From what I've read on other posts the Honda Recon seems to be a pretty good machine for a 250 class quad. I'm wanting to get another quad to use at the farm and possibly take it to the dunes along with my Banshee. I'm 6'4 and 185 lbs. Would this be too small for me? I didn't know what kind of power these things have. I've read they go about 45 mph and can wheelie. Is this true?

 

I have a new 04 Recon and i can vouch that it is a great little (do all) machine. I am 5'11" and weigh in at 240 pounds (no im not fat). My friend rides on the back with me and he is 220 pounds. Between him and I we weigh more than the machine itself does. Yet it has plenty of power to pull us both around and even up very steep hills. As far as being to small because you are tall, all I can tell you is go sit on one and see if it feels comfertable to you. You can expect between 45-50 mph out of a stock recon. And yes you can wheelie it fairly easy if you give it a light tug on the handle bars.

 

Would a Rancher 350 have a significant amount of more power or only slight? The Rancher is a little bigger but I know it weighs more.

 

I have a 2004 Recon ES. It is a great machine that is fun to ride, has plenty of power, and handles as well as a utility quad should. Is it the biggest, baddest, most feature packed quad? Absolutely not. But for the money and based on what it can do in stock form, it is one of the best values in the market. Sometimes, simplicity is worth more than the extra features that you can get, have to pay for, but might not necessarily need every day that you ride.

I have ridden some mud, hills, rocks, and trails with a Rancher 4x4, and a Rancher 2x4. I can do everything that they can do with their rides. I might get stuck a little quicker than a 4x4, but the light weight makes it a lot easier to get out of the mud than a bigger one.

The power is not wild full-on horsepower, but it does have good torque and the tranny setup is well matched to that torque. I think that it is a very well engineered package overall.


Just my 2 pennies....

 

Here is 2 videos for you. Take a look and tell me what you think. BTW this is my friend rideing and me with the video camera. The videos might take a minute to load.

Click here for video 1

Click for video 2

 

That's impressive for a 2 WD! I like the comment about how a Recon is obviously doesn't have the same features as bigger quads but can still do alot of things. I have a 220 Bayou that I use for work and it's pretty amazing how peppy that thing is for it's size, although it's really too small for me. I'd like to get a 4 WD, but it just seems to me like there are so many more things that can go wrong and alot more maintainance. I doubt I'd really ever need 4-wheel out here, but it would be nice to have it if you needed it.

 

All I can really tell you is, it will jerk your 180# butt around like its nothing.

As far as needing a 4X4 just read this. I realized today that the recons light weight makes this bike get around just about as good as a 4X4. This is a link to what happened today.

Here is the link.

 

All the positive comments about the Recon's power etc. are spot on. The Recon and the Ozark are at the top of the 250cc utility class.

However, your original question mentioned that you are 6'-4" tall. I'm 6' -2" tall and have a fair amount of seat time on both a Recon and an Ozark (they both are the same size with very similar ergos). While I can ride them just fine, I just don't quite fit on them like I should. Because I'm long legged, I tend to sit back pretty far - making the front end light. While they are great bikes, I would never buy one as MY bike, since they are just too small for me to consider as my main ATV. Since you are taller than me, I think this would be even worse. I think the best way to answer your question is to just go sit on one and see how it feels.

Jaybee

 

You are too tall for the Recon. It would pull your weight without a problem. You stated that you have a 220 Bayou and it's really too small for you. The Recon is similar in size to the Bayou. Maybe slightly taller than a 220. Maybe. ........ If you are buying a Recon as a second quad for others to ride. Or you'll ride once in a great while. Then buy one. If it's for you then it's too small. You won't be comfortable.
Maybe you should look at the Rancher, Bruin, Eiger, and so on. The Prairie 360 is a big quad for a 360.

 

My 2001 Recon would do 47 mph on a good day and yes it would wheelie great.