Q1] Why did you upgrade from your Trail Boss, how long did you ride it before becoming dissatisfied?
Q2] How does the Trail boss handle going down steep grades? Will the brakes keep you slow as creeping down in first or second on a geared ATV?
I don't mean to sound negative, but I my budget is pushing me toward a Trail Boss as a second ATV for wife, and I don't want her scared or scarred from steep logging/firetrails in the Tonto National Forest. Any opinions on what the safest ATV for a neophyte rider under $4000. Would a used Trail Boss be the way to go?
Thanks

 

The Trailboss is a very good and reliable choice. They are a little on the slow side but handle great on trails, and down steep inclines. You wont get bored to easy unless you want the speed. There are som mods that you can do to make it a little quicker, but over all it is a good trail quad. Have you considered the Trailblazer? They have alot of upgrades for the 2003,s. They are much faster and handle really well on the trails also.

 

i have a trail boss 03 and agree with 2many toys its a good machine not the fastest but handles well my wife likes it had a fuel leak from the fitting on the tank but the dealer was good to fix it here its a common problem thats been delt with before from the guys on the forum

 

My wife and I ride 02 Trailbosses and have been very satisfied. It handles trails well. I have ridden up and down some steep hills in Tennessee and never had a problem. While this is not the fastest machine available, we like the extra width and length for the added stability as new riders. Rode a friend's Yamaha Beartracker in same conditions and did not feel as safe as on the Trailboss because I had to remember to shift and it did not feel as stable on rocks, rutted trails, in and out of streams and over logs.
Great quad for the money.