A friend told my that the new z-400 had frame issues. I heard there were something like 6 weak points? Is this true?

 

As a matter of fact I just called suzuki 2 days ago on this very issue. I was told the following:

There is no bulletin or notice from suzuki indicating 'ANY' problem on all years of Z400.

There is no problem with the frame and there has been no redesign of the frame.

I specifically told him I was concerned as I read about frame problems a couple of times on the internet, he said that there was not one item in the database on problematic frames, in fact there was nothing at all that came up on the Z400, so far everything appeared OK.

I suspect all the rumors about weak frames are coming from people selling aftermarket frames trying to scare you into buying something you dont need.

If someone does have some factual information I would like to hear about it, I am sure all suzuki owners would. So if you have information please post it here so all of us can benefit from it and contact suzuki. Post the needed phone numbers and documentation if it wouldnt be to much to ask.

Until I see some proof to the contrary I will assume my frame is OK.

 

BartlettRacing
Quad Patrol
Jordan

That sure sounds interesting. I noted the following comment by you:
So even after you have gussetted the frame it is still cracking?

 

Zippy and exrider-400, I haven't had a single problem with any part of my frame, I ride at least twice a week, trails, mud, and jumping, and have been doing so since I bought my Z back in March. I inspect the areas that I keep hearing are cracking and haven't found evidence of any problems at all. I think everything is blown out of proportion in these forums. I don't believe people are lying when they say they have cracked frames, I just think that they're riding in a way that would probably crack any frame! including after market frames. Any bike will break down if you're riding it extremely hard, or not taking care of it.

My advice:
Maintain, and inspect your bike often, before and after riding. It's an expensive investment to participate in this sport, take care of your investment!

If you take care of your bike, it will take care of you!

 

I don't think Suzuki is going to just tell a customer over the phone what's actually going on with thier product service bullitens.
There has been problems with early release Z frames. Supposedly they were updated in Feburary of 03.
Over at the best source of Z400 info a post was created that tries to track the changes of the frame.
From this unscientific study it has shown that the people who have had frame problems had Zs built before Feb '03.
After 500 some odd views there where only 2 people who had frame issues from a machine that was purchased after Feb '03. These 2 were purchesed in march or april and could have been hold overs.
Though there where quite a few people that had frame issues with machines bought before Feb 03.

 

I raced a Z in the first 10 GNCC's (only, the quad had maybe 20 hours on it) the frame broke in three places. I had a dealer call suzuki and they replaced it, I had the new frame gusseted but have not ridden the quad since. Although I am going to race it next year in GNCC so hopefully it doesn't break again

 

I'm sorry to hear about your clients frame, though I've had mine for 3 months so far and I ride almost everyday. Once or twice a week I ride at my local MX track. I am 150 lbs. and my quad is stock and so far I've had no problems.

How does a ten hour old machine have rust already? Mine has over 100 hours easy and it still looks brand spankin new after it's been cleaned.
Something doesn't sound right in your story.

Yes I know Suzuki is aware of the problem. It appears they are replacing frames under warranty even after the warranty has expired.
I don't know the cause of the problem. Maybe they do bad welds on fridays (-8 or maybe the people who are having issues are just riding them too hard without prepping them properly for race situations.

All in all there are many many more people who are not experiencing problems with thier Zs.

 

I see it written above that suzuki is fully aware of the problem. Is there something in writing that you have from suzuki which will make it easy for us to get the frame repaired after the warranty runs out.

About suzuki not admitting there is a problem (if there is a problem) I see two viewpoints on this. 1 there is a finacial advantage for suzuki to not replace every frame that is out there if there is a problem. 2. If there is a problem and they do not take care of it their reputation will be ruined and thousands of people will not buy suzukis


BartlettRacing, what other frames do you see with problems like this. Surely this is not the only one. Another thought on this, do you think you see alot of suzukis to repair because the suzukis are popular. For example lets say 10% of all manufactures frames crack. If yamaha sells 10 atvs one will crack, if suzuki sells 1000 atvs then 100 will crack. Upon a simple observation most people would initially say that the suzuki frame is bad when in reality it is just like all the others.

About the change in quality of the frames after
they could have changed the steel alloy they made the frame from which would be the easy way to go, they could use the same tooling.

TahoeRider, I bought mine in september so I guess I should be OK?

 

BartlettRacing, so it seems like most are damaged by MXing, not just trail riding and little jumps in the woods.

 

John Arens in Mich. sells a shock tower brace for the Z it ties the shock tower to the frame. This will not fix a broken frame, but if you have a new quad or a new frame that as been gusseted you can add this for extra protection. It is fairly inexpensive, I don't have is phone number but he is sometimes in the mags. and he probably as a web site.