I've narrowed down that i want to buy my wife a Honda 250. I think the ES model with electric shift would be best. i also like racks, etc.. 2wd is no big deal, as she won't really want to do 4x4 riding anyways. and i still think a light 2wd can get unstuck easier, and get to almost all the same places as most 4wds (extreme stuff excluded).

BUT, reading various old posts, seems like there's been several complaints or problems with the "angle sensor" on the ES models. True?False? Is this recurring after sensor is replaced?

Can you bypass the ES and just shift manually if you prefer?

There are some '03 models for sale LOCALLY that claim to be "fully serviced and maintained". Pretty sure they are ex-rental or tour-group quads. Guessing they are 2 seasons old, at 6 months per season. They want $3,000 Cdn ($2,300 US). There was a 2000 model, private sale, I assume less use. They wanted $3500 ($2700US), but NO E-shift, and 3 years older, probably less use. AND, there are 2 - 2004 250EX models for sale, but they are Sport quads, no racks, slightly different gearing, NO E-shift I ASSUME. (WHY would less features have a higher MSRP from Honda??). Anyways, these 2004 models are both $4800 ($3700US), MAYBE grind them to $4000 ($3100US). But, they're not exactly what i want.

Is a "Recon" the name for a 250 trails quad vs. the 250 Sport?

so, what one would you choose? $$$ is too tight to buy new.

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

I had an 01 rancher 4x4 with es and 26" mudlite tires for three years. I never had a problem with the es.

 

I really doubt that Honda would make anything that is not almost bulletproof. I am sure that these things that you have heard are just rumors. Honda's are well known for their reliability. The Recon is the utility name vs. the 250 EX, which is the sport version. The 250 EX has a different carburetor than the Recon, which gives it more top speed. I had a Honda Recon for over 3 years. It was the TM (2 wheel drive Manual Shift) model. The TE (2 wheel drive Electric Shift) models are nice because they have full floor-boards, but it is hard to do wheelies because there is a rev limiter that prevents shifting at high rpms. However this may make thte drive shaft last longer. The 250 EX does not come in an Electric Shift model. If I were you I would buy a Recon for the wife. I rode my Recon really hard and had no problems. They are very durable but they are also sporty as well. They are good-jumping utility quads.

 

Alot of the 'problems', with the es, is the clutch has gone out of adjustment. Its about a 3 min fix, to readjust the clutch every 6 months.
Ive gotta believe if it was a big problem, or even a small problem, Honda would fix the design, or the parts. Dont let the es feature hold you back, I like the full floorboards, so it was an es for me.
Theres a lever, that comes with the quad, that goes on the shaft, to manually shift .Its meant to be temporary, it wont stay on, by itself.
Make sure you go for a decent ride, before buying any quad, and ask for the repair history.

 

bs400ex, the "rumors" are posts from other Honda owners describing their problems, so i think it's a legitimate concern. I agree most Honda stuff is good, but they're not infallible. look at all the other posts from owner's describing problems they're having with their Hondas.