my son will be 12 next month and has been riding a TRX 90 for the past 2 years. He handles it very well and can do anything he wants on it, but is about outgrown it size wise (he is 5'3" and 115 lbs). He is very mature for his age, he was driving a tractor by himself this summer raking hay for me, and drives an old pickup around the farm helping me move equipment.

We thought about getting him a 300 ex, but wondered if this was too much quad for a 12 year old. He is used to going flat out as fast as he can on the 90, was afraid he would try to do the same on a 300 and get in over his head. would he be better off with a 250 ex or a 300 ex? I want to stick with Honda due to the dealer situation in this area, and the fact I have been riding Hondas for 25 years and am sold on their reliablity. Would like to buy a late model used quad, 250's are kinda hard to find used, there seem to be more 300's around.

So, should I wait another year until he grows (and matures) a little more, or look for a 250 ex now, or go ahead with the 300 ex?

Also how much faster IS the 300 over the 250?

 

I think a 300ex would be a little much for a 12 y/o, i would consider a 250ex or a z250, then later when hes about 14 or so, i would then get a 300ex, warrior,etc.

 

This is my opinion: Im 16 and just got a 300ex. This would be basically the first quad I rode.The 300ex is really nice and so is the 250. The 250 can goes just as fast as the 300. The differance is that they 300 gets their sooner. the reason being the 250 can go just as fast the 300 is haveing to do with the 5 gear is made so it seems to never end. The 250 is semi automatic.No clutch just shift. The 300 is fully manual. If he cant shift he should be able to learn quick. It took me a few hours to learn on my 300ex. If he does all that stuff on the farm I think he would be able to handle a 300. I dont think your should be too worried about how fast they really are. I think that if he doesnt think he can handle the higher speeds he wont. Also, if in time when he gets older and does want to go faster he can modifi. the 300 much easier than 250 . More parts available.
I also believe that you can purchase a governer to make sure he doesnt go to fast

 

Another thing you may want to consider into your decision, the 300ex has a clutch lever and the 250ex has a semi-auto clutch.

I would say that it's a tough call. You just have to use your best judgement on rather your son is ready to move up. Some questions you may what to ask youself: Is he over riding the 90? Is he hurting the 90 from over riding? Would he really be happier on a bigger quad (remember, it's all about having fun)? Is he strong enough to lift the rear of the quad, if he gets stuck? Will he ride over his head (we don't know, that depends on the kid)?

Maybe its a good time to throw him on dirt bike for a while? There are lots of good skills that can be learned. Just an idea.

Good Luck

 

Does he drive the rancher?

 

this is kinda a tough call. i dont think i would do it just yet. i'd wait till he's about 13 or 14 at least.
like to other rider said- you may want to get him on a dirtbike for a little while.

he may do well on whatever he rides, and at least he has a father that is there to teach him how to correctly operate things. i had that advantage too. BUT, too often in todays world, ALOT of PARENTS DO NOT teach their kids how to ride responsibly and correctly, and then they go out and buy them improper machines, and then something happens and they sue the manufacturers and get the CPSC in an uproar wanting to ban things again. this is when they will throw up the age regulation thing...but hey, sometimes but NOT in all cases is this the cause of a mishap.... if you go to riding places where they regulate this, you may run into problems should you proceed with the 300ex. but the 300ex is a good bike and is a tame bike(with a manual clutch); however, at this point if it were my kid i would not do it just yet. just my $0.02

 

My daughter was riding a 300 at age 9, BUT she is a BIG KID (now at 13, she passes for 18). The 250 and 300 are actually pretty close in size. The power difference isn't that great either. If he is willing to learn a manual clutch, go with the 300. He would probably outgrow one of the intermediate bikes (like the LT160) real fast.....my daughter did! But if you can find one cheap (they are cheap to start with), that might hold him over for a while.

At 115 lbs, he is on the light side for a 300. But he is growing, and will likely put on more weight in the process. Just make him take it very easy at first, until he can really handle the machine if you go that route.

 

I would be a little nervous putting my kid on a bike with that much power but you know him better than anyone else. If you think he could handle the responsibility of a bigger machine than that is what counts. The 300Ex has lots of power and you can get into trouble if you don't take it easy...I'm 25 and speaking from experience. If he can handle a lot of the stuff on the farm then I might think about buying him one. If he was a couple pounds heavier and a year or 2 older it would be an advantage. I think you will have to keep a close eye on him for the first year but he will grow into it. Good luck

 

Thanks for the Input, you all bring up some good points. I havent thought about letting him ride the rancher, its more mild mannered than the 300ex would be. Think I will let him ride it around a little under supervision and see how he does right now.

 

My son was 13 when I put him on a 300EX with no regrets what so ever but he had
experience on two other small Honda (XR70,XR100) dirtbikes so he was ready. Going by the information you have given
the 300ex will give him another couple of years ride time and he will not grow
out of it anytime soon.

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