I've never ridden a pred, but I hear they are a little faster on the top end. I love my z, you plan on racing I believe the pred is too big at 500cc. I believe there is a 450 cc limit. That's why the trx450r, yfz450, and new quadracer 450 race quads are only 450cc

Check out my pics and list of mods for mine. It feels like a totally different machine with just a few simple, fairly inexpensive mods. Way more grunt than stock, acceleration picked up throughout and better top end. Gearing comes out slightly lower (less top end) but with the extra 1200 rpm, it still has more top end than stock.

 

Z by far but if you can afford alittle more the Craptor 700 would be a good choice too. Although this is the first year for it you might wanna wait and see if there are any problems being reported about it.

 

Predators are fast real fast, but people, tend not to give them their do credit. But still i would have to go with the z. More fun to me, and, i couldn't find myself on the pred, to awkward for my tastes, niether one are a bad choice. Oh and th z is no more realible than the pred, just depends on how you take care of them. That goes for any atv. But i have seen a few bad aples, of them all, thats how people becomed biased. I ride both suzuki, yamaha, and honda, there all good, but my favorite is my little z. Peace.

 

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I like you last year went throught the same delema. Both are great quads and it is a tough choice. In the end I went with the preddy. It comes with great parts stock compared to the z such as fox podium shocks, stainless break lines, Maxis razr tires, and the list goes on. I trail ride and mx my preddy and it has held up well. People on this board are cutting on the preddys reliability but mine has been great. As for Polaris they back all 06 and up predators with a 3 year bumper to bumper warranty. As for speed, the preddy rocks. UNless the z-400 has a big bore kit in it you will have a tough time keeping up with a preddy. The handling of a z is very good, but so is the preddy. I was keeping up with yfz's that had a arms and shocks with my stock suspension. Anyway hope this info helps. Good luck in your decision you wont go wrong with either.

 

Pete is correct, they are both very good quads. Maybe you and your buddy should buy 1 of each and then do a comparison. I have a friend I ride with in the summer that has a Z400 and I have an '03 Predator with some goodies- - I bought it brand new in '03 and have put it to the test - the only problem I experienced with the quad was a hole wore thru the air box lid from the seat rubbbing -Polaris warrantied it-no questions asked. For my Preddy being a first yr. quad, I am very impressed and pleased with it- it takes the beating I give it . It will destroy a 400Z in a drag race . Anyway my buddy and I swap our quads all the time. If you guys are just getting into the sport quad scene, I would recommend the Z 400 because it has a plusher suspension and is very easy to handle and ride - it also has a softer seat and is a fun quad to pull wheelies on and trail ride. The Predator has a stiffer seat, stiffer ride and alot more power. It is more of a race/MX quad - it comes with alot of adjustabilty in the front and rear - ride height, compression dampening, Fox shocks with an adjustable rezzy in the rear, rebound adjuster etc. The Preddy also comes with Douglas aluminum rims with Razr tires stock and steel braided brake lines. The 400Z has none of these features but they both come with reverse. You get more bang for your buck with a Preddy but the Suzy is no slouch either and you get a great ride. I also would like to mention that they are both very good in the trails and you won't feel the weight on the Preddy- the Pro steering is phenominal in the trails once you dial the adjustability in for the front shocks - it corners flat and the front end stays planted. Jumping both quads is a riot. The Suzy get longer air but is not a stable in the air ad the Preddy . The Preddy lands stiffer and the 400z tends to bounce. Hopes this helps - You can't really go wrong with either one - It all depends on what you are looking for [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Go with the Predator 500. It's faster than the Z400 in everyway. The Predator is one of the most underrated quads out there.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

i feel they are overratedin my opinion. we just sold our 2005 model and we still have our z if that tells u anything. i just wasnt happy with it. plus i hated the way the way they made the air filter. if your trail riding i think you would be much more satisfied with a z400. plus if your goin for looks the pred looks like a preyinmantis. we have a pretty good lookin z400 you can check ou the pics in my profile. thats just my opinion just like i always say take it with a grain of salt

 

me and a buddy rode today, i was on my stock z and he was on his troy lee predator with the pure polaris pipe (white bros?). It was faster than mine after hitting third, but not by much. I jumped both of them on a small lip and definately was more inmpressedd by the z's jumping ability, and the ability to pull of the front end in all gears. The pred did do pretty good in the streams, and on the trails. i might put up some video if i can remember how to.