ATV Review 2011 Suzuki King Quad 400

The Smallest King gets a Makeover
by Jason Giacchino

Highs
-Fuel Injection
-Affordable
-Reliable

Lows
-Lacks IRS
-Slightly Lower Ground Clearance
-No Differential Lock

Suzuki hasn’t really bought into the “bigger is better” mentality that has managed to overtake the utility ATV industry. Sure they’ve gone the route of just about everyone else by offering a 750cc variation of the King Quad series, but they’ve never felt the need to do away with the smaller displacement models in the process. As a result, their utility ATV line now consists of a whopping 22-entries! In fact the King Quad designation alone is available in 400, 450, 500 and 750cc engine configurations across multiple trim packages.

One would sort of expect, what with the lion’s share of attention being bestowed upon the larger (and newer) models, that the old 400 would simply bide its time quietly on the model line until being retired into oblivion. But believe it or not, Suzuki has seen fit to spice up the smallest King Quad in this day and age where even flagship-model updates are giving company accountants ulcers.

What’s New?

The 2011 King Quad 400 receives a host of interesting upgrades including the switch from analog instrumentation to full digital digs like its bigger sibs. It also gained a more aggressive cam profile, retuned exhaust, and perhaps the biggest news of all, the carburetor has been ditched in favor of electronic fuel injection.

We should mention that we are reviewing the automatic-transmission model King Quad 400 (not to be confused with the automatic clutch/ foot-shifter variation which retails for 0 less at ,099).

Power Plant

What hasn’t changed is the 376cc air/oil cooled single cylinder/ single overhead cam that provides the get up and go. Suzuki’s changes are all actually designed to increase the motor’s output without sacrificing reliability.

In addition to eliminating the process of dialing in choke settings, the move from 32mm carburetor to 37mm throttle body fuel injection means not having to re-jet for elevation changes as well. Don’t mistake the handlebar mounted high-idle lever for the old bar-mounted choke control, this serves only to keep the RPM’s steady on those cold mornings while waiting for the machine to warm up.

Blast Off

Push-button electric starting, a fuel injected engine and a fully automatic transmission all add up to an ATV that is about as user-friendly as they come. The transmission selection breaks down into high and low ranges (then of course neutral and reverse). Simply select your range and get on the throttle to set the King Quad 400 in motion.

The speeds the King Quad delivers are never so wild as to threaten rider control but for what is quickly becoming small-bore class territory, the power spread is quite capable. While we would love to tell you that the updates received between 2010 & 2011 have made the 400 a whole new animal, the fact of the matter is the Zook felt crisp and responsive last year and feels even more so now.

Perhaps the most dramatic increase in performance can be felt in the mid-to-upper reaches of the powerband, as the engine seems to pull a bit harder/ breathe more freely. Low range is useful for towing/ plowing and we had the opportunity to push its limitations in the snow, thanks to some unwelcome April squalls. Low range in 2WD was adequate for zipping around in most cases (and in fact made kicking the machine sideways in the powder an absolute blast) but deeper drifts or slippery ascents demanded the transition to 4WD.

Speaking of, the 4WD actuation on the King Quad 400 is one of those “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” areas of the machine. A bar-mounted lever makes the shift between 2WD and 4WD modes without the burden of locking differentials or active traction control settings. When the conditions surpass the limitations of 2WD, 4WD is always at the ready and we were hard pressed to find a situation 4WD low range couldn’t get us through.

Chassis Challenges

After spending a few weeks in the saddle, it became clear that one of the few areas separating the King Quad 400 from its larger brethren was the suspension package. Not that the 4-shock configuration was inadequate (in fact the configuration proved more than capable of delivering a smooth, confident ride even over the nastiest trail clutter) but rather the lack of independent suspension in the rear tends to sacrifice ground clearance a bit.

The dual A-arm set up in the front is about as capable as anything you’ll find on utility ATVs regardless of price, and the rear solid axle configuration, while better for sliding, simply isn’t as complacent as a fully independent setup in off-camber situations.

Additionally, 9-inches of ground clearance, while nothing to shake a proverbial stick at, gives up some of the mud and deep snow potential found in today’s current crop of 11-inch monsters.

Then again with an asking price of just a tad over ,000, a lift kit to rival the mud potential of the class-leaders is certainly within the realm of possibility.

Conclusion

For us, it’s tough to believe that the 400cc class of utility ATV has gone from the absolute crème de la crème position on the manufacturer’s line to the smallest engine package available, but we’re certainly glad Suzuki hasn’t seen fit to let the King Quad 400 fall to the wayside in the perpetual quest for bigger and bigger displacements.

The 2011 King Quad 400 is a viable alternative to spending big bucks without giving up features or performance typically associated with machines that could cost twice as much. We’ve had a great track record with bulletproof reliability out of the King Quad 400 and suspect that these latest changes manage to increase the performance potential of the machine without doing anything to jeopardize its reliability.

The transition to fuel injection in particular is very impressive and proved to perform without hitch during the duration of our testing. Fit and finish gives up nothing to the top-tier models on Suzuki’s line. The King Quad 400 is perfect for the rider looking for performance, reliability, nimble handling and a low price of admission.

Specs

Engine

-Displacement: 376 cc, 4-stroke, Air-cooled with SACS, single cylinder, OHC
-Cylinders: Single Engine Cooling: Air-cooled with SACS
-Fuel System: Suzuki fuel injection Starting System
-Starter: Electric
-Ignition: Electronic ignition (transistorized)

Chassis

-Front Suspension: Independent, double wishbone, coil spring, oil damped
-Front Brake: Disc brake, twin
-Front Tires: AT25 x 8-12, tubeless
-Rear Suspension: Swingarm type, coil spring, oil damped
-Rear Brake: Drum brake
-Rear Tires: AT25 x 10-12, tubeless

Dimensions/Capacities

-Fuel Capacity: 4.2 gal
-Ground Clearance: 9.8 in. (250 mm)
-Machine Dimensions (L x W): 81.0 in. x 45.1 in.
-Wheelbase: 50.0 in.

Drive Train

-Final Drive: Shaft drive
-Transmission: Automatic variable ratio (V-belt), with high-/low-range, and reverse

General

– Speedometer: Digital
-Odometer: Digital
-Fuel Gauge: Digital
-Colors: Black, White, Yellow
-Warranty: 12-month Limited Warranty

Contact: http://www.suzukicycles.com/