gordo
I think it depends on the type of riding he will be doing now and possibly in the future. Also you did ask for his input which would suggest you gave him a choice in getting what he wanted vs showing up with a new TB and him saying " I don`t want that".

If he is mostly trail riding (with dad) the TB would be the better choice.

If he is an aggressive rider out with his buddies he`d probably be happier with the Honda 250. Plus if he has racing ambitions getting him used to shifting would be a plus.

Just my 2 cents as a dad.

98 Scrambler 500
00 Trailblazer 250
See my pic`s at http://www.picturetrail.com/riskracing

 

Your son will definitely have more room to grow into the Trailblazer. I have not actually sat on a 250EX but have sat on a Recon and it felt real small. $900 in mods on a Trailblazer will get you quite a bit and I suspect will blow doors on the 250EX after these mods. Having said that, the 250EX looks like a great beginner bike for kids and will probably be just as reliable as a Recon (which they share numerous parts with).
My personal preference would be for the Trailblazer and $900 of mods sometime down the road.

Either way, your son is getting a heck of a deal.

MrMan

 

Whatever you do, dont buy him a machine that he does not want. Try to talk to him about the 250 polaris and offer him $900 in mods that he chooses or the honda. I'd go with his choice, otherwise he'd probably end up ruining the machine you forced him into.

 

Nope, chicks dig guys on 250exs, 300exs, and 400exs, not polaris. Can you do wheelies easily on a polaris?, nope showing off is how you get tha wimen.

 

Go ahead and get him the Honda, that way, in a month or two, you will receive a recall notice, suitable for framing.

 

My friend's Dad just got one of those in the mail today that he can frame. Im nosy about this stuff so he told me it was a recall on his 450 rancher es, something about the welding in the front being weak. Im not saying honda quads are unreliable cause I think they are very reliable but it was interesting I hear about honda recalls lately and just saw someone get one today.

99 blaster
00 e-ton

 

Well the WIFE (mom) has spoken. TRAIL BLAZER it is. After reading every ones reply and taking great consideration on the facts. We will be new owners of another POLARIS Quad. I would like to thank every one for there input THANK-YOU!

 

LONG LIVE POLARIS!!!

2000 SCRAMBLER 400 2X4

SCRAMDADDY400

 

How does your son feel about the decision that Mom made? I like the Trail Blazer myself and thats what I ride but I couldn't stand to leave it stock. But there is definatly room to improve them easily. Happy motoring!

 

One thing to think about is resale value. This is after all a beginers bike, so in a few years he will want something bigger and faster, and you will have to sell this quad. The Honda will give you the $900 back and then some come resale time vs the trailblazer. From what I've seen Polaris quads lose the most value over time. If resale isn't importent to you disregard what I said.