Hello everyone,
I am looking for a used quad to use on my property to haul wood through the woods with a small garden tractor type trailer. I have enough property where I can cut some trails through to ride on as well. I have some experience with quads. I bought a Suzuki 185 quad runner back in 86 and then quickly sold that and stepped up to an 87 250 quadracer, which I used for about 5 years. I am thinking that I would like 2wd, something fairly simple and no a large beast. I am not looking for a massive quad. For example, back in the day a fourtrax 200ex was pretty nice and had a friend who then traded up for a 250ex when that machine first came out. Maybe a 250 or 300 fourtrax. Do they make such a machine? I would like to have something with a rack on the front or back as well. I want it to do some work, but able to kick the back out for some sliding fun as well. What can you recommend for me? Thanks.

 

Honda make a couple of 2WD 250s. The utility version, known in the US as the Recon, sounds exactly what you want. Though they are not regarded as "sliding fun" machines. Honda's next size up is the 420, this was available 2WD, not sure if it is now, and is quite a bit bigger. Pre 2000 they did make a 300 Fourtrax in 2WD which had a better engine than the 250, but these are all over 17 years old now, and the 350 that replaced it went out circa 2006.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I did see where that 300 was rated an excellent machine. But, I would have to hunt one down. The recon sounds great. Are there other models you would suggest from the other manufacturers? I saw a late 90's Kawasaki Bayou 250 for a good price. I also see many Yamaha warriors. But, I wonder if their foot print is much larger. I remember those from when I was riding 25 years ago. They were big 4 stroke track/trail bikes. But, my quad racer was much faster. Are those worthless for work around the house, like hauling wood and such?

 

My brother has had great luck with his 300, it's 4 wd. To be honest, I'd just but a 4wd, you may never use it, but you might.

 

I'd get a Foreman 500 4x4 foot shift. They were selectible 4x4. The older 450 Foreman 4x4 from 2003 on were selectible 4x4, another good choice. Selectible 4x4 lets you get through tough stuff when you want but leave it in 2wd and you can slide and have fun too when you don't need 4wd.

 

The 500 is a lot bigger bike than the 250s and 300s, also pre 2007 500s have a fragile gearbox, which usually broke about the same time as the end of the warranty. The old 420 (2006 to 2014) was almost as small as the 250 but had a lot more power, however all but the auto version had a very weak rear axle. The combination of gearbox faults and rear axle faults in Honda's utility 4WDs made us change to selling Suzukis about 07 but the 400 and upwards Suzukis are big bikes. Yamaha did make some good 250s and 350s. The old manual gear Big Bears were heavy, but Bruin and 350 Grizzly models were quite small autos which may suit you. 250 and 300 Kawasakis, were not bad bikes and are fairly cheap on the used market. The rubber bushed rear suspension feels a bit strange when you corner hard, but I guess you get used to it.

 

I'm thinking the Suzuki Ozark, with the disc brakes, is a good choice too.

 

I had one of those once, they're pretty sporty for a 250cc utility machine. Never really used it for any work though. I'm sure it would be fine for light duty hauling and towing. Heaviest thing I ever hauled on the racks was a cooler.

 

Are you looking new? Used? Budget? No utility is going to slide like your old racer. If you are going new the rancher lineup is probably Your best bet at the moment.

 

I believe I am going to stick with used. I would like to go with $2k or less. What does a new Recon go for anyway? $5k? The old racer was a hell of a machine, but I have 3 younger kids and can't bring home a racer. Plus, our property is not large enough for that machine. It is way too fast.