I think kawasaki is as reliable as the next guy. I think that the ease of use make the 700 a good bike for someone inexperienced even the power is really strong. With you being 40 I'm 29 and a fairly experienced trail ride and hillclimber, but were you're 40 I would say you're like me not nearly as stupid as you used to be or brave witchever it is. So my point is you know what you can and can't do in life so I don't think it'd be to much at all for you to handle by just starting out slow and learning to climb hills, learning to use body lean and stuff to help manuever the quad around tight corners and at higher speeds. You probably have a higher self preservation factor than you did at say 18 I know I do and I'm glad I didn't have my quad at that age but maybe I'd be a great mx'er if I did, peace.

 

DONT GET 700!!! GET 400!!! THE 700 is @*$%ing belt drive. My friend has one, it always slips in the mud, your better off getting the kfx 400.

 

Well, Ive never owned a Kawi ATV.. but,

My brother owned a 91' KX 125 for about 6 years and only ONE thing broke the entire time.
the shifter return spring. Thats it. No top end rebuild, NOTHING.

I own a 97' Kawasaki ZX-7R (ninja 750) with 22K miles on it. (the large bore, VERY short stroke design of these bikes
makes for VERY high RPM, but they dont last like a car motor)
Anyway, my 22K mile kawi gets used like it was meant to be, and it still runs and sounds so awsome.
I never, ever have any problems with it. It is a VERY solid, bulletproof bike.

Kawasakis are great.