Welcome! answer some questions about age and such, and we'll be sure to help you out!

 

Thanks for the responses. Lets seeeeee....I'm 26 and live in Los Angeles. I'm super new at this whole thing so talk to me like a four year old. I'm not too sure what kind of riding I'll be doing but I'd like to try out different things and I don't know how to shift. I feel like I'm responding to an online personals ad..haha...Where are some good spots in the western part of the country that I could drive to for a weekend to find out more about riding or conventions or races or anything? I'm definitely up to putting some miles on my car to find out more. What about other atv's? I've mostly heard about the Predator so far. This is great...keep the feedback coming!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Well lets see...your options for someone your age would be the Yamaha Raptor, YFZ450, Honda 400ex, CRF450, Suzuki LTZ400, and of course the Predator... I'd probably stick to a thumper in your case just cuz of the ease of operability.... The Raptor is a powerhouse but might be unstable cuz of a light front end and narrower track width for a noob....yfz450 would be a fast quad but might be overkill for a noob....Honda 400ex might be underpowered for you in the long run assuming you get better and all your gonna wish you got something bigger, so why not start off on something bigger?....CRF450..same story as the YFZ450......So basically when you break it down I think its a toss up between the Z400 and the Predator. The Z has reverse and is a very easy, comfortable quad to ride...vs. the Pred which is a little more race orientated..and might be unfortable for you to ride on if your not used to sitting up close (but since you've prob never sat on one anyways you shouldnt have a prob). The Predators powerband is very similar to a 2 strokes.... Powerwise it would be btween the 2 450's and the Raptor and Predator...... Comfort wise you might consider a DS650...thats a boatload of quad w/ a lot of power as well... Maybe you should go out to a dealership demo day or something and try riding as many different quads as you can...even find friends or people that you can test ride....the only way you'll know what you feel most comfortable on is to actually sit on it and ride it...at least sit on it. Not trying to knock the automatics or anyting but If you want to truley ride you will consider one of the mentioned..... *im not saying you people w/ autos dont ride hard* IN THIS AREA AN AUTO ISNT THAT GREAT AND NOT AS POPULAR. Since you are in LA that means you're close to Alba which is in SD so you might give them a shot for a performance quad out the door.....but im going to bet they will push a 450 or something out the door.......so just ask around and sit on em first....your the one getting stuck w/ whatever you choose to get so choose wisely...or you'll regret it..... Maybe I sounded stupid in my post but thats all I could fathom up.......anyone wanna correct me?

 

Ok first off...you dont have to shift to have fun. If you buy say a 400 sport or scrambler (what ever they called it last year) you can mod them up to go really fast...and also the V-force would be good for a larger rider as well. I guess in my previous post I forgot to ask heigth and weight of you...that is also a good determining factor to which way you should go..not saying you will go that way but could

 

The 400 Scram would be nice but its a 2-stroke and isnt Cal busting down on them? If ya have'nt done the clutch/gear changing I personally dont think thats a big deal cause there has always been some point in our lives that we never shifted either so...willing to stall afew times till ya learn then Pred..DS.. or the Yami 450 is the action ya need....automatic?...The bad A$$ Scrambler 500 is the only way to fly( cause I dont think CAL likes our 400's )...some real tough choices there....Out of the box...instant gratification more up your alley? Back to the Bad A$$ SCRAMBLER 500 hands down and if it gets too easy it has a good resale value so you can gear up to bigger but not always badder atv's and wont lose your butt selling it ....Just my opinions....
ANY IS BETTER THAN NONE........Later ........DUG

 

Thanks for everyone's input! I really appreciate it! I'm trying to get out and test out some quads this holiday weekend. Either just going to rent one or see if I can find someone I can tag along with...something..anything...to see what I like and don't like. Can't wait! It looks like so much fun. Anyone use them to do work with? The utility quads that is. They look like they can be pretty handy and I'm trying to convince my girlfriend to let me get one so I can ride around the yard and once in a while get some work done. Maybe then I'll actually move the firewood and stuff. Oh, I know, get a utility one to to make my yard into a dirt track..haha...

 

You'll be tearing it down and rebuilding what ever you buy in a few months. That is if you get the quad bug bite. good luck. Ride or Die.

 

Before dropping $6000 on a 500 Scambler you may want to try a 250 Trailblazer for $3300 these are new prices.The trailblazer is a 250 2stroke and stock it is low on power but thats not a bad thing when you are starting out.With an additional $350 in a RcR stage one kit it can be make respectable.And this can be done after you see if you even like it.We have both and tour 250 is HOT but my son rides it.

 

I got to ride this weekend and all I have to say that it's a blast!!! I rode a Predator 500, Trailblazer and a Honda 400. I learned to shift and all that good stuff in the process. The Predator tears up everything in its path but I liked the foot netting device on the Honda. My buddy's food slipped off the Predator and he got hurt so I saw that it could be potentiall pretty dangerous. Still, I had so much fun on the Predator that right now, I'd put that first on my list. The seat was low and was more like a sports car than the Trailblazer. The manual was much better than the automatic so I'm definitely getting a manual. Thanks for all the input, I'll keep you guys posted when I get one! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

the foot netting device you are reffering are called nerfs...you can buy them and put them on the pred if you get one..

As far as using the utilites to actually do work with...we use ours all the time for work...well not ALL the time...more like some of the time. I have used my bomb. to plow snow and my dad uses the magnum to spray the CRP fields for thistles and what not...they do come in handy...and they are a blast in the mud!