thanks for the info.

i did some research online for a few hours earlier tonight and i came up with these that fit my price range:
honda 250ex (3500 msrp) [the 300ex and 400ex is a bit more than what i'm willing to spend]
polaris trailblazer 250 (3400 msrp)

i liked the kawasaki mojave, the yamaha raptor 350 and the suzuki z250 but they were both above my price range.

i was looking at the new model years...like '03-'05 models and the prices seemed to remain the same regardless if it was 03-05....well actually i've spent so many hours looking up models that i can't remember....but is that right for new '03-'05's to be the same price?

i think the honda 250ex is a pretty good starter atv...from the reviews i've read of it and also it's been previously recommended a few times here on this forum in the past. one of the reviews i've read online elsewhere stated that it was relatively maintenance free and dependable...exactly what i'm looking for.

a few more questions:
the 250ex, polaris trailblazer 250, the kawasaki mojave, raptor 350 and suzuki z250......they are all 2wd? during my searches i don't think i came across anything on whether or not they were 2wd or 4wd so i'm assuming they're all 2wd.

and what exactly is the difference btwn auto and semi-auto on an atv? auto is where you don't shift anything at all? and semi-auto you shift it like a mountain bike?

bing, i didn't know there were that many different types of trails. i suppose i'll ride on any type of atv trail i can come upon. (no sand dunes, though) and i'd imagine sooner or later i'll come across some mud...although mud will be something i'll be avoiding when i first start out.

 

The trailblazer and blaster are cheap and can be easily modded powerwise as you gain experience. You'd be bored with the 250ex in a month.

All you have mentioned are 2wd. Fully auto (Polaris) has a belt and pulley transmission. Semi-auto means you don't have to mess with a clutch but you still manually switch gears.

 

With what you said, I STRONGLY suggest you get an AUTOMATIC. With a manual, you may get hurt or have to replace a few clutches while you are learning....I say this because you dont like/avoid manuals in automobiles. Trust me, being in your position you will have more fun in an automatic. Then one day when you know more about riding, you should try to get someone to teach you how to drive a manual, if you like it then get one later.

It would just be a pitty for you to get a manual (as some people are recommending) and realize that you really hate it.

AUTOMATIC = best for u


As for me *an experienced rider* I have to have a manual

 

get a 300ex that would be perfect!!

 

oh bs!!! gag me with a spoon... I had never ridden a clutch atv let alone a dirtbike before the first time I rode my z400 and had it workin within 5 mins.. I had only ridden our crappy ozarks a few times....

 

yeah i was just thinking about the troubles i'd have with a manual. just seeing people drive stick shifts...it just looks annoying. so i definitely want to avoid a manual clutch especially if i'm just starting out. i'm considering a semi-auto like the 250ex, though. if the clutch on that is automatic and all i have to do is switch the gears then it can't be that bad.

btw, is that polaris 250 trailblazer the only one that's fully auto? (in my price range for sport 250cc)

which is better, polaris trailblazer or the honda 250ex? i'd imagine hondas would be a lot more reliable and last a lot longer with little maintenance.

 

if you have friends with bigger atv's, you will be left in dust most times and want a bigger engine real soon

look for a used 400ex

i recommend at least a 400, shop around....cause you most likely will outgrow a 350 real fast

used raptor is what i recommend and probably can be found for cheap now that every1 is looking to get a yfz 450

 

another thing is that i can't get one that's too big. my only option to transport it will be to have it on the bed of my truck. and my truck is not that big...it's a Nissan pickup with a 6 foot bed. so i guess anything with a length longer than 72inches will not fit in the back of my truck.

 

The Honda would be more reliable because it's a 4-stroke. The Polaris is a 2-stroke. While you would most likely get years of service, 2-strokes have no dedicated lubrication system and will require more frequent maintenance. BUT, they are also capable of producing much more HP per cc than a 4-stroke. Little money and couple of mods to a trailblazer, it will easily produce more HP than a stock 400ex. You buy a 250ex, you do not have that potential.

 

LTZlightning STFU

I was giving my opinion to him for what it was worth. You may be an exception to the rule and learn to drive a manual perfectly within 5 minutes, but with what he stated i was giving him sound advice. If you wanna flame someone for giving advice to a beginer and look like an idiot in the process and go ahead.