Im thinking thinking about wither buying a 400ex or a z400. I know that suzuki had problems with the z400 frame. Is it fixed. Is suzuki as reliable as honda? I want everybodys opinions on what is better?

 

I believe that suzuki has fixed the frame problem, I have an 03 so i have the old frame and I have never had a problem with it. The frame only cracks if you are doing big jumps to hard landings. I have ridden both quads in question and I like my z better. I am sure part of me liking it has to do with the fact that it is mine, but it just seems to have better power and it feels a lot more comfortable. It also seems to handle better. Honda is reliable and I am sure you would be happy with a 400ex but I think the z is a better decision.

 

im getting so stressed out and worried. I really want the z400, but soo scared of the frame. i dont want the thin to crack on me. has ur z400 had any problems?

 

buy the z the liquid cooled engine and reverse is worth it , the frame was only a sore point if you were doing huge jumps , nothing wrong with mine yet had it since last nov .

 

how can i beef up teh frame?

 

We have a 400ex and a Z400. You can get a gusset kit for a Z400 for the frame. I bought a used Z400 for $3,500 that an older guy only rode around the little trail he made around his yard. That saved quite a bit of money from buying new. There was a shootout in Dirtwheels a couple months ago. The Z400 had much better handling than the 400ex. It also has reverse. They said the 400ex had a little more power in the rough stuff, but overall the Z400 blew it out of the water. My boyfriend hopped on my Z400 the other day and I rode his 400ex. Being a true blue Honda guy, he was so impressed with the handling of the Z400, it was amazing. The seat is comfortable and aerodynamic. You can grab the front of the seat with your knees. Reverse is super easy to go into. You can shift down into first, turn the reverse ****, click down once more and you're into reverse. Then you click up once from reverse and you're right into first again. They definitely knew what they were doing. The only gripe I have with the Z400 is the big honking swing arm. After finally spending some ride time on it though, I no longer feel the need to replace it. What a great quad!

 

since your in the 400 class check out the artic cat 400 and the kfx 400...they have the same motor as the z-400 but you by adding those two it gives you more plastic choices...and I heard the kfx and the artic cat are pretty sweet...and I love the plastic on the artic cat 400

 

suzuki fixed the frame in the later part of the '03 models, they added a subframe which is the rear of the bike under the seat. the subframe starts behind the footpegs and goes to the rear of the bike which they also added a removable grabbar, i've got a '04 but you can find all the frame fixes on some later '03s. they also changes the chain adj a little in the '04 but no big deal. i'd recomend buying used to save some bucks even though this is my 3rd quadsport i've bought new! reverse is a great thing to have, my buddy has a 400ex and is a little jelous when he has to get of his bike and turn it around!

 

another selling point is the liquid cooling on the z 400