I rode my buddies YFZ450, it has a new pipe and been jetteed, that thing hauls butt, I was beating non built banshees and pretty much anyother quad out there, I was riding at Sand Montain, NV, raptors were eaten alive, DS650's not a problem. the things I did not like was the seat was hard as hell, I did not care for the riding position wheich I probably would get use to, but the power was sweet as could be, anyone who says different either hasn't rode one or rode one that was not tuned correctly


as for how it compares, I prefer it for the dunes because of the power, but I prefer my Z400 for the trails and motocross better

and yes Suzuki is working on a 450 bike and quad at the same time, this I heard from my neighbor who's buddy is one of the mechanics for Team Suzuki

 

If Suzuki wasn't working on a 450 they would be fools. I don't see how any of the big players are just going to sit back and watch the sales go to the competition. They may be late to market but in the same token will give them a opportunity to work on the short-comings the other new quads have.

 

Guido
I owna Z and have ridden aYFZ450. I would say its a race tyoe quad vs. a sport quad. Everything is soft and smooth on the Z, not so on the 450. Youknow that nice seat on Suzy? Plush suspension? NADA BUT:
the 450 has quite a bit more power, better suspension, just not for slower cruising.
Of course there is the reverse deal, but I don't care about that.
IMO if you want a quad thats racer ready you must go with the 450, but for just about anything else, I think the Z is a great choice. With a FCR carb, pipe, filter, DRZ base gasket, and an ignition, you can make 450 type hp numbers, and have reverse for around the same $. As you suspected, I think.
I know I know I know, you could so all that to a 450 and be faster, thats not my point.

 

Thanks to all for the input. It's funny how almost 2 years ago the Z400 was the #1 all around quad and now it's down the list. It's obvious it wasn't built as a racing quad like the YFZ and new Honda are but it still can hold it's own. Just needs a little more help. The YFZ is pricey though. Dealer in town wants $7900 otd. Ripoff!!

I know Suzuki will eventually come out with a 450. They appear to be serious about racing with starting a race team. Hopefully they don't stop the program like they, and everyone else did, 15 years ago.

 

I'm sure the YFZ is a nice quad, but don't get sucked into all the hype. Anytime anything new is introduced it is always the best thing to ever come around. Wait a year, see how it stacks up against the 450R, plus consider your riding style and area. The Z is a great all around quad, it can do it all. No reverse sucks for tight trails and neither the YFZ nor 450R were designed for recreational trail riders.

Another thing is the mags and press always hype the race machinery. Just look at the 250R and the Quad Racer. The 250R gets all the press and legendary status because it did so well on the racing scene when the Quad Racer was in fact a better all around quad for average, trail riding users. It has smoother power, better ergos, a bigger tank, and compared very favorably to the 250R. If you read the old ATV Sports magazine shoot outs from '87 & '88, the Quad Racer actually won in '87 and was just a shade behind the 250R in '88.

Anyway, I'm not brand loyal as I've owned every brand of quad at one time or another. I just buy what's best suited for me. Not what's "hot".

 

Whenever you buy a bike, you had better HOPE THAT IT WILL BE OBSOLETE IN A COUPLE OF YEARS!! That means the manufacturers are improving the products!! We now look at the 400EX, and it is at the bottom of the performance heap. But in 1999, it wasn't so bad when your only other choice in a 4-stroke was a Warrior, Mojave, or 300EX. I hope in a few years we will be commenting on how lame those 450's are, because we are riding magic carpets.