Last year I decided a utility ATV would be just the ticket for duty over on my desert ranch, so, at 60 years of age I went down to the Honda store and bought a new Rancher ES. Before I popped for the long green I asked here for advice and the advice I received was indeed Spot On. I can frequently see a very real need for the 4x4 capability in the sandy areas.

Anyway, I am delighted with my Rancher - BUT, I've decided I'd have even MORE fun if I had another ATV for various "guests" to ride when they visit. Being a cheap Ol Bas..... er, Ol Dude I can't afford another ATV with all the bells and whistles, but I "might" be able to swing a basic Recon.

Will the Recon haul a 175# person up and down pretty steep hills OK ? I guess what I want to know is: is the Recon a gutless wonder or will it hang in there ok with the Rancher on those "outback excursions"?

Thanks in advance, your opinions will be appreciated

 

OL, I live in NW Arkansas and ride mine here in the Ozarks a lot. There are some pretty steep hills, mud holes and such. I weigh about 200 lbs(adult) and mine has taken me anywhere I needed to go so far. Keep in mind I don't do vertical hill climbs and such. I do go through some decent mud holes,river crossings ,mountain side trails with bouldersand such to get back into the good hunting areas and such. But for a small get around machine that can haul a bit and tow some weight as well as be used for hunting, it suits me fine. I got mine for 3300 with a flag,hitch, and an aftermarket Moose basket rack for the back. To mainly trail ride and hunt with I think the recon is a good investment. With a 200lb rider I wouldn't ride double on any hills though. Hope this helps.

 

A recon will haul a 175# + person pretty easily. My uncle has on and he is 200# + and hes goes everywheres with no problems. the recon is far from gutless and is surpisenly snapy for the cc and is a blast to drive. It will have no problem keeping up with the rancher on the trails or mud-->to a limit as long as the person knows how to drive it. Even if you get it stuck its no problem to push out with 2 people. If you plan on riding some nasty stuff consider putting a better set of rear tires on it.

 

I bought my Recon new in 2001. It has never let me down. It is light, agile, and has a tight turning radius. It hauls me everywhere I want to go and I weigh 230 lbs. I've had my Recon up to 47mph although I average around 12mph. I think the Recon would make a good second quad. You might possibly enjoy riding the Recon so much that you make your Rancher the second quad. The Recon is around 100 lbs. lighter than the Rancher.

 

The Recon is one sweet machine. You said you want it for "guests", and I am betting that means beginners, right. This is the perfect bike for adult beginners. I have never had anybody get hurt on the Recon, because it handles so well. They use to rent them at Pismo (replaced now largely by the 250EX, a Recon knock-off), so that should tell you how well they do in the sand. The power isn't earth shattering, but hey, you're giving these folks a free ride, so who are they to complain?

 

Recon may be a good machine but why get it when you can get the Ozark. Its more powerful, faster, and looks better IMO. It beats the Recon in everything and its the same price [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]. Just something to think about.

 

Ozarkrider03 rider might be correct but I couldn't be happier with our 99 Recon with over 400 hours on it.

175 pound rider will enjoy the Recon and its not a gutless wonder. I took forum member jcsact to our enduro/woods track last week and I already had the Recon in the truck so I just took it. jcsact has a z400 and in the tight woods track I could easily keep up with him but now when you get into wide open spaces the Suzuki Z400 will simply walk away from the Recon but for a guest the Recon would be perfect and you might just get them hooked onto quads.

If you have a Suzuki dealer near you I would check out the Ozark though.

Chet[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

hi i have had my recon for over 4 months. It has been vey good to me.I am going to upgrade it with a stage one dyno jet, k&n filter and a new pipe and scilencer. I do not know where to get this stuff online. Do you think anyone could help me or if you have any sugestions it would be great. The only thing I don't like about the recon is when you are in a rockyer area and go like i do the rims bend in. I am very skillied at riding and go all the time into trails. I am 150 and am 15 it gets me around real good. I hope i can get it to let me fly.

 

That recon you're looking at is probably the best quad for your situation.

 

I was going to say something but I see I already said enough last year[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]