I recently purchased my first quad ever. I was interested is something simply to run forest and desert trails with, sight seeing, exploring, etc. I shopped for weeks, kicked plenty of tires and asked millions of questions. The Big Bear 250 fell within what I thought shouldn be a good price range for a first time purchase that fit my needs. However, this little voice in my head kept telling me to buy bigger.

The little machine has met all of my expectations and has taken me places on earth that man hasn't stepped in years. However, it falls way short on top speeds for safely running improved roads. That little voice keeps telling me that I should have listened to my first intuitions to buy bigger.

I want to move to a larger utility quad and prefer to stay with the Yamaha lineup because I have a high line of credit limit with them. Anybody have any recommendations on what machine I might be more satisfied with? I'm still mostly interest in off road riding but would like a machine that can keep up on forest roads.

 

I would go with the grizzly 450 or the 700 because the 350 will not be a big enough jump. I had a 250 which is what became the big bear and I went up to the 450 wolverine and it gets me around alright, but if you want to go faster than about 50-55 mph you need to step up to the 700.

 

I have a 2WD '03 Bear Tracker 250 for my wife which is basically the same as a Big Bear 250 and in fifth gear it honks along pretty good. That's with my 218lbs on it and a cargo seat with stuff in it and a winch as well. It's actually a fun little unit to drive because of it's light weight.

I figure it can hit around 38- 40 MPH (no speedo on it).

I will have to run it beside my 450 to check.

 

The older 250 with me on it at 205 tops out about 45, but on hills it really lugs down.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: ctateusa1

I would go with the grizzly 450 or the 700 because the 350 will not be a big enough jump. I had a 250 which is what became the big bear and I went up to the 450 wolverine and it gets me around alright, but if you want to go faster than about 50-55 mph you need to step up to the 700.</end quote></div>

no, I have a wolverine 350 with some mods and it will do around 65+ and stock they did 54. if your just touring you can throw on 25" tires and an exaust/intake and you will crank right along at low 60s on a 350 wolverine. I HIGHLY reccomend this bike for you man. And since the new wolverine came out (which i think is less desireable than the older 350 but thats a personal opinion) the wolverine 350s have gotten cheaper. Its a great bike ive had mine since new in 2001 when I got it and its so versitile. Its great in stock trim and theres plenty of aftermarket in any direction you want to go with it. Mine has been modded as you can see below and will go most places the big boy utes go and can keep up with your average driver on a z400 or raptor in the woods as well as have 4x4 when I need it. Its a great bike with a reliable engine thats been around for a long time. also so much room for improvement in any direction that if your needs/wants change you can stick with the same bike and move that direction.

 

I still have less than 10 hours on the machine and so far, I would guestimate that my top speed is maybe around 25 to 30 mph max. That is an uneducated estimation but I still have plenty of throttle left but the power band falls well short of what I want. It certainly lugs down on some longer grades, forcing me to drop a few gears.

For running forest trails, I have no qualms with the machine, it has the power and guts to take me into places I'd never even dream of walking or hiking, it's the lack of top end speed on improved gravel forest roads that leaves me wanting more.

I understand that thre is some type of speed or rev limiter on the machine, perhaps I need to take a look at that.

Keep in mind, my primary needs as one of the older geezer riders was something to run forest and desert trails with, it fulfills those needs. It just falls a little short in the britches on top end speeds and power when opperated on secondary improved roads. Those kids on sport quads are running over me and leaving me in the dust!

 

My friend has a 400 Kodiak, it,s call the 400 Grizzly now it will do 50mph easily and not die much on the long grades. Do not get the Big Bear 400 it,s gearing is to low and it sceams while only doing 45mph.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: azintruder


Keep in mind, my primary needs as one of the older geezer riders was something to run forest and desert trails with, it fulfills those needs.

Those kids on sport quads are running over me and leaving me in the dust!</end quote></div>


If you wanted speed like a sport quad you will have to get a sport quad. There is a definite trade off for speed and agility for functionality. No single machine can excel at both.

So let the sport quads pass you and enjoy the scenery that only you will see.

 

theres no way ur 229 only does 25 to 30. it easily hits 45. i ride with a guy who leaves the big boys in the dust on the tight trails with a 00 bear tracker 250. its basically the same machine.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: kickass210

theres no way ur 229 only does 25 to 30. it easily hits 45. i ride with a guy who leaves the big boys in the dust on the tight trails with a 00 bear tracker 250. its basically the same machine.</end quote></div>

X2

It's a light machine and it definitely does at least 40 MPH. The Bear Tracker is pretty nimble for a utility quad that's for sure.