suzukirider
New Castle, Pa
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THEMAN wrote:obviously the rocks and ruts you are going over are not very large or deep... Nor are you getting into deep mud.
Low ground clearance = high centered that's why everyone is so concerned with gc.
I've been up to the seat practically in mud. I'll see if I can get some pictures. My kfx is apart right now but when it gets together (probly next week depending on when my arms come in) I'll take a ride through the trails and show you what I mean. Some of the trails have been dug completely out by lifted trucks so the ruts are actually pretty mean. But I guess talk is cheap so it's no use just telling you about it.
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pual0101
Washington,WV
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Well Paul keep in mind he may not be as an experienced rider as you or some of us. So having a quad with a little extra ground clearance will help keep him from getting high centered until he has the experience to pick the right lines. The fact that your Z and KFX can make it thourgh your trails and ruts has less to do with the quads actual clearance than the fact that you know how to pick a line, pin it,and get through it the easiest way possible.
"I'm from a communist country, I don't have to share."
06 DVX 400
Houser +2 A-arms/Swinger
Lonestar Axle
Elka Elite Triple Rates w/Rezzies
HMF Ballance Full System **Red**
OSHC Intake/Exhaust
Tag X-5 Red z400 Bend
PRo Armor Fat Pegs Nerfs
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THEMAN
THEUSA
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Wait a minute, this has nothing to do with picking the right line or experience. And anyone going to say they made it out of seat deep mud on a Z w/o being pulled out is full of sh!t. Muddy water, is another story and not considered MUD. Mud? Bullsh!t.
Fact remains, ground clearance is a hinderance. You can NOT go through a deep rut w/o straddling it w/o enough ground clearance, period. You can not go over a rock straight under the quad that's big enough to high center it, period Unless momentum is an option, but this is not about methods, this is about the fact of ground clearance. Momentum and high speed is not always an option.
I ride the Badlands a lot and know exactly what lifted trucks do. If you are going to try and tell me you go through those ruts, you are more full of sh!t than I thought. Straddling the rut is not the issue here. Apparently where you ride, you are riding on already made trails where you have the choice. Try riding where you are making the trail and there is no choice, or a trail with only way way in or out(no choice) then tell me your gc is fine. bwhahahaha kids..
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Rincon-newby
Southeast Ga.
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Joined: 04/29/2006
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After riding this summer in Arkansas and missouri, where the trails not only have rocks, but lots of big rocks, you spend every foot of that trail choosing a line that will not tear out your rear end. After you hit a couple that bounce your swing arm up so hard it feels like your going to be bucked off, you watch your line like a hawk. That is why we rode mostly our utilities on the Chadwick OHV trails. The IRS made the riding far less perilous for our machines' well being.
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THEMAN
THEUSA
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^^supporting the fact that ground clearance is important.. Pending on where you are riding and type of riding you are doing, of course. It's proven there are places a Z is a bad choice for, that's just a fact. That's all I was gettin at.
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suzukirider
New Castle, Pa
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THEMAN wrote:Wait a minute, this has nothing to do with picking the right line or experience. And anyone going to say they made it out of seat deep mud on a Z w/o being pulled out is full of sh!t. Muddy water, is another story and not considered MUD. Mud? Bullsh!t.
Fact remains, ground clearance is a hinderance. You can NOT go through a deep rut w/o straddling it w/o enough ground clearance, period. You can not go over a rock straight under the quad that's big enough to high center it, period Unless momentum is an option, but this is not about methods, this is about the fact of ground clearance. Momentum and high speed is not always an option.
I ride the Badlands a lot and know exactly what lifted trucks do. If you are going to try and tell me you go through those ruts, you are more full of sh!t than I thought. Straddling the rut is not the issue here. Apparently where you ride, you are riding on already made trails where you have the choice. Try riding where you are making the trail and there is no choice, or a trail with only way way in or out(no choice) then tell me your gc is fine. bwhahahaha kids..
Well it was more muddy water than straight mud but, you know what I mean. And it was on the z250, the z never woulda made it through there. But yeah I know what you are saying and you probably ride through ten times worse terrain than I do but what I'm trying to get across is most people don't ride the Badlands, and most people aren't trying to climb mountains with their z400, but mine was lowered and made it through the GNCC courses with no problem, and I used to work at a motocross track where we had mud pits for trucks as well and I've gone through them on my quads with no problem. Basically, a z400 would be fine for this guy, and not too many people actually NEED irs.
It's really high in this picture but the z250 has gone through this pit
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THEMAN
THEUSA
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You're absolutely right, for most people and most terrains, the Z400 is a great quad. However, if GC is a concern, then..may not be the best choice..s'all I'm sayin. 
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drake317
Troy Michigan
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Joined: 10/10/2005
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Lots of opinions, but you need to find people who ride like you are going to ride. I will give my opinion but you should keep in mind that
1. I ride very tight trails
2. I like the technical aspect of riding, not the speed, doesn't mean I do not like to go fast on the straightway.
3. I respect the law. Which means I stay on trails and never ride on private property even if it is not posted.
In Michigan if you are going to ride legal, and do not own property, ground clearance is almost meaningless. By law you have to stay on the trails and you will find very little mud because the state almost all sand. I have gone riding the morning after big storms and ridden thru lots of puddles, but no real mud pits. I have never had to get off my machine because I was stuck.
In Michigan, if you are going to ride the ATV trials and not the ATV routes, the 700s are way to much engine. I ride a 300 and although occasionally I would like a little more power blasting out of the curves anything over 400cc is just for bragging. I have a friend who had a 700 but sold it because it was just to much engine for the tight trails.
I would only buy a machine with a clutch. I like the having to down shift when going up a steep slope. That is part of the technical challenge I like.
I would also not consider anything without reverse. When you ride tight trails you find yourself in areas where turning around is difficult even with reverse.
One recommendation that has nothing to do with how or where you ride is buy something that is sold locally. Do not buy a Polaris out of the paper if there are now Polaris dealers near you. Ready access to parts is very important.
The only brand warning I will give you, and I suspect some will disagree, is I would stay away from Bombardier/Can-am. They seem much harder to repair and do maintenance than the Honda I own.
Hope this helps. Good luck
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suzukirider
New Castle, Pa
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THEMAN wrote:You're absolutely right, for most people and most terrains, the Z400 is a great quad. However, if GC is a concern, then..may not be the best choice..s'all I'm sayin.
So, what do you ride? I think all these years I never actually figured that out lol
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pual0101
Washington,WV
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A 400 Scrambler if I'm remembering right
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