Well in 05 honda added a larger carb witch basically gave it a little more kick on the bottom but it also added about 6 pounds to the whole bike it wasnt a noticable difference though. I have a modded 06 400ex but my sis has the same quad but stock and my freinds has an 07 Z stock as well. And there is no comparison in low end torque between the EX and the Z honda wins hands down and in acceleration honda also wins but when the two are on a longer drag where more top speeds are involved the Z will win hands down the honda does not rev high at all compared to the Z. So if you want a more torque good for trails and wheelies quad get the Honda if you want a desert quad or a quad for really big areas where you go fast get the Z. The suspension on honda is pretty good for trail riding but other then that it sucks bad i always bottom out on everything suspension is horrible. The Z suspension wins hand down for that category. You cant notice any weight difference between the EX and the Z but the honda actually weighs about 5 pounds more. And with breaking in the quad it will be the same as breaking in any other quad dont rev the engine alot for the first 10 hours but other then that not much more to worry about you can jst ask your dealer when you get it they will explain it all to you.

 

The Z400 will beat the 400ex...i have an ex and my buddies z400 will smoke me

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]I have 2 ex 400,s. I bought both new.The 2005 has reverse,that,s the old lady,s Quad.The 2004 is bone stock except rejetted bigger,the 2005 has a full big gun exhuast,and jetted.The 2004 will pull the 2005 off the line till about 4th gear,then the 2005 will get it on top end,I have rode bikes,all-kinds and quads=3 wheelers when they came out.I dont say this is how to breack one in,but this is how I do it!!! I get a new one out on flat ground,go up threw the gears till abot 4th,then I will WOT for a 1/8 mile or so,close thottle and let it coast down with the compression against it till about 10mph,then in that same gear full thottle again and back down, again,them 5th or high gear,all she,s got,or it it the rev-limiter,then coast down,again to 10&15 mph,then wot again,That will seat the rings fast!!!!!!!!!! Both of these hondas were broke in that way!!!!!!!! And niether one uses any-oil and run perfect,I do beleave if the 2004 had the exhaust and the jetting that the 2005 does it would be the faster of the 2.Sure there are faster,newer Quads out there but for a all out turn -Key and ride quad,There hard to beat I have a 2005 Banshee also,It,s funner to ride but it is has been pulled back to camp more than once by the Good-Ole Ex-400,s JMHO.

 

Some riders assume the Honda has more down low but it really doesn't. The EX has a much heavier flywheel along with a lower compression ratio.... making it easier to plonk around on and harder to stall out in the corners.

If you race, either machine does an awesome job in that class. But if you dont race, I think the EX is the better overall choice.