Hello!

[Horsey]

Hi everyone! This is my first post here.
I am considering buying a fl400. I'd like to know how reliable these things are. Also, what are any common problems I could face. I understand the machine is 22 years old and I don't expect miracles but what should I be looking at when I go see it.
Any input is appreciated!
Thanks!

[hoodlum]

In stock form,they are very reliable if you stay on top of your maintenance...The more you modify,the less reliable,just like any other atv....Look the frame over really well for damage,rust,or being bent...Check the engine compression do determine if a new top end is needed....If it is,find out what bore it's on to ensure you have enough cylinder left to go larger with the piston...Also grab the drive clutch and check for any latteral play which would indicate the need for main bearings....Check the fuel tank for rust as well...This can cause issues that aren't easy to fix...
Once you get it,unless it's in exceptional shape,plan on spending several hours catching up on maintenance that was probably not done by the previous owner...
Hoodlum

[KTM265]

It's a buyer's market for them now, bottom dropped out on them.  You can find a nice 400R for $4,000-$5,000 range...Once you buy it though, regardless of how nice it looks or who owned it, prepare for a full nut and bolt inspection.  Check your engine compression... When you get one, give us a shout, the guys on here will walk you through getting it prepped for fun riding...

[Horsey]

Thanks for you input so far. I live in Canada. There are not many around here. I did find one about 8 hours away. It looks in very nice shape from the pics. The top end has been freshly rebuilt. The owner actually has 3 pilots for sale. 2 have extensive mods.
The one I am considering is stock other than a aftermarket pipe. He is asking $6500. After speaking to the owner it "seems" as though he was very good at keeping up with maintenance.
I have seen many pilots in the US. for much less, but duty and shipping I'd need to add around $1500. Of course, finding any parts in Canada will be a chore for me as well as everything would be ordered from the US.
I will keep you all posted...
Thanks again!!!

[Factory 45]

You say Canada...did you catch his name? Was it Trevor (aka Lutrev) ?!?! If memory serves me right...he has been flirting with getting rid of one of his pilots. If it is...he has his hands on one of the most wanted pilots in the game. (not the one you are looking to get im sure)

BE VERY CAREFUL of SCAMS...especially when using searches on your computer. There are ALOT of scumbags out there that will try to get your money...and give you some excuse that they are a card dealer on a casino cruise...and cant be around for the transaction etc.

I got my Pilot from Wisconsin...and I live in New Hampshire. My sale was thru a Honda dealer (on Ebay...and it was the owner's personal buggy) it went very smooth. The shipping was done by Uship...and was pretty cool to watch guys try to outbid each other (ended up paying under $300 to ship a Pilot) and when it showed up it was sharing deck space with 2 Amphicars.

Just the HUNT for the RIGHT buggy was an adventure...but it was NOTHING compared to the RIDING ADVENTURES I have had with all kinds of cool people. You will LOVE owning a PILOT...let the Addiction Begin

PS $6500 is ALL the money for a Pilot. My suggestion is to push the seller into explaining in detail why he wants that price. It should have VERY LITTLE blems in ANY parts and a close to PERFECT body. With NO WEAR on any bearings, bushings, brake systems etc. A pipe and silencer are less than $500...it would have to come with alot...or be MINT top to bottom to yield that kind of money.

[odypilots]

I Agree with Factory45 on the price. Although you're in Canada, $6500US should get a darn nice Pilot, anymore.

'Ludedude was up in Canada with his and a couple of other Pilots that might be them. At least 1 had a Arctic Cat sled engine.

[Horsey]

I don't want to mention any names but it is not Trevor. I agree 6500 is very a very aggressive price.
With the pilots 8 hours away it is difficult for me to "pop by" and check it out.
The guy seems to be very knowledgable about the machines. He claims to have owned it for about 13 years. As I said, he is selling ALL 3 of his pilots, the 6500$ unit is the least expensive.
I guess I'd like to know worst case scenario......what if the motor blew 6 months from now... Rebuild??? Find a sled engine?? Costs?? Opinions??
I should mention, he may take less money, I have not made an offer at this point.
I can post a pic or two later if anyone's interested to see. Of course it's tough to check out wheel bearings and bushings from a photo, but you all may see something obvious that I have missed.
Thank you all for your advice so far!

[Factory 45]

This is a touchy thing when you talk about engines...not owning a pilot you probably dont know that most "sled" engine transplants are VERY difficult to do for an average guy (that doesnt have a complete fabrication shop at his disposal) So to put a price on a transplant...is pretty difficult. But to be safe...lets just say you REALLY better love Pilots at that point...or it will be bound for a life as a basket case. We are talking CUSTOM everything at that point...that has to be PRECISION made in order to work/fit in a pilot. There are ALOT of guys that have done it...and the best ones are really nice and fast...but guys will tell you it takes either YEARS of designing stuff and testing it...OR HUGE MONEY to have it all done for you by a Pro Pilot Guy.

As far as the STOCK engine...well here we go down the road of Discontinued Parts. This again would be something to spend money on...but MUCH LESS than say a sled transplant. Again...not knowing the type of "parts list" an engine failure may have...puts the pricing in the unknown catagory. It can be VERY difficult to land some of the parts to do the job...even on a simple rebuild sometimes with the FL engines. But thats NOT to say it is obscelete or not repairable. The main parts that are important (like engine cases, stator, counterbalancer, crank) can be illusive and/or expensive.

FL engines can be tricky to rebuild as well (mostly because the crank is a press fit to both main bearings) so my suggestion is to send it to a person that knows Pilot engines and has the knowledge of how to rebuild them correctly. (DOING THIS ALONE WILL SAVE YOU MONEY IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS) Then you will be able to ride and enjoy your Pilot for years without messing around in your garage all the time.

Just try not to get mislead into buying the "lemon" of the bunch for ALL the money. If this guy has 3...he knows EXACTLY what he is selling you. Especially if he can give you the history of the machine...in detail. If he pulls the "oh I just bought it for the wife and she never drives it" line...beat him up on the price. At that point I would show him what you are willing to pay...and WALK if he doesnt take it. $6500 is ALOT for a mediocre PILOT and I myself as a buyer...with cash in hand would NOT be afraid to communicate that fact to the seller.

[Horsey]

Thank you for all your information and advice!
Much appreciated!

[KTM265]

So did he buy it?