I love my z400, but if i had it to do over i would go with the yfz450 or 700r. the power difference between them and the z400 is big. I only problem with the 450's is not having a reverse gear. If your looking to save money and have a nice trail quad go with the z400.

 

Before I purchased my z400, I rode a piped yfz450 and it was fast, torquey and looks great, but it has a much harsher ride, hard slim seat and no reverse (I think), but, it is designed for racing motocross where it excels. I feel the z400 is a better all around machine, and it can be upgraded for more power. It is all in what you personally want in a bike. When I was younger, I would have bought the yfz in a heartbeat.

 

I have a Z400, a YFZ, and a Raptor 660. If I were riding woods and trails only, there is no question my decision would be the Z400. I'm a sand duner so the YFZ works best for me.

 

Could you detail why the YFZ is better for sand? I have ridden my 2 week old '06 z400 only on desert trails, but will be dunning in the winter. What would make the z400 better for sand in your opinion? I already have paddles.

Thanks,

Chips2000

 

There are 3 answers to your questions. Horsepower, horsepower, and horsepower.

For the Z, get a good pipe and K&N filter, lose the airbox lid, and jet accordingly. We just put Stage 1 Hotcams in ours and it made a very big difference, I'm very pleased. Our Z is an 03, so it starts out with a bit smaller cam than your 06. In the sand it's weight and horsepower, especially if there are any hills like our big huge Idaho zonkers.
SR

 

you'll have no problems with the z at the dunes. even stock it runs great. I ride the dunes and the desert and I love it
the yfz is faster than the Z but for duning you dont need top speed you need torque, gear down 1 tooth on the front and you'll be fine
and like shady said Horsepower is what you need for the dunes

 

Ok, thanks for the info. I have ordered a 13t fs.

Sorry, jim1345666trailblazer, didn't mean to hijack your thread.

 

z400 is good in everything.. not great in one thing and weak in another. For racing, trails, and just riding got with the z/kfx 400. 450's r made for motocross and stuff and need more maintenence because of their engine performances. They also dont have reverse.. and when in the woods and taking the wrong trail.. ull want reverse or ull b rly mad...
I had a KFX400 with mods n stuff.. it kept up with 450's when we raced and stuff... so IMO go with the z/kfx.. u can always mod it the way u want to b faster.. worse coems to worse ull get the 440 kit and give 450's a run but im sure ull be happy with the stock power it has.. which is great.

 

A good built up Z is a great platform. I've been beat by a few while on my YFZ at the dunes. An Athena kit, head porting, good cams and carb gets you there. It's expensive, but you end up with a very comfortable quad you can ride all day and enjoy whereas the YFZ does beat you after a while. I love ours and look forward to more mods like the big cylinder etc. and especially wider a arms as the Z feels tippy compared to the YFZ (of course everything is tippy compared to the YFZ...)