I'm new to the whole sport quad thing so I'm looking for some guidance on what I should buy, I have 3 options right now all with in the same price range. What is the best quad for the money? My 3 options are: 2003 Honda TRX400, 2003 Yamaha Banshee 400, or Suzuki LTZ 400. All are in good shape with low hours and all are in the same $2500 price range.

What is the best atv for the money and why?
I'm new to the sport and the forum but appreciate any input and hope someday I will be in a position to answer questions and not ask them.

Thanks

 

What type of sport riding do you intend on participating in? Would you trail ride mostly or would you take it out to the track more often?

 

more into trail riding

 

The Honda and Suzuki 400's are very similar. Basically, the Honda 400 has been out for a while now. When developing the Z, Suzuki set out to best the TRX400 benchmarks and was succesful. Honda still holds an edge in the lower speed/tight tight trails, but the Z is better pretty much everywhere else. More powerful, better suspension, liquid cooled. The Suzuki isn't light years better or anything, but it does hold a performance edge. Banshees are a total different animal. First, unless it has been bored, it is probably a 350(stock engine size.) The Banshee first graced our presence circa '86/7. Lots of power potential and a unique sound have made it legendary. Unfortunately, they have bad stock suspension and handling. The machine can still be purchased new today(albeit not in the USA) in almost the exact configuration/hardware as when it first went on sale in the mid '80s. Bottomline, they are fun quads, but not as polished as the much more modern chassis of either the Honda or Suzuki. The powerband from a Banshee 350 twin 2 stroke is not for the beginner. Especially if it has been piped and had any motor/intake mods.

My pick, take whichever 400 is the cleanest and best maintained. Unless you are a hardcore adrenaline junky, the Banshee may be a handful for the new quad rider.

 

Either the ex or the z would be a good choice. If both are 03 models, the z will have reverse, which can be a plus. But the 03 z's also were know to have weaker frames. Not to say all were bad, but a close look around the front shock mounts is a good idea. Look for cracking around the welds. This was only a problem on the 03 models.

 

thanks for the info, exactly what I was looking for.

 

Welcome to the forums olcrazy1.

 

The Z or the EX are both great machines. The Z is faster, but the EX lugs down better, so I like the Z for more open country and the EX for trails. Both are reliable and have a great reputation for durability. (Beware however, that an early run of Z's (03) are prone to frame cracks in the top shock mounts.)

The Shee's day has come and gone. The powerband is thrilling, but there are now 20 or so new 4-strokes out there that are just as thrilling. The frame and geometry were never that good anyway....pass this one up and let it die a natural death!

 

First ,sit on both,ask questions to the owners and see which is better/more maintained. I vote for the EX. Very reliable for the past 5 years ive had mine. Good luck

 

I will agree w/ what has been said 100% but the one thing you need to ask youself is as your riding ability gets better witch quad would you rather have. Just a thought!

You just might want to get something to make you better in the long run rather than the one that is best for you now!