I got my 25yo girlfriend a 250EX and she loves it... we mostly trail ride... there are jumps, mud, streams, and hills all the time... and the 250EX handles them well... and it's so easy to turn and with reverse, and an automatic clutch... you can ride it all day without getting worn out... it does everything my 400EX does, except keep up with me on a wide open fire road... but so what?
My point is... MOST people who buy a 250EX are just looking for a fun and sporty quad for trail riding... and that's exactly what Honda intended it for.