I currently own an older banshee that hauls ass. However racing up & down Olds is boring to me......I am all about hitting the dunes & finding the huge bowls. My banshee only runs good when I am on the pipe, otherwise I foul plugs constantly. Gas sucks too.
So now I want a 4-stroke but don't know which one to get. It's been my experience that a great rider can make any bike hang with a banshee through the dunes.
So when considering my weight (200 lbs), non desire to race up Olds, not a mechanic, not looking to spend over $8k on bike & mods...is the Z 400 a good choice for me?? My fellow riding buddies have the 400EX & they dig 'em & say I should get that one. But I kinda want something different...the 400EX is everywhere. The Predator is cool looking but beings it's new makes me nervous....also hard to find parts for it. Raptor is more than what I want to spend.
It's to bad the dealerships don't allow test runs.

Eric
Any suggestions are appreciated.

I have told everyone this and all the magazines seem to agree. If you want the best and biggest bang for you buck, get a LTZ/KFX 400. It's not the fastest, but like you said, a good rider will keep up with the faster bikes, on a 400. Dirtwheels has had at least three shootouts, comparing sport quads, with the Z400 in it. Each time the Z400 won best overall.

Having ridden all but the Predator (and own the Z and Raptor now), I would say the Z is a very nice all-around dune bike, but coming from a Banshee you would be sorely disappointed in it's power, especially given your size. The Z will certainly move you around fine, but I HIGHLY recommend you get a quad with more cc's, given your size.

I wouldn't hesitate getting a Predator or Raptor if I were you. You should be able to get a Raptor or Predator for within 700 OTD of any Z400, that $700 would be well spent.

If you weighed 175lbs or less and didn't care about speed, I would say get the Z by all means, but for you definitely a bigger bore 4 stroke without a question, period.

Banshee may not be tuned right. Ive never fouled a plug...

RoostKing..

The only Z I would buy is a Nissan 350Z. I rode the Z-400 and was really disapointed! spend the mony on suspension for the Banshee and tuning and you will be much happier.

Well thanks for all the responses......I am pretty damn convinced to forget the Z400. And point taken 727.....maybe I should loose some weight huh..hahaha....
I do have another question though. As I said before I foul plugs all the damn time wether I am on the pipe all the time or not. I also go through way more gas than other banshee's. I have lowered the carb needles to its last clip thinking maybe it's running to rich...no help. I have also gone down one size in the main jets...no help. I bought the bike pretty much the way it is right now so I don't know what engine work has been done to it, however it has after market pipes & silencers, & bigger carbs.
Any ideas what is wrong, what I should do with it, or where to take it??
Bike is pretty damn fast though, thank god for the swing arm!

wait for the kfx 700. kind of heavy,but is getting good reveiws!!v-twin auto. :shock:

Let me ask you a question. If your Banshee didn't foul plugs and was a bit better tuned would you consider keeping it? If so, then this is an easy solution as there is NO DOUBT your Banshee can be set-up right in a matter of an hour or less.

My 98' Banshee ran on one set of plugs for three years and then one more set for the last two before I sold it. It started every dune trip, was on the original bore and was a great running bike.

Ya I would keep it then. The thing that does bothers me though is it's an '89. I am consern that should I hold onto it the engine may blow up or something than I got myself an '89 money pit! So if I take it to a professional, spend the $ to make it right than guess I am set then huh?
Assuming the engine will last for a couple more years.

I had an 89 Shee, and it was one sweet running machine. It was stolen by some worthless piece of Human trash and I had no hesition to go out and buy another Banshee! As for you, other than A-arms there isn't enough new stuff to the Banshee to justify new unit. I wish I could have my '89 back....

I would have to say Chummin is really pleased with his Z400. Put a few mods on it like pipes, etc......Over all dunning that thing has some serious torque. It throws alot of sand and I am not a fan of Zuki. I think for the price it is a great bike. Ask Chummin.....he loves it! :bash:

I too am happy with my Z400. I only have the Alba Stage 3 kit and it does make a huge difference. Still not Banshee fast and won't be without some serious strokin', borin' & portin' but I have no problem spankin' similiarly equiped 400EX's and I'm 215lbs and run the much hated Gecko paddles. Since it sounds like you pretty much stay in the dunes, I'd definitely spend 10 bucks for some jets & your last set of spark plugs for a few years and keep your '89 Banshee vs. spending $5K for a Z400.

what premix did you use????

I ran Maxima 929 for all but the last year when I switched to Amsoil and ran it 80:1 (same as in my pre-mix jet ski). Why did I switch? Because I bought a case of Amsoil to get the dealer rate and decided to use it. Two sets of plugs in 5 years. I never even took them out and cleaned them, just ran them clean and that was it.

I have a KFX 400 and have no complaints at all. With just a few minor mods it really wakes up. This bike isn't going to smoke anything up Olds, but on a fast paced dune ride it will hang with almost anything. The tranny is so smooth you almost forget your shifting. It handles amazing for a stock set up. The price is nice ($5850 OTD). I'd recommend this quad to anyone looking for a great all around duner and trail machine.