I bought an 03 Prairie 650 with a winch and plow for my property out here in the woods and my wife and I have found that we like trail riding quite a bit. Now she wants one of her own. I just spent $7,500 on this one and have to think budget for a machine for her. Now, she is not agressive, likes the trails but is not likely to look at a big hill off the trail and say "I wonder...." She is more of a stay on the trail and look at nature rider so far. She saw a Yamaha Blaster and really liked it. But, how do the sport bikes deal with trail riding? Like compared to say and Ozark 250?

Any suggestions on what to look at and what to stay away from would be great. I am very new to this.

 

I have not ridden 2-stroke up on our trails, so I may not be the right one to give an opinion...but, I will tell you what I have observed... Of course, our trails are pretty radical, maybe nothing she would ever be attempting (mountains of Oregon), but whenever I see a Banshee or a Blaster up on our trails, they don't seem to be able to cut it. Not enough bottom end to grunt up hills, maneuver tight corners, etc.... I hear them and watch them fussing with feathering their clutches to try and keep the revs up to get around...She may not want to be fussing with that....it REALLY depends on where she will be riding. For flat out open, (dunes, or open flat trails, etc.) a little 2-stroke like the Blaster might be just perfect for her...actually, it will probably turn her into a speed freak! Watch out! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

I ride a Warrior (still considered a sport quad, I think, but gets around like a utility quad), very controllable reliable power, goes anywhere, easy and comfortable to ride, reverse, smaller (I'm 114 pounds, its dry weight is 407 I think), easily maneuvered, and, if she gets a taste for wanting a little more speed, you can always do a few bolt on modifications to give it a little more spunk. It's kind of like having the best of both worlds (IMO).

My comments above about smaller 2-strokes not cutting it in the woods will undoubtedly start a flame....I'm not slamming them in the least! I would give my right arm for a Banshee to ride at the Dunes, cuz my Warrior doesn't really cut it over there. Each has an intended purpose, but it's nice if you can get something that can cross over to some degree.

Have her go to some of the different dealers and try some out...each has its own feel! she will know when one FEELS right to her.

 

The Ozark is a great machine. My wife (I) looked at the blaster but they don't have reverse and they get a lot muddier when riding them since there are no large fenders on it. They also have to be ripped on more or the fow the plugs easy. The Ozark also handles better (she says) the also have a chain you have to fuss with where as the Ozark is shaft.Get the Ozark she won't be disapointed I am amazed at what it can do for it's size she rides just aboout e ery where I can on the trail.

 

Thanks! That Ozark is a nice little machine, I took one out for a little ride at the dealer on a fire road and it was pretty sweet even with my fat butt on the back. Thanks for the information!

 

I would take a look at a Honda Recon or Honda 250ex. These are both nice quads and have the option of electric shift if that would interest her. The electric shift option will also give her full floorboards which is also nice. My wifes first quad was a 99 recon and I was amazed at where it would go. Like the Ozark it is also shaft drive. A chain makes sense to me on a sport quad because of the less weight and more efficient power transfer but for general trail riding I would give up the performance gains for the convenience of not dealing with chain maintenance.

Good Luck and have fun shopping!

 

hi
i drove sport quads on trails n its really bad!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img] i drove a banshee so it might b diffent wit a less power full bike. if i was u id get ur wife a 660 grizzly or a kodaic![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] i hav kidiak n its a very powerfull quad and i recmend it to everyone!!

 

dbare: Thanks, the full floorboards would be a nice feature with the electric shift and I did not realize the 250EX Honda was in the same price range.

crazzybeartracker: Are you on crack?

 

man y u think i am on crack? i think u should really think about the beartracker

 

ozark, or prarir 360, bayou 300 4x4

 

The 250EX and Ozark both have the clutch system a auto clutch. It was easy for the wife to pick up but for me it's a pain tin the butt I have been riding bike for so lon that when I go to shift I want to pull in the shifter and of course it doesn't have one so instead I jam the brake. Whoops.

It depends on the area if there is a lot of water and mud and she WILL be upset that you come back clean and she is covered in mud and soaking wet. Then she will want to ride yours and you will have to ride hers[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] I chose the Ozark for that reason plus the full floor boards. It has beat every thing else also in all the shoot outs and won the 250 sport utility of the year in 2002.