After my first race on my 250ex my parents said i could get any 4wheeler that i wanted in the 55-65 Hundred range. I have to make the payments on it my self. My choices are the Z400, KFX400, or the Predator 500. Which one of these 4wheelers should i get i need a bigger one if i am going to be racing more. I am leaning towards the Predator but tell me if you have heard bad stories about it.

Thanks
Crazyfor4wheels

 

i would go with the 400z i just dont like the preditor bike (i dont like polaris they tear up alot) the z has one many titles in races the national champion doug gust won it this year on the 400z they handle great and there powerful also. i dont like the kfx eather there a new bike and i havent heard alot about them

 

I hope your screen name is for the 250r....hey Crazy4wheeles...try them all if you can..then sleep on it and decide

 

you like the z400 and not the kfx ?they are the same bike. the z is a good quad but its going to take money for it to run with the 450s.if you race xc i say get the z400 or a 450r.if racing mx look at the yfz 450

 

Nice catch Blackbird, that kinda made me giggle too. The Arctic Cat DVX 400 is also the same machine....some cosmetic changes. Yes, most know this, but a few don't. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Like Heatseeker stated, try 'em all on, then take some time to think it over. We all like different ergonomics, so it's kinda hard for someone to suggest something that "will fit like a glove" when we're just stuck here in cyber-space. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] They're all great choices, you'll be havin' a blast!!!

 

The KFX and Z are 100% identical except for the black nose piece and the Kawasaki stickers.

The DVX actually has more than a few changes now. They didn't make any of the upgrades for 2005. The KFX/z400 got new front shocks, bigger 37mm carb, improved cams and valves, and another clutch plate. You don't add a plate to the clutch unless you add more power and the 05s are quicker than the 04s.

Artctic Cat uses their own foot-pegs, bars, seat, plastic (which is ugly IMO) and a few other things. They also didn't upgrade to the new easy chain adjuster that Suzuki went to.

The Predator is faster, and has great suspension. On the down side it is a good bit heavier. I've heard MX guys say it's too heavy plus they have to race an open class which is generally smaller if even available. I've heard the woods guys say it's a little wide for the tight trails, and the power delivery is too harsh to get traction in some areas and when it does hook up it plows a lot with a light front end. But I'm sure with seat time and tire choice that would not be an issue. The seat is not very comfortable either, the air-box runs right under where you sit making a "lump" that is very annoying for some people.

The KFX/Z on the other hand is tough to find things wrong with, even if you nit-pick. All the problems that were issues in the early years (frames braking, poor chain adjustment, seat falling off due to sub-frame flex, flat mid-range power curve) have all been addressed and fixed.

In comparison to the Predator however, the Z-clones lose on power, but that's really it. They are pretty close in most performance catagories. The Predators are very fast, they can run a 450r and a YFZ with no problem, and they have the suspension to go along with it. If you can look past the small issues with the Predator and like the feel of the machine you can't go wrong.

You can't go wrong with the Z either, but for racing you may need to make some engine mods to keep up with the YFZs and such. In XC or HS you might not even notice, in tight trails you won't notice the bigger 450s pulling away.

I don't think you can really go wrong with either.

 

I love the Z400 and its clones. The Pred isn't as fast as the 450's even tho its 50cc bigger, tho in trails or other riding situations all are prolly equaled.

 

from personal experience, I disagree with your statement. When it comes down to it, it's rider ability.

Choose the bike that best fits you.

 

hey dumba$$.. the 03- present KFX is the EXACT model of the Z 400.. just with 2 different plastics too choose from. lol.. idiots these days..

anyways.. i got an 03 KFX and love it.. get a KFX/Z if you can.

 

Of course it comes down to rider ability, that's the classic cop-out. But when two riders are on different machines the one on the more powerful machine has the advantage regardless of how well he rides.

And the 450's are faster than the pred from my experience.