Hello everyone I am new to the forum here and I wanted to say that you have a great site,much more friendly then my F-150 forum.

So her is the deal I am in the market for a new 09-11 midsize 4x4 quad.I have my choices narrowed down to the Suzuki KingQ 400fs or a Honda trx420fm.I am torn between the two.Over all which make will have the best longevity and support if I have any problems??Best prices I have found at dealers before any haggling is an 09 Suzuki for $4900 And 2010 Honda $5200.
My budget is $5500 Cash.They both have features that I like so I am going to organize this so you can see my expectations,and which features are on which,so you all can help me make up my mind.

Fuel injection: Honda yes zuki no
Manual footshift trans:Its a draw
Selectable low/hi range:Suzuki yes Honda no
Speedometer and odometer:Suzuki yes Honda no
IRS:neither(I can deal with this)
Front diff lock:neither (Im not gonna sink it or rock climb anyways)

Im sorry for the long post I am just so excited but cannot make up my mind.The honda will most likely have a bit more snap off the line and better tourque for trails,but the suzuki will make up for this with the low range option,and of course I am not buying to be fast but it is fun to have some power,I have ridden a honda 420 before and it met my expectations in power but I have not rode the suzuki yet,although I have heard it is a step behind the honda in the power dept.(someone confirm this please)Obviously the honda is notorious for reliability and I have always heard good things about the KQ too.Maybe I should base this solely on price and take the better priced suzuki???? Help me out people,hopefully somebody who has ridden both in a footshift model can chime in and help me out. Thanks in advance evorybody!!

 

I would get the Suzuki, here is why. Both ATVs have the same M.S.R.P. value so your geting a deal on the 400KQ even thought the Honda has more diplacement 420cc vs 376cc they have they have the same 27hp do to the KQ using a OHC motor vs Hondas lower reving OHV motor.

Low range is a nice feature and the KQ has 25" tires vs the Ranchers smaller 24" tires. The KQ also has a larger gas tank.

Also being a Air/oil cooler cooled motor vs a liquid cooled you eliminate potential trouble,such as water pumps,rads,rad fans,thermostats,water hoses. and coolant. At only 27hp liquid cooling is not that necessary.

2011 Suzuki KingQuad® 400FSi ATVs

HP rating.

Sportsman 500 EFI______36.0hp
Sportsman 500 HO______34.5hp
Honda Rubicon 500______33.4hp
Aritc Cat 550___________35.0hp
Arctic Cat 500__________32.0hp
Honda Foreman 500 _____26.9hp
Yamaha Grizzly 450______26.1hp
Sportsman 450__________29.7hp
Honda Rancher 420______27hp
Can-Am Outlander 400___32hp
Polaris Sportsman 400____29.5hp
Suzuki KQ 400___________26.4hp

 

I am with TLC on this one, I have the suzuki 500 vinson with the low range selector and I assure you, it is the bomb. I have owned many many, wait still own many many atv's and the suzuki is by far a tough torque monster.

 

I'm a big Suzuki person because of the reliability I have had with the King I ride. That being said, I don't really think you'd be disappointed in either machine. You need that test ride on the Suzuki too though. Nothing like a little ride to tell if the machine feels right for you!
Good luck and have fun!

 

You are in a win-win situation. You've found good prices on good, comparable quads.

I've got thousands of miles on the KQ400 (Eiger). It's been around since '02 and is a good, reliable and somewhat sporty 400 class Ute. Not as familiar with the Honda but performance should be very close - the Suzuki is a quick revving ride. Unless the Honda has disc brakes all around (I'm thinking not) the only real advantage the Rancher has over the KQ is fuel injection.

I'll cast a biased vote to the Suzuki, but really, either one will do what you need well.

 

You seem to know your stuff.I didn't even consider the air/oil cooler vs liquid,that was a very good point!!Looks like the suzuki is winning!! Seeing as the $4900 is advertised price,what would you think I should offer to begin the haggling??Try to have taxes and fees rolled into the price or just shoot them a low offer,say $4400?BTW:is that 26.4 hp you have listed for the 09 model ,which is carb'd,or the efi that the started mid 2010?

 

The 376cc motor has never changed, Arctic Cat also used the Suzuki 376cc motor for years.

Throttle Body (EFI) does not give you more power they just have no choke to fool with on those cold morning start ups. Once warmed up you can not tell if a ATV has EFI or a Carb, but you sure can tell which ATV has a low range and larger 25" tires and more ground clearance when the going gets tuff.

Suzuki went to efi on the 400 in 2011 from a 32mm Keihin carb. Honda,s 420 uses a 32mm Throttle body and sure has no power advantage even with a 44cc displacement advantage.

 

Can you tell me about what I should offer so I can start the dealing process?

 

i have a 2010 rancher trx420fpm and it has a speedometer / odometer and tells you which gear you are in.


other than that, i must concur that either quad is pretty solid, you wont be disappointed either way. be sure to test drive the suzuki before making any final decision, though, just to be sure. good luck!

 

I don't think you can go wrong either way. Try both and see what fits you better.
Personally I would go with the Suzuki because of the low range gear. You won't miss it till you need it then you will be kicking yourself in the ***.