debate

[ridered92]

well i was going to get a 4x4 quad because i ride alot of trails and mud but i still want a sport quad i have my 300ex but its to slow so i have been thinking of getting a z400, 400ex or a 450r which i more reliable? i would love to have a 450r but can it stand up to the mud? how much work is the up keep? anything i should look for? with the R i know 400exs are bullet proof but are 450r? can they with stand the abuse of trails and mud

Are you buying brand new or used?

I would cross the 450r out. For heavy trails and mud the 450r is the worst choice of the quads you mentioned.

If you're buying brand new, the new z400 is an unbeatable package. Its only 70 some dollars more then the 400ex brand new. It has highly adjustable piggyback shocks, fuel injection, liquid cooling, reverse, etc.

But if you are buying used, you can get an AWESOME deal on a fairly new 400ex. Like 2500-3000 for a 2007 400ex.

Also, what is your budget?

You can find nice 2006 raptor 700's for 3500 to 4000. Awesome power and a great trail bike all around.

[ridered92]

yeah im going to buy used. i know the Z is liquid cooled are they reliable? i know the 400exs are. how does the Z handle a 440 kit? how does the EX stand the 440 kits? i do ride alot of trails but i do come acrossed a few pits and ill have my licence this summer so i will be hitting a few more pits

[ridered92]

i want to keep it in the 2500 range

Originally posted by ridered92
yeah im going to buy used. i know the Z is liquid cooled are they reliable? i know the 400exs are. how does the Z handle a 440 kit? how does the EX stand the 440 kits? i do ride alot of trails but i do come acrossed a few pits and ill have my licence this summer so i will be hitting a few more pits

They're both fairly reliable, giving the edge to the 400ex.

Both modded with 440's I couldn't tell you the reliability, but the z will be a lot faster with the same mods.

[ridered92]

i found a 2008 z400 for 3000 with only one ride on it. i would buy that but no cash right now.:( i want a fast and reliable quad for the trails

Originally posted by ridered92
i found a 2008 z400 for 3000 with only one ride on it. i would buy that but no cash right now.:( i want a fast and reliable quad for the trails

I would go look at it. If you have 2500, bring cash with you, and after looking at it, pull it out of your pocket.

Cash is a MAJOR motivator. When they have 2500 in cash in front of them they'll have to seriously consider it.

[ridered92]

i wish i had 2500 im broke right now got laid off so no work until april. but the prices will go back up by then. i was just curious on what everyones thoughts were.

Well, if I were you, I would try to find an 05-up Z400 because of the extra features they have and I myself prefer a liquid cooled engine.
But the 400ex is not a bad quad by any means.

Dont worry about power because power is minimal when it comes to being fast. Skilled rider and good suspension will take you further than any motor mod. Sport quads don't do so well in the mud. Its fun to whip them around on top of the slick mud but once it gets deeper you start getting into trouble. Lower clearance, 2WD and usually smaller tires makes it easy to get stuck. For what your doing I would stick with the 400 class. The older Z400 and 400ex are almost the same quad. I think Z400 put piggyback shocks up front in 2005? Motor wise they arent that much different power wise. To me it feels like the 400ex has more bottom end and the Z400 has more top end. The only thing I don't like about the Z400 is they feel more top heavy and the fact that it isnt a Honda haha