I know they are identical except for the plastic and racks, right? What about the weight? How much heavier is the Recon? We mostly trail ride and many times get into the mud so I'm thinking the Recon would protect her more but I'm not sure she will like the size and weight of it. Any suggestions?

 

The EX is geared a little higher, and is a hefty 50 pounds lighter!

In the mud lower gearing might help, and the fenders will provide some mud protection, but otherwise I think the weight gives the EX a huge advantage.

 

i would say the recon would be more practical, no clutch to worry about and you could easily add a winch for the really sticky stuff! when you think of 50lbs being the diffirence between a utility and a sport, thats not much at all!!! but she would feel more planted on a utility, and more open on a sport

 

The EX clutch is very simple. It works like the Rekluse clutch, and if you forget to use it, it's no big deal.

Plus, the Recon is a little narrower and therefore a little less stable in turns.

I will say that the stock EX tires are pretty lame, and that is something one would want to replace pretty quick.

 

Both will probably run forever if you give them any care at all. The EX also has better splash protection than you would think.

You are lucky you have a wife that shares your interest in riding, and I think if I were in your shoes I'd let her choose- whatever she wants.

 

First of all, What does she want?

Second...I owned a Recon and a currently own a 250EX...and, your wife will get them both stuck in the mud, would you rather have a quad that weighs 50 pounds more to pull of the mud?

Also, some consideration, which has a better resale value?

A 2003 250EX has a trade in value of $100 more than the Recon.

There are more modification you could do to a 250EX to outfit it to your liking, and if you ever go to pass it on to a son or daughter down the road, it's a better starter quad than a Recon, just because it's a bit more nimble.

Now, I love my 250EX (2006), mostly 'cause it's a lot of fun and I can tell it when I want to have a little fun, and it will respond...(I can actually pull a wheelie in first gear without killing myself, unlike my 400EX)


If it were me, I would buy the 250EX...the EX is just as much as a mudder as the recon, and if your in deep enough water or mud, it doesn't really matter how much coverage you do or don't get with these two quads. If you're really having fun, you'll come back soaked.

EX

 

i have the 07 250 ex and its a great little machine. its all i could afford at the time, and now i would like something bigger like a 450 or so.
but you would be surprised at ho much mud the ex goes thru, because it is so light. skips over most of the stuff, and if it does get stuck, you can always pull it out yourself.
i say get the the ex, unless the two of you plan on going camping or something that requires cargo area. thats what i don't like about my ex

 

I have an ex and my buddy had a recon and you should get a recon. It is better in the mud and you can do just about as much as a bigger bike.

 

they will both do well in the mud with the right kind of tires ...but the real question for me is what do you ride ? if you ride a ultility then get her a recon...if you ride a sport quad get her a 250ex or 300ex ...you'll have more fun riding the same terrain on the same type of quad...
.

 

I ride an 87 250X. Right now she has an 86 200sx. Her bike is kind of like a small Recon. It has nice mud protection. It weighs 350. There is almost nothing out here that compares to her 200sx. But one I saw that comes close is a Polaris Phoenix 200 and I wouldn't touch that thing. From what I understand it is made by Eton which is Chinese junk. Too bad because it is very similar in size to her 200sx. She is now saying she just wants to keep her 200sx. It is in nice shape but I worry about getting parts.