[bsd250x]

Hi, my name is Ben, I am the newest member to club! After 24 years of riding, I feel like a boy on XX-mas eve. I started on a trx125 then onto 200X, 200SX, 250x, 350X, 250R, Warrior, '00 400EX and now my '05 400EX w/ reverse, ITP XCT's, full skids and smaller front sprocket to retain stock gearing. My northern NJ trails are tight, heavily eroded, steep and very rocky. When I heard of the 700XX, I considered selling the 400 to get one. The price was very prohibitive, so I waited, then put the XX on the waaaay back burner. Most of the guys I ride with are on utility bikes, and I was inches away from pulling the trigger on a mint 05 Wolverine to get over the nasty stuff, through the deep mud, and not be left behind on the snowy hills. Also, it was easier to justify as a second ride being completelty different than the 400. Then, I came across a great deal and financing on a 08' 700xx. Can't wait to pick it up and ride it. I am concerned that the low end and very technical stuff will require excessive clutch feathering and subsequent wear. It seems obvious that changing gearing through sprocket swaps would be very difficult, if even possible. So here's my question: can I just go down to 20X11x9 tires/rims? With all of the XX ground clearance and top speed, a 2" drop in diameter is a 1" drop in clearance. Still providing gobs more clearance than my 400EX. Lastly, what is the current thinking on breaking these things in. There is a big ride set for this Sunday, but I want ot properly break in the engine.

Thanks for being a part of this forum and really looking forward to reading some useful information. Thanks again,

Ben

 

[Admin]

Welcome to the club Ben! :tup:

This is the place to be if you want to learn about the XX.....there's alot of knowledgeable, good guys on here. :tup:

Get us some photos of your new machine when you can!

 

[zx1200r]

Hi, Ben....
There may be other people more qualified here to give you advice on the break-in. but here is my 2cents....
Don't bog the motor down
Don't over rev.
Don't hold one constant RPM for long periods, ( not really a problem off- road )

Give the gearing a chance...1st and 2nd are low enough

 

[scuzz]

450r sprockets fit the 700xx and are the same part numbers. Drop it down a tooth and leave the tire size the same.

 

[xx-rated]

I'd agree with zx...

Don't overrev or maintain a constant rpm for extended periods..
Let her cool off periodically...
Ride it like you would normally otherwise.

I broke in my Raptor like a little baby while my buddy broke his in by riding it in a "normal" fashion. His always had a stronger engine than mine, so I've gone to the philosophy of riding it like normal except for the overrevving and constant rpms...

As far as the 9-inch rim...no way!

You will find that you will need to clutch it a bit if you are riding in very technical, slow terrain. This thing wants to haul ass!!

If you want to rock crawl, get a ute!

 

[bsd250x]

Thanks gentlemen. That puts me at ease. Less than one day . . .

 

[msg harmon]

Rode mine during break in like I wanted it to run. I would ride along then I would hit it hard and then coast. I believe you need to ride a new bike the way you want it to run. If you baby it, it will be a baby. I rebuild engines for a living and it holds so true.. Anyway a 700xx is broke-in within 15 miles. So it does not take that long. I remember that at about 15 miles I have mine up to 68 MPH. So my advice is to ride it like you want it to run.

 

[zx1200r]

Its a Honda...Ride it like you hate it.....It will run forever...

 

[bsd250x]

Thanks for all your input. I love this machine. Rode it a bit on the driveway. I knew it would be a big step up from my 400EX, but this thing is just incredible. I have no idea where I will ever be able to get into 4th and 5th gear. I also found 3rd tall, but 1st and 2nd feel great.

 

[scuzz]

Thanks for all your input. I love this machine. Rode it a bit on the driveway. I knew it would be a big step up from my 400EX, but this thing is just incredible. I have no idea where I will ever be able to get into 4th and 5th gear. I also found 3rd tall, but 1st and 2nd feel great.

Yeah, I went from a 400EX to mine too. 4th and 5th need some room so you can mash the brakes.

 

[bsd250x]

Now to find the time to ride it. Dealer told me know reserve along with no petcock. I often rely on reserve on the 400. I guess I'll just keep this one full. Anyone try those small stainless steel gas tanks that look like water bottles?

 

[bsd250x]

First ride

First ride review:

Typical Honda: Great machines, aweful tires. The engine, EFI, transmission, breaking, and suspension on this thing is amazing. Not unlike my 400EX first ride, two rear flats in less than 1 hour. ITP Holeshot XCT's on 400 were a must. I have never even had to add air to the holeshots. It would have been nice if Honda, for its ultimate trail machine, actually installed a good set of trail tires. If your rides are not comprised of tons of sharp rocks on eroded trails, I guess this isn't an issue. I buy Honda because I can get home on bad tires, but not on bad engines . . . I read how the IRS makes a big difference in rough spots. It does. At 225lbs, I don't find the rear springs soft at all. But, when I reached a part of the trail that got very rough, I just stood up, leaned back and gave Godzilla a bit more throttle. The ground clearance and IRS soaking up all that nasty suff was well worth the price of admission.

The front end understeer is more pronounced then I expected. I definitely had to brake more on the turns then I do with the 400. When I didn't make a turn around a tree going downhill, putting in reverse trying to back out did very little with the stock rubber. We'll see how well new Holeshot tires help out.

Hey, it's still for sale. Weather permitting, next ride is Thursday. I hope everyone has a great holiday.

 

[Dave01]

Now to find the time to ride it. Dealer told me know reserve along with no petcock. I often rely on reserve on the 400. I guess I'll just keep this one full. Anyone try those small stainless steel gas tanks that look like water bottles?

If he told you no reserve and no petcock, shoot him. It has both on the left side below the tank. 3 position valve. Glad to hear you are having fun with yours. Mine is a blast to ride....
PS, you got the fast colored one too..LOL

 

[trailin'me]

dood ... when you get a chance to get some razr's ... jump on them. i run the dogshit out of mine ..and it screams ..and says more plz ... i go places that those big utes cant even go ... mostly because they are high centered or dont have the nuts in the motor to keep up. the stock dunlaps are a disgrace for sure ... the time being .. would strongly recommend some razr2 for the front. one of my neighbors picked up those 10" tires/wheels from itp ..and it corners horribly ..i guess its from the added flex of the tire rubber .. i dunno. wait a few weeks ..get the 11" razrs .

 

[bsd250x]

Tire Size

Thanks for the info guys. It is an amazing machine. So let me see if I have this straight:

currently, Razr2 will fit the front stock rims, and in a few weeks, Maxxis will make an 11 inch tire (again Razr2?) that will mount on the stock rim, and have less side wall rubber than ITP mounted on a 10 inch rim.

When will they be availabe and who do you buy from?

 

[Dave01]

Thanks for the info guys. It is an amazing machine. So let me see if I have this straight:

currently, Razr2 will fit the front stock rims, and in a few weeks, Maxxis will make an 11 inch tire (again Razr2?) that will mount on the stock rim, and have less side wall rubber than ITP mounted on a 10 inch rim.

When will they be availabe and who do you buy from?

I have been waiting for Maxxis to release the new tires. Should be in a few more weeks. The fronts are avail from many places. I have found a store on ebay with the best prices for the fronts with good shipping. Do an ebay search and put in razr2 and it will come up.165.00 a pair and like 25 for shipping.

Cant wait for the rear tires. It will have to make the handling better.

 

[xx-rated]

The rears will be the Razr, not the Razr 2. I would think that the front tires will make the most difference in the handling. I wonder if the Razr's on the rear will make the XX push even more at slow speeds due to all the traction it will have?

Try Rocky Mountain ATV, they usually have good prices on wheel/tire kits. The front tire on the XX is a standard size, so you have a pretty good selection on 21-inch tires for a 10-inch rim. According to Maxxis, Dave is correct, we should only be about 4-7 weeks out on the Razr for the rear wheel.

 

[Dave01]

Try Rocky Mountain ATV, they usually have good prices on wheel/tire kits. .

XX-rated, thanks for the info on Rocky Mountain. Just ordered my RAZR2 fronts, with FREE shipping too.

 

[Admin]

RMATV is the best place to get tires. :tup:

 

[scuzz]

Too bad they don't have any rears listed....



***late edit***

They do, just not in 11" and not ITP.