For all of you who still have the patience to read my indecisive ranting, I've finally been convinced.

Yesterday, my wife said, and I quote... "Go have some fun, you're sitting around here like an old man!"

Just for review, (Analysis Paralysis), I've spent the better part of 6 months trying to figure out which and what size quad(s) to purchase. Initially, I was intrigued by the AC (and this forum), as to the loyalty of its customers. That being said, I gave in to the financial temptation (no payments, no interest etc.) of other manufacturers which prompted me to the extreme of taking a few other manufacturers products for test drives... Out of respect for those of you who may not own an ENTIRE corral of ACs, I'll avoid mentioning specific manufacturers and my likes/dislikes, but suffice it to say, NONE had the wide ranging appeal of AC.

Taking my wife's advice, I decided to check out an AC dealer I had not yet visited. I called the dealership (just across the border in Wisconsin) and was greeted by a totally cool, and very knowledgeable sales guy. I told him I was interested in two quads (a 2X4 250 for my wife, and a 4X4 300 for myself). His response was, "C'mon out. I'll have them warmed up and ready for a test drive --- beyond the confines of our parking lot." This was the first time I had the chance to test drive any of the ACs. Upon arrival, the no-pressure dealer gave me a few quick opinions on manufacturers and some of the differences between them. After that, he pretty much handed me two sets of keys and said... "Take them out, past the end of the property onto the 20+ acre fields beyond the dealership lot".

Now, I realize some of you guys are pretty power-hungry, but I was completely impressed with the 250! I was half tempted not to even take the 300 out. (Just get two 250s). The 250's front-end steering is extremely light. Being 6-4 245#s, it felt like I could practically think about fish-tailing the rear end and pull it off. After muddying up the 250, curiosity got the better of me, so I took out the 300 4X4. Pretty noticeable difference. The engine sounds beefier and off the line, shifting etc. it felt noticeably more appropriate for my height/weight. Previously owning a Harley, I loved the heel-toe shifter. (That being said, I really preferred shifting vs. the automatics that I had driven from other manufacturers.) Much better control of power, and it makes you feel like you're interacting more with the machine.

Long (very long) story short, I'm definitely going with both the 250 for my wife and the 300 4X4 for me. Yeah, I know I won't be as fast as a 650 cc, but then again, I will have two extremely impressive quads that feel great, run smoothly and are a ton of fun to ride. In addition, I think I've found what seemed void in the past; a dealer that placed greater emphasis on customer expreience than quota...

Should have both of them out on the trail by months end. Thanks for all your help and advice guys!

Sorry I ever doubted you... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Congrats Buckwheet, Both of those quads are hard to beat for the $$$. We have a 250 4x4 and it takes a beating day in and day out. My 10 year old rides it almost daily, he is not easy on it by no means. Sounds like you have found a good dealer too. That is one thing that kind of ticks me off about AC. They will set just about anyone up as a dealer that has a store of some kind. Some are good but some of these yayhoos, don't know the first thing about an ATV. Some don't even do service or warranty work. But it sounds like you have a good one, as do I.

 

hey dude , congrats on the quads bud , we have a 250 2x4 and love it , you want be unhappy with 300 either it is a fine quad to , happy trails VA CHUNKY BOY

 

Enjoy! Having two cats is the way to go. We love ours!

Dakota R/T