Ok been debating on a new Quad. So I decided to put my warrior for sell and if can get a decent price for it, Ill get a new one. I have three choices Ive decided on but would like some input. So here are some things I care/dont care about so you can help.

1) I dont care which is fastest (I dont do any racing to speak of and all these will be suffient for me)
2) I mainly ride wooded trails (kinda tight, with decent hills but nothing really steep)
3) I am only 5'7 150lbs if that ways in on what you think
4) I like to do jumps but we arent talking anything serious (My warrior has been suffient for anything ive done or will)


OK here are my 3 with some side notes

KFX400/Z400 I like these but havent found a dealer around me that doesnt want MSRP or more still looking but this makes these alot higher ($5700 been best Ive found so far)

400EX Can get a new 06 for $4900 ( a new 05 $4600)

Raptor 350 Can get a new 06 for $4500 ( a new 05 $4000)

I have 2 dealers on the 400ex and 3 on the raptor 350 I can work against each other on those prices so maybe a little less but those seem to be good prices

Thanks for any helpful advice

 

if you can get the price you want on a z or kfx get either one of them deffinitly. the 05s have great power and suspension

 

400ex, no question in my mind. It will do everything you want it to and is extremely reliable. Much better power and handling than the 350 and way too close in performance and features to the kfx/ltz 400 models to warrant the large price difference.

 

Keep checking for lower prices on the z/kfx. Better suspension, more power, better ergos, liquid cooled. If you can't find a good price and don't want to spend the money, than "settle" for the ex. The ex is a great machine, my brother has one. My other brother has a yfz, after riding myz and my older brother's yfz my little brother will be getting rid of his ex soon!!!! He just doesn't know if he wants the z or yfz, but I think he's leaning towards the yfz.

I think you'd be much happier with the z. But you won't be dissapointed with the ex/trx either.

 

I wouldn't bother w/ the Rappy 350. Basically the same thing you've been riding for all this time. Why spend the money and not upgrade?


Buck

 

What maddog56 said, very very good buy.

 

I agree too. There just isn't enough difference between it and the Z to justify $1100+.

 

Are you guys nuts ? Have you ever ridden both the z and the ex ? I have ridden both, and frequently I'll hop off my z and get on my brother's ex. There is a huge difference in ergos, power, power delivery, and handling. Whether or not it's enough to justify $1100 is all up to the rider. Within 3 hours off where I live I found the 06 z cheaper than the 06 trx(ex). When I first rode the ex I thought it was the bomb, but now you couldn't get me to trade for nothing. Since I have ridden both let me give you some reasons why I like them.

400ex
like______________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________________
Antbody can ride these machines. They have enough power for the experienced rider to have fun, but behave well enough for a beginner to learn on.
You can beat the tar out of them and be lackadaisical on maintainance and they'll keep running.
They pull like a tractor. They have awesome low end.
Can handle tighter trails. They have a slightly smaller turning radius.

don't like______________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _____
To take off seat and access air filter, you've got to remove entire rear fender and seat as an assembly and it can be a pain to put back on.
Battery is out in the open in left rear fender along with the selinoid, with just a little piece of rubber covering them. And if you want to throw a charger on,
you've got to remove the battery to get a clamp on the positive.
You've got to reach up under the fender to activate the choke and it's kinda hard to find in the dark. They ddid make the handle bright yellow though.
Storage compartment lid comes off all the time, especially if you do wheelies.
You have to remove gas tank to change spark plug.
Rear grab bar is part of subframe, so if you want to change it you have to weld up some brackets.
No reverse. (Before 05, brother's is an 01)
Hard clutch and throttle feel.
Air cooled SOHC

Z400
like_______________________________
Very comfortable quad. Perfect ergos for me.
Also an easy bike for a beginner, but not as easy as the ex.
Great power.
Very smooth power delivery. Just like my twin cam.
Everything is easy access. Choke on bars, pull seat (only) off to access air filter and battery (with just little rubber boots over terminals). Don't know about
plug-haven't had to change.
No worry fuel valve. Even if your float needle leaks. Vacume operated so fuel won't flow if engine is not running.
Buttery smooth clutch and throttle feel.
Very easy chain adjustment.
All years have reverse.
Great resi shocks (05 up)
liquid cooled DOHC

don't like______________________
Reverse limiter kicks in way too early.
Suspension seems kinda on the soft side from factory, although I am 230lbs
Factory grab bar looked like it would offer little protection to plastics if it went over, that was one of the first things I changed.
A little high geared from factory for where power comes in (from factory). That's why I say it's not quite as good as the ex for someone just learning. I
could see them stalling it more.


The bottom end on my z is just as good as my brother's ex now just from the big gun cdi with advance timing. It made a world of difference and if it was like that from the factory, I would say it would be just as easy for a beginner to learn on. After that I added the pipe which I was surprised didn't make as much of a difference. The ex also has a slip on, a white brother's e-series. Which made about the same difference as my cdi.

So now you can see what my opinion is based on. I like both machines. If I had the opportunity to get the trx (The newer ex with reverse) for $1,100 cheaper before I owned mine I would have considered it. Now that I've had the chance to own and ride my z, I wouldn't even though it's an awesome machine.

You'll notice a big difference going from a warrior to a trx, but it would be a huge difference going to a z. Whichever one you get, you'll be happier and you'll have an awesome machine.

 

There is not a big difference in power between 2004 Z and 2003 EX. I can vouch for that. Certainly not $1100 worth. And you do NOT have to remove the gas tank to change the plug on a 400ex. And ergonomics don't get better than on a Honda imo.

But the truth is if I was after power and handling, I wouldn't opt for either of these quads.

 

QUOTE Sparky8370

400ex don't like______________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _____
To take off seat and access air filter, you've got to remove entire rear fender and seat as an assembly and it can be a pain to put back on.
Battery is out in the open in left rear fender along with the selinoid, with just a little piece of rubber covering them. And if you want to throw a charger on,
you've got to remove the battery to get a clamp on the positive.
You've got to reach up under the fender to activate the choke and it's kinda hard to find in the dark. They ddid make the handle bright yellow though.
Storage compartment lid comes off all the time, especially if you do wheelies.
You have to remove gas tank to change spark plug.
Rear grab bar is part of subframe, so if you want to change it you have to weld up some brackets.
No reverse. (Before 05, brother's is an 01)
Hard clutch and throttle feel.
Air cooled SOHC
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _____________

any one who has had to change the spark plug in the EX knows you dont have to change the spark plug.
removeing the seat and rear plastic is not a big deal
the choke is not hard to find after you have had to use it more than once
and the battery is mounted on the side of the frame and its not a real big deal to undo the 2 bolts that hold it in and if it really bugs you that much you can always buy a kit that relocate (spelling) the battery into the air box
i have had my 2001 400ex since new its all stock other than the slip on and yes i have had to change the spark plug and the battery is on the side of the frame adn has never crapped out on me due to its location on the quad
in my opinion air cooled means less parts to have something to go wrong with.

NO THE KFX/Z ARE NOT WORTH THE EXTRA 1100 BUT THAST JUST MY OPINION