....preferrably not biased ones, but. anyways im still tryin to decide what kind of sport quad i want to get. i'd like a 400ex, but no reverse. im gonna just be playin around jumpin a little and a little trail riding. since the 400ex was outta the question i was thinkin about a 300ex, but then i started thinkin about gettin a z400. so if you were in my place what would you get, the 300ex or z400? keep in mind how im gonna be ridin it and that im 18 and like 140lbs, 5'10". i went and looked at both today and i like the z400 alot im just concerned about it bein a first year quad and all....

 

Dude don't worry about you being a first year rider, I'am but a Z-400 is a very forgiving quad. You can easily learn to ride it with great ease. I'm 16 and weigh 130 lb. and i pratically fly off the quad at full speed. The Z-400 is a great quad, but if you have a few more bucks, why not get a Predator.

 

i didnt mean i was a first year rider i've got a bayou 300 and had it for bout 3 years now...i meant i wasnt sure about gettin the z400 since this is its first year, i dont want sumthin that i might have to keep replacing stuff on...ive heard the bent axles and things like that about it thats the main reason im leanin toward the 300ex even tho id like to get a 400.

 

I owned a 2000 Honda 300EX and it was a decent quad,I am 5'11" and 170 lbs
and the reason I traded it for a Z400 was the 300EX was just too small, after a long ride I would feel cramped, also it lacked power compared to the Z400 and getting the 300EX in reverse was a real pain. I am very happy with the Z400, the engine is a proven power plant and everything else is holding up well. My local dealer has not replaced any axles as of today so I think you would be safe buying one.

 

The 300 is a bike you will grow out of pretty quick. It is a nice machine for beginners, or smaller adults. But soon, you will be wishing for more power and suspension. On the other hand, if money is an issue, around here you can get a new 300 real cheap. If you get the Z, just take it real easy till you get some experience under your belt.

 

z400, no question!! I would rather have a 400ex than a 300ex, 300ex is to small and not enough power. Would only conceder the 300ex if I was looking at the 250ex.

 

i had a 300ex ... great quad,but its true in about a yearyou'll b wanting more power so you'll spend 1000$ buying a pipe, k&n filter , jet kit, high compression piston, and a cam. so then you will get it all done and say "damn its still not enough juice!" i loved my ex...but take it from a guy whos been there, get the z! a good dealer will let test ride them both, do that then decide!!!

 

o sorry by the way... check the z out in Kawasaki flavor! same great quad with little different headlight (looks the same), but my god does it look cool in green!!!!!!!!!!!!! anybody else think so?

 

First of all...

I may get slammed for this but, reverse is not that critical. There was only one or two times that I really wanted it while I had my EX. The EX right now is a tremendous value and if you want to jump then it is the best there is.

To answer your question...

I would not even consider the 300EX when you can get a used 400EX for $3,000 or less. If you have the money, sure, get the Z400 as it has a more current engine design and reverse. But, there are a TON of aftermarket upgrades for the EX and still only a handfull for the Z.

For your intended riding, I would get the Z400 if money was no issue. Otherwise, I would look at the 400EX.

BTW I would also say that the 400ex is a friendlier beginning atv because of the power curve. Not that it is a slouch, it just makes most of it's power in the low-mid end range.

MX

 

My girlfriend and I both have Z's. I've been riding since I was very young, she had ridden a 250x less than ten times total. She is 5'3 and under a buck twenty, and does just fine on the Z. You've got a ton more experience than she does, more weight, so you'll do fine on the Z. As a matter of fact, it's the next logical step in your riding progression. This bike will take you to a new plateau of riding if you think about it. All the jumping you've done so far, will be easier with all that suspension. All the corners you've taken at speed, will also now be easier, making you more confident there. All in all, this bike will improve your riding simply by making you more confident in all the areas of riding. Plus, since you already have a quad, you will outgrow the ex very soon, I'd say within a week or two. I mean, you've had a quad for three years, it's time for a real machine. Good luck with whatever you buy. Oh yeah, if you can't afford the Z, go with the 400ex, it's a way better platform than the 300. Myself, I can't do without reverse. You just never know you need it, until you've had it.