I love it. This is my first Sport Atv. I figured the clutch would be hard to work with but after about 15 minutes of listening to my Uncle and trying it out, I had the clutch down with ease. I wasn't sure with me being only 14 and 130 lbs if it would be too much, but it seems perfect. I can't wheelie on it yet though. Any tips? I have one question, should you use the clutch when down shifting? I noticed you could down shift without it but only did it once because I wasn't sure if it was good for it. I'm really happy with it so far! It's a new left over Yellow 03 and I got it for $4999 American, though had to pay an extra $300 for setting it up. I hope I got a good deal, if not, please don't tell me. haha =). I'll have pics up as soon as I get back to my house which should be a week or so. Yep, welcome me to the club guys. I'm off to go stare at it in the garage.

 

congradulations.... enjoy your new quad. sounds like a great price but another 300 for assembly? any way enjoy the z, let me ask did you finance or pay out right? just wondering...

 

It's financed for 3 years. $159 a month. I just sold my 01 Suzuki Quadrunner 250 for $2400, so I'll put that towards the Z.

 

I am about the same weight as you, and same age, and I can wheelie no problem with z400s. Maybe you just need to get used to it, and practice...I think the z is like the best wheelie machine IMO. I would go very slow, in 1st gear, and then just nail the gas, and pull up. I stand when I wheelie, unless I want to sit. You could also do what I like to call a kneelie, and put your left foot in the grab bar. If you ever are about to flip, just hit the back brakes, that is why you put your left foot in the grab bar.



Hope that all helps, and good luck!

 

Thanks for the wheelie help man, I'll be trying first thing tomorrow. I only tried to pull up a few times, with practice I'm sure I'll be there in no time.

 

Im happy that you got your quad, and although you told me not to say anything I have to discuss price with ya.
First of all dont get me wrong, I am very jealous that you have a quad right now, and I am just reading about them, so you should be happy regardless....
A leftover 03 buying now is really a bad idea unless the price is right IMO. From what I hear from a dealer around me is that all of the dealers bought way too many 03's, hence the reason they are still around now. And lets not forget that they were actually made in 2002. That means the quad that you just bought while brand new to you, was actually made 2 years ago. As soon as you drove that quad out the door you lost 2 grand....Not to mention the upgrades from the 03 on the 04, and the upgrades on the 04 to the 05.
The dealer is prolly real happy to have gotten rid of the quad at 5200. (with the jerkoff prep costs). My question is what could they have poss sold the 04's for or didnt they even have them.. 04's around me are 5450 OTD, and the 05's (which Im not sure if they have been shipped yet, cant be more than 5700. Thats the only reason that it is tough to buy an 03 at that price IMO.
At the time you think hey I can save myself 300 bucks by getting a leftover, and it is brand new, but really that is not the case..especially if you come on hard times and have to sell the machine.
Anyway I dont want to be a downer, cause like I said you have a quad and I dont...but that was a decision that could go either way in my mind. If you keep the quad for a long time you will be fine, and really who cares about $500-800 in the long run. Enjoy your quad, and have fun!!!!!

 

When it comes to wheelies on a z, just remember, you're not back far enough until you think your too far back. I look through the hole where the steering stem goes through when I ride 'em. And if you go to far back, don't worry, that grab bar will hold it from going completely over. It's easier to learn to wheelie in second IMO. Just roll slow, scoot your a$$ way back and gun it to about 3/4 throttle till it stands up and you think your gonna fall off, then back off the gas a little and feather it to keep them front wheels up.

 

People can give you tips all day on how to wheelie..........but my tip is....just go out and practice.....you'll find the balancing point from practicing....and yes the grab bar will save you from going completly over backwards....Wheelies are just one of those things that you have to take in your own hands and learn...And once you do...your quad will hardly ever be on 4 wheels!!!


Congrats on the new quad!

 

Thanks everyone. The only thing I didn't see anyone mention is the down shifting, if I need to use the clutch or not. The price I got it for doesn't matter too much to me now, I sold my 01 Suzuki yesterday for $2400 cash, he came and picked it up a couple of hours ago. The $2400 will go towards the Z400 which leaves me owing somewhere around $3900 I believe. It was financed for three years and will be payed off in a year and a half. I may have made a mistake but I love the thing and I had a good idea of what I was doing. It's all a learning experience. I plan on racing at 16 or 17, so I'll have time to pay mine off, purchase another or just mod the Z.

 

I upsihft and downshift mine all the time without clutching it. Usually by accident, but sometimes you just have to, i.e. upshifting in a wheelie, downshifting in the air. Just think, the z250 doesn't even have a clutch, just a shifter. That tells me, CLUTHES ARE OPTIONAL.