Thx, Quad4Fun. Check your PM's. I'll be stopping by Cliff's Cycle on Wednesday. Pretty sure I'm going to get a Phoenix for the wife/kid. I'm now a repeat customer, so I better start seeing some price breaks and/or goodies coming my way. I know they have some Z400's in stock... anything you want me to look for?

 

Glad to hear it!

We cut the hard-line last year... seems to work good. We got rid of our two phone lines and the ISP. We tried sprint first, but it was roaming at our house for the cell phones... that wasn't going to work for us. We went through AT&T (cingular now) and can go anywhere in the US without roaming, so long as there is a signal.

When the wife drives the motorhome, I surf the web... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img].

 

Got 'em.

Hey, that's great, pick me up an '05 Z400. Have 'em put some AC nerf bars and front bumper on.
I'll tell ya what, if you pick that up for me, I'll trade ya straight across for the trailer [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

How much do they want for the Phoenix?
I would recommend the Z250 over the Phoenix hands down.
Unless money is a issue.....

But, Talk to WingyDude.
I think he looked at those also when he was buying his Z250.
Maybe he can tell ya a little of what he was told while comparing.
If you change, see what they'll give it (Z250) to you OTD for.
Should be able to get it OTD for just $4000 and some pocket change.
If they won't, let me know.......

Physical dimensions are almost identical between Phoenix, Z250, 250ex.
Phoenix weighs more that other two
Biggest difference (beside price) is Phoenix is fully Auto, and less power
Z250/250ex have auto clutch and manual shift, you shift but do not have clutch

Good Luck

 

Well, I could just deposit the trailer money on one of those Z's. That way it softens the blow when you go to add all those extras. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

The Phoenix is $3200, so it's not much of a savings over the Trailblazer or Z250. The problem I'm having is finding the "middle" ground. I think the Predator 90 is just barely too small and the 250's are just barely too big. My wife and 10yr old have never ridden before... I just think it would be a good starter for them. The fully automatic is a bonus and I forsee them mostly doing a lot of putting around. Plus it is a 4-stroke and has a shaft drive, so maintenance is lower and it should last longer. This review http://www.atvsport.com/output.cfm?id=954127 kind of sold me on it. I'm still open to other ideas, but I'm convinced the quad has to be a starter. I don't want to scare them and certainly don't want them getting hurt.

 

ya....... 10 years old is kinda of a in-between age/size........
My daughter is 10 and I'm doing the same thing right now.

If you are going to end up having 3 all together, how long before you foresee getting the 3rd one??
If it's not going to be that long, I would consider getting one for one or the other first.

Since your 10 y/o hasn't ridden before, I would really consider getting him/her a used one to learn on.
They are cheaper to get, and you will be able to get more of your money back when you go to sell the used one.
That way you can see how he likes to ride, and figure out what would be a good next quad for him. That will allow him to get comfortable befoer moving on to something bigger. If he had riding experience, it might not be to bad getting a little bigger one.

I think your wife will outgrow/outride the Phoenix not long after she starts riding it. If you get her something specific for her, she will ride it for quite a while before having to upgrade.

Of course this is all just my opinion, just trying to help. I'm going through the same issues with my three kids. I was also looking for a tweener that my wife and 10 y/o daughter could share, but I don't want to put my daughter on something that is physically and power wise a little to big for her to handle. And she has been riding for a while.
I"m sure others out here will also be able to give some good advice based on their experience.

Again, Good Luck.

 

howdy folks.

Had to catch up on the past few days reading.

something about a fence and the dispute between northerners and southerners (oops did I start that again?)
Evans creek being bagged for Rock Candy. So someone please get a list started. Happa its all you buddy.


So I flaked out on TP and Bing Sunday morning. i am sure y'all got my message.

I woke up after 2 hours of sleep, slightly hung over and loaded up the Scrammy in the truck.
Put a tarp over it, and started down the road on to Reiter Pit, directions in hand and everything.
Just as I am about to get on the 405 south from Lynnwood, The tarp flies off the back of my truck.
Now, its pouring Hellacious like ;-) cats dogs, kitchen sinks and all. I am cold, underslept and hung over.
I said screw it, and went back home and passed out on the couch and woke up at 3:00 in the afternoon.

sigh, soon I hope i'll be able to ride with you guys. for now the vacant plots on the next block over
will have to do.

 

I would stay away from the Phoenix. It is not made by Polaris. It is made by some off brand company that sells them to Polaris. I was going to buy one instead of the Z250. I also looked at the Trailblazer. The problem with the Trailblazer is its a 2 stroke. It is alot faster than the Z250. Not a good bike for the 10 year old. I think you should stay with the Z250, you will get more out of it, and like Quaddie said, buy a smaller used bike or even one of those import bikes for $1,700.00 and let your kid learn and beat up on that for a few years. That is what we did when we started riding. I had no problems selling them when I was done. Just my 2 cents.

 

hey rod, got room for one more? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

cowpoke dont put in a good word for me it will just remind him how mad he is at me[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] Got 3 drivers for 3 bikes, that dont have such fat azzes he he he Im sure I will take a couple out for fun runs or bracket racing[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Thanks

 

So those three drive the big diesel pusher fo ya so you can set back and enjoy the scenery chat with the wife and sip on crown? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]