I am considering a new 250EX. I was wondering what your pros and cons are.

I am used to 4x4 utilities only (not with foot shift), and before that only dirtbikes. I am not very big: 5' 2", 115#. I ride on trails with ruts, hills, mud, etc. If I were to get one, I may race in hare scrambles as well. I would still have the 4x4 ATV for winter and whenever I want to ride with four-wheel drive. I am a little leary about getting a foot shift, mainly out of laziness, but I am thinking it may become normal again and I won't think about it? I am also leary about 2wd because I feel I would have to learn to ride differently: I am not used to my tires slipping! Advice on any of this, as well as the performance of the bike, itself, is greatly appreciated. I am considering this bike only right now because I can get a great price. I am open to any other suggestions, but will go with Honda because of the price break I've been offered.

Thank you for any and all feedback!

 

The 250ex looks to be a long running machine,,,really simple. I have recently seen some on the trail and heard good things.

Based on size, I would say so. But, if you are used to a huge utility, the 250 may feel tiny.

I agree with the shift comment.

 

You may not like the 250 part. A little small.

 

ya your parie is going to be faster

 

I'll give you my experience with the 250EX. I bought one last spring for my niece to ride. She is experienced on utilities, and although she is not 16, she can legally ride with an adult (with the States ATV training). The quad fits her like a glove. Concidering the size, it is extremely peppy, and very light handling. She was not experienced with shifting, and although she still occasionally has trouble finding the right gear for lower speeds and hazards, she does a good job in most situations (More experience is all that is needed). It is a very good trail machine, and I find myself riding it more often than not, over my ute. It is just a tad narrow to my liking giving it a bit of a tippy feeling at times, but I don't concider it a big negative. Wheel spacers or offset rims would cure that, and that is what I will do here in the near future. Overall I think this is a great little bike, and I know my niece loves riding it. I also bought this over a couple other quads, because I got an extremely good price. I don't think I could have made a better choice.
Good luck on your decision
Brian

 

Thank you for the replies. I know it will not be as fast or as the prairie -- my husband stole that from me and stuck me with the Rancher that was his. Probably okay, since it is so big anyway. I enjoy the Rancher now, very much. Like I said, I wouldn't trade or anything, so I would still have the Rancher to ride, and he can always pull me out with the prairie if I ever get stuck in mud or something on a 2wd. I am a little worried about the tippiness. I have heard that before. My p360 was tippy and I hated that. But if it is easy to fix...maybe not something I should worry about.

What about maintenance? Anyone have any problems with it? I like that it is shaft driven. I prefer that over belt or chain.

I kind of like the fact that it would be smaller than the utilities I'm used to. Might make a difference on those days I decide I'd rather wear my fourwheeler than ride it! LOL And it would be much better for me in hare scrambles than the Rancher has been--not a real race machine, but I knew that.

Any more input?

 

The 250EX is just a chip off the recons design. I would recommend the 250EX for you and with your weight, the 250EX will run great.

I weigh 165 and my recon runs pretty good with me on it.

5' 2", 115#. = a match made in ATV heaven.

Chet

 

The 250ex would be a great 2nd quad, with much less maintinence than you may be used to on your Ut's. I say go for it.

You got me thinkin now?

What kind of deal can you get?

 

The 250 is a great bike. My daughter rode it for a couple of years, and we are keeping it around for my son who isn't quite big enough for it yet. It is an excellent choice for someone your size. At 185 lbs lighter than the Rancher, you will be able to handle it with ease. As far as shifting, I have had 5 year old kids shifting just fine after a couple of hours experience.

The bike is a little tippy, and it pushes (understeers) a little in turns (most beginner riders wouldn't even notice!). I cured both by putting on ITP rims and Holeshot tires. This makes the bike 3" wider in back and 2" wider in front------the bike is darn near perfect now. As for traction, a 4X4 gets around by grappling for traction. A 2X4 on the other hand used MOMENTUM to carry it through stuff. After riding the bigger Rancher, you will have a blast on this little bike!!!!

 

I bought my wife a 02 250EX and we are extremly pleased with it. For an EASY 25% power gain I installed a Big Gun full system exhaust, K&N filter, and dynojet stage 2 jet kit. It is a little on the loud side, but it was worth it to climb much steeper dunes than it would before.