hey guys, im looking for a new quad and im stuck between an ltz400 and kfx450, the main reason i dont really want the kfx is because its a racing bike and i heard the need a lot of maintenance, what kind of maintenance do they really need? by the way the kfx is an 08 so it has reverse

 

I always here people saying rebuilds, rebuilds, rebuilds... I don't know anyone that has actually had to rebuild. I think I've had my '04 yfz for 3 years now or is it 4?? I can't remember but, it has had many, many, MANY hours on it since I've owned it. I do regular oil changes, and changed a water pump. No signs of needing rebuild whatsoever.

Well, I say that but, technically....I've replaced the chain and wore out some brake pads but, that's required of any quad...

 

well I think I'm gonna go with the ltz400 because they require almost no maintenance and people say that they all top out around 70-75mph, also I've heard that the 400's have more torque? By the way, I ride in fields, down roads, and I drift around and climb black muck hills

 

More torque? You couldn't tell by ridding. For me its not about top speed. It how fast you get there. Trust me that a 450 will get to that 70-75 much quicker. I had a piped 400ex and all we did was trails and hill climbs. It would stall occasionally on big stuff. Not the 450. It handles anything you throw at it with ease. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

The ltZ is a great machine as well. You still MUST do regular oil changes. It's the life of any machine. If your one wanting to go faster and faster and hot rod save the trouble and go 450. Otherwise you'll be happy with the ltz for sure.

 

No I'm not all about top speed either, I like a good top speed though, but with a kfx450 would you be able to pop up the front end as easily as a 400ex?

 

Yes. There are several KFX450 riders in our group and they have no problems getting the front wheels up. The KFX450 is also geared lower than a lot of other 450's which helps with the low end. From what I've seen the KFX450 will do everything that a 400 will do, but quicker.
As for maintenance, the LTZ and KFX are both overhead cam motors so valve adjustment is similar (shims). Most importantly, change oil regularly.

 

Ride both of them before you buy one. If your looking for a good trail bike the ltz might be a better fit than the 450.
These 450's are race inspired bikes and rev quickly and have good power but I wouldn't say torque. They make thier power by making lots of RPM's much like that of a two stroke quad of yesteryear. Now you may like that, but the two strokes got a bad name from people expecting to be able to just lug them around the trails like they could on thier utility quads and thats just not what they are made for. The same is true for all of the new 450's.

Not saying the 450's are not able to be ridden on the trail, but riding style will have to be different than on the ltz. Also, reverse could be helpful on the trails....

 

Maintenance? Routine, no matter what you get.