Richard cheese
take her out to Wasco and Shafter
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Joined: 01/10/2007
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for trail riding, youre gonna need reverse for sure...the utility models, like suzuki sportsman and the like, do pretty good in the sporty end of off roading too.
you should be able to handle some of the bigger quads, like a 700 or bigger
your gf a 250 to 500 should do
son....he would get bored with a 250 pretty quickly....maybe a 500?
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bkc650
Troy, MO
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Joined: 06/18/2008
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For mostly wooded/trails consider staying with 4 strokes and possibly 4x4, depending on how aggressive of area's you intend to ride. We at times have at least 1 2x4 riding with us, however, there is always at least one of us to winch them out if needed (my son's 220 Kawasaki 2x4 does very well for a smaller quad, but where we choose to ride we do need to assist him at times, our shoice.
We usually have Suzuki 700, Yamaha Grizzly 700/w power steering, Arctic Cat 400 4x4, Arctic Cat TRV 650 4X4 2UP and Polaris 800 4x4 and on accassion Kawasaki 220 2x4 and Polaris 325 2x4. All of them are 4 stroke auto's except the 220 and its an auto shift.
For the 4x4's they all perform very well. In EXTREME conditions the Arctic Cat 400 could use a bit more motor. The larger motors will shine a little more where power matters. The noted difference is that 400 can run and run on a tank of gas where the larger quads need refueling.
I personally ride the 650 TRV and love it. If I were to look new I would not buy until trying a grizzly 700 or the 09 550 with EPS (power steering. After a long day of trail riding the power steering is viewed to be well worth the money for those I ride with.
If you do look smaller quads, as a previous poster stated- ensure you have reverse. I also prefer independant rear suspension for the type of riding I do as opposed to straight axel- may not matter for other types of riding. Fuel injection is graet, specifically if you are in different altitudes
There are a lot of great quads by most all the main manufactures - take your time and do a lot of research.
(apologize- in a hurry and spell check will not run-DW will scold me on spelling and grammer later)
Good luck,
Brian
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Hookem2004
Milpitas, CA
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Joined: 04/24/2006
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For trail riding I would not get anything over a Sportsman 500. I have a Sportsman 700 and a 500. The Sportsman 700 is almost twice as thirsty as the 500, and the 500 does everything the 700 does. I'd get a 400 for the daughter. I made a mistake and bought a 200 for my 14 y/o, and she outgrew that one in a year. Goodluck on your search.
2006 302 Skyline Rampage TH
2006 3500 Duramax CC/Dually
2004 2500 Suburban
2000 1950 Lund Tyee 200HP Yamaha HPDI
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Blackdiamond
So. Cal
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Joined: 06/10/2005
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I don't ride quads but I do own one and use it primarily to follow my 8yo daughter around on so I can hop off fast when she falls on her dirtbike. If you are just getting into it I would buy used, espesially for your boy, get him a 250 to learn the basics on for a season sell it for almost what you paid for it and then go larger.
I would also tend to listen to those that ride the same terrain and type of riding you will be doing more than others.
07 Fleetwood Discovery 39S
07 Weekend Warrior SX1800
05 525 EXC
04 LTZ-250 and 04 CRF 230 for the wife, almost quad free!
04 TTR 90
03 XR 80
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PopBeavers
San Jose, CA
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Joined: 03/19/2005
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We bought two quads this year:
Polaris Scrambler 500
Polaris X2 Sportsman 700
Both are 4x4, both are automatic, both have reverse.
X2 has low range, scrambler does not.
X2 is EFI, scrambler has a carb.
We mostly ride fire roads with some trails.
Last Saturday my nephew rolled the X2, with a passenger, completely upside down, pinning both riders until they pushed up to roll it off of themselves. There were in low range going real slow on a side hill ever so slightly too steep.
They walked away unhurt.
If you want to put a driver and passenger on a single ATV, you may need to get a two-up ATV. On private land you can do anything you want, but on US forest lands, you need a two-up or get cited.
We got the X2 so DW could take her blind brother for a ride. Talk about payback time!
Wayne in San Jose
TV1:2002 Chevy 1500HD 4wd Crew Cab,Valley Odyssey brake ctlr,McKesh mirrors
TV2:2008 GMC 2500HD long bed 4wd Crew Cab,GMC brake ctlr,GMC mirrors
TT:Trailmanor 2720
Honda 2000
Yamaha WR250R,Polaris Sportsman 700 X2,Polaris Scrambler 500
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albizia
Orange County California
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Joined: 08/01/2002
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I agree with the used idea. Here in CA the TRADER is thick with deals. Stick with something common so you can get parts easy. I recomend Yamaha due to the fact the parts WH is right here in OC. find a used Banshee or 450 for cheap and have fun. Both these can handle dunes, hills and trails. Our family goes to Jawbone , dove springs and Randsberg all the time twice a month and you can ride anything out there. Living in HB I would assume you would be going to these areas too as well as the dunes in Glamis and pismo or Dumont. You will need power for dunes and the washes. I like kick starts and will not own an off road bike or quad that takes a battery if I can avoid it.
The big question is where exactly do you ride and where do you intend or want to ride in the future?
Jason 'Class A M1 CDL'
2006 F350 CC 6.0 PSD SRW FX4 4.10s Banks Procomp Susp. 4 KCs, ARPs
07 Gearbox 375WFSG 5ER
Banshee T5s ported, YZ250 (Mine)
Blaster (Hers)
KX65, Raptor 80, KTM 50, PW50 (KIDS)
MANX "Bandit Buggy" (OURS)
08 246 SSI Chapperal
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hbski
Huntington Beach
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Joined: 07/18/2006
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Hey, thanks for the responses guys. Lot's of useful info.
I don't like the heat unless I can jump in the water, so we'd be going to the mountains if we go in the summer and maybe some dunes in the spring, winter or fall. Mostly real trail riding as apposed to alot of sand though.
Thanks again,
DJ
'06 Dodge 3500 4x4 QC LB DRW
Ride-Rites, Hellwig, Torklift Tiedowns, Fast Guns, Superhitch
'07 Okanagan 117DBL
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Spitse
Oklahoma
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Joined: 06/14/2006
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I think the new Honda Rancher has power stearing, fuel injected and is automatic. I am a Honda fan. I have an 03 350 Rancher and loved it till the wife started riding it then I got an 06 Honda Rubicon. They are not the fastest, don't have the most bells and whistles but they are bullett proof. Both are 4x4.
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dougford
San Antonio, TX
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If most of your riding will be on forest trails, stick with utility models like the Yamaha Grizzly, Honda Rancher/Rincon/etc. All of those will have reverse, most have independent rear suspension, most will be 4X4, and most will have racks to easily carry a cooler/tools/rain gear/etc . I have both types (utility/sport) of quads. I'm 5'10" 165 lbs, and my Kodiak 450 and Big Bear 400 pull me just fine. So does my Blaster 200, but the Kodiak is a much smoother ride, and will go "where no man has gone before." But the Blaster cuts donuts alot better...
As for your son and GF (and you). Take an ATV Safety course BEFORE you hit the trails. Make sure that cooler you strap on has only non-alcoholic beverages (keep those in the TH, and enjoy them after a hard day's ride around the campfie). I would also seriousy consider a dirt bike for the son. As mentioned earlier--much safer. PopBeaver's nephews were very lucky. When an 800 pound vehicle rolls over on you, it usually results in broken bones. I've had dirt bkes land on top of me and run over me (when I was MUCH younger), and I walked away every time. It also teaches them balance skills that will come in useful on the quads (you can't just sit on the seat--you've got to use body english on those side hills, steep hills, etc).
Have fun....
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DavidM49
Bartonville, IL
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Joined: 09/17/2007
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I have a 13 year old and he loves his Raptor 250 although I think he will out grow it or get bored with it pretty soon. Not sure what his next machine will be. My 10 year old is riding it too and he quickly has learned how to use the clutch and shift it which has been good. I have a Sportsman 700 and would not have anything less unless it was a sports quad. There is a HUGE difference between a 700 and a 500 HO in terms of torque and plain low end grunt and top end. As everyone else has said, it all depends on how you plan on using your quad. I really like having the power I have on my 700 and in fact I would really like to test ride the new 850. I ride my 700 hard and with the Polaris IRS, it handles whatever I throw at it. I do not use 4-wheel drive too much, but it has come in handy to either pull people out of the mud or ensure I am the puller and not the pullee. Whatever you decide, make sure you get the right riding equipment (boots, helmut, etc..) and be safe and above all, get out and ride and have fun.
Big Dave
2008 F350 Superduty 6.4 TD "Bumbles"
2007 Keystone Raptor 3814
2004 Polaris Sportsman 700 EFI
2008 Yamaha Raptor 250 SE
2007 Yamaha YZ85
2006 Polaris TB250
Assorted other toys
2 Boys who only know one speed
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