Reconranger - raptorlegs - and wakeboader, You 3 have interested me in the Honda. Its sounds that you all have very reliable Quads. reliabilty is a plus to my decision.

 

Wakeboard mentioned the 250EX. It is basically a Recon but without the racks, so it is a hefty 50 pounds lighter. It will do anything the Recon will, but better because you don't have that 50 lbs. of dead weight to drag around. (I didn't mention it earlier because your list was all utilities.)

One thing to consider however, is whether you need either the racks for carrying stuff or the big fenders of a utility to keep the mud off of you.

 

Don't throw me in there. I'm not an advocate for drum brakes. Been my experience the tend to fade pretty quick.

I'd look at something like the Kawasaki Prarie 360 for a ute.

 

I don't really think the drum vs disc thing is a big issue for these entry level machines. Discs are however lighter, and an advantage if you are in the water all the time. The 250EX has sweet front discs from off the 400EX.

But personally, I rarely use the brakes on anything I ride anyway!

 

Yah honda is a good choice, its probly the most reliable brand out there, also on the recon or 250ex its shaft drive wich is really easy to maintain because you dont have to mess with the chain, and the motor is basically bullet proof.

 

Wouldn't really recommend a 230cc 4-stroke for a grown man either.

 

I don't often do this but I agree with that. Now if your a 130 pounds soaking wet sized grown man then thats another story...
But the thread is focused on lower cc machines. I have a Recon and it hauls my 230 pounda around. Its actually kind of fun,
much easier to load and unload and it goes just about everwhere the 500 4x4's will go.

RCPARROW needs to be really really sure on what hes buying the ATV for and if it will fit his expectations. Knowing what your going to be doing with the machine is whats important here. If your planning on keeping up with a group of 500+ 4x4 riders, your best bet is to stay in that class of machine.