trust me the Z can be lugged down. Maybe not as much as a 400ex but i'd say it low enough. I ride trails that require that you go slow because of all the tight parts and sharp corners, these are trails at my hunt camp that only utility quads go on and i rarely if ever have to use the clutch. I still have the 14t front sprocket and when just idleing in first the bike is going a lil faster then walking speed, up hill or rough trails and it goes even slower. Not trying to knock the 400ex, its a awesome quad that will pretty much take anything thrown at it, but the Z is just a newer, better designed quad. Better suspension, liquid cooled, faster and probably just as reliable as the 400ex.

Last time i checked the Z is a couple hundred bucks cheaper then the 400ex too. You also have the option of getting either the LTZ400 or the arctic cat DVX400. Both same quads but Different plastics. You could likely find a 2006 Kawasaki KFX400 left over thats brand new, Its also the same as the ltz400 but differnet plastics.

 

went to my local honda dealership today and they have an 06 model left thay said they would sell it to me fore 7500$ CDN, there regulary $8900 CDN, so i think this is what i am going to get, cant beat that price!

 

what a mistake. go ahead, that will be one less bike i gotta worry about beatin......

 

Dude I own neither quad but have ridden both. I have a predator and an ltr 450. I have to agree with LTZ guy. The z400 is by far the the nicer of the two. Liquid cooled, shocks with rezies, 4 more horsepower, etc. Stock for stock a z will smoke an ex on the trail, track, and dunes. Dont get me wrong, you will be happy with an ex, but that quad hasnt changed for years. The suspension really is poor, its an air cooled motor, and the ex hasnt really been updated like the Z over the years. Buy the Z you will be way happier. Or I say screw it, if you ride trails, buy a preddy or rappy and smoke all your buddies with the z.

 

I own a 400ex and have never ridden the z400. I try not to be biased on anything even if I own it. I do know that the 400ex is bullet proof. I ride with about 3 other ppl with 400ex 2 of which get crazy air and abuse the crap out of them but, they run fine with no problems yet.
From what I've read on the z it basically is the 400EX updated. water cooled. better suspension. I would have to go with the z400 if given the chance. I always buy used wheelers and there are so many ex's out there that there easy to come across. And when buying used I feel better about buying the tough ex knowing it can stand up to abuse better.
My 2 cents. It comes down to what YOU want to do. Make a decision and stick with it. Promise you won't be disappointed either way.

 

Test ride as many brands as possible before choosing one. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] just my .02¢

 

i can't lie, the ex is a good bike. no doubt about it. But its ancient. The Z has a bit more newer technology to it. It is more comfy, and handles better. a buddy of mine had a 400ex up until a month or so ago, and he has a mx track on his property.....we would swap up and mine handles way better and is quite a bit faster. thye seat is more comfy and his had no reverse (the new ones do). Either way you go, both bikes are good, but you get more for your money with the zuki.