Hello all! Came across your forum and am quite impressed with the content!

Don't you just love that feeling when its time to embark upon a brand new monthly payment...I'm sorry, I mean hobby! Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the following topic:

My wife (and kids) and I are looking to get back into ATVing but would like to be a bit more fiscally responsible this time around (last time it was a Grizzly and Kodiak).

I've been looking at the Arctic Cat 250s (both 2 and 4 wheel drive), as well as the AC 300 4X4. (I'll probably pick of a Suzuki quad 50 for the 6 yr old.) I am 6'4, 245#s and my wife is 5'9 125#s. I'd like to get set up with quads that will not be overkill, but in the same respect won't leave me wishing I would have spent a few extra bucks for better _____. That being said, I've been quite impressed with the write-ups I've seen on the 250s and 300s. The other nagging question is, would I be insane (or really cheap) to just buy a couple of 250 2X4s. Never having owned a 2X4 quad, I'm not sure if it would be noticeably worse handling than a 4X4. It should be noted that we live in Minnesota, land of snow, and ice, etc. And are about 1/8 mile from some really nice (and long) state and county trails. So, for those of you who are still with me to this point, I'd love to hear back from you... Thanks... Oh, and one last thing, has anyone mastered the approach of getting your wife's buy-in into the purchase of quads for the family?

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It all depends on what type of riding you want to do. I own a 250 4x4 and love it. But I do wish I had more grunt for some trails (mud, and high speed sections). Go look at the 375s they offer almost as much performance as a 500. Everything I've read leads me to believe it's a solid machine. Besides which the 375 is an auto, there are times that having to worry about gear selection takes away from the fun. Autos will offer you the right gear at the right time.

 

I have a 02 300 4x4 and also love it. I don't really know how much difference there is between the 250 and 300 (actual cc wise).

If I had the money to buy another quad (for the wife) I would buy a 250 2wd.

 

Hey Dude , My wife owns a 250 2x4 2000 great machine but i think a 4x4 with a 2to4 shifter be ( ahout 50 bucks exter ) would be better , power is okay ,But remerber it a 250 , you won't rush down the highways at 55 mph , you may not want to do that anyway , you stated you had big bores before so you no what they will do ,the 250 will follow them anywhere , not as fast , it will ride better , and handle better to, from my point of veiu ,I got a 400i , it will outrun the 250 , we drag race ever evening here in VA , top my list , dont want to own a slow quad , you sound like thats not on your list anyway , mine either , your other question , I just took her riding one sunday nealy flipped her 2 times , she went the next day and got her a quad , said somthing like if she was going to get hurt on one , she didnt need my help. but anyway the 250@ 300 size is agood buy that will give you many year of riding and pleasure , dont forget you have 3 ranges high low super low , if one of those dont get you there you didnt need to be there I would trade my wifes for 4x4 if i could aford it but not now , good luck in your purchase , CHUNKY

 

Thanks for the info Chunkyboy! A few more questions for you... Just out of curiosity, whats the 250 2X4's top speed? Have you taken it out in snow? Is traction at all a problem? I sat on one at the AC dealership yesterday and it felt remarkably larger (than what most 250s feel like).

Also, you mentioned a 2 to 4 shifter... Is that available on the AC 250 4X4?

And lastly (since you're intimately familiar with the ATV), other than a bit more power, what else is different between the AC 250 and AC 300?

Thanks!

 

My son has a 01 250 4x4, and it has been a very dependable quad. The 01 and earlier (300 also), have the ability to lock the front end. Then you will have 2wd, 3wd or limited slip, and 4 wheel lock. I'm thinking that the top end is about 45-47mph, but if you come to a hill it will slow down. You just have to remember that it is just a 250. The 4x4 has 3 ranges hi, low, and super low, the 2wd has just hi & low. When you put it in super low 4 wheel lock it will out pull must larger quads. The ride is super, it could use a little more ground clearence. Most people think that it has a light front end, it isn't all that bad. It is very similar to the way the old 300 4x4 Honda of the late 80s & early 90s.
The 250 is a basic model where the 300 comes with quite a few extras, besides the bigger motor. The 300 has fender flares, speedometer, gear indicator lights, deluxe racks, 1" taller tires all around, and 2wheel- 4 wheel shift lever. All of these are available for the 250 as options. The only thing I would suggest is 2-4 wheel shift lever. Be sure to get the cv boot protectors for the rear also.
The things to look out for are torn boots in the rear, and make sure the airbox drain plug stays in. If the drain plug comes out it can suck unfiltered air into the engine. I would definitaly recomend either of these quads. They can go nearly anyplace the larger quads will, for a lot less money. But you will fall behind when the road turns flat & straight.
If you look around you can still find some 01 models, at a better price. Not much has changed except the plastic on the 250 & 300 models, and you can have the option of locking the front end. Good luck.

 

hey dude, I think mudcat done said about all i could , and did a good job to , the snow problem is how deep the snow is ,deepest ive had is about 8 inchs didnt have a lot of problems but deeper would have been hard to go in with a 2wd , mudcat told the diff in the 250@ 300 if you add up the cost in the ac acc book you find the 300 a better deal , but hes right about 01s to , check ebay , around other dealers , let me know what happens CHUNKY

 

My 2 buddies and I loaded up my AC 300 4by with our Ice-shack, tipups,bait lanterns etc.. about 120lbs or so then all three of us got on the Cat in medium range and wheeled out by the Island on Big Marine, from the north launch about two miles. It handled just fine. I weigh 240, buddy 1 is 180 and buddy 2 is 230!! It really came through and still handled very well and smooth! However because of the brake recall I had a problem going up the hill just west of Century Power in the snow with two people on it. "couldn't hold its weight and downshift" After the breaks are fixed this shouldn't be a problem, thats Friday! So anyway I would definitely get a 300 4by. Talk to Jesse at Century he will Give you a good price and great service. Plus you don't have to buy it from the largest Midwest dealer with a floor the size of a Football field and horrid, salesmen and the worst service this side the big Mississippi!
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Thanks guys! Great information. I really appreciate it.

 

i have an arctic cat 250 2x4 and it does 40-45 mph. the only thing i don't like is the weight, but the suspension is EXCELLENT.