Took them all out yesterday, into the little Burro Mountains. Fireroads, trails, sandwashes. Clearly the Z-400 rules in the tight trails. The lighter weight, more nimble steering made easy work of the rough and tumble, MX style trails. But then we'd hit a stretch of sand wash, or a fireroad and the Bombardiers took off leaving the Z in the dust. The Z has a Yoshi slip-on, which helps a LOT. But not enough to Keep up with the DS's.

The front of the X is exactly the same width as the older Baja, but the rear is about 2" narrower. The axle is different as are the hubs, swingarm and pretty much the whole rear end except for the brake.

The old Baja sits lower, is wider, and slides better, but the X slides just fine.

The X gas shocks are really nice.

But then you hit the gas, and it feels like the X has Nitrous. There is a two-stroke like "Hit" on the top end.
Both X and Baja were stock with stock exhaust. Both had the air box lids removed to help compensate for the elevation, about 7,000 ft.

The X rules.

 

Is'nt the X like 40lbs lighter than the previous Baja? Why is the X taller? Would have been nice if the front were narrowed up too and at least as low as the old Baja.

 

They narrowed the back to equal the front. So if the front fits between two trees, so will the back. I'm not sure why it sits higher, I was thinking of swapping some springs before I sell the '02......

 

my DS SUCKS on tight trails my freind can just walk away from me on his Z400.. there are alot of tight turns and big banks and on the banks my DS was to wide to fit in the bank so I had one tire up on the side and one in the rut and I was just haveing an all around rough time.... but get us on some sand dunes and he is done for...

 

Mr. Fourlix, are the high pressure gas shocks a big step above the original arvins? do they compare to some of the after market shocks? do you notice the 20 are so pounds that have been shaved off?- thanks

 

The shocks are a significant improvement over the Arvins, which weren't bad on the '02 Baja, but sucked bad on my '01 DS. I adjusted both front and rear to zero preload, but it still seems like there is too much spring. The ride is great even though it is stiffer than the Baja. Time may settle the suspension in a little though. The lighter weight and shorter swingarm are very noticable, it jumps way better and is easy to get the front end up when you need it. The only mods I plan on making are an Armadillo out n back rack and modify the endcap. I still have the endcap that Knutz dyno tested at 4 hp over stock.

 

Beaucoup merci