400EX vs. 250R vs. Z400

[ravage3000]

im looking towards getting a new 03 400EX, or a used 250R, or a used 03 Z400 mint condition. but which one is the best for trail, play race and long trail rides? I need your opinion!

[trailburner]

All 3 are great quads, but if the 250r has'nt been restored you will be working on it more than the EX or Z....... :ermm:

[ravage3000]

what do you mean by restored?

[Castor-426ex]

serviced regularly

updated


restored

[danyeo]

Get the Z. Liquid cooling, reverse, DOHC, are some of the things it has over the 400ex and it's a little bit faster. It's probably one of the best trail quads out there. It will be less of a headache then getting a 13 year old R.

[86atc250r]

Why get a z just for the sake of liquid cooling and two cams - especially if it's only a little faster?

Liquid cooling = more crap to break & give you trouble. A radiator to plug up with mud and overheat.... I've only had trouble with liquid cooled machines over the years overheating - never any of my air cooled ones.

Not saying liquid cooling is bad, but if the performance margin it's giving you is marginal, I'd choose air cooling every time.

DOHC = another $100 when you decide to change cams - more difficult valve adjustment.

Two more bad points on the "Z" - very real frame problems. Suzuki made some big mistakes in the strength of some areas of the frames. Other problem - parts prices, many Z400 parts cost several times what the same parts cost for a 400EX... Initial cost of a Z is also higher - Buy a cheap used 400EX from someone that's "upgrading" - that's what I did & got a great spare quad for $2800.

[cudaman]

get an R that is in good condition

[marksuttonjr]

I had about the same question a few months ago and after riding every sport quad on the mrket I decided that an R was the best choice. One word of advice be very picky when looking at R's because there are a lot of JUNK R's out there and unless you want to be working on it a lot you want one that is in good condition.

[Z4002k3]

I Own an R for years, and still have it. I just sold my 01 400 EX, and bought my LTZ 400. stay away from the R for trail rides, mine sits all the time since I got a 4 stroke and electric start. I loved my 400EX, but when I was getting smoked by LTZ's I had to have 1. The Reverse is also nice now that I have it on my Z. As far as I know, there are no frame problems unless you are jumping the crap out of it, but you asked for opinionson trail rides. GET THE Z

[Slick]

I bought my 400 last april for 3400 ...and since then i have put a lot of mods on it, i have around 5000 in it now "i think"...and all for less than the price of a new 400ex or z400 and would beat either one of them in performance and in my opinion looks, once i get the 416 in it and a new pipe and a few other mods, it will be my dream quad.

[Z4002k3]

I bought my NEW Z400 for 4995 plus tax, and by the mods you have done to yours it doesn't sound like it can beat mine in performance. And it was new. Don't get me wrong, I loved my 400 EX but the Suzuki just has things Honda should have had when they introduced the 400EX

[ravage3000]

Thanks alot guys/gals...We are getting a brand new 2003 400EX...why? because it is cheaper! Here in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia every thing has tax. 400EX and Z400 are the same price at $7,499 plus 15% tax and freight and all kinds of stuff. Plus you cant beat 5.8% financing. So the Honda 400 is $1,400 dollars cheaper...do ya see what im getting at:macho

[Z4002k3]

Originally posted by ravage3000
Thanks alot guys/gals...We are getting a brand new 2003 400EX...why? because it is cheaper! Here in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia every thing has tax. 400EX and Z400 are the same price at $7,499 plus 15% tax and freight and all kinds of stuff. Plus you cant beat 5.8% financing. So the Honda 400 is $1,400 dollars cheaper...do ya see what im getting at:macho How can the 400Ex be cheaper if you also say they are the same price?

[Flyin#3-1/2]

Originally posted by ravage3000
Thanks alot guys/gals...We are getting a brand new 2003 400EX...why? because it is cheaper! Here in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia every thing has tax. 400EX and Z400 are the same price at $7,499 plus 15% tax and freight and all kinds of stuff. Plus you cant beat 5.8% financing. So the Honda 400 is $1,400 dollars cheaper...do ya see what im getting at:macho

$7,499???:huh :huh uh...i think you got ripped off...unless it is modded out and race ready....

[XANDADA]

Lives in Canada ;)

[Doibugu2]

Originally posted by Flyin#3-1/2
$7,499???:huh :huh uh...i think you got ripped off...unless it is modded out and race ready....


That's candian dollars.

[Blysster]

Originally posted by ravage3000
im looking towards getting a new 03 400EX, or a used 250R, or a used 03 Z400 mint condition. but which one is the best for trail, play race and long trail rides? I need your opinion!


Ravage,

Where abouts in NB are you? Have you considered the predator?

[ravage3000]

Blysster man...i live in Shediac Cape. We now own the 400EX so no i did'nt consider the Predator...besides we would'nt have got it because 1. it's a Polaris 2. first manual clutch atv they made 3. it's too heavy 4. too heavy to not have reverse 5. a thousand bucks more...not a big Polaris fan obviously:rolleyes:

[Fast250EX]

Plus, Dirt Wheels Mag lost 4th gear on their Predator. Polaris just sucks anyway. I could beat that Xpedition 425 in 4th gear on my 250EX. I heard more than one mag talk about front brakes that failed in a few hours. Polaris just doesn't have the reliability thing down.

[Blysster]

Originally posted by ravage3000
Blysster man...i live in Shediac Cape. We now own the 400EX so no i did'nt consider the Predator...besides we would'nt have got it because 1. it's a Polaris 2. first manual clutch atv they made 3. it's too heavy 4. too heavy to not have reverse 5. a thousand bucks more...not a big Polaris fan obviously:rolleyes:


I have lots of Familly in Cap Pele.

Well the 400ex was a good choice, I am sure you will be happy with it.

I am not much of a Polaris fan either but the predator really impressed me. Good luck with the EX.

PGag

[Honda4trax250x]

id say either a really good cond. R or the ex

[Z4002k3]

Originally posted by Honda4trax250x
id say either a really good cond. R or the ex I'd say you are a little late on that 1 LOL

[ravage3000]

Blysster man you should come riding down here in Shediac...it's fun for the limited areas you can go...i mostly jump for as bad as i am:o ...i'll be riding all summer if i don't get on with the Petro Can i ride with a bunch of guys with bikes, trikes, and quads and you will see ous mostly on the service road(dirt road beside highway) and at the motocross park on Fryer Street...anyway c'ya...oh yea is Shimagui near by Cap Pele...sorry if i spelled Shimagui wrong

[Live2Ride300]

250R!!! I picked up a completely stock 88 for 2550, was in pretty good condition, never really ***ed with, i tore it down and dumped 2 gs into, its sick as hell now!:devil:

[ravage3000]

well here's some pics of the beast:D http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid85/p091386fb8f75a2f57d909e4904699a7d/fac8e8e1.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid85/p84f1d6c6ff35f41e187dec14803d72ed/fac8e8f3.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid85/p2f8f7b5c7af50952dbc05917c3de5093/fac8e90d.jpg and soon to come...AC Pro-Peg Nerf Bars next month (sweeeeet):D

[TGW_400ex]

Z400=Cracked frames

[Nausty]

Originally posted by ravage3000
im looking towards getting a new 03 400EX, or a used 250R, or a used 03 Z400 mint condition. but which one is the best for trail, play race and long trail rides? I need your opinion!


i'd go agains the 250r then since its so old and finnicky. Its more of a full on racer imo.

400ex or z400... Your call z400's handle a tad worse but have a lil more power.

I'm kinda partial towards the 400ex tho and I just don't think it a person could need anymore than what it has to offer.