I'm 17...never owned a 4-wheeler in my life. A couple of my friends do, and I finally talked my parents into getting me one. I want something that's quick and good for jumping and stuff like that. I am considering the 2002 blaster or possibly the 300 EX (more pricey). I realize a lot of you are much younger with TONS more experience than me...so what are your thoughts on a blaster? A local shop has them for $2495.00 for the machine, helmet, gloves, tiedowns, and a gas can (whoa) lol. Any comments would be extremely helpful. (I'm 6' 175 lbs...)
thanx a lot

 

I dont like the Blaster. My uncle has a 99' Blaster and I rode it one time and that little thing is way too small! Im 5'8" and about 190lbs. and my knees just about touches the fenders. I have a 400EX and I love mine to death. My uncle has had trouble with his about the brakes and here about a month ago the bottom of the motor had a good size crack in it. He hasn't got it fixed yet, but he says its going to need a whole new motor, and if not, he's going to junk it! My best advice to you is to get a Honda (weather its a 400ex, 300ex, 250R, or maby the 250ex). You can ask anybody this, Honda is the best ATV ever made and always will be. I heard the 300ex's are nice and fast and good for jumping and stuff and the good thing about them is they have Reverse. Now dont get me wrong, Yamaha does make a good and reliable machine, there the 2nd to the best they are. I think alot of people go for the Blaster b/c they are cheap, ya know, $2500 off the floor brand new! But you got to put into consideration that you get what you pay for, get my drift? If I had a Yamaha it would definatly be a Banshee. Those are some bad machines. Well, my 2 c's worth is to get a Honda of any kind! Good luck!

-Jeff HONDA POWER

 

I've had both. And they are excellent machines. However, the 300EX is a better machine. It's just as fast, has much better brakes, and is bulletproof. Blasters are reliable, but they need rebuilding every couple of years (i.e. top ends). Where is the EX will run forever.

 

So, if you are a bigger rider than get the 300ex, if you are a smaller rider get the blaster, in the end they will both boil donw to the same price noing that you have to change the piston and stuff.

OK. YOU MIGHT JUST BE TO TALL FOR A BLASTER!!

 

At 6' both the Blaster and 300 are to small for you! They might do for starter bikes, but you won't want to keep either one long term. Our Blaster is down for repairs all the time, but our 300 is solid as a rock. Get the cheap Blaster, ride it for a year till you know what you are doing, then trade up to a 400EX.

 

If I were you, I would look for a used 99 400EX. I see them all the time in the cycle trader. Cheap prices, too.

 

You are in the right market. I owned two 300ex's and a Blaster when I was you age and would take the 300ex over the Blaster any day. That's not to say that the Blaster is not a good machine because it is. It's just that the 300ex will run forever and is a little bit faster then the Blaster and has much better brakes and suspension. Some people will disagree with that but both of my 300ex's were faster then my 2000 Blaster. One of mine was completely stock, and the other had some mods to it. However the Blaster was a little bit quicker out of the gate. It is so light and has that 2-stroke ripping powerband. The 300ex was quick out of the hole too, but just a little behind the Blaster. I must say though, neither of the two would compete with my 2000 400ex though!!!! Another thing about the 300ex is it would always catch up in the corners with it's huge amount of low-end torgue which is what I liked a lot. That and the suspension. The suspension on my Blaster was the worst, so were the brakes. Both of those things sucked on the Blaster. I still liked it though. It was fun to mess around on even though I was too big for it. Anyway, I would go with the 300ex over a Blaster any day. It is more reliable, and a taste bit faster then the Blaster.

 

Quadfather may have the best answer. At your size and weight, the 400 is more appropriate. Just take it real easy at first, till you gain some experience on the bike.