Okay, here is my question.
I am on a budget and I am gonna pick my kids up new quads either this season or this off season.

I am gonna get my daughter either an EX or LTZ 400 and my son an EX or LTZ 250.
What are your opinions on both quads? Pros/Cons?

Also I am going to be selling my Banshee and goin thumper with either a Raptor or DS-650. What have you heard or do you know about the DS's?

Thanks in advance for your advice and support!!!

I would definately pick the suzuki over the honda, I know that is going to upset all the ride red guys in here, but really the suzuki has more up to date suspension, motor, etc. honda hasnt changed the 400 since it came out a few years ago, they are still using an old school approach with the EX. Also I think the suzuki is a more versitile bike, with a few mods, pipe, filter, etc, I have seen them keep up with stock raptors, my buddy has one, and he loves it, I got a chance to ride it, along with a EX, and for my taste the suzuki is worth the few extra bucks, smoother shifting, ride, handling, also it is available in more colors, you could go with suzuki yellow or white, or get the kawasaki green or orange, yes the kawasaki is the same bike, look on the frame, it says made by suzuki. I dont know about the 250's but I am assuming that the same up to date technology went into that bike as well.

As for the raptor vs. 650. I am a raptor man all the way, I have never ridden a DS but I know raptors are lighter and more nimble, and that is what I like in the dunes, if I was runnin the baja 1000 I might change my mind, my raptor gets me everywhere I want to go, and at a comfortable speed for me, am I the fastest up the hill? no, do I want to be? no. can I move after riding it for awhile because I am not sore? yes I am 31 5'11" and 240lbs. I love my raptor, I have also thrown a few mods on it to suit me better, but even stock the bike rocks. hope all this helped, Ian

Tate...personally, I made the vote between the ex and the ltz400 with my wallet, twice now... I would purchase the kawazuki's over the honda, especially for my daughter. The steering is very light, the suspension is very plush, and it has reverse...which may or may not be a big deal, but if you have it, you'll use it. Around camp if nothing else.. And it has plenty of power...my stock (except paddle tires) 400 will pull my fat butt anywhere around glamis you want to go, and I don't think anyone has ever had to wait for me...

As for reliability, knock on wood, I've had my 03 for almost two years now, and the only thing I've done is change the oil, adjust the chain, and tighten bolts. And I've ridden it pretty hard, and crashed hard enough at Pismo to splinter my collar bone pretty hard. If you read about the 400's on the net, you'll hear about bent axles and broken frames. Apparently during the early production (which my 03 is) some of the 'racer' types had some issues with bent axles, and frame cracking. I've never had any of this happen...but I'm not doing any mx racing with it either.

If you are out at 13.5 on presidents day weekend, you'd be more than welcome to take a spin on one...best way to see if it's what you really want. I have no experience on the 250's, the raptors, or the ds's. But, coming from a banshee..you might want to consider the yfz450 for yourself. I hear they are quite responsive with just a few very low cost mods..

Z-400 over the EX for sure, but Honda's new TRX is out, sat on one last night. Feels way nicer then the Raptor, LTZ, YFZ, etc. etc. Might want to look into it.

All the quads feel like you are sitting top of a nice machine, but compared to the new TRX, felt like you are one with the machine... Nice bike, need to ride one.

your choices are dead on...except for the raptor! ride the YZF450 before you decide....same reasons as the EX vs. LTZ/KFX decision. the new technology will blow that dinasour away!!!!

The only thing I am concerned about with the 450's (EX or YZF) for me is I am a big guy (6'3" 265#) is it gonna haul my big butt around ?

Those new 450's TRX and YZF are both sweet quads, will both out power that piece of s*** Raptor anyday. The DS-650 is a beast and probably has more power than any of them, but guarantee the 450's will move your fat a$$ around just fine.

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CRASH Sent: Hi, Jan 30 2004, 11:13 AM
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Thought you might be interested

http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision/index....=0&#entry250396

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Who do you think that went too?

im a big time honda guy, but id rather take the zuki/kawi clones. i love riding my friends.

I can move my z400 around pretty decent and Im 230 "ish".
Between me and my friends - we've dont nothing but abuse my Z for the last 2 years and shes still always ready to go.

I rode some baja with those DS (baja) editions and I got to say - they were plenty quick and they really soaked up the hard stuff. If yo plan hard pack riding - I would say the DS over the raptor.
Only cause your gonna have to sink money in to the raptor to get is as plush a ride in the HARD PACK.

LMFAO !!!

You owe me one... It was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
Besides, you set yourself up for this one with that post.

For the 400, i'd go with the Zuki, and I own an EX. The Z and the EX are nearly identical as far as suspension and ergos, but the Z gets the advantage. Or, as mentioned, you could go with the Kawi for color choices. And there is even the Artic Cat DVX 400 which is also a renamed Suki, but has a radically different look to it in red, green, orange, and black.

Pros;
Water cooled and reverse, especially for the little lady so she doesn't have to try and pick it up to get out of a jam.

Cons;
Like mentioned earlier, the frames on the Z's are a little weak. But this is only brought to light with the harcore tree pounders and MXer's. Sand surfing is not gonna stress the frame enough to exploit it's weaknesses.

For the 250, i'd say EX, but mostly cause we own one. It is absolutely bullet proof. I do not have any experience with the Z, but that little 229cc Honda mill will last a lifetime.

Defenently the z400, nutin better

I don't know the machine's myself but one thing is for sure...The opinions and views of the guys and gals on this site are definately worth listning too!!!

For the 400's, the EX is a good bike, but it just can't keep up with the LTZ/KFX. My brother has an 02 LTZ and my wife an 03 KFX. They have both been used and abused with no complaints whatsoever. The only weakness I have seen is the stock plastic heel plates. I've cracked my wife's twice while jumping.

For the 250's, my wife loved her EX until she outgrew it. With a Yoshimura pipe and a filter, she could take that thing anywhere. The suspension was a little on the stiff side, and would definitely beat you up. But that thing would jump as high and far as you wanted, and the suspension soaked it right up. As far as durability, my nephew on the EX went head on with my brother on a Banshee. The banshee suffered a taco'd rim and the a-arm was destroyed. The EX had a minor bend to the rim, which was quickly fixed with a rubber mallet. That thing was bulletproof. Plus, we taught EVERYONE who came to our camp how to ride on it. If my old banshee was busted, I would take it out on the faster rides and abuse the crap out of it. It still runs like a champ (I sold it to a good friend for his wife). The Z-250 has a displacement advantage, and may respond better to modification, but the reviews I have read seem to favor the Honda.

Lastly, my Raptor kicks #!%$@#

Well after doing some research, pricing and listening, I think I have a plan. I am going with the 250EX and the LTZ400 for the kids. And after being on a DS-650, even though I know they are heavier, I just liked the feel of it. I KNOW ya'll are gonna say the yami or honda 450's, but I don't have that kinda cash.

Why the 250ex insteadof the z250? I dont rember where I saw it but I saw a comparison with those 2

LTZ400 all the way. Shocker I think what you saw was a shootout in Dirtwheels between the 2 and the honda came out ahead overall. Not by much though. The hondas you'll find for about $2500 used because they've been out for a few years

I picked up the LTZ 400 in late Sept of this year and I sure am glad I did. I love my little bike!! I have done very little to it as far as performance mods go and that thing loves to get down. It has had a VERY rough life considering it's only four months old but if I cant break it, perhaps it cant be broke.

just my .02

Dont get the YFZ if your a bigger guy, I'm only 5' 10" and it is about maxed for me , I feel a little cramped on it, and if your a duner you'll need to modify the seat, because it plain sux for long rides (harder than hell). Honda and suzuki has always had better ergonomics. If your that big you'll feel right at home on the raptor or DS..IMO

I would recomend the Honda 400ex if buying used, and the Suz/Kaw if buying new. The Suz/Kaw is a better bike, and I own a few Hondas, but the Honda used is cheaper and very reliable. Check out http://www.lacyclesports.com/ for new prices.