At 52 I have decided to add 2 more wheels when riding. I'm looking for a used sport atv around a 2003 to 2006 year model for mainly riding trails. I want to try to stay with a liquid cooled if possible. It has to haul my 225 # around so I may need an extra HP or 2. What do you all recommend that handles decent and is fairly reliable ?

 

Honda 400EX if you were willing to go air cooled (based on XR400 engine). The Suzuki Z400 is water cooled (based on DRZ 400 engine), and the frame geometry is a 400EX knockoff.

Both are great handling trail quads of high quality. At 225, you might need to do some suspension tweaking.....

 

KFX 700 would probably be my vote after logging many hard brutal hours on mine I never had a failure with it. Its a auto though but believe me it just about as much fun as any quad I have ever ridden and its built for guys like us (I weigh in at 235) and never even blinks at hills or the dunes they are a shaft drive so there isnt a trail it cant go on I have had it in 3 feet of snow mud rivers and never had a issue I sold it due to financial issues to a friends dad who at 50 much like you decided he wanted 4 wheels instead of 2 but still wanted to be able to keep up with the kids. You owe it to yourself to ride one before deciding though. they arent for everyone but I have never met some who didnt like it after they threw a leg over mine. and they arent to expensive a 2004 can be had for around 4k in very good condish. the z400 is great too but your prolly gonna fine it a little underpowered for your size a raptor 660 or 700 are other alternitives if you have to have a clutch hope this hels

 

I weigh about 280 and my 400ex pulls me everywhere i want to go. it has been very good to me and the hondas are proven machines

 

the kfx 700 is a great trail bike.I weigh 225 and it fits me great.Its not what I would pick if I were going to race but for older guys that want a sporty looking trail bike,its great.

 

might want to look at a yamaha raptor 700 also. it is alot lighter than the kfx700.

 

I was wondering what would be comparable to the Honda 400EX in the other manufacturers models ? Would it work if I got a Honda 450r and changed gearing to ride the trails ? Like I said, 90% of my time would be on trails. Thanks to all for the help....
Bud

 

I've been looking on ebay and different classifieds. I can't afford to buy new.
thx.

 

budco, how fast do you like to go? What kind of trail riding will you be doing? I have to say, it looks like the Z400 is everything you are looking for. Good handling and suspension, liquid cooled, and plenty of power for brisk trail riding. They are proven reliable and there are plenty out there for sale used. These days you could buy a decent one and upgrade to a 440 kit later if you wanted 450 class power. The 450's make great trail machines also, but tend to have a sharper edge(stiffer suspension, peakier motors.) If you go 450R, then the '04/'05 models are widely regarded as the best year/make of any 450 for trail riders.

 

450r's are great bikes also. i have rode a buddy of mines a few times. we ride trails and bean fields and he has not changed his stock gearing any and the bike performs well. but i am 6'4" and i feel cramped on the 450r. the old school 400ex just seems to fit me better.