I'm looking to buy my first quad and I'm torn between the 07 Polaris Raptor 500, and the 07 Suzuki Z400. I'm looking for a machine that has enough power, and overall performance to move my 5?10? and 250lb body around. I plan on doing some trail riding around here is the Pacific Northwest (Washington State), and some occasional trips to the sand dunes.

So I need your advice. Please tell me what you think?..

Thanks

 

Told you I was new to the quad thing. I meant the Predator 500. Sorry about the mistake

 

The Z is a great machine. Excellent handling and a great trouble free engine. In stock form it it quite a bit detuned, so just a few simple mods will really net you a big increase in power when you are ready.

 

both are great machines!! i have a kfx and love it. the z400/kfx have more aftermarket parts for it. i wouldnt trade for nothing. i love the 450's but they are made for racing. the 400 is a good all around bike with reverse. the pred is also a great bike. cant go wrong with either. if your looking at 400/500 ,, ive out ran 500's on my kfx. big cc's but gearing is alittle of it seems. my .02.

 

I went through the same decision last summer and went with the Predator. It's a bit heavier and wider than the Z, but the extra power makes up for it in my opinion.

 

I have a Predator 500...bone stock, and it is very powerful. I'm 6'0 250, and my Predator is fast and comfortable. Parts are a bit harder to come by, especially after-market. The Predator is heavier, but made with very good quality. I have never heard of a stock Z400 outrunning a stock Predator except from Z400 owners... but everyone's quad is always the fastest. I also own a pair of 400ex's and the Predator is night and day more powerful then them.

I have heard great things about the Z400s also after they fixed some frame issues from the early years. Also, the Kawi KFX400 and the Arctic cat is the exact same quad as the z400, only cosmetically different.

Predator negatives I have experienced....
- The seat tends to make you slide forward as you ride
- Rear wheels break away really easy from all the low end torque (fun at times, but too easy depending on what you are doing)
- Parts are not cheap and almost always must be ordered (Dealers rip you off...go through the internet or order by phone)
- Stock Dash board and ignition will be destroyed if you ever roll it. The dash is plastic and the iginition key sticks out far (I put on a trail-tech after i rolled it)
- A lot of the cool aftermarket parts are not made for the Polaris - The big three (Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha) get all the love.
- Heavy

Predator Positives.....
-POWER!!!!!
-Quality - (Braided lines, Douglas Red label wheels, fox shocks)
-Power!!!!
-Not badly priced

Big dudes like us need displacement.... I say go Predator...or Raptor 700!

 

I forgot to mention that I looked at a Raptor 700 too. It seemed pretty comparable to the Pred but since they just re-did everything, it ends up being a lot more expensive. Plus it costs more to add aftermarket exhaust w/ EFI. You have to get some kind of a chip along w/ that. Anyway, I liked the Raptor, but couldn't really tell a lot from the test ride when I couldn't get above 2nd gear on blacktop [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

 

ever thought about a ds650

 

True on the Raptor Price...they are quite a bit more. The exhaust might be more but it is nice cause there is no jetting necessary...and it is wicked fast. As for DS650 or even a KFX700, they are both fast and good for big guys, but they are some heavy heavy machines! I would also imagine that any parts or aftermarket for the DS650 will be costly too.

 

Out of the few names you called out id say the polaris 500 if you didnt want to spend the extra cash on a rap 700..