The 400EX is a fantastic machine and in my opinion it is bullet proof and much more versatile than the warrior but if it’s for your wife you may consider the following. I have a 400ex and I have been trying to get my wife to ride it more often, especially at the dunes so she wont get stuck as often, so she can get up and over some of the steeper dunes. The problem, and it is a big one, is that she absolutely does not like the manual clutch. She is always stalling it and she is up tight when she is riding it afraid she will not be able to control it. She likes her Polaris; push the gas and go, quad. She can’t get around as well on the Polaris but she is happy with it because it is easy to ride, so you may want your wife to try before you buy.

 

If you love your wife...buy here a Warrior!

I am guessing that she has riding experience or you wouldn't be asking about these two quads. I have a Warrior and my brother has a 400EX. First of all, the Warrior is NO CLUNKER. If one falls apart it is because the owner does not know how to maintain it. This goes for any quad. I have an old 1990 and it is in great shape...soon to be redone for Granpa to ride with us.

The 400EX has more power, but that is probably not a concern for your wife. The reverse would probably be more beneficial to her. The Warrior has a low seat height and would probably make her feel more secure on off cambers. You should be able to find a nice clean Warrior for around $2000. There are tons of hop-up parts for them also.

Right now I will hang or lead any 400ex in the woods. Don't you guys think that because a guy rides a Warrior, he can't rip. Once I do the big bore kit it will not be a problem and they will not have a power advantage. I bought the Warrior because I like the way it looks and the feel. If Yamaha would update the motor and shocks it would be right up there with all of them. The Warrior is a woods machine and is not intended to shred on the dunes or go straight down a dragstrip...which is why people think it is slow.

 

By using the term CLUNKER I wasn't refering to the DURABILITY of the Warrior. The beast will run forever. Mechanically they are bomb proof!! I must have put thousands of long hours on mine. No, I was refering to HANDLING. The bike was OK ten years ago, but by todays standards it is WAY OUT OF DATE. The bike just HANDLES LIKE IT IS BIGGER AND HEAVIER THAN IT IS. Hey, my 2X4 Rancher handles every bit as good as a Warrior. Yamaha, it's time to retire this old tired design!!! You can do way better.

 

Go Warrior if she is a mild rider. Go 400ex if she is a agressive rider. If she is a mild rider and you put her on a 400ex the power is not as forgiving as the Warriors. By this I mean if she hits the gas at the wrong time the bike will not react as harsh as the 400ex will. The bike is longer and will not come up in the front end as easy as the 400ex and she will not be as afraid to go places with it. There is nothing worse than a mad wife in the woods saying I HATE THIS THING!! (I no this for a fact.)

 

Thanks much!!
I will go with the 400 ex. She said not having R is not biggie.. She is comming from a dirt bike [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Just need to start saving.. If you want to contribut to the "Help My Wife Ride Charity" Please PM me.. Donations are appriciated!!

 

Reverse is no biggie? Take her on your quad into the woods. Now wedge it lightly between two trees, preferably on a slight grade. Get off the quad and tell her to turn it around. Better yet, you turn it around 'cause that's probably who will be doing it![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

If you are not running tight woods then I guess reverse is no biggie, but it does come in handy sometimes.

reconranger- I must be a better rider than I thought to keep up with all that high-tech machinery![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] I could probably go faster if it weren't for those damn square tires and with shoveling the coal into the furnace...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

 

I know it's not one of your choices, but I'd say go with the 300ex. It's got balloon rear tires which will help with ground clearance for obsticals and it's got reverse which is less of a pain for your back. I know, my girlfriend and I both have Z400's and that reverse is the greatest thing. If you have the means, go for the Z, but you can find 300ex's real cheap, and of course the 400ex also, but dang, no reverse is such a pain, especially if you're the one doin the pushin, twistin, and liftin. Good luck with whatever you choose! And have fun.