Greetings,

I continue to contemplate which quad would be the best as a 2nd ATV for the family. I was leaning toward the TrailBoss for a while but the whole negative Polaris thing has discouraged me. The Rancher 2X4 is tempting, but a little more than I want to spend. So now I'm getting serious about a Recon.

For the most part, my wife or friends will be using it for casual trail riding. I'm sure it will be fine for them. But there will be times that I (or some larger friends) will be using it to get around. While its not a Forman in size or power, it does seem to be a comfortable size even for larger riders.

My real issue is about hauling a 200 pounder up hill. We usually start our trail rides by riding up a long, moderately steep logging road. Again, I know it won't fly up like my 450, but will it be laboring under my weight? Any experiences you may have like this would be appreciated.

 

My buddy has one, he weighs about 175 or better and doesn't have have any problems with it being under powered. He likes it better than my Rancher because you can "werk it" in the curves better (the rancher is a 4x4)

 

I know a guy who is 300+ that rides a recon.... It has hauled him up some really steep stuff. It works good for him. hope that helps

 

Just this past weekend I rode a Recon and was REALLY impressed. I go 225 and this little machine had no problems hauling me around. It was just fun to ride. The motor is really quick revving.

gengine
00 Kodiak 4x4

 

At my Honda dealer this Saturday, the Recon was $400 off; $3950 out the door. The shop there was attaching an after-market electric shift to one, just to see how it werked. Did I buy? No. I got the Rancher 4x2 with electric shift for $1200 more than the Recon, green, love it absolutely, but also loved my test ride on the Recon (I'm 6-2, 215), and may go back and get the Recon also at that great price, kick my son off the Rancher, and go out with him. Our maybe I shoulda got two Recons so we wouldn't have to fight over the Rancher? The Recon handled my weight fine. A tidge cramped for space, and I really liked the full floorboards on the Rancher (if I get a Recon I'd add full floorboards, especially if the electric shift thingee is there)...

 

Greetings,

That price actually sounds a little high -- the Honda website lists the price as around $3495. Do you mean $2950 out the door or does your dealer add set-up, freight, etc. to the cost?

 

That is the price at the only Honda dealer on this Island of Hawaii. $3950 Recon; $5150 Rancher 2x4 ESP, out the door.

 

DrRod,
I go 6'2" 275#. My first purchased quad was a Recon and it did just fine.

I never really felt inferior to the other bikes I'd ride with, FourTrax 300, 450S, Polaris Sport 250, 300ex, Warrior and Timberwolfs, until we were in open feilds. They'd pull away, but not by much, except the Polaris, Warrior, and EX, but once we got into the woods, the Recon was the great equalizer. It was nible, quick and would take throught the trees like NONE of the others could.

Don't hesitate to buy it, especially for a secnd bike. You'll love it.

 

Greetings,

OK, that makes sense -- I guess everything is a bit higher in HI due to shipping costs. Is it cheaper to get an assembled-in-Japan quad there given the proximity, or do they still come throught the lower 48 first?

 

Take a look at a Artic Cat 250 for the same price it has a full size frame a larger motor 246cc vs 229cc ,IRS rear suspension and rear,front racks are rated at 225 LBs-126 LBS vs Recon's 66 LBs-33 LBs. This bike has a higher load rating on the front racks than the Recon's two racks put together!The AC is also alot roomier for a large person too.