I tested the new z400 Wednesday afternoon with a piped 400ex and freshly built banshee. It handled alot better than my 400ex. There was no tippy feeling!! These tires hook up so you have to be aggresive and lean! That thing will stick any turn at high speed through the woods. It ate a few big hillclimbs up easily! We raced on the dam and I left the 400ex by two or three bike lenghts and the banshee popped a wheelie taking off so he was not even close. I didn't have it wide open but was pushing it. I like it much better than my 400ex!! The brakes work perfect and I like how the brake light works with the front brakes or back. Shifting is very smooth and it flys!!

NOW THE BAD NEWS!!! The axle is toooooooooo weak!!! I hit a jump that I launch off of with 426ex and the axle bent on both sides!!!!! It bent both sides up so that was the end of my riding for a day. It was not that big of a jump at all!!! So beware of jumping it. My dealer is taking care of the problem but come on Suzuki!!!! If it happens to me within the first day of riding then something is not built too good! Everything is awesome with the quad but the axle. I did notice it could use better protection on the underside of the radiator where the hose comes out. If a stick popped up it could easily knock the hose off or damage the radiator. This quad handles like a dream and I am very glad I got it!

 

Yeah, I too noticed about the lack of protection for that hose on mine also. I am thinking of going with a braided metal hose, and then maybe some custom bash plates. That sucks about the axle. I have only done some real small jumps on mine, but I haven't heard of anyone bending an axle yet. Although, maybe it's just yours (we can all hope) since there have been lots of reviews done even though not all published where they have been raced at mx tracks and sheeit like that with no problems. And, well, if the axle is the only thing we've to worry about, well, I'll take that in stride.
peace

 

Um on the Z400, you were saying that they a have a week axle.

How much do you way? Not trying to be mean but may be that you way a bit more than me (150) but i am seriously just asking a question on the axle.

How much would or did it cost for you to get the axle fixed, or did you just go to a diff. axle? Thanks!

 

sorry, weigh.

not the best in vocabulary

 

I just stopped by my local Suzuki dealer and checked the Z out. You must have had a bad axle. It looks very simular to the one that was on my QuadRacer. I never bent mine and I jumped mine hard sometimes.

 

nice ride report, how did the front end handle that jump?

 

hey scarecrow i seem to have lost your e-mail addy. can you pm it to me? i gonna need some parts for my bike soon. hopefully you can still hook me up [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

The axles do look pretty stout. I just picked mine up today. Is the axle 2 halves? It looks like the bolt together at the housing in the middle.

Anyway, I just found a Z400 sitting on the lot today and took it home. I love it. Tomorrow I'll get a real ride on it and let you all know how I do.
It is rather naked underneath and they will need to come up with a plate for it soon. I do like the swingarm plate it scomes with though.