This is a hard one, the Z has the soft suspension, and the rappy has the power. I would have to say the Z. They are both very reliable if you take care of them. Either way, he's heading the right way!

 

im 16, 5'6'' and 130 pounds and ride my zilla and my buddys raptor with ease, from my expereince, i like the feel and power of the raptor alot more than the Z4, they are both great quads though.

 

I'd recommend the Z mainly because he is small.

Though if he likes more power I'd say a 660.

 

The Z would be a heck of an upgrade from his Mojave. I own a Z and a Raptor and it seems the z is a perfect 7/8 scale Raptor--just a little smaller, lighter, little less power. At his size I'd suggest the Z but my boys can ride fine on our Raptor and they are like 80 pounds (but been riding out of the cradle too.)

 

if he likes to get on the gas really hard out of the corners id say he needs to go with the z because with his size he'd have alot of trouble keeping the front end of the raptor down

 

I took the Raptor for ride before I made my mind up I got the Z-400 soo much better handling front end to light out the corners and on hill climbs .the dealer down the road told me that they sold there first 8 raptors within a month all but one was totalled handling on that quad needs improvement but this was the first raptors out in I think 2001-2 they might be better I dont know have not riddin one since. And I the same height& weight as your friend but twice as old. tell him get Z-400 with just rejet& pipe puts out around same HP as stock raptor and quad is alot lighter ,very little problems as the raptors buddys have them and have had problems with theres almost every trip we take the hondas & Suzuki,s rarely have problems not to say yamahas are bad just not good . PS moving from MD to AZ by GLAMIS DUNES ! never rode dunes gonna be an experience.

 

You think 7 of the 8 were totalled because of its handling? I'd definately say rider error, I've seen people total and ruin many other quads, not because it didn't handle well, it was because they just plain sucked at riding.

 

ok good. Now try to talk him into a Banshee. Do you think a banshee Better fits his size/weight??

 

lol.

 

Do you guys think a Banshee is better overall then a Z400 or a 660?