wow don't evon think about the z400. i don't want to here about whats better z vs. ex... but i'm here to tell you, my ex has ben totaled 3 times and still runs like a champ, after frame swap. and all. how ever i have 3 friends with z's and left and right something gose wrong little to big things. as for the bikes when there running fine they are about the same just depends on the rider. as for your 400ex first grear about 4mph i would say but that's pushing it. the thing is real low geared. but no worrys 2 times out on the bike and you'll be thinking what clutch!!! =] i ride my girl all the time on the back and we get in something real tight spot i just tell her to hold my "pop" can and use the clutch a bit and don't evon relise i just did it. u'll be fine , also to lean your low end better start the bike out while in first (just putting) hammer on the gas and hold on cause you can do a pretty efective wheely this way.. hope this helps!!! later
JUnior

 

Speedy, I recently bought a 300ex after owning an auto-clutch 250sx trike for 20 years. You do get used to the clutch very quickly. The biggest problem I had was pulling the clutch instinctively thinking it was the rear brake!

As for gearing, I ride a lot of tight woods trails, and stock gearing with 20" tires works well for me (about equal to dropping one tooth up front on a 400ex). When I need speed for open areas (not often), I just put the stock 22" tires back on (yes, they suck...). I plan to get a front sprocket one tooth up on my next order just to try it out, so I can keep the 20" tires on out in open areas.

A 400ex has more power and may be more prone to wheelie on you with lower gearing, but a front sprocket is cheap and easy to change. Why not give it a try both ways and see? Again, where I ride the ground is usually soft, so the tires end up spinning before the front end comes up. If your area is similar, a lower front sprocket will help tremendously with getting the rear end swung around in the turns as well as slow down first gear in tight areas.

 

Hi, Im about tobuy a 400ex quad, and the guy said he has to give it throttle or gas, at the same time he is trying to start it for about 4-10 seconds. it is an 03, is this normal, and how can u fix this?

 

wow i cant believe this thread got piced up lol
thanks or the help guys but to late ...
i looke it itmre and im still young (14)
so decided to get a machine that well make e tired before bed so i opicked up an 07 banshee
te banshee has always been my dream quad i just never thought i would ge the chanc to get one
the 400ex well be for when i am older or soethig lol
well go ahea and talk about whatever you need to discuss
later guys

... long live 2 stroke 2 smoke

 

oops keyboard got messe on that last one sorry ill try again

wow i cant believe this thread got picked up lol
thanks for the help guys but to late ...
i looked it in to it more and im still young (14)
so decided to get a machine that well make me tired before bed so i picked up an 07 banshee
the banshee has always been my dream quad i just never thought i would get the chance to get one
the 400ex well be for when i am older or somethig lol
well go ahead and talk about whatever you need to discuss
later guys

... long live 2 stroke 2 smoke

 

iliketotrike

it is very common to start the 400ex with a little throttle. honda is natorius on being sometimes a pain in the *** to start but once the start up theres no stopping them. other then that my just need little things like carb clean out or new spark!!! later.

 

i dont think i would have bought a banshee for trail riding and was concerned with operating a clutch....b/c a banshee requires allot of clutch work. a banshee loves to rip and is best at home in open territiory and dunes... IMO, i think you should have went for the 400.

 

k,sweet, didnt know that, that is common, is there specific things a person should look at on a 400 ex before buying, how do u know if the cluth is good on it orif the owner drove the hell out of the clutch

 

ahhh i well have toget use to the clutch
besides if its too hard on my first ride ill buy a 13-thooth front sprocket

later

 

iliketotrike

take the bike for a ride, if the clutch feels snappy you know it's good. If it feels like your playing the clutch in and out alot, to get it move'n, then she my be going bad but, it my be broke in real nice too. make sure there is play in the clutch though cause if there is no play and it wips you while starting out it's going bad. look the bike over & under make shure the frame isn't cracked. lift front end off ground shake the tire see if it needs berings, if it dose you cane maybe get more off the price. start with that. let me know how it gose

Junior