I have loved quads my whole life, ever since I was little and my family had a cottage by the silverlake sand dunes in michigan. Problem was I never had the money and I never had any friends that had quads so I never got to ride one. My older brother just bought a 400ex, but so far, he's been kinda stingy with it and since he doesn't live by me I haven't been able to ride that either. Well now I'm 20 years old and I finally have the extra income to buy a quad. Do you guys think it is a good idea for someone with as little experiance as my self to go ahead and buy a high performance quad like a 400ex, or even better wait for the new z400 to come out? I want something that will keep up with my bro's ride considering thats who I will be doing 90% of my riding with. Also I really don't want to buy something small and whimpy that I will get bored with eventually. Basically what I'm asking is it possible to learn and grow as a rider on one of these machines. Thank you for any advice you can give me.

 

Come on guys, I need some advice.

 

Your 20, full grown I assume, you should be able to handle a 400ex. I thought about holding out for a z400 too, but I wasn't to hip on the idea of owning a quad on it's first year out. I opted for a Raptor, but I wouldn't recommend it as a begginer quad. I guess it kind of depends on your ability.

 

I'd get the Z400,400EX or Banshee even though you are new to the sport since your 20 you would probly be able to go with a banshee and that will keep up with your bro's quad for sure

 

Thanks for the replys guys. After all the research I've been doing I think I would have to be a fool to go out and buy something before the z400 comes out. It looks damn sweet. It's so hard to wait though, I hope it comes out soon. Has anyone heard anything on when it will come out?

 

The z400 are out right now. My dealer just got them, and I'm going to look at it on Fri.

 

Dude, If you are going to buy a quad, go for the 400ex. The new suziki looks like a rapter rip off. The banshee sucks if you arnt full throtel the whole time you ride. if you want to do a little trial riding every once in a while, the banshee will overheat on you. Plus if you are going to buy a 2 stroke, you are in for a lot of money in repairs. you have to deal with reparing top ends, and bottom ends, and mixing oil. The 400ex is an all around quad. it will do anything you want it to do and more. If i were you i would go for the 400ex. very reliable quad.

 

If you want to ride with your brother, buy the 400ex. If you want to pass him all day long, buy the z400 or raptor. The z400 has not been tested yet and may have some first year quirks like the raptor did, but the second year out, yamaha addressed their issues and the raptor is awesome. Stock for stock, the raptor wins hands down

 

Guardog,
Stop bad mouthing the 400EX!!
Shred,
I have a 400EX and I did a few Mods, big improvement. Guardog and I have raced and we were neck and neck through the first 3 gears. When he hit 4 & 5th he started to pull away. Only about 3 or 4 mph faster though!!!! Now if Guardog and I did trail and track racing I will pass him all Day. The 400EX handles tons better. He got wheel spacers and he still cannot do a donut like I can on the 400EX. Stock for stock the raptor is a lot faster but stock for stock the 400EX handles tons better. Get the raptor if you want to flip a lot. I would hold off on the z400 because nobody really knows how it rides. Make a smart decision. I'm not putting the Raptor down but if you want all around goo quad buy the 400EX.

 

Hondamarshal, you forgot to mention how much you had to invest, just to keep up in the first three gears. Stock for stock, the raptor will SMOKE the 400ex.