mudslinger400z- It may not seem like I've given the Z400 much consideration by this thread but I really have. I started considering it from the point Suzuki announced it's release. I waited for the first pics in the mags and went to check one out as soon as it hit the sales floor. I had ridden a neighbors Z after he purchased it. Then he told me how his axle had bent (after a medium sized jump) and then I started reading about more problems on forums. I probably would have purchased a Z400 by now if it wasn't for the axle and frame. (I also don't like that 3 companies are selling the same machine. Although it'd be good for shopping around.) Now I am considering the Predator and Raptor and waiting to see what happens with Honda. I am not familiar with any problems with the Predator. If I had to choose between two quads with problems, I'd pick the faster one with problems. The Raptor has had it's share of problems but it's come around. The Raptor also has reverse. The reduced price of the Raptor is also nice. The Predator is only a couple hundred more than the Z for a faster machine. (stock)
ATV Sport- April- 0-45 mph- Z400 8.87 sec.- Predator 6.98 sec.- Raptor 6.87 sec.- DS 6.22 sec.

I don't think anyone should have to put one dime into a newer machine to have something corrected when it should have been right in the first place. People spend alot of money for these toys. (& tools)

 

The Z400 is the illegitimate child of the Raptor and the 400EX. Suzuki copied a little of both to come up with the Z.

 

And Honda would still be making 3 wheelers if they hadn’t copied Suzuki. What does that have to do with the price of tea in china?
The Raptor is nothing more then a 400EX mixed with a big Yamaha motor, unfortunately for Yamaha the end result was a quad that even a 400EX could beet on the track, but that’s what it is.

 

I'll take it by where you live you will be trail riding most of the time? In that senerio I would give the nod to the Z400 out of the box. In the dunes or long straights I would say go with the Raptor. Either can made be made to perform tremendously with enough aftermarket parts either to the motor or to the suspension but somehow I doubt your buying this quad to drop another $6k in it for handling and power.

Chicago Cycle has some great deals going on both right now. They have the Z400's going for $4500 and the Raptors going for $5100.

 

thanks for the help, and I already have a Z250 and I found that it has great suspension, and coyotechaser I haven't diven A 400ex but i bet you own one, because no on e tlaks good about the Honda sport line unless they have a honda sport quad.

 

sorry about the spelling I ment "one talks" thanks.

 

Ya think?

 

coyotechaser, you dont even own a 400ex how would you know?

 

there is another sport quad to think about: the yamaha yzf450. light weight, handles great, and FAST!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] 450cc power, 350lb quad... what more could you want?

 

Yeah, the 450 will be a great racer and if you have one you're going to probably be faster than regular trail riders but it still isn't the ideal trail quad. It doesn't have reverse and it isn't made to idle down hills, or I wouldn't think it is. It also has stiff race suspension, great for the track but not good for trail riding all day. I also wonder how good it is on gas, cause if you're out riding somewhere all day you don't want to pack a big gas jug with you all day. If you're going to be racing a lot the yfz is probably the only bike I would consider right now though. It still needs a few months to prove how everything will hold up.