Z400 vs. 400ex

[HeepH8erTy]

So... in my search for a quad, I pretty much had my heart set on a Z400 and thats all I would look at. Love the power, the weight, weight balance, ground clearance, and most importantly, the reliability of it. I saw a pretty nice 400ex on craigslist tho



What I would like to know is, does anyone know if these newer 400ex's have any reliability issues? I've heard that the old bug-eye style 400ex's had head gasket problems and they like to burn a decent bit of oil. I didn't know if these problems have been corrected with the new body style or if they are using a new motor or whatever.

Any input would greatly appreciated. Like I said, I was dead set on the Z400. I dont really want to settle for something that isn't exactly what I want, but then again... I never get exactly what I want anyways lol and this thing looks pretty damn sweet.

[redbank]

I have a few friends that had the older models and never had an issue with the headgasket and they beat the snot of them. I thought the 400ex was air cooled? I can't see why they would have gasket issues, normally air cooled don't have problems like this. I think either quad you can't go wrong.

[HeepH8erTy]

hmmm it is air cooled...isnt it? I didnt even think about that. I guess that just makes it less complicated, which cant be a bad thing lol. I've been looking around online and I'm not really finding any common big problems with them or anything so wurd. Going to look at it tonight. We'll see what happens!

[Mykal]

I owned a '99 400ex. When it was stock it would walk all over a Z400. I never had any issues with it and I rode it hard.
I then set it up for GNCC racing and had the motor bored to 416 with a cam, intake, exhaust, etc. I still didnt have any head gasket problems.
Back in those days the 400ex was the 4 stroke to have. I have never heard of anyone having that issue or heard that it was an issue.

[oros35]

I have a '99 and had many friends with them too. Very very few problems. Only problems I had with mine were it ate swingarm carrier bearings, until I upgraded to a dual bearing carrier, not a problem since. I wore mine out riding it hard, did little maintenance and never had a problem. Rebuild it to a 426, good cam, clutch, etc. and it's been strong and reliable ever since.
I'd take a 400ex over a Z any day.

[YZEATER]

A z400 is more top heavy then the 400ex. The z is more updated but they are both good quads.

[joe_and_jeep]

I think the Honda handles better.

[JeepGeneral]

They're both good when they run and junk when they don't. Comdition will be the biggest factor. If it's in good condition and seems well maintained I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. Always check the air filter, it's an easy way to tell if the previous owner was lazy with maintenance.

[xcwes]

Ide take the ex over a z anyday. They are one of the most reliable machines out there . Only downfall would be the stock suspension (as with any quad) but 450r stuff bolts right up and is a huge improvement over stock. There is also alot of aftermarket for them

[HeepH8erTy]

Well, I bought it! The one thats in the picture at the top. Rode the shit out of it yesterday and it did great. Took everything I threw it and never complained. Its in awesome shape too.I was told that it only had 3 tanks of gas ran through it. I did check the air filter when I was looking at the quad and its like brand new. It was all yellow without a spec of mud or dust, bottom of the air box clean too. It didn't have any mud burned on to the motor or exhaust. Has original tires on it that are still in great shape. I just love it. I was thinking about it last night and realized...this thing is the newest vehicle I have ever owned... and more expensive than the half of the trucks that I have owned hahaha I got them PRIORITIES!



Garage decorations:

Ide take the ex over a z anyday. They are one of the most reliable machines out there . Only downfall would be the stock suspension (as with any quad) but 450r stuff bolts right up and is a huge improvement over stock. There is also alot of aftermarket for them

No kidding, I had no idea. I'm gonna hafta join some ATV forums now I guess. Can you recommend any ones that would have a bunch of 400ex info?

I didn't think the suspension wasn't too awful bad on it. I was use to riding a 250ex (which was terrible suspension-wise lol) around before this one and I've never actually owned a quad before... so I guess I wouldn't really know. I'm use to riding on 2 wheels...which I think is wayyy smoother. I'm sure once I get some more balls and start going faster, I'll be desiring more outta the suspension... but shes good for now!

[Mykal]

http://www.exriders.com used to be the goto website years ago.

Get some real tires on that thing. Maxxis Razr 2 were a great tire.
Shocks. Elkas then call Santo DeRisi and have him tune them.

[HeepH8erTy]

Sweet, thanks man. I'll check that out.

I def wanna slap some holeshots on it. I had 6-plys on the 250ex I was borrowing and liked em. I want to do 9-plys on this thing so I pretty much won't be able to put a hole in em. My only concern is that they may be too stiff? Is this true?

For shocks, since I know the 450f stuff bolts up... I wouldnt mind putting stock 450 stuff on the front. Maybe the a-arms and shocks if I can find some. I'll hafta research tho cause I have no idea what will and wont work yet lol I know it would sure be nice to be able to grease the ball joints, hopefully 450 stuff has grease fittings in it? I couldnt find any grease fittings on the thing when I was going over it yesterday... I think I'm gonna hafta try and change that. I gotta read up and see what everyone else is doing. I guy I rode with yesterday said he got one of those syringes that you poke into the boots to fill em with grease, but I dunno, I'd rather have zerks on the mofo.

[HeepH8erTy]

yupp... no regrets on gettin this thing. I love it, even when it flings me off hahaha