Im losing the rights to my quad more so than I like these days and am considering getting my wife an 07 AC 250 2x4 in red(she hates the green).Ive got three prerequisites for her quad-Automatic shifting(no buttons)-Linked left hand braking(AC and Polaris) and easy steering with not much kickback from rough trails.She prefers a smaller frame and the only two that are really options as far as I know are the AC 250 and the Polaris Hawkeye-

Does anyone know anything about the 250 from AC(Kymco)I hear better stuff about Kymco now and am curious as to how it will hold up in the long run-the build of the bike appears to be decent but Ive yet to find much info about it on the WWW.

If Im overlooking another choice that fits the bill please help me out-I dont like having to wait to ride my quad and she's getting anxious to get her own! Thanks

 

One thing you may want to consider is, when you want to upgrade for your wife any 250 2x4 is not going to be worth very much. Since even most of the Japanese machines are actually made in China, (I think I read someplace that none of the Yamaha engines are made in Japan anymore, they are built in Yahama factories in China - could also be true for Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki) you may want to think about saving some money and picking up one of the Secondary brands from China. You possibly could save yourself a thousand or more. I was thinking of picking up a second machine a 2x4, 250-350 class, auto, shaft drive, throw a winch on for $100 and I am good to go for easier trails.

Check http://www.powersportsmax.com/index.php/cPath/37_58

Their are other sites too - heck for $1500 to $2000 - new! Some even advertize for Japanese engines etc...

Just a thought!

 

My boy has an 06 250 cat 2x4. It really is a nice clean machine. Handles good in the woods with the narrow frame. We take it deer hunting instead of an H1. when he outgrows it my wife has her eye on it. At 50 mph he is right behind me.

 

I believe the newer AC 250 engine is made by Kymco? Not too sure about their dependability and I do not know a bunch about the name brand Kymco. Either way I would rather trust the older suzuki 250 engine that was in the AC machine around 2001, 2002, 2003, not sure of 2004? They were very dependable motor. My AC dealer said they quit making them due to the demand for larger, big bore ATV's. So they outsourced the 250 and 300 and offered a 650 H1.

I picked up a 2003 Suzuki Ozark for $1500 last year. It has the old AC 250 engine, a 5 speed transmission with an automatic clutch. You have to let off the gas to shift with your foot, but no clutch to operate. It is very easy to get into reverse, unlike some other 250 machines. 2 wheel shaft drive and is very light weight. Super easy to turn. With the gov. turned up my 8 yr old daughter rides it easily with her older sister on board.

Plus, with the gov. turned off it will get my fat old frame up to 50 plus very quicly. The throttle response is really sporty. Has front and rear racks and it will go a bunch of places in mud and hills and such with an experienced rider.

Also, not sure if Yamaha still makes their "bear traker 250" but I would put it in the same group as the suzuki Ozark.

SJ

 

try the yamaha bruin its got some guts but eazy to ride 4 a beginer and will get u out of trouble when needed

 

Thanks for the replies-

Im still undecided as to what to get her-she says she wants the AC one day then sees some more info on the Hawkeye and now she thinks thats the one-whatever it is it HAS to be an automatic drive -left hand linked brakes and easy steering-so no Yamaha's-although I wish they were in the pick of atvs to choose from for her-

 

We bought my g/f the Kawasaki Prairie 360 because she does not fit confortably on the AC 400 because the center hump is too wide. She is just a tiny thing. We would have bought the AC250 if it was 4x4. We did not buy the Polaris Hawkeye because it does not have a high and lo range just high. She just loves the prairie 360.

 

What is the deal with the left hand linked brakes? They operate both the front and back at the same time?

If so personnally I dont actually like that because if you are on a steep hill coming down and you hit your brakes it would make the front harder to turn at the same time without sending the quad into a skid/possible roll.

I would definetly take her to sit on all the quads that she likes and then say well lets just look at a couple of other brands. If they let her take a test ride then so much the better.

 

Yeah-the linked brakes I feel are one of the most important part for her-They actuate at the same time slowing all for corners of the atv for a more controlled stop-the reason she has to have linked brake?-My wife lost her right arm in a lawnmower accident at the age of 5-she deals with everyday stuff extremely well but a quad is alot of weight to slow down using only the foot brake or left handed rear brake lever-thats the reason for the need for a linked brake setup,and the easy to handle and steer part likely make more sense now too-and the need to not worry about what gear she is in-get on and drive.

Unfortunetly Im the one doing the testdriving for her as the dealers probably dont want me installing my left handed throttle on all his test units..lol

The search continues...

 

I know this is way out of the range you are looking for, especially for a starter quad, but she would really benefit from a quad with electronic power assisted steering. Right now that means a Honda Foreman 500 (which is electric shift) or a Yamaha Grizzly 700.

I can't speak for the Honda (but not having an auto tranny would eliminate that for her anyway) since I've never ridden one but the Grizzly is very easy to steer and the electronic power steering also reduces the amount of kick back at the bars. It steers just as easy in 4WD (when the front diff locker is not engaged) as it does in 2WD and in 4WD the rear brakes (left front lever and right foot pedal) applys braking force to all 4 wheels. As for potentially being too powerful for a starter quad, the throttle stop can be screwed in some, plus when it's in low range it will putt around pretty slow. She should never be going fast anyway when the machine is only being controlled with one hand on the bars.

One more thing, a larger quad (like the Grizzly) will ride smoother than any smaller machine (more suspension travel and the heavier machine will absorb more shock through the suspension) and if you wanted to go all out you could get custom shocks that are set up for her weight to make the ride even smoother.

A lighter, smaller quad is important for a smaller person especially if the rider plans to push the envelope where shifting one's body weight is very important in keeping the machine under control. In this case it is important to not get a machine that is too heavy otherwise the person may not have enough weight to get the job done. However it is my guess that your wife would not be in this category of rider so a larger quad would be OK for her...