I'm thinking about buying a new quad for my wife...She has expressed the desire so I want to get her started while she is still in the mood. We live in So Cal near Glamis Dunes. She really enjoys going out to the desert with us, but will, in all reality, just putt around in the desert, and maybe on some small dunes and hills at Glamis.

I have a good deal pending with my local dealer for either bike, and I would really appreciate some owner opinions on reliability and usability for this purpose. The auto trans is a must, as she has no desire to learn to ride a quad and learn to shift, all at the same time. The price on these bikes is about what I want to spend, and I think either will do what she wants one for. I guess I keep thinking that the oil cooling on the Trail Boss will be better for the summer heat we deal with out here...

Anyway, thanks in advance for any replies...

JJ

 

I just bought a 2003 Trail Boss 330 this weekend. I spent the last two days riding in 6-8 inches of snow, with my girlfriend on the back. I'd say that is comparable to the sand your wife will be riding in. The bike is a blast. I've never driven a snowmobile so I had to get used to the v-drive, but once you learn its personality you can really make it fly. And I was in a similar situation with my girlfriend not liking my old honda because she had to shift it. I did research on the 'Boss, and everyone says its a great bike but it's real slow. I have to argue the the 330 isn't that way. We went down the road and were riding with traffic in a 50mph speed zone, so it's probably good for 55mph.

 

Hi I have had my 03 trail boss for three months now and I love it. I ride 4to 6 hours a week on snow covered trails and also plow my driveway with it. On the few times I have gotten stuck I just picked up the back end and shifted the wheels or the front end which ever worked best. In deep snow I can get along just fine. My buddys bike a 400 4x4 is too big to pick up and move so when he gets stuck it can be a while befor we are moving again. I know I have not really been stuck good and will eventually have to be pulled out to. anyway I just wanted to say that I think the 03 Boss is one of the best bang for the bucks you can get

 

You didnt mention what you ride. If you ride a sport machine I would get her the Trailblazer it would be the better of the two in the desert the 2 stroke is peppy and when she gets used to it you can hop it up easier.Not to dis the 330 but it is more of a trail machine and a very good one.Now if you are a 4 stroke trail rider go with the 330.

 

If you ride in the sand then the Trailblazer is the way to go. You need the quick torque to keep you moving in the sand and if you wanted more power to go even better in the sand, The Trailblazer has tons of mods that are really not that expensive. Dont get me wrong, trailboss is a very good reliable bike but it is not really for the sand. Get the Trailblazer,and then a pipe and clutch kit with some good all around tires and she will love it. The top speed on both are very compairable but the Trailblazer is much quicker. I have owned both and really like the Trailblazer. Although my Tb will beat a stock 400 but Im sure she really wont care if she beats anyone.

 

[quote]
[i]Originally posted by: 2manytoys

This is not true. Neither one is very quick. I have ridden a stock Blazer and it is a snail. If you are buying for a female you definately want the boss. Bigger, softer seat and much more comfortable. No oil reservoir to fill, and just as much power. Get the Boss.

 

We loved our trailblazer,,,,and had 0 problems.

If I had it to do over I would get the 4-stroke for the low maintinence factor.

If I where you I would splurge and go for the scrambler.

Your wife will enjoy either one, and adjust easily to them. They are very simple and safe to ride.

Enjoy!

Mark

 

I have to agree 100% with Bings statement, great bike, but I would upgrade.

I have never been on a 325 or 330 but from what I hear in stock form it is comparable to the 250.
I have taken Our Trailblazer to SIlver Lake Sand Dunes, Mi, a couple times ( From what I hear Silver Lake is Nothing compared to Glamis).
For Starters it is stock.
I put 7 paddle 22-11-10 Haulers on .125 wheels. It would bearly clime test hill with a running start.
I then tries Gearing it down (Changes from a 38 to a 42 tooth rear sprocket), this helped a great deal but it is still a no thrills machine at the dunes
In this form MY trailblazer was good for roaming around the bottom of the dunes and out by the beach, nothing more. I am sure a Pipe and clutch kit would help a hole lot, but then it will be Loud and well, a bit more involved as far a maintenance goes in my opinion.

In my opinion, I would go for the 400 (99 sport, 2000-02 400 Scrambler, 03 400 Trailblazer).
One of these is going to do what you want just fine, they are liquid cooled were the 250 is not.
They will have mutch better ride due to the extra suspension compared to a pre-03 Trailblazer 250 or any Trailboss.
The power band on the 400 MI the auto is great for the Dunes, It has the power to stay on top of the sand and not dig down.
In my mind I feel mutch more comfortable with my wife on our Scrambler that I ever did on that Trailblazer. It is hard to describe but you will br happy you went with the 400 over the 250 for Dune riding. As I am sure you know Sand robs power, more than snow ever could, I believe the 250 and 330 just won't have what it takes for dune riding, In stock form anyway. The 400 will even in stock form, and if your like me, you just want something that is turn key gas and go,

 

If you are mostly sand riding I would definitely upgrade to a 400. liquid cooling and lots more torque will be so much more enjoyable. I am not knocking the other machines, as the 250 can be made to run good, but as said before the sand really robs a bunch of power. I tried our 2000 trailboss 325 on the sand one time and it was not enjoyable to me at all.

 

I can't stress enough how much sand robs power, especially from these overweight machines. They are definitely two different machines from sand to trail.

I feel the lower horse power machines are actually more dangerous at the dunes, especially for a non experienced rider. Nothing worse than having to try to get un

stuck and back down a dune hill with lose sand all around you. Plus you don't have the power to pull the front end up from a unexpected sand drop off. If you can't

tell already I hated our Trailblazer at the dunes. My wife said she didn't mind it but she hasn't looked back sence we got that second 400 Scrambler.