help me decide trx400 or z400

[bmfgsxr]

Ive searhed both this forum, and the zuk forum and have read a few good threads about the two different quads. My dilema is that I am torn. Personally when it comes to offroad vehicles I prefer honda, but suzuki is a close second. I recently sold my crf450 because the only real use I was getting out of it was following my kids around on their 50cc quads (although Im selling those and upgrading them as well since they getting bigger now). So really the 450 was too much bike for my purpose. $ is not an issue between buying either quad. Id love to get the trx 450, but I dont need it. Most people say the z400 is a better quad because it has the water cooling, and it has slightly better performance stock, and it can also be modded to make a lot more power than the trx 400. Really, Im not concerned about all out performance, I want a really good, reliable trail quad to follow my kids around through the woods. Although, every once in a while I get together with my friends and we will go do some faster paced riding for hours on end. Its not that often, but it does happen, and I dont want the aircooled trx to get tired on long rides, and I dont want to have to worry about chasing down the guys with the z400's. How much of a difference (real world) in performance is there between the 2 quads. Is it a matter of a few mph on the top end, and slightly more accelleration, or is it night and day. Through the woods I would doubt that there would be any of my friends that could keep up even if I was on a 250, but Im thinking more about the high speed trails, and any overheating issues with the aircooled motor.

If the reality is that the performance between the two quads is small, and you can run the trx all day long and not worry about it getting too hot then I would feel better about going with the honda. Also, reliability and maintenance over the years is a concern of mine, and I know you cant beat the honda for that. But I hear that the zuk is pretty darn reliable itself too. I need some experts to help clarify some of this up for me. I realize Im posting this in the honda forum and that is because I dont want to hear most of the zuki guys saying its better because it performs better. I already know that, but I want to know if its night and day or not from the honda guys. Also, I live in NY so it gets hot in the summer, but its not brutal, and no dunes.

I know this is long winded, but I appreciate the help.

[08400EX]

"I want a really good, reliable trail quad "

Your statement says it all and there is only one answer :-)

BTW, the difference between "pretty darn reliable"(Z) and dead reliable(EX)... can mean the difference between riding out and walking (or pushing/towed) out of the woods.

Looking in from the outside it seems you are still clinging a little to having the "fastest whatever" bike/atv... BUT the other side of your brain is trying to keep it real and get something with less hassles (maint, etc).

The air-cooled vs water-cooled is really mute. If you do not let your EX clog up with dirt/mud over the years it will be more than fine and cooling is a non-issue...if you get a hole in the radiator/hose or the waterpump fails on the Z... well you got a long tow or walk.

As far as speed and or "keeping up" on the trails the difference between a Z and EX is going to be totally up to the rider skill.

You obviously have knowledge of how reliable Hondas are, go with your first instincts.

[scuzz]

I like the fuel injection of the z400, but man those 400EX are as close to mechanical trouble-free as I've ever seen.

Even though I was too big for my 400EX, I sure do miss it.

[powermadd400ex]

08 just about covered it
my buddy has a 2008 z400, and personally I HATE IT! theres constantly something going wrong with it. its not rele all that faster than a 400ex. im a better rider than he is and i pass him all the time at the track and the trails. also the 400ex as many bore options
406,416,426,440
when the z400 only has the 440 bore.
go with something that wont let you down. and in my situation the 400ex was $1500 less than the z400 :)

[bmfgsxr]

thanks for the replies guys. yes, part of me is still clinging to wanting to have the baddest vehicle out there. im a retired road racer and i was used to racing a 160rwhp gsxr 1000. i sold that and my road racing setup in order to get married and afford buying a house since racing was way too expensive to do along with those two things. i bought my wife a crf100, our kids two polaris predator 50cc quads, and the crf450 for myself. i figured i would do a lot more riding out with my friends than i really did and most of my riding time ended up being on my wifes crf following the kids because the 450 was just an animal.

someone mentioned being too big for the 400ex, how big are you because im 215-220 myself.

thanks again guys.

[08400EX]

Originally posted by bmfgsxr
someone mentioned being too big for the 400ex, how big are you because im 215-220 myself.

thanks again guys.

You'll be fine. I am 6'2" and 235 and am perfectly comfortable and the suspension handles it just great.

[Lonestar_R]

The 400EX is most reliable sport quad out there. And on top of that the ergo's on the 400EX are much better than the Z400. Even a simple thing like cleaning is much easier on the 400EX than the Z400. The 400EX is a simple machine but works very well. I had a 450R and a LTR450 and I am now back on 400EX.

08400ex, welcome back man! hows the quad?

[08400EX]

Originally posted by FoxHondaRider
08400ex, welcome back man! hows the quad?

Good to be back!

The 400 has been Kicking *****, been riding instead of typing :-)

[Pipeless416]

my dad has a z400 with a big gun evo x limited full system. everything else is stock on it as far as power goes.. but it can get up and go. the ride is softer than a stock ex, but its also noticeably tippy compared to the ex. the power comes on very differently.. the ex's have stump pulling low end, with a decent mid-top. the z has hardly any lowend, but they scream in the upper revs...(this could be attributed to the head pipe on my dads though... ive never ridden a stock z.) the z's seat is way more comfortable for long trail rides, but the ex's seat is better for aggressive riding. we already replaced the cam chain, and guides on the z because they are known for stretching prematurely.. as his did.. and we replaced the stock cam chain tensioner with a manual tensioner for thumper talk.. problem solved there. if you're all about speed.. the z is where its at, but if you're all about handling, theres not much better than the ex. also, as a last bit of info.. z's are so much harder to work on than ex's. everything from valve adjustments to just taking the plastic off..

[bmfgsxr]

ive already made up my mind to go with the ex. although pains me to pass up the deal on the z400. its an 05 with less than 20 hours, piped and jetted... for a very good price. a good bit less than a similar ex.

[08400EX]

Hey everybody, we brainwashed another one... JUST KIDDING!!


Congrats for a wise decision and welcome to the "family"...

[powermadd400ex]

you wont be disapointed man
i was so glad i picked my 400ex over the z400. especially after my buddy cracked his z400's swingarm 3 months after he bought it :D

[bmfgsxr]

alright, now I need opinions on value. Im looking at two different ex's

2005 with less than 20 hours of use. nerf bars but otherwise stock, and very clean

2007 with full skids, nerf bars, fmf exhaust and jetted dealer installed and serviced with full records and between 30-40 hours.

what would you guys put as a price tag on both of those machines? im leaning towards the 07 for obvious reasons, but what would be a reasonable price to pay for either one?

[RaginRedneck]

Originally posted by 08400EX
Good to be back!

The 400 has been Kicking *****, been riding instead of typing :-)


"been riding instead of typing" <---Than your smarter than the rest of us!! LOL Glad to see you back, you always seem to have some good insight and your quad is frickin' awesome

[coryatver]

If you buying used I wouldn't even think about buying a used z400/kfx400/dvx400. The older z400s had frame problems, cooling system problems, weak subframes and so in.

You can find 400ex's dirt cheap and in awesome shape.

If you are buying new no question get the new z400 there is no way I would pay the price they want for 400ex's when you could get the new z400 for the same price and it kills me to say this but it is a lot more bike for the money.

[powermadd400ex]

Originally posted by coryatver

there is no way I would pay the price they want for 400ex's when you could get the new z400 for the same price

where do you live?
dealers around here still have 2007 400exs and z400s, and the 400ex is significantly LESS than the z400,
2007 400exs are $4184 with the 2007 z400 at $5500 :eek2:
2008 400exs around here are $5283
compared to the 2008 z400 at $5799
not tryin to be a dick, but jus wondering.

[bmfgsxr]

both quads im looking at are used from private individuals. im curious what you guys thing would be a fair price to pay for either one of those quads i listed.


i have a price for both of them already, but im wonder about others opinions.

i like the lower hours on the 2005, but the 2007 is worth more since its newer and has a few good mods on it already.

[bmfgsxr]

based on these pictures and information above which one would you guys choose.

2005 below

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m179/bmfsvt/177499797_o.jpg

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m179/bmfsvt/177499916_o.jpg

2007 below

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m179/bmfsvt/Picture_092.jpg

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m179/bmfsvt/Picture_091.jpg

[brian76708]

id almost say the 05 it's missing the tool kit cap though and the 07 is missing the whole thing idk its a tuff call

[scuzz]

I'd prefer one with less hours...even though that really doesn't matter. IMO I would buy a stock quad over a modified quad any day. I don't like buying other people's projects though.

[bmfgsxr]

Originally posted by scuzz
I would buy a stock quad over a modified quad any day. I don't like buying other people's projects though.

i agree, but the mods installed are dealer installed so i trust that, and its only a pipe and jet kit which really is pretty minor mods

[scuzz]

Originally posted by bmfgsxr
i agree, but the mods installed are dealer installed so i trust that, and its only a pipe and jet kit which really is pretty minor mods


Which means that the quad more likely was at WOT more than not. (In my humble opinion)

[Lonestar_R]

I think by looking at the pics I would go with the 05. The 07 has many more hours than the 05. And the rear axle bearing could be wore out with those tractor tires on it.


Oh yeah and the debate on the Z400 and 400EX. Chain adjustment on the Z400 is much much harder than the EX. The Z400 uses the same system Suzuki used back in 1985 on the 250 Quadracers. The Centric chain adjustment is the only way to go on a quad.

[krt400ex]

i find that the z400 is more powerful in the midrange and top end where the ex has more off the bottom. my 400 ex has countless hrs on it, and i have never torn into the top end. just adjust the valves every so often. i have no oil leaks or nothing of the sort. i love this machine. my friend has an '05 z and it has an oil leak in the between the cylinder and head. it is probably just a head gasket, but im just pointing out that i have never had this problem, but he has.

i find the handling of the Z to be good, but too tippy IMO. the seat is higher which makes it more comfortable me since i am 6'2", but the quad on a whole is to tall and tippy.

i havent rode the new Z, but the improvements would cause me to look into one if i ever bought a new quad. it sits at 47" which is two inches wider than it used to be, it has fuel injection, i believe they gave it new cam profiles, updated suspension settings...it just looks like a better package. if i were going to buy used though, the 400ex is it no questions asked.

[rob_990]

id go with the 05

[lilyamaharacer4]

I would deffinantley say the 05.

[Wheelie]

The 05 gets my vote.

2005 looks better than that 2007. IMO the 1999 - 2004 looks the best but we all have different opinions. I purposly got a 2004 because it was the last year they made it with that tranny and style. I loved it when 2004 was the newest model because you could always tell the 400ex. then they made the 400ex in 2005 look like a 450r but not as good and jewed some things on it from the older models and added reverse. I feel there is no need to have reverse for the way I ride. If I cant make it I whip it around or get off and throw the back end over. I like the gear ratios and sprockets on the newer better stock for stock but when modded i like the older better. Once again personal prefference.

[bmfgsxr]

i put a deposit down on the 05 already so it should be a done deal, but ill wait until its in my garage before i get psyched up. thanks for the help guys. im sure ill be searching for the best exhaust, tires, etc.. in no time.