400ex vs. z400

[matthoyda]

I have been looking into getting a 400 4stroke quad. I have read alot about them and i have ridden a couple z 400s, not bad machines, but which would be better a z 400 or a 400 ex.....I mostly ride rough to open trails and climb alot of hills. with no modifcations, which would be better, it doesnt have to be the fastest but just all around best, with handling, sitting postion, reliability, all that **** noone cares about anymore. Which one is the better all round quad of the two?

[rooster_20]

Considering you are in the 400ex section of the Honda based site the answers here will prob be the 400ex being better. But I have a 400ex and love it.

[quad handler]

I did a lot of reading on both quads, and wound up buying a new 06 400ex. I have only had it a few weeks, but I truly love this machine. I can see the reliability is there with Honda, just read through some of these threads and look at the years of most of the quads that these guys are riding,modding, racing etc.

[400EXtreme]

congrats on the new quad there so much fun :)

[Flyin-Low]

I love my 400ex, but it is getting outdated (suspension, air cooled) so i would consider getting a z400. But the 400ex handles great, feels great, and is very reliable.

If you get really into it, and ride hard, set yourself up with some suspension later on :D



-Martin

[smitht316]

i have a 400ex and i have ridden the z400, yfz450 and the honda 450. the 400ex is by far the most confortable one to ride. it is not all the great on power though until you get into mods. if you really dont want to do any mods then i would not get the 400ex

[Jakeyracer]

i have seen this debate sooo very many times but i love my 400ex and being a Honda i know it will keep running 100 years from now for trial riding and hill climes this quad is perfect but the z400 has its up and downs too but there has been so many problems with z400 (frame cracking, magnizium cover issues,ect) where as 400ex is low maineitce(SP) and more of an all around quad

thats my 2 cents but either one is sweet to own:D

[matthoyda]

do mods( pipes, jet kits, and such) effect the relability much or not?

[bmurray]

I have to agree with Jakeyracer. The EX for reliability. They seem to be the one to get if you are going to be riding it for a while. I think some of the small H.P. difference could be related to the Z@11:1 compression and the EX@9:1 ???

400EX with no questions asked!! As long as you dont care about winnin races against other 400's and 400ex will climb and trail ride bettet as any 400... just not race as good

you bought the 400ex....what is wrong with you...you will have fun but dont expect do win anything like hill climbs, drag races unless you are racing like a 300ex..i bet the 300ex could beat you on the track

you bought the 400ex....what is wrong with you...you will have fun but dont expect do win anything like hill climbs, drag races unless you are racing like a 300ex..i bet the 300ex could beat you on the track



Hey, no 400ex bashing... I know they are outdated but so is every honda.. Honda is like a grandma compared to the others that are like the 18 year old girls... the grandma just doesent know wats in style... neither does honda

[EXevan91]

his name is 500exracer so i dont think that he is a realiabul source of info but w/e. i love my ex even with the few lil engineering screw up like the carrier bearing and the lock nut this is a great quad and it has climbed anything i try as long as your goign fast enough :) and it handles great.

ok you are gay...the term"ex racer" would most likely imply that i have had a 400ex....i liked it...it was a good beginner sport quad...i moved to a kfx and i loved it everything was better on the kfx...honda needs to raise the bar and update the 400ex is what my post are trying to get at

[EXevan91]

i agree they should have up graded it along with the new body styles but u dont have to bash the poor old thing just say the things u liked and disliked.

the hondas are behind on basically EVERYTHING.

suspension, engine cooling, the entire engine are all behind the time..if honda doesnt step it up, there sport 4 wheeler divison is going to be in the crapper...the 450r is in the back of the pack in the 450 market 2...all the 450s are so equally matched with a little money though it doesnt really matter what the magazines say...but the 400ex is very outdated

[bmurray]

maybe Honda is behind in everything but reliability. I would rather be riding a slight bit slower than pushin a Kaw or Suki !

[armysig]

There are good and bad points to each quad. In my opinion.

Honda 400EX

Pros

Easy to modify, strong frame, reliable, easy to maintain, Parts are fairly inexpensive(sometimes), Rear suspension very good quality for stock, swing arm chain adjustment (very easy to work on)


Cons

Aircooled(little outdated), front stock suspension weak, stock engine can be under powered, Rear axle nut, poor handling on the Whoops, Rear linkage (poor design), No reverse 99 to 04 model


Suzuki Z400


Pros

Liquid cooled, reverse, factory suspension upgrade, fairly easy to upgrade or modify


Cons

Very poor geometry design (pron to cracked frames) Swing arm chain adjustment is a poor disign, Possible transmission problems when engine is modified, can be uncomfortable to ride.(rider preferance)


The list goes on, and I'm sure I have missed a lot of good and bad things on both quads.

I base my comments off of me and my friend. I own a 400EX and he owns a Z400.

We have both done suspension mods. The Z400 has engine work, I am doing engine work now. He's a Semi Pro rider, I'm a novice.

He went with the Z400 when it came out because it had reverse, aircooled and he is a die hard Zuki fan.

I went with the Honda because another friend of mine said I would never have a complaint about the quality of the quad.

[ChrisSekerak]

Get a Z400. The 400ex is so outdated it's not even funny. I ride a 06 450R and love honda, but my buddies have one of each, the z is soo much faster and better as far as performance goes. 400ex is good for beginners in my opinion.

[Quadrider63]

how the frig u guys think the z400 are so much faster than the 400ex :huh

i raced a guy with a z and its an even match and the only thing my quad has is a full procurict exaust and he had a hmf slip on

so wow the ex is not that slow
u give me a z on a motocross track i will smoke it

[ChrisSekerak]

what type of drugs are you on.

hey quadrider63.....you are rite a 400ex can keep up with a z400:rolleyes: NO!!!!..get a clue and admit that 400ex's cant keep up with the new models of 400's like the z400....you must be a compulsive lier to say something like that

[bmurray]

Why do you guys think Quadrider63 is on drugs? The Z should be a bit faster, but there is always something faster out there. Besides it mostly the rider that brings it home, not the bike. Be careful when ever you think you have the badest quad out there, because once you are on a track someone with a little slower (old school) bike will have you for lunch. If you think the Z is so badass, I will put up pinks against my little old school; Paul Turner LT250r anyday, drag or track, and this AIN't just talking! Everybody enjoy the Holiday weekend and have fun riding whatever bike you own.


:) :) :)

[Quadrider63]

i must be on the good shat because the last time i raced a z i was right there beside it

and i totally agree with bmurry its mustly the rider

o ya 500ex get a clue 400ex with me ridin can keep can keep with z not sayin beatin it but right there with it and if u still think iam a lier shove it stright up your *** and rotate then is u dont belive me bring your sorry *** to new york to race me

how about you retype that so i can understand what you are saying, when you "Try" to mouth me

O, i will agree with you on one thing...rider is a big part of winning or losing a race....but when it comes to a z and ex and 2 eqaully matched riders, dont say that the ex can keep up because i just dont belive it. Mabey if the ex has like a pipe, filter, jets, sproket, etc

[Quadrider63]

it makes sence i think u are just an illiterate dumb ***

[Quadrider63]

i am tellin u and not even lieing now i keep with them mabe it has to do with me weighing only 135 pounds

[Unverfehrt400ex]

Yeh. exacally, of course with a better rider the ex can keep up with a z or even beat it but with two evenly skilled riders the z is gona win because it is just a hair faster of a quad.

hey...how about you stop being a complete douche for a second and stop mouthing...i saw you had a pipe and some modifications done to your bike...this made me realize you arent completly full of $***...i can see that you keeping up with a stock z in a race is a completely reasonable outcome

[bmurray]

Hey 500exracer, don't get too worked up over this post. It's just like the Ford/Chevy argument everybody has. We all like to rattle each others chains every once in a while. Later
:D :D :D

i understand that....but it doesnt take away from my point that i think quadracer is a homo..j/k

[Quadrider63]

ya if iam a homo what was i doing with ur mom last night
haha J/k
na iam really not kiddin lol i think ur the true homo startin shat fluckin queer

first of all...dont you ever talk about my mom...and second of all..YOUR A FLAMING *** BAG...lets just leave it at that, and i am done mouthing you so stop mouthing me and we can just forget about this whole thread