i am looking at buying an atv in the 400 cc range for trails and the pits by my house (at the pits thier are some crazy hill climbs that i would like to be able to do)
so at first i was looking at an ltz but i could not find one in my price range close enough to my house than i found this really nice 400ex but i went on today and its gone so i was pissed but then i found this

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/rvs/969582438.html


so i got less angry and started doing more research so i have a couple of questions

1) i heard this thing is the same as the ltz but just diffrent plastics?

2) i have seen alot of people say just make shure you get one from 2005 and on ward. whats wrong with the rest of them?

3) lastley is the one in the link any good for that price?

thank you all so much

ZZ8T

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: zz8t

1) i heard this thing is the same as the ltz but just diffrent plastics?

2) i have seen alot of people say just make shure you get one from 2005 and on ward. whats wrong with the rest of them?

3) lastley is the one in the link any good for that price?

</end quote></div>

1) Yes.
2) '04 has water pump housing corrosion/cogging/overheating problem. Just install later year part and you are good to go.
3) Yes.

This KFX/LTZ 400's got a bullet proof engine but rather whimpy frame and suspension for serious mx riding.

Look for bent/cracked frame joint area near front suspension, especially upper shock mount.

For your intended riding, this is a good deal if everything is in a working condition.

 

The 2003 models were the ones that had the weaker frames, it doesn't automatically mean the frame is bent. If it's been ridden fairly normal on trails, it should be ok. If it's been out on a track a lot, you might see the cracks. Look by the shock mounts for that.


The water pump housing is an easy fix, and they have a recall out on 05 and later models. (think that's the right years)

You might want to take a good look at the sub frame, seeing as they replaced the grab bar. Could be nothing, and it could be a couple of hard wheelies on the bar too.

Still, not a bad price at all.

 

The clutch cover/water pump housing recall did NOT effect the 2003-2004 models. It was only a problem on the 2005-2006 models when they switched the engine covers from aluminum to magnesium....... I did the fix myself before there was an official recall and basically what I installed was a 2004 model aluminum cover.

 

so basicaly what you are saying is that the 04 modles are in the clear?

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: zz8t

so basicaly what you are saying is that the 04 modles are in the clear?</end quote></div>

Yes unless it is a freak late year machine or something, in 2004 they still had aluminum covers.

In 2005 they made changes to the z400 which included reservoir shocks, different cams and header bend, updated electronics, beefed up frame and a few other things. To compensate for the extra weight of the added components Suzuki changed some steal for aluminum and some aluminum for magnesium.

One of those changes was magnesium engine covers and that is where the problems with the coolant circulation started. The water in the coolant was reacting with the magnesium/aluminum seal between the engine block and the cover. The coolant was crystal collecting and closing off the passage between the block and water pump.

 

i have a 2003 kfx 400 i have ridden it fairly easy but i had a problem with the axel bolt brake on me so i just put a new one on and it is as good as new


email me your email any one and ill send you pics sks1994@live.com

 

I have a 2005 Kawazukie no problems but I was careful to check it over and as mentioned no 03 or 04 I looked for a long time and could not be happier good luck

 

i live in western mass. and i was looking at that same quad. i desided to pass and found a race ready z400 for $1000. these quads are nice.