ok, i am looking for a new quad and am wonderin which one i should get. I'm about 5'8 1/2" and 145lbs, I had a 200SX and i liked the torque and i want a quad thats light and fast and good on trails since i do mostly trail riding. I want a 400EX but my dad thinks it "too" much of a machine for me and i'd kill myself with it. he want's me to get a 4X4 but I don't like the heavy weight of them. so which one should i get? could anyone tell me the pros/cons of the 400

 

pros: great handling
good stock suspension
easy to start out on
great power
predictable
east to get used to
somewhat safe... to a point

cons:
hmmm.... none that i can think of

 

Well, how old are you? If you are at an age where you have to listen to your dad, then you're stuck. If you have some say in your life, ask yourself some questions.
1. Do you like mud?
2. How high do you like to jump?
3. How long have you been riding?
4. Is reverse a good thing for you?

I bought a sport utility...a Honda Recon. I really love it. I can pull my husband's 400ex out of the mud, I can pull my buddy's Blaster back to the truck, I can jump moderate sized jumps, I can hang at the dunes, I can go pretty fast, I have reverse when I need it, I have a very light weight to wrestle around, and I'm not fighting against the power of the machine. You need to buy the quad that best suits what you like to do. By the way, when the Recon's paid off, there's gonna be a 300ex in the garage!

 

i'd say get a 300EX, the 400 would be a lot of power since you weigh 145. I'm not saying you can't handle it or whatever, but going from a 200X to a 400EX is a huge jump in skill level.

300EX is awesome on trails! Torque is always there, handles good, reliable(so i've been told, i haven't had much luck yet.) and they are light.

But don't let anyone lie to you. They aren't quick, nor fast.

Plus you get reverse.!

 

well just get a 300ex its a super fun quad and you have reverse if you need it. beleive me you won't be disapointed! anyways ask your dad about it. later

 

i went from an xr100 to a foreman-s to a 400ex, and had no problem at all. Althought i rode 400ex's before i got mine. if a foreman-s to a 400ex is a big jump then i conquered it easily. I feel that i am a pretty decent rider.
My suggestion, if you are good with a clutch, go with the 400ex. If you are not to good with a clutch, but have ridden with them sometimes, go with a 300ex. If you have never had a clutch, go with a 4X4.
I am really really glad that i did not get the 300ex because it wouldn't have had the power that i wanted. My friend who just got into atving got a 300ex, and he loves it. It was his first ever clutch, and he knew nothing about atv's before he bought his. But he popped the clutch alot when he first started out, and if he would have been on a 400ex then he might have gotten hurt. I do not know anything about a 200sx or whatever it is, but if it is a manual clutch, then go for the 400ex. The 400ex can be ridden easily at first until you get the hang of it, but when you want the power it is there. I am 15, weigh about 180, and I am 5'8 1/2, and I can handle the 400ex all out. but i do scare myself sometimes... that's why i am going to wait on my pipe..
Ohh yeah, when u need it, there are also alot more upgrades for a 400ex than there are a 300ex.
later, hope this helps

PS: I feel that the 300ex is easier to tip than the 400ex... maybe it's just me, but o well. later

 

I went from a trx200sx to a 400ex its not that big of deal. 400ex's are not that hard to ride and are very forgiving. You should check out the Yamaha Wolverine. My friend has one and it is pretty fast and he jumps it and it does good wheelies. If you leave the racks off they look awsome.

00 400ex
86 200sx
http://www.geocities.com/cory_14/

 

i've been riding since i was like 6 which my grandpa taught me on his 3 wheeler. I've ridden scramblers and banshee's but my dad thinks this is more than i can handle

 

i did some unexplored riding today. Used neccessary revers (no other way) 4 times. I'm wondering what an individual with a 400ex would do. well for my riding REVERSE IS not a commodity but a neccessity. I also have a Recon. the 300ex is a quad made for FUN. Its not a high performance quad so dont expect to beat any 400ex's, banshees, or any of the new 600cc quads. But with some mods OR on a trail OR on a race with lots of turns you can beat Warriors, Blasters, Mojaves, and any utility quad. You can fly on trails, pull wheelies, and get some nice air. I've had no problems with it until i got to like 30 inches of water where i was screwed today. I got through the forest really well, and you probably shouldnt be in 30 inches of water with any quad for that matter (pics of that coming when i get my scanner back). so i suggest a 300ex if you do woods riding. Other fun quads are Wolverines (4x4) and Honda Recon (2x4). If your gonna race get a 400ex. well thats my opinion.

 

If your dad wants you to get a 4+4 get the Scrambler. If he says no it's too fast, get a Polaris 400 Explorer. It has the 2-stroke motor. I would say the 400ex you could handle. I have a friend of mine that has a 300ex. The only problem I see with it I would want a little more power(4ooex). It handles good though. Jumps good. Pretty reliable! Just use your head! Also ride em and see what you like!