ok i have a blaster right now. iam six foot two inces 200 lbs so iam a pretty big guy. so you can see how this blaster just isnt cuting it. now i love the blaster but i need a bigger machine with MORE POWER!!! i ride mostly trails some fields light mud and some snow. i want a quad that can handle what ever i throw at it and not get my A$$ handed to me by the guys who are lucky enough to spend 9 thousand plus on a quad. i was thinking a 400 would do the job. i have looked at some posts about the z-400 having frame issues and some problems with corroding the magneesium cover (not to sure what thats all about). i like the fact that it is liquid cooled and it has the piggyback shocks and the loads of ground clerance. the 400ex i havent herd anything bad about. i know hondas are tough. the honda has 4.3 inches of ground clerance vs the z400's 10 + inches. the z is liqued cooled and the honda is air. iam questioning suzukis quad because of it problems and iam questioning the 400ex's air cooled and its low ground clerance. so i wanted to get some opinions on my litile delema. if your going to answer please tell me why you think the way you do. i really need some other peoples opinions. thanx in advanced!!

 

How long have you been riding atv's. You seem to be a big guy. I would go with the DS650. This atv is for a rider that has some experance behind them. It has a lot of ground clearance. Plus It is nice to ride around on all day, very nice seat. It is a large machine, with alot of power. But for your size, it might be the machine for you. I have a 400ex, and it is very realiable machine, this bike is good for trail riding. I really don't care for the z-400, that atv seems to have alot of problems, at leased for some people.

Need more info just let me know.

 

At your size I'd also suggest looking at the KFX700. It's made for the taller bigger guys among us.

Although if you have been riding a Blaster any quad will feel 100x bigger.

 

Spazz,

I'm 6'3" and 220# and just bought an '05 KFX in the fall. It fits me fine. I was also narrowed down to the 400EX and the KFX/Z. I made several observations that swayed me and put me on the KFX.
First of all, if you sit on the EX and then the KFX, the EX is a more cramped riding position. I don't know if the foot pegs are positioned a little higher or what, but it was more cramped.
Also, even though the specs on Honda and Kawi web sites are virtually identical, the KFX/Z sits about 1.5" higher than the EX in the rear. My friend told me that the KFX rear grab bar was the same height as the EX with me sitting on it, and nobody on the EX.

Another couple observations:
the battery of the EX is exposed to all the elements, water, mud, etc. Look under the left rear fender. There's the battery. On the KFX/Z, it's under the seat. Speaking of the seat, the EX seat is a hassle to get off, and more of a hassle to get back on. When you take the seat off, the rear plastic comes off with it. That makes it bulky and cumbersome to remove and align and replace.

The cap on the little storage tube on the EX is not on there tight, and I can see it coming off fairly easily, and you'd lose your papers, tools, etc if you don't secure it better.

Now - I have to say I've been a Honda rider for a LONG time, and really like the new look of the 400EX, but with the observations I've listed, it sold me on the KFX.

Add to that, KFX/Z has better suspension and a little more power, but realistically the honda has bulletproof reliability. I had an XR400 with essentially the same motor. I rode it hard. Great torque and it never let me down.

The KFX/Z is geared a little tall for the woods, but go down 1t on the countershaft sprocket and that issue is solved.

Go sit on them both at a dealer. Check out what I've mentioned. As for the ground clearance difference, that's hogwash. Either you got bad numbers, or measurements were taken from different locations. I can check my KFX when I get home, but I know the clearance under my rear diff is not 10".

I'm taller than you and weigh more than you. Trust me - you don't need to spend the money on a 650 or 700. A 400 will be fine for you.

 

thanks guys, i just put a deposit on an suzuki 400. i got an 05 for 4,000. it looks brand new and dosnt even have any where marks from boots or any scratches underneath. wow i cant belive how much ***** that thing has. iam picking it up on wednesday. thanks again and ride safe. Crazyatvspazz