I have been to the Pismo Beach, Glamis, and various other locations several times.

My wife's dad and uncle owns a Polaris Sportsman 400 and Polaris TrailBoss 330. I have ridden both of those on dunes and trails. When we visit Pismo I rent a 250EX.

While it's very nice to "cruise" on the Polarises I'm more of an extremist. I like to go fast and jump. I notice that the 250 is much lighter, but I know it lacks the power for certain large dunes and the like. I also enjoy shifting.

My wife and I want to get an ATV of our own. Of course, she likes the full automatic Polarises but I get bored on those. She's quite able to drive the clutchless shifting on the 250ex's

After reading here it seems the 400+ is the way to go. I don't want something bulky like the utility style which leaves me with the z400 and 400ex.


I'm told the 400ex is the most reliable. Has the z400 been getting good reviews in the reliability area?
Also, are both of those clutchless shifting? When I talked to the ATV rental guy at the beach this weekend he said the Honda 450r is the way to go. But that has a full clutch system right? I don't think I want to deal with that. [edit] I've looked a little further and it appears that the z400 does use a clutch. I might be willing to use it. Plus, you can do burn outs [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] In sand of course. I have riden a motorcycle with a clutch and it's not that bad[/edit]

What's your suggestions? I'm 5'10' 180lbs and like to jump [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Both machines have excellent handling, and high quality. I like the Z for more open country. It has more motor, and likes to be ridden reved out. I like the EX for slower more technical trails. It has an engine that doesn't mind being lugged down and ridden slow. You can put it in 1st gear, and just idle on through. If I want to fly in the wide open desert, the 450R is the ticket!

All these machines have manual, hand clutches (the way God intended!). If you want a machine mostly for the sand, the more motor the better.

 

Thank you for the heads up. It sounds like the 450R is more than I need. Perhaps the 400EX is the best bet. I'm hearing that it's better at lower speeds. If I'm not going to be on the sand ALL the time and possibly trails that'll be better.

 

I have had my z400 for about 3 months now. I have not had a single problem with it, it has been rolled, ridden hard, and on various types of riding. I have never been to the dunes, but have been in open areas, mx tracks, and trails. I considered the 400ex as well, but articles and people seemed to sway towards the newer higher tech z. I am a small rider, and have a very easy time handling it on tight rocky trails in the east. I went to the track earlier and kept up with the more experienced guys on 450r's. I ride with a guy who rides a ds650.

My point is, the z400 seems to be the best all around quad out there. I am very happy with mine, and everyone seems to have good reliability and pleasure with them. My one friend is steppin up from his 250 now to get a 400 after riding mine and the 650. I agree, on real tight stuff, you do have to pull at the clutch a little bit, nothing major. It sounds like you will be doing mostly dunes, and a little bit of trailing, but nothing tight. You really dont have to work it unless you are rock crawling or dodging really tight trees.

The shocks on the z are also said to be a slight bit better than the 400ex, which is good for jumping. My decision was made by the shocks and the speed and power advantages. The ex is a great quad, but is older technology. I have never ridden one, but have riddin with a few, all upgraded and seemed to keep up fine with my stock z. The z is also liquid cooled rather than air cooled. I think you would be very happy with either, but i prefer the z. This seemed to be an easy decision for me, hope it helps you.

 

Go with the Z400 you'll never regret it it's fast and handles great . plus the liquid cooling is the ticket you'll want .

 

So if I'm running it at low speeds all I have to worry about is the clutch burning out?

And thanks for the feedback so far!

 

You can lug the Z around too. It just seems happier at high revs. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] The one thing I have seen about the Z's here lately is a corrosion problem that needs corrected. Here is a link to the thread about it in this forum.

 

well a z400 only has 2hp more than a 400ex. and the only reason is cuz if u look at the compression the 400ex has low compression and the z has high compressino. thats were the z gets the extra 2hp. the only thing that is rilly better is that the z is liquid cooled. but the 400ex can stand alot of heat. and almost every one sis the 400ex is relible. well my 400ex has given me nuthin but trouble. but i ride it rilly hard.

 

the problums i had with the 400ex(all stock engine)

blows gaskets
runs rilly hot.
needed a cam
clutch went
clutch basket went
needed a rebuild and valves ajusted. after that it burnt oil still.
alot of viberation.
shifting bad
broke axel
bent tie rods.
bent rims
a-arms bent up

now theirs so manny problums that the shop wont fix it cuz it will cost to much they sid. i dont even no whats rong right now. they didnt say.

but thats my 400ex. ran bad sinse i got it in 2003.(lemin or sumthin)

 

This is disheartening about the corrosion issue. I was close to settling on the z400 but I don't want the thing breaking on me within a year.