If you guys plain on doing a lot of trail riding I wouldn't go with a 2 Stroke like the Blaster simply cause there's going to be lots of places that will not allow a 2 stroke to ride (pollution) Sport quads do really well on trails I own a Mojave and it handles really well on trails and in the mud too...But it's got a Manual clutch and is really fast LOL...I'd say something like the Ozark or Bayou 250 would be a good deal for your wife...If you could aford more for a 4WD then check into a Eiger 4x4 or a Prairie 360 4x4.

 

Tractoy,
You may consider 4x4? ??????????? Dont waste your money like I did when I bought 2x4 for my wife and I really needed 4x4.It is annoying to pull her out of trouble all the time.
Just something to think about.
Joe

 

That is one of biggest reservations at this point. I really don't know enought about these machines to buy used with any real confidence but the 4X4's seem to be $2K+ more than the Ozark and the Recon. I suppose if I could get into a 4X4 for somwhere in the $4500 range I might be able to swing it, but then am I buying the worst / cheapest 4x4 vs. the best rated 2x4?

Chris

You all have been very helpful thanks for staying with the thread!

 

I'd have to second dbare's suggestion of a Recon. That was my first bike, and they really are a hassle free ride. My Recon goes places that my Warrior does not, because of more clearance on its belly (fortunately, a good skid plate and more power takes care of that situation on the Warrior). Although not 4 x 4, my Recon has NEVER had any trouble keeping up with some of the bigger 4x's I was riding with at the time. I still use it for hunting because it so dependable and hassle free. The front and back racks are nice to have. My tires are stock, but if you are going to do some mud, maybe a more aggressive after market tire could be a less expensive alternative to 4 wheel drive??

 

OKAY! I picked up something that others don't want to address: BUDGET! For every wife that takes to the trails and loves it there is one [or two] who "hated it". Those low hour/ low use ATVs with a monthly payment eating into someone's budget is your fair game. Be a little patient and you can get more machine at a good price taking over payments on those unloved ATVs. Next. Your wife likes the shift system on your bike, right? It's what she is used to. Ask her if that's not the case. Don't risk screwing up the great deal of having a riding partner that is amorous at least on the big holidays by making her learn to shift. I would guess you deal in wet trails so a 4x4 would be a plus. A smaller gal with more tender arm/shoulder muscles would appriciate an ATV that turns easy. Have you asked her what she wants, or is it a surprise? my guess is something like a used Kodiak would do it. Automatic tranny, button selectable 4x4. 400cc engine that is low weight in its class. Finally dealer support. If you have an honest, reliable dealer that can fix it right when its time for repairs/mx , that's worth 50 points in my book. I'm hauling my ATV 120 miles each way to dealers who can't fix it, but charge $75/hour to mess around and make excuses. Ask that GREAT mechanic, what he will work on, and don't get anything he won't fix. I'll bet each manufacturer makes an auto/low weight 4x4. You can save $$ by buying slightly used. Merry xmas form the desert, send snow.

 

PS I don't have the experience in mud/wet trails.
Dunescreaminmama said good tires on a light wieght 2x4 can hack mud. If you were willing to upgrade tires the used market has alot more 2x4s than 4x4s.
colt77 didn't like 2x4s because of getting stuck. I was basing my preference of his statement, and because you don't have to be as aggressive [read speed] when all wheels are turning to clear an obstruction. Querry colt77 on some specific examples.

 

How old is your wife? when riding that is! Although my wife and I are in our forties I turn 20 when I get on my 650. She has the prairie 300 and has no problems at all 5' 4" 120lbs. I would reccomend the prairie 360 for your wife.

 

Wellllll... I hate to admit it, but we are in our mid-thirties and probably drive like it. Now, that said, I am an avid sports car racer - campaigning a 98 Integra Type R in the Honda challenege series through NASA (National Auto Sport Associaition). She likes to go fast, but on the trail we are both safety first given we have to 3 small chicldren to go home to.

I am seriosly looking at a P400 I have a line on that has very low hours and is priced right. I really can not spend more than $3500 on a machine and it looks like a p300 or 400 from a year or two back might fit the bill perfectly.

 

Another good option if you are going used (2 or 3 years old) is a Yamaha Wolverine. It is very light compared to the other 4x4's (about 100 pounds lighter) and it's 350 motor has the same top end as a Warrior, so if you ever need more power there are lots of options. I had a 98 that I just sold for $3400, and I know that you can get them for less money than that. I noticed on the trails that my power to weigh ratio was actually better than the guys on the bigger 400cc and 500cc 4x4's. I've been to 3 of the atv jamborees in Idaho, and the only other bikes that really seemed to compare with the Wolverine on the trails, rockcrawling, and stream crossings, were the newer Kodiak 400 automatics (a really nice bike) and the Honda Recons. Both of those bikes are very nimble and require very light effort to manhandle or "womanhandle" when the going gets tough. I know that the both of the Yamahas have disk brakes in front and back, and that is always a plus. I'm pretty sure that the recon does as well.

 

I currently drive our Rancher ES (p650 was stolen by the husband, now I have leftovers). It is similar to the Recon, but bigger and 4x4. I think the recon is not a bad choice. The ES version, to me, is nicer because of the floor boards. If she has ever driven anything with a clutch (even a manual car) she will get the hang of the ES pretty quickly. We ride with some people who have a Recon and ride through and over probably a lot more than it sounds like your wife would....I think she would be okay with a 2wd, and you can always switch or pull her out if need be. It's not that much of a hassle for the money. I, personally, like automatic better even though I used to ride dirtbikes and know how to use a clutch just fine. You should find out what she prefers.

I don't know what you would think of it, but a woman relative of mine is 36 and rides a Trailblazer. What is nice about it is that it is totally automatic and affordable. We ride together a lot and that thing goes everywhere our 4wd's will. It is less money than the Recon or 250ex, it's pretty inexpensive. She does come back pretty dirty if we hit any mud, and it is 2stroke and chain drive. The suspension is much better than the Recon, though. She absolutely loves it. On the really big/steep hills she has her boyfriend take it up and it always makes it. Just an option for you.

Be sure to take size of machine and comfort into account most of all. Especially if you do look at the bigger 4x4's. Us females like to be comfy or we may whine and want to stop!