Hello all,

-I'm 29 years old
-5'10" 175 lbs
-I'm new to sport quads but not ATVs. I've ridden a 400ex, raptor 660&700s. To me the raptor was intimidating but fun, the 400 tons of fun.

I have a few options to consider. I'd like to not spend a ton of money, but I want something nice and am willing to spend:

-Local bike shop is selling 2012 Z400 for $5600 OTD.
-I'm looking at a 2008 400ex tomorrow, looks way clean, will see in person (2008 Honda TRX400)
-Wait for another nice used machine 450r, 400ex, z400, yfz, etc...
-I could buy a new YFZ450 or Raptor 700 (Not R type) because I Looooove both like dream machines

-My terrain is east coast rocky, muddy mountains. My neighborhood is friendly to ATVs and has a decent amount of open fairly smooth trails. My friend and riding buddy just picked up a Raptor 700 SE yesterday. I do not care if i'm competitive with him but it'd be nice to at least keep up...

The Z400 is an amazing machine, but the honda is...well a honda. I feel like the 400ex would live longer than I will and never die. The Z would be a little more finicky and maybe need more parts/maintenance. I love the simplicity of the 400ex with air cooled, carbeurator, plain reliable design.

Any advice on which way to go? Z400 400ex or a wild yammer?
Thank you all!

 

Im partial to the 400ex. Im 5'6" 170#. I used to ride PA trails. I was always able to keep up and sometimes pass 4x4 atvs. Ive modded mine out and its never letm down...ever

 

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Take the 400ex and pocket the $1800 pluse taxes you will save.
The first guy buying new takes the biggest hit of all and by the time you get it home and unloaded its already lost $500 in value and is considered used.

 

Ive had 400ex and z400 both are great machines. The z had reverse which was nice. But now the ex does too. I would go with the better deal.

 

I have a 25 yr old suzuki that still runs. None of the kids that rode with me still have their Hondas, Yamahas, etc. they were all trashed years ago. Not because they weren't as good as my suzuki, but because they weren't cared for properly. I was the only one you ever saw pulling the fenders off and doing a complete check on the quad.

My point is that no matter what you get it will last you as long as you want it to last, and no matter what you get you will have to work on it if you want it to be around for a while.

Go ride some of these and pick the one that fits you best.

 

gonna b honest. you will be more happy with the z in the long run. its liquid cooled. much faster. IMO much better suspension. more comfortable seat. ahha. just more well rounded. efi!!!!!! if you get 09 or later. which is huge! will start every time. never play with jets or a pain in the *** carb ever again. and always being the most effiecent and powerful no matter temp or condition. get the z and be done!

 

i should say before someone goes ape crap. faster than the ex. not positive if its faster than the raptors ive heard it is but not sure.

 

All good machines. The 400EX is venerable, but it isn't keeping up on smooth, open trails. Tight stuff and it will do just fine. Personally, I prefer Yamaha for a few reasons, but would ride any of those in a heartbeat.

 

Hey thank you guys so much for your help. I've decided to jump on the 400ex as the seller was okay with $3100. It's amazingly well kept. While you can never be sure it looks very lightly used. No cracks/scratches on plastics. The belly of the quad is not noticibly scratched. It starts quick and runs great. Shifts smooth, no wobbles when riding.

I really appreciate all your input. I'd rather get a more advanced machine like the z400 but the price was too good on the 400ex. I have little experience with sport riding so it will be a good starting point.

As for maintenance i know basics but my dad grew up working on dirt bikes motorcycles and cars his whole life. If i knew 1% of what he did, i could fix any problem. He is always around to show me how to repair. I'm happy to learn and put time and energy into making this machine stay running like a top.

 

Well you saved $2500 buying the used 400ex . You can put that in upgrades or less and have a much better ATV then a stock z400.

http://www.atvriders.com/atvreviews/...tvproject.html

HONDA?400EX UPGRADES: BEST?BANG?FOR?YOUR?BUCK | News | letters |

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