I have narrowed it down to these two.(Z400/trx450)But the more I talk to people they make me second guess my self.I think I want the 450 but if the 400 is almost the same I think Id like to have that just because of the rev.It will mostly be used for open trails/track.I have also read that the 450r has about 4.3 inchs of ground clearance and the z400 has 10 inches is this true?Is the speed on these 2 even close?If I get a 400 will I have to make alot of upgrades to make it as fast a 450 or will it handle like the 450?Please help me put the z400 behind me so I can move on to the trx450.Both of the trx450/z400 will be 2006 or 2007.Thanks for the help.

 

go with the r!!!!

 

I would go with The honda 450r. Honda is a great atv, plus very relieable.

 

hard choice i have a kfx400 and it rocks. it is cheaper and has a good ride, but if your going to get serious into racing go with the r. just my 2 cents[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

I have both, so you won't be getting any brand loyalty BS from me!

The Z is a great all-around machine. If you are doing a lot of mixed riding, it is a great choice. Handles great, and the motor has lots of hop up potential, with just a few simple mods. The motor does like to rev, but not as much as the R. Suzuki cheats (shame on them!), and measures the "ground clearance" from under the motor, not under the swingarm. So, NO IT ONLY HAS ABOUT 4" GROUND CLEARANCE JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. In fact, between my 400EX, Z, and R, the Z has the LEAST ground clearance. I don't like jumping the Z, because it isn't as well balanced as the EX or R.

The R likes to run! It prefers fast open country, over tight trails. It is geared tall and doesn't like going slow......mine runs hot if I have to ride slow. The suspension on my 04 is superb. Best desert whoop machine I have ever ridden. But, the 06/07's are sprung stiff in the front, so all my buddies who have them have replaced their springs with Works. The motor has a thrilling hit off the bottom, that will try to pull the bars out of your hands, ala the Banshee. With the HRC kit, it would be hard to find anything out there that is faster. The R is the king of the desert endurance races, so you know that this machine can take a beating! The R is more maintenance intensive. It will need frequent oil changes and valve adjustments.

In general, I pick the 400EX for trails (that engine will lug down and doesn't mind being ridden slowly) and the R for open country. Mostly, the g/f rides the Z.

 

the z & the r is nowhere close to the same. But the z is good all around but the r is great at speed an ok in woods but better in most areas than the z with that said U might get board with the 400 after a while get the 450r an stay happy for the money. Get the 06 if U can there a lot cheaper your just paying for stickers on the 07

 

It's the end of the model year.. You can great deals on any 06.. Honestly EFI is the wave of the future so a carb is gonna be yesterdays news. Wider quads will be standard also as the narrow 45" quads will be yesterdays news. Get the LTR 450 and be todays news not yesterdays if the tight trails don't seem to be an issue..

 

Really? Wow I've never heard anyone say that. Doug Gust said the z400 was the most well balanced quad he ever rode before his LT-R450.


I've jumped two different 400ex machines and I didn't feel either were better balanced than my z400. They were not unbalanced in any way, in fact they felt similar to my z400. To be honest I felt totally safe on all three machines and the only difference was one of the 400ex' has Elkas which were excellent for the landings and launches.

 

My 400EX flies like a dream. It has Works shocks, and it's like landing on pillows.

But, the Z always comes off the jump nose low.........doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. I can panic rev it, or whatever, but it isn't a lot of help. I just quit trying.

Chopper-I don't ride the Z much, so I took it on a long ride today. About 10 miles of twisting fire roads, and about 25 miles of very narrow woods trails. The Z was definitely more at home on the roads, than it was on the trails. The 400EX on the other hand, is more at home on the trails, than on the roads. The 450, likes the wide open desert.

 

Hello you said that the 450r had to have more valve adjustments how often do you get this done?What does something like this cost?Can the 450R go anywhere that the z400 go?I know that the 450 is fastr but how much?I like both of the bikes and their is no differance in price so what should I do?I havnt had a chance to ride the z400 yet but I did ride the 450r and I am a little partial to this one so Im tring to get some pointers from everyone.Thank you for your time