I am getting back into riding and am interesting in getting a sport quad for trail riding mainly and some track riding but nothing serious. I would like a reliable quad that has power but doesn't break the bank on maintenance costs. I've been looking at the 09 Lt-z 400 a lot because I've heard and read about how reliable it is and how it doesn't require much maintenance other than the normal small things and is fuel injected. I've also looked very slightly at the raptor 350 but im not sure how much power it has and reliability My cousin has an 07 Bill Balance YFZ 450. While i love the power and all, It seems he is constantly spilling money on things for maintenance. Also the ground clearance isn't ideal for trails here in East Tennessee.
Any Ideas/Suggestions?

I Realize I am on the Yamaha board and opinions will be partial to Yamaha but I just want an honest opinion on a good trail quad.

 

hello, i've been hearing good things about the lt-z 400. It is reliable,fun and very good even some of my friends have it although most of them have kawasaki and yamaha. Plus it has reverse which is often needed on trails. Now the raptor 350 has reverse, fun and its for teens basically. It is an entry-quad because it is really under-powered just like the warrior except it has shaved off 22 pounds weighing 375 dry weight. I'm not sure if this is correct but the lt-z weighs 425 pounds. It should be a close race but the lt-z should win. Next is the bill balance yfz 450. It is a really cool quad weighing 350 pounds which is 25 pounds lighter than the 350. The lightness made it being able to beat the raptor 660r and raptor 700r. It is created for the woods but it does not have reverse and i think its less reliable than the lt-z 400. So the yfz 450 is out. I think the lt-z is a good quad, also you could look at the raptor 700r. Whatever you want to choose. The 700r is reliable and has alot of torque. You would have to buy a used one for the same price as a lt-z. You should go for what you feel towards to: 700r,450tr700. Those are the quads i suggest for the trails. Honda trx 400, trx 700
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2001 yamaha raptor 660r
1995 yamaha warrior 350(borrowing)
2006 yamaha raptor 80
2008 yamaha raptor 250(soon)

 

I've heard a lot of good things about the 700r. I was also considering the Outlaw 525 with IRS but i have heard it has a ton of mechanical issues

 

All the 450s have the the same motors as the 450 Motocross bikes so you have to expect them to need a rebuild in fewer hours than other ATVs just as you can,t expect a motocross bike to be the most reliable recreational trail bike. You do not get 40 hp out of 450cc without giving up something.

Maybe a 700 raptor, it puts out 47hp but the 700 can be much more lazy about doing it and will have more torque.
I don't think any chain drive ATV has high ground clearance.

 

I love my Raptor 350, when I bought it back in the day, it was the most bang for my buck. Now, if I were to start riding as much as I used to I would probably get something bigger such as a Raptor 700r or the YFZ 450X.

My advice, go to your local dealership, or find someone selling one and go for some test rides. A bunch of people will tell you all of the pro's and con's of everything but you should get what fits you the best. Just my .02

 

If you want a trail bike buy the Z400 or a Raptor 700R both are bullet proof machines. If you want a race bike that takes some wrench/maintenance time look at any 450. The 700 will be the bike to have if you want to do some easy upgrades in the future. The 700 is right there (speed wise) with 450 class machines and in most cases faster stock and with a few upgrades they are untouchable!

 

you research more about the quads, you could look further in yamaha or honda.
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2001 yamaha raptor 660r
1995 yamaha warrior 350
2006 yamaha raptor 80
2008 yamaha raptor 250(soon)