05-01-2002, 06:46 AM
Here's a review I found on the new Z-400....
DJ GOES DUNING ON THE Z-400—APRIL 30
Here's DJ's report on his trip to Glamis with the new 2003 Suzuki QuadSport Z-400 and a 2002 Honda Sportrax 400EX:
Seeing as how everyone at ATV Action had already ridden the Z-400 before I had, I wanted to do something a little different when I got my hands on it. I was planning to shoot up to Pismo for some seaside duning, but the weather report indicated it would be cold and windy...not great dune weather. So, I took a peak at the Glamis weather, expecting it to be around 100 like it had been the week before. A was stoked when I saw a predicted high of 78 with a 5-10 mph breeze. I got dune novice Kelly Callan to go along with me and off to Glamis we went!
The dunes were perfect! A windy week left the dunes virtually virgin, and there were only a few hundred people scattered around the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, so you really had to look hard to find tracks. We rarely saw anyone out on the rides, except at Comp Hill and Oldsmobile Hill. It was Dune Heaven!!!
Based on just one day's ride, here's what we found out. Yes, the Z-400 is faster than a 400EX. At Olds, it just walked away from a stocker. We had parked near Delta Companies' George Apont and his family, and we raced the Z-400 against George's modified 400EX--it had an FMF MegaMax pipe, White Brothers cam and ignition, plus a Wiseco high-compression piston. The two machines were about equal. Don't expect a stock Z-400 to pull a stock Raptor 660R, however. Remember, the Raptor has 65% more displacement--that's a huge difference!
Out for cruises in the dunes and some high-speed runs, the Z-400 really started to strut its stuff. The 400EX had been the benchmark for suspension performance, but at Glamis the EX felt harsh compared to the ultra-plush boingers on the Z. When you're pushing it, the Z-400 will pull away from the 400EX, thanks to its rev-happy motor. You almost have to ride the Z like a Cannondale--keep the throttle pinned and don't short shift if you want to make time. The EX has more bottom end power, and its friendly motor was a favorite of more casual riders like Kelly who does prefer the 400EX over the 300EX by a wide margin.
When you switch back-and-forth between the two machines, you'll notice something else. Being air-cooled, the EX vibrates much more than the water-cooled Z. The longer you ride, the more noticeable this is. Also, keep in mind that the Z has reverse, and the EX doesn't. This can come in handy both around camp on in the dunes when you don't make a hill.
Handling is outstanding on the Z. It carves with authority, yet is rock solid stable at high speeds. It easily handled the whoops guarding Oldsmobile. Unexpected witch's eyes can be jumped with a blip of the throttle. Landings from jumps are unexpectedly plush and the Z had great air manners, thanks to a perfectly balanced chassis. The Z is a confidence-inspiring duner, but it doesn't quite have the planted feel of the 400EX. Again, this was important to Kelly and other novices, but if you're more experienced, there's not going to be much about the EX that you like over the Z.
George's wife took it for a spin and came back insisting that George replace her 400EX with a Z-400, letter her daughter upgrade to mom's 400EX from a 300EX. M-Tech Supply's Duane Walker, riding a paddle-tired Honda CRF450 motorcycle, was an instant fan of the Z-400. It turned heads when people saw the new '03 cruise by, and it had people seriously interested in making a purchase after taking it for a ride.
Is the Z a winner in the dunes? You bet. We can't wait to get it out in the sand when the rest of the high-performance '03s show up!
DJ GOES DUNING ON THE Z-400—APRIL 30
Here's DJ's report on his trip to Glamis with the new 2003 Suzuki QuadSport Z-400 and a 2002 Honda Sportrax 400EX:
Seeing as how everyone at ATV Action had already ridden the Z-400 before I had, I wanted to do something a little different when I got my hands on it. I was planning to shoot up to Pismo for some seaside duning, but the weather report indicated it would be cold and windy...not great dune weather. So, I took a peak at the Glamis weather, expecting it to be around 100 like it had been the week before. A was stoked when I saw a predicted high of 78 with a 5-10 mph breeze. I got dune novice Kelly Callan to go along with me and off to Glamis we went!
The dunes were perfect! A windy week left the dunes virtually virgin, and there were only a few hundred people scattered around the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, so you really had to look hard to find tracks. We rarely saw anyone out on the rides, except at Comp Hill and Oldsmobile Hill. It was Dune Heaven!!!
Based on just one day's ride, here's what we found out. Yes, the Z-400 is faster than a 400EX. At Olds, it just walked away from a stocker. We had parked near Delta Companies' George Apont and his family, and we raced the Z-400 against George's modified 400EX--it had an FMF MegaMax pipe, White Brothers cam and ignition, plus a Wiseco high-compression piston. The two machines were about equal. Don't expect a stock Z-400 to pull a stock Raptor 660R, however. Remember, the Raptor has 65% more displacement--that's a huge difference!
Out for cruises in the dunes and some high-speed runs, the Z-400 really started to strut its stuff. The 400EX had been the benchmark for suspension performance, but at Glamis the EX felt harsh compared to the ultra-plush boingers on the Z. When you're pushing it, the Z-400 will pull away from the 400EX, thanks to its rev-happy motor. You almost have to ride the Z like a Cannondale--keep the throttle pinned and don't short shift if you want to make time. The EX has more bottom end power, and its friendly motor was a favorite of more casual riders like Kelly who does prefer the 400EX over the 300EX by a wide margin.
When you switch back-and-forth between the two machines, you'll notice something else. Being air-cooled, the EX vibrates much more than the water-cooled Z. The longer you ride, the more noticeable this is. Also, keep in mind that the Z has reverse, and the EX doesn't. This can come in handy both around camp on in the dunes when you don't make a hill.
Handling is outstanding on the Z. It carves with authority, yet is rock solid stable at high speeds. It easily handled the whoops guarding Oldsmobile. Unexpected witch's eyes can be jumped with a blip of the throttle. Landings from jumps are unexpectedly plush and the Z had great air manners, thanks to a perfectly balanced chassis. The Z is a confidence-inspiring duner, but it doesn't quite have the planted feel of the 400EX. Again, this was important to Kelly and other novices, but if you're more experienced, there's not going to be much about the EX that you like over the Z.
George's wife took it for a spin and came back insisting that George replace her 400EX with a Z-400, letter her daughter upgrade to mom's 400EX from a 300EX. M-Tech Supply's Duane Walker, riding a paddle-tired Honda CRF450 motorcycle, was an instant fan of the Z-400. It turned heads when people saw the new '03 cruise by, and it had people seriously interested in making a purchase after taking it for a ride.
Is the Z a winner in the dunes? You bet. We can't wait to get it out in the sand when the rest of the high-performance '03s show up!