DirtWheels is giving us a first look at the Z400...."Powering the Z400 is a high performance 398cc liquid cooled, DOHC, single cylinder 4 stroke. It features four valves and a HIGH 12.2:1 COMPRESSION RATIO (the dirtbike engine has an 11.3:1 ratio).

It continues on to state that the bore and stroke along with the 36mm Mikuni carb are exactly the same as the DRZ...the stock DRZ makes about 38 horsepower, looks like the quad engine gets a bump in compression....we might be looking at a 40 horsepower quad!!

"and responds well to high performance modification" !!

If the article is correct, this Z400 isn't after the 400ex, but looking to take a bite at the Raptor?!?
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To me it looks like it is designed to take them all on, 400ex, raptor and ds650. I havent got my december issue but it is strange that you say that the mag said it has a 12.2:1 comp ratio, because i have seen a suzuki factory brochure from my suzuki dealer and it has the compression at 11.3:1 in the specs?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

suzuki has always made good sport quads,
I think this may be a calling of the zilla, but 4 stroke, all those damn 2 stroke laws...
i used to own a lt 230, good quad, for 230 surprising power,
and if i get the money (after i buy a car of course) im gonna buy this year, or next years Z400,
when suzuki makes sport quads, they are usally the best, look at history,
dont listen to flames about how 400 ex is better, this IS aimed at teh raptor, and everyone is saying it looks like it to, actully i think it looks more in the front like the ds (headlight anyone?)
this quad is going to rip, and i am definitly going to buy it,

 

40hp? that would be...



AWESOME! I would pick one up!

 

I Hear yah, Everywhere else they are stating the 11.3:1, DirtWheels says 12.2:1. I guess it wouldn't be the first time Dirt Wheels was wrong.

As far as that goes, I hope they are right!!

 

What are you talking about? Higher compression? The dirt bike has the 12.2:1, and the street (dual-sport) bike has the 11.3:1 compression. Suzuki made this change by putting a thicker base gasket so you can use 87 octane gasoline. The dirt requires 91 octane for the high compression. I imagine whoever worte this is a little confused.

 

I've read a few issues of dirtwheels, "excellence in journalism" it's not. Don't have a hairball over a few minor errors.

 

Whatever the compression ends up being I think this machine will be fast. Suzuki has been building quads longer than anyone and they usually put out quality quads. I can't wait for this thing to hit the dealer floors.

 

suzuki sport atv = F A S T

 

You've got that right, Elrancho. Read a couple of articles in a professionally produced magazine, like CycleWorld, and then read DirtWheels and you can easily see the difference. Sometimes I wonder if they hire their writers from Jr High journalism.