I will take a Z400 over an EX anyday now that I have ridden both stock and modded the same. Z wins hands down. Both are built very well, but for performance in the desert go ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

 

Z al the way is my choice and as for the z having more parts causing it to be heavier is a lie. The Z is 372lbs while the ex is 386lbs.

 

Both are good bikes. The z with liquid cooling and almost 12:1 compression has a more technologically advanced design. The Ex has an old school design with compression in the 10s. The z is more expensive to work on. i.e. [cams for the z are 350$ and the ex only has 1 cam which u can get for 150$]the valves are easier to adjust on the ex the z is very involved. it really comes down to what a person wants in a machine. I have ridden both but prefer the z way more power in lightly modded trim, i like th good hit in the powerband, wider stock axle and a arms, stylish body and a very comfortable seat.

 

I went riding with a few friends about a month ago. All 3 of them had 400exs. They were all modded, cam, exhaust, ported head etc. I lined up with every one of them and smoked them all with about the same mods to my bike. But heres the kicker, I let one of the guys ride my bike and he was talking about selling his and getting a z400 because it more comfortable, handles better, shifts better (400ex does not shift smoothly), and was faster. Also, another buddy herad my bike was pretty quick, so he called me out to race his 07 450r and told me he was gonna smoke me. Well it was the other way around. In about 10 drag races total I ran him down and passed him every time. I never lost a race even if i had to let off to put the front end down. He got me off the line just about every race, but i caught and passed him. Everyone doubts the z400 compared to a 450, but with the right mods it can be made to haul. He rode my bike after racing and regretted buying the 450r because the z400 is more comy and easier to ride plus has reverse. Point is, the z400 is a very good all around bike. I also go mudding with the 4wd guys on mine. It not a drag bike, it gets trail ridden very often. If I were offered a brand new z400, 400ex, 450r, predator, or raptor, I would still take a z. I have ridden them all. To me the z wins overall.

 

Well it all depends what kind of riding you do see i feel the opposite i did not like the Z as much as my 06 400ex i was in Glamis and have never tried won so i dried my friends and i just did not feel the power in it seemed like it was all high end power and no low and mid range. I never draged with it but went up some dunes it performed OK but wasnt very impressed. And if you want a bike for drag racing and on the track go for the 450's they are all the fastest out there. If you want a more wide open area for more constant fast riding get the Z. And if ya want a good all around bike that is the best for trail riding dune carving and pretty much all around bike get the new 400ex GREAT BIKE!!!!!!!

 

Yea ok. Read the new atv rider about the z400 vs. the 400ex. Old school tech verses new tech. The 400ex just doesnt cut it against the z400. I know you own on so your opinion will be biased, but when a buddy of mine owns a 07 450r and told me he wished he would have bought a z400 after riding mine, thats says something. Also, another buddy with a highly modded 400ex got his butt kicked by my bike and then he rode mine, he said the same thing. He wanted to buy a bike like mine and have me do the mods I did to my bike.

 

I just bought a new 07 Z400. It is not broke in completely yet. My buddy has an 04 EX with a ProCurcuit slip on and that is about it.

After riding them both these are my perceptions. The EX sits lower. With the EX piped, the front wheels come up easier than my Z. He is 70lbs lighter than I am and a more experienced rider. When we let them out, he cannot run off from me by any means, but I don't exactly blow by him. We start about the same and then I slowly gain ground on him. He thinks they are about the same in the wheelie and power department. I think he has a little more torque on the bottom, but the mid range and high end I have more pull. The power bands are slightly different. The EX hits hard very early, the Z hits good early, and then great in the middle when the EX has finished. They both handle very similarly, with the cornering edge going to the EX due to the lower riding position. I think my suspensions is better. The EX has much better plastic coverage from the mud. I did not think this would be a big deal, but when we are finished riding, I am twice as muddy as he is. The transmission on the Z is a little smoother.

Overall, I find them very similar with slight advatages each way. I am anxious to pipe mine and then see how they compare. I am glad I bought the Z, mostly because it is newer technology for the same price, but I do not see a huge advantage over the EX. The EX is a great bike as well. One more thing though, his 04 does not have reverse which absolutely sucks. The new EX does have R though.

 

You stated he is 70lbs lighter than you? That is a huge difference on an atv. I will absolutly agree the z tranny is much better. I have problems missing gears on my buddies 400ex. My z shifts way better. Yea everyone says the 400ex has more bottom, and its prolly true, but you can't use all that torque because the ex wants to wheelie too easy, but the Z will stay down easier (not mine though) and you can put the power to the ground. put a yoshi pipe on it and the torque increase on the z is impressive. pipe your bike and see how bad you beat him.