I am buying either a Z400 or a 400EX used. and want to know the benifits of the z over the ex besides power and liq cooled. i do mostly trail riding at lower speeds in high temps.

 

if they are used get the honda. When they are used liquid cooling is not a benefit, it is another thing that can go wrong. Honda is fine for you

 

they're both great quads for trail riding. I like the Z400 over the 400ex it feels more comfortable to me
the z has a better suspension .IMO. and it has reverse for when your in tight places

 

I'd say that I 2nd paintballbanshee on that one, liquid cooled is just one more thing to break. New or used I'd say go with the 400ex.

 

I would get the Z but there is nothing wrong with 400EXs. Older EX's do not have reverse, newer Z's have reservoir shocks.

 

Another vote for the z. More power, more comfortable (as a matter of opinion), better suspension. The benefits of the liquid cool outweigh the cost. Running cooler means more power consistantly, longer engine life. Thats like saying get the quad with points and condenser ignition because the cdi is one more thing to worry about. Or get the carburated car, because there is more things to worry about with injection. Computer, fuel pump, injectors, etc.
The ex is a great quad, but the z is better. That may change in the future with major upgrades to the trx/ex. Unless there is $1000 difference in price, get a z.
Never make your choice on brand loyalty, that's foolhearty. Weigh all considerations and their importance to you. You may well come up with the ex. For me the decision was the z. Not because it's a suzuki, it just happen to follow my list of priorities.

 

I agree with sparky, I rode honda's for many years and owned a 400ex. Last year I looked at both for my wife and for 2005 the Z400 was in many ways better than the 400ex. I took a gamble and went out of the honda line a got her the Z. It has been so good and we did a few mods, that Last week I sold my 400ex and purchased a new Z for Myself. It's better from suspension, up to the motor and everything inbetween.

 

I was also on the fence between these two quads, and settled on the KFX/Z.
Here are my observations...

Seat height on the Kawazuki is about 2" taller than the Honda. Even though the specs on the web sites read the same, there is a difference. In fact, with me on the KFX at 220#, it sagged to the height of the Honda with nobody on it. I felt cramped on the TRX, but feel great on the KFX. I'm 6'3".

The battery on the Honda is exposed - inside the left rear fender. It'll be exposed to everything you ride through.

Go to the dealer and take the seat off the KFX and Honda. The Honda is a royal pain to get off and back on. The rear plastic comes off with the Honda seat. The Kawi seat comes off and goes back on with ease.

Also, the tool tube cap on the Honda needs a remedy. Although minor - it's a very loose fitting cap, and I can see the cap getting jostled off. It's an easy enough fix with some creativeness from your local Home Depot. Heck - even if it's a sheet metal screw or two.

On the Z/KFX 1st gear is pretty low, and second is a bit taller, so there are times when 2nd is too tall, and 1st seems too low. I went down 1t on the countershaft and that recolved that.

Also, take this for what it's worth...I have two friends that have 2005 400EX, and had 2003 400EX. Each of them has ridden my quad, and were very impressed with how much better the KFX felt. The guy who had the 2003 EX just sold his for an '06 Raptor 700. We all went riding on the MX track this past Sunday, and Brad (2005 EX) rode mine again as well as the Raptor. When he came back, he said he still maintains that my KFX is the quad to have. The Raptor has more power, but he said the KFX handled so much better there was no comparison. The Raptor felt nose-heavy, and the extra weight was quite noticable. THAT was a good feeling - that he'd take a KFX/Z over a much more expensive Raptor 700.

 

Thanks for all your help, i think i just need to ride both of them and im sure ill know right away wich to get. off looks alone i like the z.

 

The Z is better in every aspect. The Honda's a good machine but the Suzuki is a great machine. Read every review in a magazine or online and they all pick the Z. Unless the Z has been beat or something get the Z.