Opinions on Z's

[Baley69]

Well I sold my EX today wanting a liquid cooled bike. I'm not sold on spending so much on a 450 and I was wondering what problems the Z's have had since released. I was looking at the Predetors but the ergo's and gearing blow so I was looking for some opinions on pros and cons of the z's. Thanks!

[ny300exrider]

to me, z's are very nice quads. the shock mounts are known to be weak so i would gusset the frame or buy the frame brace. the motor is strong but it seems like it sits up higher and is alittle less stable then my ex. with some little mods they are pretty fast and i guarentee with an axle aarms and shocks theyd be even nicer. if i sold my ex, i would have to say i would go with a 450 because there isnt so much of a difference between the ex and z. there nice quads and i would definitly buy one but if you rode the 400ex alot you wouldnt feel so much of a differenceto it. id go yfz450 and get over with it. hopefully all of that made sense

z's frames are weak...they are more unstable than a 400ex...I would not of traded your 400ex in for one of these....go with something else ;)

[NDpredator]

why do you say the ergos and gearing blow on a predator? If i were you i would get a predator. For 04 the fixed the little tranny problem that they had in 03, shortened the swingarm a little bit, and made the rear wheels a honda bolt pattern. In my opinion it is the best quad out right now for what you pay for it. I've had mine for over a year now and still no problems.

Derrick

[Baley69]

I just sat on one again yesterday, as far as comfort its nothing close to what I loved about my ex. I see what your saying ny300exrider, thats my problem, I dont want to buy a new quad and have to do anything to the frame. I'm just weighing my options, I will probebly have till mid feb to decide if I still want my 450r.

[cheetah]

Jeff@Quadshop had 2 new cannondale cannibals w/ updates for $4500. Hard to beat for the money.

[raptor_02]

if you are just a trail rider the Z is the way to go. But if you plan on racing go with a YFZ, 450R, or cannondale. In my opinion the Predators are to heavy and don't really have the power of a YFZ with simple mods

[Baley69]

Most of my riding is at the dunes.

[BIGRED400]

I ride with Z400's...............They spanked me until I did the 416 thing with C&D racing and now all the Z400's see is the back end of me ..........they can't even read that it is a HONDA,,,,,,,a PIPED Banshee might be able to read it from the rear of course...........:D

[spincr4hire]

Z and EX are both great bikes, Z responds to mods better, though

[Pappy]

kinda weird how the z came out, and now its outdated also...lol

the z is a decent quad but if any serious riding is to be done , gusseting the frame is a must. it offers almost everything the typical rider would want ...liquid cooled, reverse, decent handling.

but id say if a new quad for the dunes was what you are after it would be hard not to pass up the new yamaha or if you can wait the new honda.

[YTZ250#1]

I'll have to say that the best Z ever made was in 1986,and it was a yamaha.if you get one of them you would like it better than the quad on the dunes.Just my $.02

[cdrookie]

here's a little known problem with the z's that everyone is trying to keep quiet. the swingarms break in half(i think) right behind the shock mount. theres a welded seam that runs the width of the 'arm. happened to my buddy, he rode it 4 times, went over a jump and snap! the dealer replaced it under warrenty and gave him no problems about it but said it's been happening a little too much. they supposibly fixed the weak frame issues with the newer ones. stay away from the first year suzukis they had soft axles. but overall they're decent bikes, real light and slim, put a pipe and jet kit in it and have fun! rumor has it they will be upping it to a 450 in 05.

[Shuee_400]

it might be sooner than you think the dirtbike is already out.......heard summer of 04...........but when it comes ill have one.................

[cabex]

i love my z never had any problems with it. and yes i have drove it very hard

[z400ACDC]

I have ridden about everything and the Z is the best trail quad I have ever had!

[400grl]

For racing, the Z doesn't hold up real well without some work......but for the dunes I would think the Z would be a fine quad. It's underpowered compared to everything else coming out now, though......

[Baley69]

Thanks guys, but to late :blah:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid101/p86b195e7dc54300897557d510748107b/f9cf849f.jpg

[cdrookie]

all you need now is a sparks full ceramic coated exhaust, jet kit, retard the exhaust cam, some yamaha flame graphics and new bars! i love those bikes!

[biohazard1.2]

Originally posted by Jumbo747
z's frames are weak...they are more unstable than a 400ex...I would not of traded your 400ex in for one of these....go with something else ;)


Do not agree. I have had both. The LTZ400 is funner in the trails, and can be modded to the point of distraction, like the 400ex.



NICE QUAD!

[z400ACDC]

Originally posted by biohazard1.2
Do not agree. I have had both. The LTZ400 is funner in the trails, and can be modded to the point of distraction, like the 400ex.



NICE QUAD!
Glad to see someone that does not dump on the Z because they got a faster quad!:) IMO, theEX, Z, R and YFZ all have their part of the quad market. Ride them all and buy the one that works the best for you and your riding style.