i am new to the sport class of atv but ive been riding sporty trails with my foreman 400 for 5 years now. i know thats not the same but im just clearing up my experience. which quad do you guys think would be the best for a beginner a new 400ex or a new Z400 if any one can give me a comparision it would help alot

 

Both are great Quads and handle extremelly well.The 400Ex is underpowered for most riders compared to the Z 400.Ive owned a 400EX and loved it but it just dont have enough power.Personally id pick the Z 400. late,zubbeyboy

 

Go to the Suzuki forum read about all the problems with the Z400 broken frames ect.. That will answer it for you.

 

Go with the 400EX, because it is bullet-proof. Not literally, but it is SO reliable is isn't even funny...
When you find that the EX doesn't have enough power for you, most likely you can find something that will give it all the power a sane person could ever need!! And then you can do an XR650 or CR250 motor conversion...
My 400EX only loses 2 bike lengths on a full Big Gun piped LTZ...something to think about.

 

I got a 400ex and my buddy picked up the a z400, we run neck and neck anytime we race. I agree with BADTRX400EX01 they will last forever and have been around to work all the bugs out. I also know the z400 has had alot of initial bugs like the raptor had. Give them another year or two, then they'll be better. Personally I think the z400 is a little more comfortable and throttle responsive, but I wouldn't trade, even with some cash to boot [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I'm asking myself the same question but I had to complicate it by adding a few 400 4x4's. Honda could make it easier on everyone if they'd just produce an all around 400/450 cc range sport quad. Liquid cooling would be nice but it should at least have reverse and more power. Choosing between the 400EX
and Z400 isn't as easy as one might think. The 400EX is a good reliable machine that can be improved upon. It has proven itself in different race environments. It's only real down fall (to sell to the masses) is that it doesn't have reverse. The 400EX's are also being sold at reduced pricing. The 400Z needs to prove itself in the reliability issue. At first the Z had some problems with the rear axle bending but this is supposed to have been corrected. People are currently writing about a problem with the frame cracking where the shock connects to the frame. Some think it is rider error while others think that it should not crack no matter how it is ridden. I don't think it should crack at all. The Z400 also has liquid cooling where the 400EX has air cooling but the Z only has a little more power than the 400EX. I really need reverse on the tight trails that I ride on. But the cheaper prices make the 400EX tempting. I like the Z400 but I want something reliable. So I'm waitng for the Z to prove itself to me or MAYBE Honda might come out with something before I'm too old to ride a sport quad and enjoy it. Yamaha might be coming out with a 400 Raptor so it'll be interesting to see what they come out with. If you want to save money, want something reliable, and don't need reverse then go with the 400EX. If you need reverse and like the idea of liquid cooling then go with the Z400. You should have a blast on either machine.

 

I'd pick the 400EX... the Z is too new, and it's not a HONDA = dependability
it doesn't matter how fast your bike is if it's always broke
Z's have had bent axles, broken frames, and there's been considerable talk about the swing-arm geometry and how it bucks the back end up in the air on small jumps.... also those dunlop tires have too much side-bite for me... the stock 400EX rear tires are the best ATV sport tires on the market if you ask me...

if you have an EX and keep getting beat my Z's... it won't take much to bring you up to speed...

if you're really looking for speed, get a Raptor... but they just don't handle as well as the EX

I look at it this way... there are only 2 choices: 400EX for handling and dependability or Raptor for speed.....

 

Z400 problems?

axle-been fixed
frame cracking- so did my 300EX, you going to say its not reliable? even a 400EX will crack under race conditions
swing arm geometry-its seems to be ok for all the pro's that are starting to use it now

Don't get me wrong, a 400EX is a good quad and all and reliable, but the Z400 is better, the only way I see justifying buying a 400EX is if 1. your are extremely set towards Honda and wouldn't even look at other brands, which is dumb if you ask me, or 2. you are buying used and are getting a great deal.

 

lots of problems. For state of the art or lack of these things should not be happen to this new of quad. The parts for the Z400 are two to three times the cost of the parts for the 400EX. Wich makes it a no brainer on wich one to buy.

 

Just bought a new KFX 400 and it does indeed run on a piped and jetted 400ex, i like the 400ex it is reliable but the z/kfx is a good quad with great handling and lots of power