I'm very strongly considering making the switch from Utility to sport...I really like my KQ 700 but I just feel I'd have more fun hitting jumps and shifting gears and pulling wheelies on a sport quad. So my question is how is the Z400's power? How is it's suspension? Can it keep up with the 450's and Raptors? Also is it faster than a KQ 700? i'd be buying a used 03 or 04 most likely b/c I they cost to much new.

 

i ride with raptors and 450s. trust me youll be as fast if not faster depending on your ability

 

Sounds like you would be happy with the z400. Chances are it wouldn't be stock for too long, and and aftermarket pipe along with a header will fully open this machine up. Just be sure to check this thread
http://forums.atvconnection.com/mess...did/474907.cfm
incase you get one of the years that was affected by this. Its a simple and easy fix. I am currently modding my '01 warrior and within the year or so will hand it off for my girl friend to ride while I get either the z400 or any of the 450's that are out today.

 

Keep in mind that the 03's had front shock mount problems, so limit it to 04's only!

This motor has HUGE hop-up potential with simple mods like venting the airbox lid, free flowing air filter, and an aftermarket exhaust. The powerband is kind of revy. It isn't really a motor that grunts down low, but rather it makes its power in the middle and top end of the powerband. I prefer it for fast trails and fire roads, and I prefer the grunty 400EX for slow, technical trail riding.

Handling is excellent, and this motor is proving to be very reliable. A 700 would win a drag race, but you will lose the big bulky Kawi on the first turn, with the agile handling of the Z.

 

the Z is a great quad. the 03 had frame problems like what was said before. the 05 has better suspension than the 03,04 models
as for power the motor is great even when its still stock. its very dependable even with the mods I did to mine
and it weighs lots less than the 700 and looks better too

 

i rode one with a hmf pipe, K&N and jetted, i wasnt very impressed....

 

THE Z400 IS FAST I HAVE AN 03 WITH A PIPE, FILTER AND JETS AND THE THING WILL REALLY GET UP AND GO. ITS GOT DECENT POWER BUT DONT EXPECT TO BE HANGING WITH 450'S WITHOUT SOME INTERNAL MOTOR MODS. I RECENTLY BOUGHT A TRX450R AND THE DIFFERENCE IS SIGNIFICANT. MY STOCK 450R WILL PULL AWAY FROM THE Z400 WITH ALL THE MODS. BUT DON'T GET ME WRONG IT'S A GREAT ATV IM SURE YOU'LL LOVE IT.

 

Hey DS

I'm pretty sure coming off a DS 650 not too many 400cc machines will impress you.

 

that is true, but he wants to know if he can run with yfz's and other 450s, i rode a yfz and a z400 , and it would take quite a bit of work to make em run side to side. not bashing z400's i admit they are nice, liquid cooled, reverse, pretty peppy for a 400 and u can get nice used ones for cheap, good bargain but dont plan on beating any 450's in a race

 

Sounds like the Z is a nice bike...I just hope I wouldn't be dissappointed in it's power b/c I know a 250 dirtbike is cheaper and faster, but I don't know how to ride a dirtbike and I don't know if I'd like having to keep it balanced all the time. To bad the 450 quads are so much more than a Z b/c they sound like they're a lot faster.