Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests Advice on atv's

Ok, I am looking for a good starter bike. What I have noticed so far is the honda sportrax 250 and 300 or the yamaha blaster and beartracker. Does anybody know anything about or own one of these? I can get a really good price on the blaster but I heard its really hard to keep running and it doesn't have reverse or electric start. I'm looking to buy soon before all the 02 models are gone. Thanks for the help.

How much experience do you have and how much do you weigh?

If you have no experience and are on the light side, I'd go with a 200, like the Blaster. They are small, but fast enough for a beginner. My cousin and her boyfriend bought new Blasters a few years ago and they were fun enough for me and I'm pretty experienced (mini bikes, dirt bikes, and ATVs since I was 7 or 8) and pretty big (6', 225 lbs). It was fast enough to surprise a couple times. My uncle has had a Honda Fourtrax 250 for 10 or 11 years and it's still running strong. It is a fun bike, too.

If you're a little heavier, I'd say go with a 300 or even a 350 if you have some experience. A guy I rode with had a Yahama Warrior 350 and that bike could really move. I rode on a Banshee 350 and a Suzuki Quadracer 500 when was I was younger and those bikes are scary fast. I'd stay clear of the Banhee and the I don't think Suzuki makes the Quadracer 500 anymore.

Reverse is a good idea for a beginner, but no electric start for me, thanks. Part of the fun of having an ATV is the kick start, in my opinion.

My first ATV was a Suzuki Quadsport 230. I got it when I was 14 and sold it when I was 20. It was great first bike. Reverse and kick start, I loved it.

Hope that helped.

screw it!!

just go ahead and get you a Raptor 660R!!!

damn... is all i have to say.. my buddy just bought one, and he has already modded it up quite a bit, but the way he smoked my 4wheeler he didnt have to. But now that he did... WWOOOOOOWWW!!!

I would stay away from the Blaster.

Get yourself a Warrior or a Honda EX300 or higher as the starter bike.

You can then decide if you want to go into 2-stroke bikes as you gain more experience.

I started with a 300EX a couple years ago and now have a 400EX and the 300 is my wife's bike. On the trails we ride, the 300 usually the better bike. Not quite as fast in balls out driving, but so much softer and more comfortable for a long day of riding. But the power limits prevail on the higher speed trails. After some time with 400, I don't care for the 300 anymore. It's comfy, but not worth it if I don't have the same kind of fun. Warrier or 300EX are my picks for starter bike. Almost no maintainance and trouble free for years. I recommend picking up a used bike, stock, though. Stock = reliable. You can buy a 300EX for $2500 and sell it next year for the same money when/if you decide to upgrade. Buy a new 300EX for $4200 and get $3200 next year.

Weight of the rider and what type of riding you do matter, though. I'm only 175 pounds so the 300Ex can be fun. The 400 is quick. If you weight 50 pounds more, a 400Ex might feel to you like the 300EX to me.

I would really like to get the raptor 660, but there is this stuff called money and right now I don't have enough to get that bike. I am really considering the 300 ex honda. Thanks for the help guys.

I rode my step-bro's atv once, it's fast, i think yamaha, it was blue i think. It is really hard to keep running, it has a clutch and everything. I was drunk and couldn't get it to start back up when I missed a shift or something after a turn. I don't know... just rambling, it was fun though, probably would have been more fun sober when i could have figured the clutch out from start,, i can do it once i got going...they're fun

Raptor 660 - OMG! unreal torque, even with my 250lbs. on top. Not for a beginner.

Ok, I want all of your opinion. The shop I'm getting the bike at has one brand new 01 model 300 ex honda. The price is the same as the 250 as well as the same color I wanted. Also the are not going to charge me with freight and set-up. I am also getting a 6.9 fixed finance rate with the 01. With the 03 250 ex the lowest rate i can get is 9.9. I am getting off work early tomorrow to probably pick up the 01 300ex. Also, I am about 5'10 180lbs so I think a 300 would be plenty of bike for me to start on.

I have a Stock 01 Yamaha Warrior 350 great all around Quad 4 Stroke, reverse and It keeps up with pretty much anything out there.