I am looking at buying a z400 but want to know if this is enough machine for me. I am 6 ft 245lbs
Do you think think this is enough machine for me? Do you think I should upgrade to a 450 or bigger. I don't want to buy my first ATV and fewl that it does not have enough umf. I am a bit of a speed freak so I am looking for get up and go.

I am a newbie to all this so any comments or cautions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

 

There are two issues here. One is whether the machine will support the weight, and the other is whether it will be fast enough for your taste.

The plaque on my Z list the maximum weight at 243 pounds. So, if you head for the restroom right now, you can loose 2 pounds real fast! Actually, in riding gear, you will no doubt be quite a bit over the limit for the machine. There are lots of aftermarket suspension components available, if you need them.

As for being fast enough? This motor has HUGE hop-up potiential. Just some simple mods like venting the airbox lid, a more free flowing air filter, and aftermarket exhaust, will net you big power gains.

On the other hand, the 450's are nice too! Some taller guys report feeling cramped on the 450's, however.

 

The suzuki z400 I heard tops out at around 70 stock. And the honda 400 goes around 65
mph. So the z should have more power than the honda. And if the stock power isnt enough
dropping the front sprocket teeth will help out w/ this. And for a front sprocket its a
$10-$20 mod. That will give it a little less top speed but more power.

 

This motor likes to rev. It makes its power in the middle to top of the powerband. I prefer the 400EX for slow technical riding, and the Z400 for more open trails and fire roads. And, the 450R for the wide open desert.

 

I appreciate all your responses. Now I am not sure what to look into. I am now leaning towards the 450 because I am a big guy and the 400 max weight scared me. Does anyone know what the max weight is on the 450ltr? Does the 450 have as many hop up options as the 400 for power? It seems like you can get big horsepower bumps with small mods on the 400 but not many people mention this on the 450.

By cramped what do you mean? I thought the 450 was slightly bigger.

Thanks for the help.

 

Right now if you were to get the suzuki ltr450, they don't have that many mods for it right now. So I'd go with the z400. Also, you can bore the 400 to a 440 or maybe even higher. And
some people say that the 450 suzuki is slower than the rest of the 450s.

But if you only want a few mods that give it a little more power, and a bigger weight limit,
you might want to go for the ltr450. The mods I've seen for the ltr right now is an
exhaust system, bumpers (all of those type of parts, racks, etc.), air filters, and stuff like
that. But you might find some more stuff if you search online for a little bit. Hope
this helps.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

My Z, EX, and R, all have a max weight of 243 pounds. Must be an industry standard???

All you can do is go down to the dealer and sit on all of them, and see what the ergonomics are like. Take a look at the Raptor 700 as well (but avoid the old Raptor 660).

I don't think you are so big that you need the larger machines like the DS and Kawi 700. These things are needlessly heavy tanks, and I would only consider one as a last resort.

 

Thanks for the info. I went down and sat on a Yamaha 700 and yfz450. Very nice. but then again I have nothing to compare them to yet.
The dealer must have extra stock because both bikes were the same price. $6899 for the standard 450 and 700 and $7199 for the limited edition of both. That was his pitch why buy a 450 when you get a 700 for the same price.

Just sitting on them the 450 seemed to fit a little better. I feel if I could throw that one around easier. The 700 seemed to be a bit bulkier and more of along for the ride feel to it. If both are truley the same price definately the 700 just for the horsepower and ground clearance.

I am going to check out the suzuki offerings tomorrow and see what I like the best.

We are going to be be buying about 6 of them at one shot so I should get a great deal. My buddy if selling his and his wife's harley's so they can each get a atv plus his three kids and I am jumping in the mix.

Thanks for the help.

 

the YFZ450 is faster then the 700R stock.... put some better suspention on the Z400 and your good to go. it has plenty of power. the weight rating has nothing to do with power it has to do with suspention!

my kingquad has a max weight of 350 pounds but it only has a sohc 280cc engin in it.

look at the predator, its a great quad too. you can get a predator500 TLE wich has better tires, suspention , axel and some other goodies!

good luck!

Fred

 

I'm about your size and looking into these same machines.

To me the YFZ feels very small. On the other hand the Raptor 700 seems like a good fit as does the Honda 450. The ergos of those two are very close.

The 450s come in at about 350 lbs and the raptor comes in about 395 or so. I think the 400s are about 390. That's such a small weight difference that it probably doesn't matter.