Fast trail riding………. HHHH
Snow…………………………..HHH
Sand……………………………HHH
On a track…………………..HHH
Organized racing…………. HH
Deep mud…………………….. HH
Hunting & fishing……………. H
Work & hauling………………. H
The one thing you like most
about your Honda 400
Reliable………………….. HHHH
Power………………………….HHH
Handling………………………. HH
Perfect fit…………………………. H
Easy to hop-up………………… H
Simplicity………………………… H
Appearance……………………. H
Suspension……………………… H
The one thing you like least
Suspension…………….. HHHH
No reverse…………………..HHH
Nothing…………………………. HH
Too narrow…………………… HH
Hard starting………………… HH
Air-cooled……………………….. H
No kick-start…………………….. H
Power………………………………. H
Choke location………………… H
No EFI……………………………… H
Weight…………………………….. H
Hard seat…………………………. H
Headlight………………………… H
Chain drive…………………….. H
If you could improve one
thing on your quad
Suspension…………….. HHHH
More power………………..HHH
Add reverse………………….. HH
Liquid-cooled……………….. HH
Nothing……………………………. H
Add EFI…………………………… H
Choke location………………… H
Chain adjust……………………. H
Exhaust……………………………. H
Make wider……………………… H
Battery location……………….. H
Grease fittings…………………. H
Better jetting……………………. H
During normal usage, what
broke, malfunctioned or
prematurely wore out?
Nothing…………………… HHHH
Brake pads……………………. HH
Axle bearings……………….. HH
Plastic………………………………. H
Shocks……………………………… H
Swingarm bushing…………. H
Top end…………………………… H
Cables…………………………….. H
Carb rebuild……………………. H
Battery…………………………….. H
What accessories have
you added?
Exhaust…………………… HHHH
Air filter………………………HHH
Big-bore kit…………………HHH
Cam……………………………HHH
Tires…………………………….HHH
Handlebars…………………HHH
Nerf bars………………………. HH
Skid plates……………………. HH
Wheels………………………….. HH
Jetting…………………………… .HH
Handguards…………………. HH
Bumpers……………………….. HH
Sprockets………………………. HH
Suspension…………………… HH
Levers……………………………… H
Ignition box……………………… H
Seat cover……………………….. H
Graphics…………………………. H
Trail Tech………………………… H
Heel guards…………………….. H
Plastic………………………………. H
Axle…………………………………. H
Clutch…………………………….. .H
Carb………………………………… H
Steering stabilizer…………… H
Happy with the outcome?
Yes……………………………… 100%
No………………………………….. 0%
How do you rate your 400’s
durability?
Excellent………………………. 95%
Okay………………………………. 5%
Poor……………………………….. 0%
How do you rate its quality
& attention to detail?
Excellent………………………. 84%
Okay…………………………….. 16%
Poor……………………………….. 0%
How do you rate its
performance compared
to other quads in
its class?
Excellent………………………. 58%
Okay…………………………….. 42%
Poor……………………………….. 0%
How do you rate your local
Honda dealer?
Excellent………………………. 44%
Okay…………………………….. 47%
Poor……………………………….. 9%
Would you recommend a
friend to buy a Honda 400X?
Yes……………………………… 100%
No………………………………….. 0%
If you were to buy another
ATV, what would it be?
Honda 450R……………. HHHH
Can-Am DS450…………….. HH
Kawasaki KFX450………… HH
KTM XC450…………………… HH
Rincon…………………………… HH
Rancher 4×4………………….. HH
Polaris RZR…………………… HH
Renegade 800…………………. H
Honda 700XX…………………… H
Raptor 700……………………….. H
Yamaha YFZ450……………… H
Suzuki Z400……………………… H
What dream ATV would you
like to see offered?
Honda 650/700R……… HHHH
2-stroke sport quad………. HH
Honda 450R 4×4……………. HH
Lightweight 4×4………………. H
Sportier Viking………………… H
Lower-priced quads……….. H
Raptor 1000……………………… H
New KTM 500………………….. H
450R with reverse……………. H
HHHH = most responses
HHH = many responses
HH = some responses
H = few responses

1999 to 2004