Hi, im looking for a good beginner quad. I'm 18, 5'6", and i weigh about 170 lbs. ive been looking deep into the Honda 250 recon, but also into the Yamaha 350 grizzly. I've heard that Honda is one of the most reliable brands out there, but I've also heard many amazing thing about the grizzly. The thing is, I'm not trying to spend a ton of money, but would like to get the vehicle new, and the extra $700 seems a lot to step up for the grizzly. Mostly what ill be doing is trail riding, and some driving on a 45mph highway (yes, i checked, its legal in my state with proper licenses) but I'm not sure if the recon can handle those speeds on a daily basis. any advice or tips on other things to look at would be greatly appreciated. thank you!

 

45 is probably about maxed out for either of those. Honda and Yamaha are both exceptional for reliability and build quality. You really need to try and see them/sit on them. A good dealer can tip the balance sheet, more so if you will be using them for repairs.

 

Thanks! I've also been kindof eyeying some used 400, and 500cc's sucj as a 2004Polaris sportsman 500, and the Honda rancher I believe, but I'm not sure if those are really what I want for what I'm doing

 

If you want to run it all the time at 45, the Recon will be smoking in a few months, they just can't be ran full speed all the time without engine damage. The grizzly has a bit more power but it too would be breathing hard to run near full speed all the time. If you want to cruise at 45, you need something that will run much faster. Somehing used like a Sportsman 500, Grizzly 700 or Kawasaki Brute force can be found for about $4000 in good condition. Running a machine wide open will void any warranty on a new machine, the dealer will simply say you abused it and you'll be paying for any repairs with your own money.

 

Go for a lighter used Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O im 13 and I am slightly a beginner myself I have an 04 Blaster 200 but I am upgrading either to a Polaris Sportsman 570 or Can Am Outlander L 500. If you want a new 570 I know they start at 6400 so not a large difference in pricing and one of those will SMOKE one of those any day and a 570 can easily compare to a 700 grizzly or 750 king quad. Just my .2

 

If you don't mind the sport quads, the blaster is great! a stock blaster will do 60 mph and if you get a good exhaust it will sound awesome. You can check out the pics of my Blaster on my profile. It is a great bike for beginners and more experienced riders.

 

My wife rides a Grizzly 350, we run the roads a lot. I don't think you will have a problem there.

 

Spend the Extra $700 for the 350 Grizzly over the Recon.

Are you talking 4wd Grizzly ?
Even if your not, a 350 has quite abit more power over a 250 with its 119cc advantage and larger 33mm carb and is a OHC vs a OHV plus its a larger Mid size Chassis vs the Recons Small chassis.

Speed wise they are close since the 350 is geared low and 70lbs heavier.
The 350 can touch 50mph if you scream its guts out (Not good) where as the Recon can't on its best day.

The 350 has 25" wheels vs the Recons 22"(more ground clearance) plus the 350 has a fan assist oil cooler where as I don't even think the Recon has a oil cooler period and if has one it sure will not be fan asisted. Tell me which will run hotter.

The 350 also has hydraulic front disk brakes vs the recons drums and the 350 has much more suspension travel.
The 350 has normal 12" Rims vs the recons odd ball 9" and 11" good luck finding new tire for those down the road.
I put four 26" tires on my 350 Grizzly and it did not care try that with a Recon and it would be lucky to get moving.

Here are there specs side by side. Its a 2008 but both ATVs have never changed. http://www.atvreviewnetwork.com/enth...e2=53850&go=Go

You will out grow a smaller chassis 250 before a Mid chassis 350 and come resell time you will get most of your $700 back.
Remember both these ATVs are known to run trouble free for ten years so think ahead.

 

I guess he never really said how much he wanted to spend. A 2wd Honda Rancher 420 would be another one to consider. A new foot shift 2wd 420 would be close in price to a 2wd Grizzly 350 and is a little faster, 45 mph cruising would be possible as the 420 tops out at about 55 mph. I'm assuming in the $4000-$4500 range is what he wants to spend. 2008 Yamaha Grizzly 350 Automatic ATVs I took the comparison and changed the Recon to the Rancher 420. The one real noticeable stat is ground clearance, the Grizzly 350 has about 3 inches more than the Rancher.

 

True but the 420 is more expensive then a 350 Grizzly and you would have to tack that on to the $700 and he is not even sure to go that much higher.

But the 420 is ligiud cooled with EFI and a good more bunch. The Ground clearance is only due to the Rancher has smaller 24 tires which will wear out so enough and be gone.

If we keep going you will have him set on a 680 Rincon and me have him set on a 700 Grizzly.LOL