Hey Guys, I'm looking to get a 4x4 Quad. I presently ride a 200ES Big Red 3-wheeler. I'm cheap and like to fix things so buying an older quad would be best. What do you recommend and what year did Honda start making 4x4's ?

Thanks.

- jack

 

If your looking for an older 4x4 that has a proven track record for reliabiity and dependability,look at the Honda 300cc 4x4.I see quite a few of them older ones at my local riding area.

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Thanks Bill, Do you know what year they started making them ?

 

probably around '90, though i think around '94 the changed them, and they haven't changed them since... my 96 looks identical to the '00. hey, i'm not complaining.

 

Hey TheBoy, Does your 96 have a pretty low 1st gear?

That's one thing I really like about my big red is that it has high/low range. I've read that some 4x4 quad's have an ultralow 1st.

Also, I saw an auction for an 88 factory Fourtrax 300 4x4 manual on eBay ...

thanks.

- jack

 

Jalford,

Honda started making the 300 4x4 in 1988. They also had a 350 Foreman 4x4 that year.

I had a 88 4x4 for about 5 years before moving and having to sell it. From 88 to now - not a whole lot has changed on the 300. Mainly the wiring (y'all laugh - they change it about every 2 years). They also made minor mods to the cams and to the shocks over the years. Seat cover color and sticker color changed around.

They are excellent mid sized quads. If you can find one that has been taken care off - you will have a good reliable machine.

Good Luck

Happy Trails


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Steve "Bog Hog" West

Honda 300 4x4 - Gordonized, Powered and Vamped

 

the 300 had a significant frontend change in 93. if you want the best ride buy from 93 up and you should be ok. also the 88 had a differant cam that makes the 300 fly. you can dorp that cam in any later model for about a $100 and get more power. hope this is helpful.

 

They did start in 1988 with a red 2wd and a blue 4x4 model. Up until around 93, they (at least the 2wd models did) had a macpherson strut type front suspension rather than a double wishbone. I liked this setup better myself as far as turning and ride. I've ridden both and prefer mine to my uncles 96 model. We are talking about the best selling atv of all time here also. Hands down! Nothing has sold more than the Honda 300. Find an early 90's model and you can probably get a bike that has been fairly well taken care of and usually at a descent price. I would look for a 91 or 92 if it was me. But then again thats just me.

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Andy Bassham *(1999 Arctic Cat 500 4x4, 1989 Honda 300)*

 

Thanks for the info guys !

THis is exactly the kinda stuff I've been looking for.

- jack

 

so answer the question about the gears,

yes, mine had 5 forward gears, Superlow, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

and the superlow is a must have, specially with a 4x4... which would be my other recommendation get 4 wheel drive, i had a guy in front of me this weekend on the trails and he had a atv identical to mine but 2wd, and he couldn't even back up to get out of my way, plus he was telling me all the places i couldn't go, but i to remind him that those were all the places that "he" couldn't go.. the 4x4 handled them all just fine.