i was planning on getting a 250ex. i have never ridden any clutch-operated atvs before. What does it mean that the SportClutch is an automatic clutch?

 

give me an answer plz!

 

I just picked up my Daughters 06 250ex today. It has a clutch (sports clutch) but you don't need it to shift gears, but you can use it for shifting, down shifting, building up RPMs for hills and corners. Very nice idea.
If you have never used a clutch before, you'll learn on this bike.
But remember, you can shift it into gear at a complete stop and the bike will not die. You'll like it.

 

The Sportclutch can be used like a traditional motorcycle clutch to disengage the tranny and engine, but you can still shift without using the clutch. Either way you should never stall the quad on takeoff, which is probably the most frustrating part about learning to ride a manual clutch quad or bike. This system was designed to make the quad appeal to a wider range of riders, and to be easier to learn that particular aspect of riding.

 

My buddy just bought an 06, and I rode it this weekend. The one thing you can't do is shift without the hand clutch when the motor is under a heavy load (like when you are engine braking down a steep hill). The shift lever throw is very short compared to the older 250's. It's a different feel.

The suspension seems a little better than the older models.

 

reconranger, would the quad not upshift, downshift, or either while under load? Do you think it is a built in safety feature, or a byproduct of the design? Would it shift out under heavy load not using the clutch lever?

 

It definitely would not upshift going down a steep hill (tried it several times), without pulling in the clutch. Another time (on the flats) it wouldn't downshift. This may be a feature that prevents you from "power shifting" (without letting off the throtle), without using the hand clutch.

I really think that for a rank beginner, the old style autoclutch is going to be less confusing.