After owning a Ruby for a few weeks, riding double is getting old and we need a 2nd ride. What would be a good ATV for my wife? It has to be automatic (wish Honda had an auto for the Recon, Rancher, etc.) and preferably smaller than the Ruby for easier going through the trees. We ride mountain trails with hills, rocks, ruts & creeks but don't plan to do any serious mudding. Is 2wd an option? Any help would be appreciated.

 

The favorite wives quad where we ride is the Polaris Scrambler 400 4X4. It is tame enough for the ladies, and fun enough to hop on yourself once in a while also. They don't have much in the way of mud protection though.

 

Even though I am a Honda owner, I would say the Polaris also. They have a new 325 4x4 that would be perfect for her. Get the new ATV magazine, it has all the new quads and go shopping!

 

A friend of mine just bought his wife a yamaha kodiak. It seems to be real nice. Its the 2x version. There is also a 4x version.. It is fully automatic, 400cc...

 

If 2wd is an option, then wha about the 250 Trailboss by Polaris? And few friends girlfirends have them and they really like them.

 

Snuff,
I bought my wife a recon and she has never ridden an atv before. Now she absolutly knew nothing and she grasped shifting it very easily. Im not sure exactly if your looking for autos only, But after a few hours on a recon or even on a rancher ES she should have no problem. In fact my wife and I switch between my rancher and her recon several times while we are out riding. She just gets on either one of them and takes off, While Im looking for the es on the recon and the manual shift on the rancher. So if I were you I would stay honda. Even look at the 250ex. As for that polaris 325cc machine (I think its the trailboss) my wife just sat on it, looked at the color, and said nah. Not to say that it wasnt a good atv but even I wasnt impressed with its overall appearance and feel. On the other hand when we went to another dealer I was checking out a beartraker For her and she saw a red recon jumped on it, and fell in love. Now put all looks aside for a moment and she,knowing nothing about atvs, just picked out the best machine in its class. So good luck!

Hogmaster

01 Rancher ES 4x4
01 Recon

 

My suggestion for your wife would be the Kawasaki 300 Prairie 4x4 or the 400. Also the Yamaha 400 Kodiak. All 3 are autos. Good luck.

 

I would highly recommend you check into the 250EX and let her see how she likes it. It is sporty, great looking and is reported to be great for trails. Angelon400ex

 

I know you said it had to be auto but the rancheres is so easy to ride its practically an auto. Since you have a 4x4 it would be smart to get her one to then you won't have to be looking back all the time on tough trails. The ranchers stearing is so easy its like a 2x4, just a thought.

TRUEBLUE300
97 RECON
98 3004X4 25" MUDRUNNERS
01 350ES4X4 25"MUDRUNNERS

 

If you think the electric shift will be too difficult for her then look at the Kodiak 2x4 or the Polaris 325. I bought my wife a Recon and she rides it no problem.