Ok...i'm looking into getting a quad. Just not sure which one. I think im leaning towards a suzuki z400 or the honda 400ex. I rode the honda and its nice but i hear good news about the suzuki and why not get that with reverse for the same price right!? But one question 'bout the zuki is the rear....wasnt this forum claiming problems about the axle a while back? Was it just a fluke, or was it fixed!? Did they, or are they changing it for the '03? I guess I will mostly be woods riding and occasionally going out to some soft sand areas. Are one of these a good idea? Only other quads i thought of besides these were the warrior or raptor. Any info and thoughts on this guys.........

Thanks

 

Reverse is not the only difference between the Z400 and the 400EX. The Z is water-cooled which is a big deal. It also has greater HP potential but, that may not be a big deal for you. BTW 2003 was the first year of the Z400.

MX

 

ok..well i knew about the liquid cooling rather than air cooled as well as reverse and other features the z has over the 400ex, i just didnt wanna list them all. Reverse was mentioned because that is something i'd really like to have. I'm just trying to get people's opinions and info. from experience with any of these quads to help me out in a purchase. I know this is the first year on the Z, i just didnt know if you they do anything such as recalls or fixes on things such as the problems i heard about the bent axles, thats all.

motoxpress, you have a z400...how do you like it!? Any problems with the rear?

 

I've got about 10 easy hours on mine, plus 30+ hard *** hours on her. No problems what so ever, none with the axle either and my Z is one of the first run off of the production line too. It's been through the first service at the dealer and it received an A+. Sometimes you gotta wonder if those posts were actually from people owning Zs. I jump the $hit out of mine and weigh around 175lbs...... After cleanup I always inspect the rear, NOTHING. The dealer I bought mine at has sold every one they got in. Not one has had an axle problem. Later. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

I absolutely love my Z. I had a 400ex before and I really liked that as well. I just piped, jetted, and added the K&N air fiflter and it is a very punchy machine. I spent a whole day on a stock Raptor and with the little I have done to my bike it feels just as strong as the Raptor did. My bro-in-law thought he would try and wheelie the machine and found himself looking straight up at the sky with his tail dragging on the asphalt and this was 3rd gear!

I took it out to Lil' Sahara, UT yesterday and it didn't struggle at all even with the stock tires - huge ear to ear grin on my face. I have ridden many good machines(Raptor, 400EX, C'dale, Warrior, 300EX and more) and this has been the most fun for me. My next step is to race MX with it so, I need shocks and I will replace the carb for even more HP gains.

As far as the axle is concerned, my wife rode it around at LS and I followed her on another quad and I could only see the slightest of wobbles so, if my axle is bent it isn't by much.

MX

 

ok...i talked to a couple dealers, one has the z400's and 400ex in stock...the other dealer is kawasaki dealer. With the winter, does better deals come? Maybe cheaper rates or more discounts off the purchase?

 

If you want a Z400, you had better buy it before then. I don't know if it will start with the 2004s or the 2005s but the price is going to go up. The $5699 is the introductory price for the Z400 because it is a new model.

Suzuki did this with both the Eiger and Vinson last year.

The Z400 and Ozark take the price hike next year.

Don't wait.

 

Thanks for the info. knowsalot!! I actually caught a radio commercial today by suzuki. they got this zero down, no payment til apr.2003 going on right now... either that or low interest rates....so im gonna check it out.

 

get the 400 ex uw ill be very pleased its a strong machine

 

Hey, whats up everyone. Just to let you all know...on Saturday i went out and bought a Suzuki Z400. Went out all day riding after i got it home...honestly must have about 8hrs already on it. I'm getting used to the quad, yesterday was fun as i got used to it....now im tired as hell.