I have lots of questions and a few opinions on my pending quad purchase. I have narrowed it down to the Wolverine, Warrior, and the Honda 400EX. I know they aren't all really in the same class. First let me explain my needs. I plan to ride on trails, mud, a little snow, some rocks, an occasional stream and in the woods in southeastern PA, maybe an occasional trip up to the Poconos. I owned an ATC years ago and I am getting back into it. I was first drawn to the Wolverine, which is without a doubt a great quad. I drove my friends new one and was impressed however, within 10 minutes I felt pretty comfortable and safe on it, it seems like I might get a little bored with that. Another thing I noticed, trying to turn at low speed in tight quarters is difficult, the quad doesn't seem to want to turn, I guess that is a four wheel drive thing. I don't want anything heavier than 500 pounds, a want to be able to have fun and do some jumps and feel the rush of extreme acceleration once in a while. So, it sounds like I am already leaning to the sport quads but, I am really concerned about the low ground clearance, should I be? What about if I want to cruise around around in a foot of snow, am I gonna be kicking myself for buying a low ground clearance 2 wheel drive quad? Also, chain drive, is that much of a hastle? I was thinking, I could throw on some bigger meaner tires and gain more traction and a little more grounf clearance and still be faster than a Wolverine, anybody out there punishing their sports bike in deep mud and snow? How about an occasional mountain climbing trip, will the sports be a pain in the butt? Ok, as if I havn't alreadt asked enough questions, I have been discussing whether to get the wolverine or a sport quad, say the sport bike is the way to go. What do you think is a better bet, the warrior or the 400ex. The 400ex is certainly faster, a little more money, and doesn't have reverse. The warrior is a bit cheaper easier to find. Both Honda and Yamaha have good reputations. Is the 400ex the way to go? A lot of people like them, am I gonna be picking up my quad a lot of rough trails or can the 400ex handle some rough stuff. I appreciate any answers to my many questions, thanks!

 

From a fellow SouthEastern Pa'r.

Go with the sport quad. As you mentioned, the four wheel drive turning is hard, with a sport, you just whip the back end around. As far as snow, when was the last time we saw real snow? This should be your last concern! Also, since you and I live near eachother that means when you get your quad I will introduce you to my crowd......you will need a sport bike!

Now which sport, 400EX or Warrior. Good question, I have a 99 Warrior, love it to death. I have no experience with the Honda but I might be tempted if my pockets were deep enuff. The only thing I would worry about is the reliability.....here come the slams from the Honda guys. I have heard alot of things going wrong with the new 400EX. I recently posted an invite to one of our rides and a guy with a 99 400EX said he might go IF His quad is back from the shop in time???? What is that about.

400EX is only in it's second year and it still has to work out all the bugs, kinda like how Microsoft keeps selling us new products that are actually just bug fixes.

Let me know what you do and when you do get one we'll get together.

Craig

 

I just bought a 2000 red and white warrior. I am new at riding atvs but, I bought the warrior because it is a four stroke. I heard that there was a good bit more maintenence on a two stroke. From the few times i've been out I believe it. People constantly changing plugs, kick starting the engine because they didn't want to leave the engine running for short time periods without riding and so on.
Also I was a little bit afraid of the instant torque with two strokes, I didn't want to be getting up of the groud all the time. I looked at the 400ex and the warrior. I chose the warrior because the front end is a little heavier and I didn't have to fight to keep it on the ground. The 400ex seems to be a little more aggresive out of the hole and lighter on the front end.

So far my warrior is great, on the straights it moves out pretty well.

Hope this helps

 

I agree, a sport quad will do fine. Now between sport quads, they both can do those quad with ease and at the same pace. So its kinda hard. I saw go with the warrior because its more of a sport quad while the 400ex is more of a race quad.

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Evan Johnson 99 400EX 88 LT250R I apologize ahead of time for my bad spelling/typing

 

Just to let you all know, I purchased a 400ex about 7 weeks ago. I love it! My brother chose the Warrior. He is always asking for a ride on my 400ex. For those deciding between the two, the 400ex is faster, lighter, better suspension and it handles better, Yamaha needs to go back to the drawing board and get a newly designed sport quad to compete with Honda, the 400ex is just plain better in the areas that count IMHO.

 

I own a warrior and a banshee. i used to own atc250r and cr125. My best friend owns a 250x and a 400ex. The warrior is HEAVY and does not handle well in tight trails. On hills, rock crawling, and in the snow it is great(probably because it is so heavy). The 400ex is a great bike but has some short comings as well.
1. No reverse (because it more of a race quad than a sport quad)
2. On hills or rock climbing the front end gets light and wants to wheelie.
3. No 6th gear. when you start drag racing your friends with the faster bikes it gets very annoying not to have 6th.
I have never ridden a wolverine but it is a warrior with 4 wheel drive who needs the extra weight. If you do mostly trail riding, I would go with the warrior or a 300ex. If you are planning to go trail riding and buzz your bike around the track a couple of times go with the 400ex. Just be carefull with the tires on the 400 even though you get tons of traction they have very weak sidewalls. I would also change the rear tires if you buy a wolverine/warrior. Try bandits they grab on every type of surface except sand.
As far as 250x/300ex, I have never ridden one with the stock tires.
Either way, if you think that you might go around the track at anytime in your life, buy a 400ex. If you are going to stay on trails go with the 300ex or warrior.
Forget the Wolverine for the type of riding you are going to do.