Hello,

I used to ride a Kx100 dirtbike, but due to school ended up selling to a friend. Now, I want to get back into riding and have actually decided to go with a sport atv instead of another bike.

I have read that the Honda TRX250X is great for learning on, but I eventually want to race, so I would have to switch to another atv once that time comes. This isn't a big deal, but does anybody have any recommendations on one that would be great for learning fundamentals of riding a sport atv, but that I could also start racing with at some point? Any suggestions are much appreciated!

 

400ex would be the next logical step up or the 400x as the later models are now called.

 

I'll have to second Greg74's opinion on the 400ex. Lots of them out there, very popular at race events, tons of parts availiable, easy to work on, best bang for the buck.

 

Actually sport quads are kinda fading away. I might suggest visiting a race venue and seeing what's still running. Honda made a TRX250x and the TRX450R. A used Honda sport quad wouldn't be a bad decision.

David

 

What type of racing are you looking at? How old are you? I can say for just about any racing with sport quads you are looking at just getting a 450 to be competitive. Might as well start there if you have no plans to buy another.

 

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

I'm 27 and looking into possibly racing GNCC. I was looking into Honda due to the reliability. But since I've posted this I watched a video review from ATV On Demand about the Raptor 700r. According to one of the test riders in the video, he suggested this as a good learning quad as long as common sense is used. I like it for the fact that it does well on both trails and the track and once I get comfortable it will have plenty of power, so I won't get bored. I could also technically race with it. But I might just go ahead and start looking at the 450s.

 

Get a 450 then. Local xc stuff in the lower classes you can get by with a 400ex but you probably won't be in the hunt for top 5. They are just to slow. True national races forget anything but 450 power. Even the 700 Raptor is just not a good choice. To heavy and doesn't have the handling.

Having said that, xc racing is a lot of fun, but is very rough on body and machine. First race of the season and i would be sore for a week in muscles you would never figure to use for riding, lol. It isn't for everyone.

 

Racing, now there is something I can chime in on.
The 400 is the most dependable. The 450's demand a lil more maint especially when raced. Same ol 3rd gear problem that's plagued them since 2005. My daughter had her 450R motor out of frame and sent to Sparks every 2 races. But that's serious racing (you're not there yet).
XC doesn't demand a rocket but rather a good suspension.
I raced my Kymco (260cc w/CVT) at a xc and lined up next to a 250R. I passed him in the first corner and he never came close to me in the woods. Open area I could hear him coming, then back in the woods and I'm gone. I nosed into a tree and he got past me in the 2nd lap.
IMO< I'd find me a well built used race quad 400ex or 450R.
Forget about the 700cc slugs unless you are doing the Baja1000.

 

Very nice LT80. I think your experience is exactly what payne629 was looking for.

I can imagine what xc on a sport quad would be like. Brutal comes to mind. I think of ATVs as lumbering "mountain tractors" designed to bounce over rough terrain. I watch some videos of these racing ATVs and my eyes get very big around. Wow.

David

 

LT80 is correct in that suspension is much more important for xc. That is the one place you need to focus if it is something you wish to pursue. Another area the 450 class excels, you can have those stock shocks rebuilt for your weight and speed If you are on a budget, or go silly with aftermarket. I actually was very pleased with my stock rear that was massaged by gt thunder back in the day, complemented the fox floats I run up front very well.