I'm on the edge of purchasing a brand new left over '03 400EX. Big savings and it is $800 less than a comparable Z400. Plus Honda has better financing than Suzuki going on. My only reservation with the bike is lack of reverse. I know this has been discussed a zillion times for/against but I'd like to hear from those of you that own 400EX's to find out whether or not you regret not having a reverse gear along with any other personal experiences with the bike.

Oh, I'm 6' and about 225 so I'm not sure I'd be comfortable on a 300EX. I will be doing primarily trail riding with a couple of trips a year to the Silver Lake dunes here in Michigan. Plus I'm just getting back into quads - the last one I owned was a Suzuki 160 way back in 1989 or so. Because I'm getting back into the sport I don't think I need to go with the fastest bike out there. I can do that several years down the road if I'm still interested. Plus the 400EX is relatively simple and low-tech and I've found parts are plentiful and relatively cheap.

Your thoughts please!

 

you might be a little big for the honda, have you looked at the raptor ds size quads? the reverse thing is nice for taking the quad off the trailer. but we seldom would use it. there are issues with the suzuki like the rear brake houseing i've seen guys bust that all apart out riding in the dunes from jumping. the hondas are very durable. plus i have yet to see the big power difference between the quads

 

not a problem at all, bike is 354lb dry, and I can practically lift the bike over my head, and you're 225 compared to my 190... you shouldn't have a problem. My stepdad is the same size and he feels completely comftorable on mine and after riding it just about went out and bought one for himself but didn't have the money. good luck.

 

its not really that bad not having reverse, just pan your route ahead of time so you wont have to back the quad up but even if you do, they're light so you just pick the front end up and turn it around or back itup with your feet lie you do a motorcycle

 

i thought it weighed 375 dry

 

The '03 Z400 and '03 400EX are the same price at the Chicago Cycle Center ($4399, not out the door) in the latest Michigan edition of Auto RV. I think Z400Nate is also from Michigan and bought his Z400 here because the prices were so much better than MI dealers that he could justify the drive.

(My parents live in WI, so I have to go past it anyway, so I've been monitoring the Chicago Cycle Center prices for when I finally buy mine.)

 

I've been talking to Honda East Toledo (they carry Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Polaris - maybe Bombardier, too) where they have prices and customer service that is superior to what I've found so far in the Detroit area. All the dealers that I've stopped at in the Detroit area add shipping, assembly and who knows what else. Several of the dealers have just plain lousy customer service, ie: don't answer e:mails, appear that I am bothering them when trying to discuss pricing, etc.

Honda East Toledo discounts all bikes off of MSRP and does not add the phony shipping and assembly charges. They only add $53 on top of the discounted price for all the paperwork, etc. If you're an Ohio resident they add the Ohio sales tax, too. As a Michigan resident I will pay Michigan tax when I register the bike.

At Honda East Toledo new '04 Z400's are $5,199 and the Kawasaki version is $5,299. The '03 400 EX's I'm considering are $4,399 and the new '04's are $4,999.

I've been working with Ed who is their Internet Sales Manager and he's a straight shooter, IMO. I will be purchasing my bike from them but the more I look and read forums the harder it is for me to decide which bike is right for me!

 

Thanks for the 04 Z400 pricing info. That is my lead candidate, although I'm a few months out yet, so it's nice to see how they are shaking out.

Heheh on Michigan dealer service - I haven't been terribly impressed by any dealer (car, atv, etc.) in Michigan (I'm a transplant).

 

in the 2004 honda 400ex they have finnaly put in a 38mm carb in sted of the 35.5 carb in the 1998-2003 thats y im whating on till my local dealler gets them where i live i have to wate ontill the end of november with the new carb they can blow away the old 400ex's so its worth the wate for me

 

my last quad had reverse, now without it on my ex i don't miss it at all, not one bit. it's light enough to pick up and throw around anyways.