I am looking at a recon for the G/F and I am a little concerned about the stability on STEEP hills and rocky climbs. I live here in WV and we have a lot of both so it is a factor. She loves the size of the Recon and the weight is good, nice an light. I have heard the front end seems to want to lift on climbs so that concerns me a bit. Has anyone used the Recon on something like this and what are your thoughs? Any good ways to balance it out a bit more?
Thanks!
I just wish they made a 4x4 recon that would be perfect!

 

Any thoughts?
Thanks

 

You have to gun it in 2nd to climb the steep stuff. I live in NC and its just as steep. if she doesn't know what to do the front end will lift and she will lose sterring. make sure she knows to hold the front brake and pulse the back if she doesn't make it.

The only time I had any trouble was an a super steep 300 yd hill with roots and several trees to to weeve around at the top. The roots throw you up and left but the trail turns right. Its too eroded to go slow even with a 4x4. you can't let off the gas until your back tires clear the roots but by then your headed into an oak tree.

 

Interesting... My other thought is the Rancher 350 and I noticed you list one. Do you feel the Rancher is "safer" and would handle things like this better. She has very little exp and I am really starting to learn toward a 4x4 (even with the increase weight) for her. I ride a Foreman 500 and run it 95% of the time in 2x4 but maybe that would not be best for her.
How do you like your 350 4x4? Have they changed it much in the last few years.
Thank you

 

I bought the 4x4 because my wife wanted to ride with me. Its very comfortable for her to ride on the back and I can use 4x4 to creep through the ruff stuff.

I can't really say as to which would be safer.

 

If it were me, I would go with a Rancher 4X4. It weighs a little more but the 4X4 will come in handy. I love deep mud so of course I will always suggest a 4X4 over a 2X4. For an inexperienced rider, I think the 4X4 is the way to go if you are going to be climbing hills.

Code54, do you get to Hatfield-McCoy much? That place just rocks! If I lived as close as you do, I would ride there almost every weekend.

Good luck!

 

Ya, i would deffelently go with the rancher 4x4. allot safer on the steep trails.

 

I am pretty sure we are going to go witht he Rancher for the reason you state. I been riiding long enough that I can careful work my way around or over things in 2 wheel but you make a good point about getting a 4x4. I rather be safe than sorry if she is riding it.
As for Hatfield and McCoy - I do ride it almost every weekend and even some days afterwork. I can hit Waterways in about 25 minutes from my place and we are looking to move, closer :-) This area is awesome if you like to ride, there are 1000's of places and Dirt roads are legal and fair game.
Thank you for the info!

 

I would recommend novice riders use a 4x4 when going over large objects. An experienced rider can take 2x4 machine and by using the throttle properly can clear the object whereas novices will get stuck by straddling the object, or accelerate at the wrong time which could flip them or lose control of the machine. On a 4x4 they can idle over the object because the front wheels do the work.

 

The more I think about it the more I agree with you. When I started the 4x4 "saved" me a few times and it does make some trails a LOT easier. I guess I need to start looking at a 4x4!
Thanks