I was looking to buy a atv. I am 15 years old, weight about 140, and I am 5 foot 9. Im looking to buy a atv which is powerful and fast but also controllable. I will do most of my riding on some local trails. I want something that will last me a while but for a good price.

 

A Honda Recon is a great starter machine that is super reliable. Has a 250 cc with a foot shifter that's semi-automatic or can be had with an automatic. I'd get the foot shifter for reliability. I've seen one a friend owns that took a severe beating over the years but is still running.

 

How would a raptor 250 or 350 workout

 

Might as well get the 350 so you do not get bored as quick once you get better at riding.

You can make a fast ATV go slow but you can,t make a slow ATV go fast.

 

350 would last you longer power-wise. Only gripe I have with sport quads is the lack of ground clearance. That being said, I've seen some sport quads get into some places I thought they couldn't.

 

How would a LTZ workout to be?

 

Not familiar with the LTZ. Is that a 400? As you get into higher cc engines you're going to have more power off the line and a little higher top speed.

Have you ridden before? If you don't have experience I recommend an ATV safety class. Even with a 250 you can get into trouble pretty quickly. It doesn't take much to get hurt.

 

I have drove my cousins 250 but other than that I don't have that much experience, the ltz is a 400. I was thinking about getting a sport bike that's why I was looking into a raptor 250 or 350, or maybe after some some classes a ltz but I want to have fun with my atv not be scared of it.

 

The 400 class of sport bikes are very well rounded and are a good place to start. Stock they are wider and more stable than the 250, 300, 350. The power they make is just about right for most riders. Its not overwhelming and not under powered. If a 400 is to fast for you a simple sprocket change can slow it down and torque it up. All of the brand names in the 400 class are basically bullet proof.
Like Moose said the ground clearance is minimal. But a good 1/4" swing arm skid plate will fix that. There is no real need for a belly skid.
I have had a 400ex for 4 yrs. To date it has been the best quad I have ever owned. Fast enough to blast down the easy trails and have fun in the pits. But slow enough to be able to own all of the nasty 4x4 trails, with the exception of deep mud.

 

I am 5'9" too. The Raptor 250 is a hoot to ride, but it is a bit cramped for me to want to put a lot of seat time on one. That is actually a pretty good place to start though if you can upgrade in a year or so. Performance wise it actually compares pretty closely to the 350(power to weight ratio, the 250 is almost 70 pounds lighter!) and it handles way better. I would look at the 300EX. They have good handling, similar power wise to the 250, and are a better fit for your frame. The 400 class can work for you also, just don't ride over your head. Try to take the atv safety course before going to crazy also. i think a lot of them have 250 class machines for the riding portion.