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2009
Suzuki LT-Z400 is 1" wider &
the caster & camber have been changed
as well for better handling |
Besides the obviously more power, the new Z400
is also much more stable than the old Z400 with
its wider stance, re-tuned suspension, and lower
riding position of the rider. I felt that the
turning ability of the new Z400 was much improved
as it didn’t feel nearly as willing to
high side when cornering at speed. Sure, it
doesn’t handle a turn like an LTR450,
but it was plenty stable for trail riding.
Without any one timing my laps around the trail,
I felt my times were improved with all the updates,
and I also felt less fatigue riding the new
Z400 because of its improved handling and wider
stance, which required less man-handling it
around the trail for a more enjoyable ride.
Finally, Suzuki not only improved the performance
and handling of the 2009 Z400, they also increased
it durability and ease of maintenance as well
starting with the frame and sub-frame. The frame
tubing thickness has been increased in several
locations along with some new gussets for added
strength in areas prone to cracking and/or breaking
on the old Z400.
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| The
Z400 has also been updated with thicker
tubing, new brackets, and brake pedal
shaft diameter increased for added durability
and ease of maintenance |
The
Z400 Sub-Frame has been changed from round
tubing to rectangler tubing for increased
rigidty and durablity |
The sub-frame has been redesigned to utilize
rectangular tubing for increased rigidity, and
the brake master cylinder mounting bracket has
been relocated to the main frame, so removal
of the sub-frame has been simplified for easier
maintenance.
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| The
rear brake master cylinder bracket has
been relocated off the sub-frame onto
the main frame for easier sub-frame removal |
The
axle shaft taper has been changed for
increased strength, and the rear sprocket
has redesigned for easier removal and
maintenance |
Also, the axle taper was changed for greater
strength and the rear spocket design was changed
to that of the LTR450 for easier removal and
maintenance, but the one they they didn’t
change, and I was hoping would be updated was
the swingarm and bearing carrier design to the
same style as the LTR450 because it is a much
easier to adjustable the chain tension, and
maintenance the bearing carrier than the existing
design on the Z400.
Overall, I am really impressed with all the
new updates to the Z400, and I just wish they
did them several years sooner because it might
have made just been enough of a difference that
I could have won the GNCC Stock Class Championship
in 2005 with the added power and stability of
the newly redesigned 2009 Z400 QuadSport ATV.
