i am selling my kodiak to get a 400ex or a z400 but i cant decide which to get. what would you guy choose and what is the price difference?

 

Go with the Suzuki.Handles as well as the EX and has lots more power. late,zubbeyboy

 

With a few low cost mods (chop open air box, drill out pea shooter, rejet: $5) the Z400 slaughters a 400ex (K&n, slip on exhaust, rejet, chopped open airbox: $200+) in power.

The 400ex and Z400 are about the same price at most dealers. I wouldn't get a 400EX unless you could find it for at least $800 less than a Z400.

 

Well, there isn't as large a performance difference between the two as many would lead you to believe.

I have yet to be "slaughtered" by a Z or a KFX yet, modified or unmodified on my lowly 400EX (with about $1000 in relatively mild engine mods - pipe, carb, cam, piston)

Basically the two quads are very similar. Suzuki esssentially copied a 400EX chassis & took a very detuned version of their DRZ400 engine and mated them.

The Suz does have the advantage of liquid cooling, which helps in tuning & ultimate performance potential - however, it does have some drawbacks.

When you begin to modify, it limits your overbore & sleeving capabilities.

It adds complexities that potentially can cause problems. It adds a fan and radiator that can give trouble, or plug up with mud when racing a muddy event.

The Suzuki is very expensive to modify (engine wise). Although it can offer greater performance potential in the end. The 400EX can be built to develop very good power fairly cheaply & more different options are available as far as modifying the engine goes.

The Suzuki is a little heavier due to it's liquid cooling requirements.

Both will handle similarly. I have heard quite a few complaints about the Suzuki's rear suspension geometry though.

400EX's can be found cheap. I would not buy a new one unless you can pick it up for significantly less than the MSRP, otherwise buy used.

400EX replacement parts prices are often 1/3 the cost (or less) of Z400 parts prices. This alone is one reason that if I were in the market for a quad today, I would choose the 400EX over the Suzuki, especially for the basis of my race quad.

Both seem to be solid performers. You will likely be happy with either quad in the end as they are very similar, each having some distinct advantages over the other.

Decide what's important to you, then choose from there.

 

1986atc250r,
i feel the exactlly the same way...............



ATVmadman,

400ex's are going real cheap in some states,

in tennesee you can get one out the door for $4450............
http://abernathyonline.com/ ....sells them for that.

i haven't been really impressed with the Z yet to go buy one.........


get the quad you want and be happy.......[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I have one of each and like riding them both. They perform a lot alike though I will say my KFX will smoke my EX and its pretty much stock except for the pipe. They are both good bikes. I got my KFX for $6,050 out the door.

 

Test ride them both and then make your decision. They are both great machines, but the advantage the Z has over the EX is reverse.

 

Generallee - if your KFX is all stock and your 400EX is Piped, jetted, etc. the difference in the two should be negligable.

Be sure to check the throttle adjustment on the 400EX, they're shipped with the adjuster (at the thumb throttle) screwed all the way in, which only allows about 70~80% throttle opening - many remain that way unless you have a particularly good dealer that catches it during PDI.

Stock for stock, the HP difference between a 400EX and KFX/Z is only about 2 to 3 at the back tires. Definitely not enough for one to "smoke" the other.

 

if i got either one i would only put bolt on mods like a pipe, filter, axle, a arms, and stuff like that. i wouldnt bore it out or anything. how much do both quads cost normally, brand new?

 

As I've said before, the only way I'd buy a 400EX right now is if I got a great deal. The only thing that bothers me about the Z400 is problems with frame and rear axle. I guess the rear axle is supposed to be alright now. Usually when a person buys a quad, they only have two choices of dealers to get prices. Example: Honda and Suzuki dealers competeing for the sale. Then if your lucky there might be a couple of each kind of dealer in an area to get prices from. But, because the Kawasaki kfx400 is the same as the Z400. You now have more dealers to compete with the 400EX's prices. Somewhere I had read that Artic Cat is supposed to come out with a Z400 with different plastic. So then you have the Suzuki, Kawasaki and Artic Cat dealers to price against Honda 400EX's. So, I'd go with the one that best fits your needs for the best price and warranty. Remember: If one dealer doesn't want to deal there is always one that will.