Ok title says it all, My son has outgrown his kfx90 easily. And now im looking for his next quad. We mostly ride on our land 80 achers all hay feilds and a couple of small creek crossings. But we do make trips about 3-4 times a year to some trails near with LOTS of nasty sticky mud which he loves.

There lies my delema, "most" of our riding does not need 4x4 but when we do hit the mud a 4x4 is almost a must. I am also looking for someing in the 250-350cc range. The biggest I would go is 400 and that would be situational. As all his riding experiance has been on a 90cc and I dont want to jump him up to much of a powerhouse for his experiance.

I am up for any brand suggestions and opinions. My local dealer that I bought both our bikes from is a Kawi dealer as you can tell so I have been thinking of the 360 prairie 4x4 but havent heard much about them.

Thanks in advance for your input

 

Honda Rancher...350 if you are looking for something used, or the new 420 if new. Medium size, not to big and not to heavy, and sweet trail handling! Maybe a little big for him right now, but something he can grow into.

 

2008 polaris sportsman 400 H.O. is only 5,500$ brand new.

 

A Recon 250 with a light winch????

 

I'd have to agree with ReconRanger here. I think the Kawi Prairie 360 is still a BIG quad (for a 360). I'd check out the new Honda Rancher 420, Yamaha Grizzly or Big Bear 350, or Suzuki King Quad 400/Eiger 400. Honda Recons do not offer 4x4 and you mentioned that you're in the market for a 4x4 quad. The Polaris Sportsman is a behemoth too - a little too much for a 12 yr old.

 

The Smallest 4x4 is the 300 Sportsman (Motor wise). The lightest 4x4 is the Yamaha 421cc Wolverine at 516 lbs with the 350 Grizzly and Rancher being considered light weights as well.

If going used, there used to be 250cc 4x4 made by AC,Polaris, Suzuki and Yamaha at one time . The 350 wolverine 4x4 was the lightest 4x4 made at 477lbs and was made from 1999 up to 2005. It was even lighter than Yamaha's 250cc 4x4 Timberwolf. Check it out.

 

I am 14 years old and i have a Honda Rancher 350 4x4 and my dad has a Honda Rancher 420 4x4 they are both GREAT.

 

IMO I would say either get him a Wolverine 450 or a Can-Am Renegade 500.

I'm 14 and am easily too big for my 90cc, next year I hope to get a Renegade 500 or 800x.

But for a 12 year old the Wolverine 450 with a winch should be sufficient. I don't think that that's too big of a jump, I can go from my 90cc to my Dad's 800cc Outlander no problem.

 

I think I'd have to recommend a Rancher 350 or 420 first, then a Grizzly 350 as a second choice. A renegade 500 might be a bit much for a 12 year old. My 12 year old rides a Raptor 250, and I'm glad it isn't any more powerful than it is. Sometimes I think he only knows one throttle postition (wide open).

DV.

 

Depending on the laws in your state you may have to stay with a 90cc kids quad for him to legally ride trails. Maybe until he's 16. It doesn't matter if he's way too big for it. Some states like mine actually make stupid laws like that. You can do whatever you want on your own property, but as soon as you're on public land you have to obey the law or pay a hefty fine for breaking it. Just something to consider before you spend any $$$$.