Hello! So I've never bought an ATV before. I'm looking at a 1996 Honda Fourtrax 300 2x4. Now I always thought I wanted a 4wd atv, not 2wd. But they're telling me this is a great brand. It's in great shape. Opinions? Thank you!

 

I prefer Honda, but I have had really good luck with Kawasaki and Yamaha as well. I can't speak for any other brands since I haven't owned any. You need to provide some info on how much experience you have riding ATVs and what type of riding you will be doing. You said you have never bought one before, but have you ridden before? And to answer your question...yes, the 96 Honda you are asking about is a good quad. ALWAYS test ride to make sure you like it and make sure you have a good quality helmet, goggles, boots, and gloves before you make the purchase.

 

I had a quad just like it once, mine was a 99 model but it was aslo a 300 2x4. Great trail quad, just not super fast, I think about 45 mph is around what it tops out at. But its relatively light and pretty manueverable, still fun to ride. It depends on where you're riding and and how much money you want to spend. 2wd quads will cost less than 4x4. You can put aggressive tires on the rear of a 2wd quad and add a winch and that will get you through most places you want to go.

 

A 4wd gives you the ability to deeper and further before getting stuck.

 

a as the other s have said...what ya gonna do with it and where ya gonna ride? 2wd will be a little faster on the same size machine and you can slide the back end around a little for some fun. 4wd will go thru much more difficult areas than any 2wd but generally a tiny bit slower and not quite as sporty. Now...if you have enough money to jump into a newer mode with switchable 2wd vs 4wd then you can have the best of both worlds, but they do cost much more than the Honda 300 you are looking at. As a beginning rider that 300 would be a good starter but if you ride some knarly trails a 4wd may be wanted. Used atv's are a dime a dozen,... GOOD very well maintained used atv's are hard to find! Honda makes some great machines but so do other manufacturers, a lot depends on particular models being more successful than others. That is why we have this forum so people can ask about specific models and their pro's and con's. Having ridden for many years now, I would only want something 4wd capable, but did start with a 2wd. I soon realized I needed 4wd as I like getting into mud and snow. For plowing snow a 4wd is a must.

 

I've had 2wd quads in the past as well. A lot of my local trails are pretty tough to get through with just 2wd. Or you simply have to avoid a lot of them. 4x4 won't get you through everything but it will give make it easier to get through mud and snow if you ride in the winter. I do like selectible 4x4 though. Flip a switch when you need it and then back off when you don't.

 

A 4x4 can go places a 4x2 won't go but you may not need 4x4. It depends on where you want to ride. If you're going to get a 2 wheel drive you may as well get a sport quad.

 

Well...there are now plenty of sport quads that offer 4x4 capability...I've owned a number of Polaris scrambler/sport 400s over the years so I'm kinda partial to them. They go anywhere and can be trail moded to keep up with just about anything...Honda's are rock solid...I've been tempted by the Can-Am Renegades as well...really depends on what you think you'll be doing with it.


Best advice would be to try some different machines, if possible...