hey if youre looking for a quick 250 4 stroke, the kawasaki mojave is much faster than a 300ex and it out handles it by far in my opinion. im pretty sure theyre reliable, too. the only problem i see is for tight woods, they arent very luggable at all. theyre very 450-like.

 

go with the 400ex.

 

IMO- You can get bored pretty easy with anything new you ride very often and each year there is something better on the market.I think the 300EX has proved itself over the years same with the 400EX.I have a 400EX which I don't ride often,I'm usually on the Polaris but when I do ride it I have a blast on the hills and trails and it's dependable,check with Honda dealers at least a hundred miles around you for left over models,I picked up my 400EX for $4100.As far as the 300EX ride it hard,keep it serviced and it will last for many years

 

I guess "bored" was the wrong term.

I was more in the power/fitment, or is there a better choice.

Obviously a 400EX is the right choice less the insurance issue. I will see if there is a 300EX at a local dealer with a test track (that is passable, we now have 12" of snow!) and take one for a rip. From the posts, it is similar to a Blaster size/feel (with better handling), with power similar a Warrior, which should make for a fun ride.

I like all the comments regarding the quality and longevity, I keep my quads for a long time.

Thanks for all the input.

Chad

 

Thinking outside the box. How about a 350X trike? If your insurance company won't insure sport quads, common sense says they would also say no to 3-wheelers. However, who says what makes sense anymore? I wouldn't be as simple as driving to your local dealer to pick one up, but you can get a very nice 350X for less money than any new 300ex would cost. It would also be faster, and should never get boring.

 

I've owned the Blaster years ago as well as the 300EX,The EX wins hands down in handling and overall power as you said,keep in mind you can always upgrade what you get although as the saying goes there is no replacement for displacement but at times you go as far as the money will take you if your like me.You can always add exhaust,CDI,jet kit,K&N,cam,sprockets ect..... later down the road even a big bore kit or stroke it in the years to come.Heck we rode with one guy with a modded Fourtrax 300 4wd that appears and sounds stock but can run close with a Brute Force in a straight line race and out run most 4wd machines with near twice the cc in the mud.I think adding performance parts over time keeps the hobby fun,for me anyway.I'm not up to par on the insurance deal but my 400EX is covered through the Caveman company for under 3 bills a year including theft but the rates may vary depending on location.

 

Ok, I am going to start shopping for a 300EX, I think it will fit my need for now, and I can always upgrade later.

Looking at a 07 and a 08, NEW, either 5K CDN + taxes and license (I know the '07's are ~3200 USD in teh US, but the importing, taxes, transfer etc add $$ plus my time is worth $$ to me).

I am also looking at used, anything from a 1993 to a 2007, and from $1000 to $3500.

I know the reverse changed and the plastic in '07, anything else?

What should I look for in a used one, any trouble areas?

Thanks Chad

 

it might be a little small but im 5 10 and 180 and i fit fine on one they are really fun on tight trails

 

I have a 2003 300ex with a powercore 4 and a kn filter and im about 6ft 185lbs and it a blast. nice bike