Originally posted by: motox26
I own both, some of you guys that are defending Z's are giving it a little to much credit than it is worth. And some of you guys with ex's are acting like it is more of a performer than it is.

Basically the ex is better on tighter trails and the Z is better on a more open trail. The ex has a stiffer suspension and that makes it a bit more stable. I will say the ex is built a bit better and you will spend less money keeping it up.

BUT, truth be told a Z400 is a better performer than the EX and keep in mind I even like Honda better than the rest. They are simular, but there power delivery is different. The Z will come on more aggressive and it IS a bit more powerful and does respond a bit more to mods. The Z's power plant definately has more potential if you were to dump a bunch a money into it.

Most of Z and EX owners are trail riders, and for the trails there will be not much of a difference and both are fine. But if we are talking performance, the Z is better at it motor wise, the only thing killing the EX is the engine in the high performance catagory. It is a perfect hi-po trail engine and great for most, but it is not a race engine. And for those of you saying a stock vs. stock or mod vs mod EX is beating a Z, then you are either simply telling stories to defend your quad, or the rider did not know what he is doing.