Ok here goes, I want to buy my own quad. I sold my Harley Davison V-rod because it sat in the gargage more than I road it. All my friends are into quadin. My son has a Honda 250.. I borrowed and went to the mountians this past weekend with my friends. I had a blast. I bought my sons quad new for him in 2005. My friends tell me I can get a better deal if I buy one used. I am not sure? I don't know how to work on them and I really like the idea of being able to get an extended warranty so if anything goes wrong. Next do I buy another 250? Or should I buy something with more power? I really like the way the Honda 250 handled going over the jumps because the bike is so light. Ok, next I like to stand out a little so I would want my bike to be different than all the usual colors. So how do I get a custom color on my bike?

 

There are many options out there. It is according to what you want really. Do you want more power, and then do you want a clutch, auto, or semi-auto. I know a lot of people that really like the Honda 250s.

 

Whenever possible, don't buy used because you don't have any idea how the previous owner cared for the machine!

Seeing your sons quad does well on your trails, may we assume that you are looking for another 2wd sport quad and not a 4wd utility??? What kind of sport quads do others in your area ride??? Are you on the small side, or are you a larger individual????

The 250EX is nice, but it has rather limited suspension travel which keeps it from being really comfortable. Maintenance is simple and one of its advantages is that being shaft drive, it has pretty good ground clearance. But it is basically an entry level autoclutch machine, so once one has mastered it they should really move on to something else. You have the advantage that you can learn on your kids machine, then move on from there........

A small step up from the 250EX is the 300EX. It is a nice choice for smaller adults and for very tight trails where agility is important. It has REAL sport quad suspension, and that is its huge advantage over the 250. In addition, it has a fully manual (left hand) clutch which is what anything that pretends to be a sport quad should have!

The 400's are a big step up. They are larger more powerful machines for larger adults, with great handling and great suspension.

 

I would like a fully auto. I think I would like a little more power but not if it makes the bike heavier. I am not sure what a 250 s is.

 

Sorry, I was just saying the 250's plural. I know a lot of people that are entry level riders that really like the 250EX Hondas. If you don't want to have a clutch, then I would say the 250 is the way to go. I agree with reconranger, the 300EX is a nice bike, and the 400EX and Z400s are really nice, but they all have clutches and are chain driven, so there is more maintenance, and slightly more to get used to with the clutch.

 

Yes I am pretty sure I am looking for a 2wd sport quad. Well none of my friends have sport quads. They have a 220 Bayou and another friend has a 700 King quad. However, when we were quadin last weekend I went every where they did and had no problems. If anything I had more fun since I could jump the jumps better. I do like the idea of having a fully auto though. Well, I don't think of myself as small or large person. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img], I am kinda in the middle. I am 5'6 1/2 and I weigh between 145 lbs. and 150 lbs. I am always tring to lose more weight so I am kinda hoping this new sport might help with that. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] I appreciate all your help I am going to look into the 300. Can you adjust the suspension on the 300? Do you happen to know where I could get one customized? If I decide to go with the fully manual I would want a twist grip. I hate that stupid little thumb throttle. Also just because I am crazy. I would want my to have custom colors ect.

 

Insisting on full auto, limits your choices to just a very few sport quads. Honestyl, I can teach a kid to shift an autoclutch (like your 250) in an hour, and an adult can learn a full manual left hand clutch in even less time than that. You will get a way sportier ride and you will have so much more direct control of your machine. It's no big deal, so don't pass up otherwise great machines becasue of that!

The 300's is a good choice for your size, weight, and experience level! The engine does have some hop up potential if and when you are ready for more power. It does have adjustble suspension, but I would bet that the stock settings would be about right for you. I use to do huge jumps on the 300, so I know its suspension can take a beating. You can get a twist throtle kit for it, if you insist. If I wanted to make one stand out, I would probably get a black one and add a graphics kit. And don't let your kid ride it....you'll never get it back....

Also ask what trail conditions are like year round. You might have done well last weekend just because the conditions were unusually good???? But utility quads are way way way heavier and so much more clumsy than sport quads, so consider a utility as a very last resort. My rule is never ride a ute anywhere I can ride a sport!

 

Ok, one more thought.....an autoclutch can be an advantage when the trails are technical, slow, and rocky. If that is what your trails are like, then that might be appropriate, but it limits you to the 250. But no foo foo full automatics, ok.

 

Aint nothin wrong with a Wolverine 450 for a trail quad. A clutch can make a ride that coulda been ok. a miserable pain in the **** for someone.