So at 20 years old to say i've out grown my Blaster is an understatement. With all my friends now having bigger and better machines and finally having the time to ride and money to buy i obviously want something new.

Now that that's out of the way, i'm looking for a new (used) quad that can keep pace on the open trails/straight away with my friends who just to name a few have quads such as a Banshee, Raptor 700, yfz450. I really don't want to spend much over $2500 but might spend a little more for the right machine. I'm 5'9 160 and have been riding since i was 7 so experience isn't an issue with a faster machine. We ride mostly trails some tight, some open also ride a lot on the open dirt roads and such. Creature comforts like EFI and reverse are nice, but certainly not a big deal. 450's seem out of my price range as do the 700 raptors so i've been looking more along the lines of an LTZ400 or a 660 raptor. I like the 400ex's but i don't think they will satisfy me in terms of speed. I've heard nothing but good about the LTZ400 and i like the 660 raptor but from what i've heard they are top heavy and overall are kind of funny in terms of handling. I've ridden the 700 and although it didn't feel as nimble as the smaller quads it wasn't bad and is certainly powerful, not sure how the 660 compares.

Way too much rambling but i figure the more specific the better the suggestions. Any ideas would be appreciated and i'm certainly open to other quads as well, those are just two that caught my attention.

Thanks, Rob.

 

people say that the 400 ex is slow but in a race with a z400 the race will be won or loss with driver experience or error it is not much slower. all are a little diffrent the 660 is better for taller people it is a higher sitting quad but it also has a high center of gravity for tight turns its not so good. but it will have more speed in a straight race. And the benefit to the ex is great durability they don't break down nearly as much. and the z400 has reverse and liquid cooling. i would say they are all good depending on your riding area try taking some for test drives and see what you think.

 

Both the Z and 400EX are able to hold their own in tighter woods. Once the trails open up or even become fire roads they will struggle against the machines mentioned. I would skip the 660 raptor if possible. Think back to riding the 700, then imagine that but with worse handling and suspension. They can be modified into a great machine, but stock I would rather take a 400 and eat some trail dust. Bottom line to me is if I found a cream puff in my price range, i would probably jump on it and just go have some fun. All of those is a big step up from the Blaster.

 

Yeah i mean i realize a Z400 isn't going to run with the above mentioned, but i won't get ran away from like im sitting still the way i do now, and simple mods should get me to their stock speed. The more i look into it, the more the 660 seems like a no go. Seemed like a decent option at first being relatively inexpensive and powerful but i don't think i could deal with the horrible handling especially after having my nimble little blaster. The 700 even felt a bit bulky.

The 400ex is very appealing due to its history in reliability and its good handling/suspension characteristics for the trails. From my understanding tho, the Z400 absolutely destroys it in straight line acceleration. That is the biggest thing holding me back on the 400ex, everything else fits what i want perfectly. I suppose i could build the 400ex, but then i fear risking that rock solid reliability. I guess i should get out and test drive a Z400 and a 400ex and compare the two.

 

Stock the two 400's aren't far apart. The Z will be more reliable when built, and it is about as bulletproof as you can get stock. I rode with a guy who had just purchased a cherry stock 400EX. We were riding up in Tug Hill, where there are some roads that are atv legal. He was tapped out in 5th and I could outpace him in 4th with the YFZ. He had just picked up the quad, so maybe it wasn't running properly, but it was pretty slow. There were a few Zs that day and they were faster on top. Again, might be an isolated incident...

 

For the price range you're looking in, the 400 ex or z (dvx and kfx) would be a good choice. Both are reliable, and just the sheer numbers of them produced means lots of aftermarket parts were made. And even more stock parts on ebay at bargain prices.

 

Ok so realistically what kind of mods are we talking to make a 400ex run with say a stock yfz450 (the carbed ones, not sure if EFI ones are faster). I really like the 400ex, but i'd like to get some more power out of it without completely breaking the bank and the reliability of the machine.

 

440kit stage2 cam 450carb will be pretty good check out www.exriders.com lots of guys have a similar set up and can run with the 450's. Even a 426 kit might get u there. If your that worried about keepin up with the 450's why not look at one and see how you like it. My 400ex has a 402kit and im happy with the performence I dont do to much ridding in long open places that top speed is a concern. Theres alot of 440ex's on craigslist see if you can go take one for a ride it might change your mind.

 

I wouldn't bother trying to get a 400EX to run with a stock YFZ. The 440 kits tend to eat into reliability on that air cooled motor, and the suspension just isn't up to par either. Take the price of a decent EX, add in the upgrades, and you probably are in the price range of an early run 700Raptor, and you could definitely pick up a used 450 decent shape for $3500.00. The Z quads will hold up a lot better to the 450 kit, but then again you are back to a more 450 like maintenance schedule. Just for giggles, you should look into the Polaris Predator and the DS650. Both quirky big bores easily in your price range, but also more capable in terms of pure speed. The big DS has a solid reliability reputation. I have more ixed feelings on Predators, but they are just that, feelings. Never rode one but a lot of internet warriors love theirs.

 

Yeah and see that's what steers me away from the 400ex. I suppose i could try to continue and save up some more money and just shoot for a 450 quad, i probably wont ride much over winter anyway so that would give me more time to save. The predator was actually another i was considering, but they seem to be much harder to come by, and i don't know as much about them. The DS650 is cool but it looks like such a massive machine and i don't think they have reverse? Reverse wouldn't normally bother me but it could be a pain with a machine that large. Just in general they don't seem like they would have too good of maneuverability. I think the Predator is definitely a viable option, though.