OK guys....I need your help.....

[HRC250R]

What is a good starter quad for a 12 year old ??? My sons birthday is in April and I want to get him into riding....he does too......He's kinda tall, thin.......I don't know much about the models since I'm a trike guy:w00t: Any ideas appreciated.....:beer

[smokinwrench]

I would say for a tall 12 year old I would go with a blaster/300ex. Both are great quads to start on and a nice smaller size.

[250r'en +TCB]

I say the NEW 250ex, if he dosn't know how to use a clutch yet. Honda just put in that clutch that can't stall in it, plus you can ride it in automatic at first! If he does know how to use a clutch go with the 300ex. You can buy those used, as long as their in good shape. They are bullet-proof emachines. I mean, they havn't changed since 93.....A testiment to their rliabilty. Plus they have plenty of power for a young teenager....... Don't buy a Blaster, I've had nothing but bad luck with those things. I broke an A-arm on my friends 2003 blaster going off a 2ft jump!!! POS if you ask me.....

[smokinwrench]

I wouldn't even consider the 250ex as a choice.

reasons;

1. My boy is 7 I just got him a trx90. He is shifting great after only a couple hours of ride time, so throwing a clutch in the mix will be no big deal.

2. Shocks on the 300ex are much much better shocks.

3. After riding the 250ex for acoupel weeks he is gonna want more power.

4. 300ex is very upgradeable, I don't think you can do much with the 250


I'm not sur ehow big your kid is but you might even consider a 400ex. They are fairly tame in stock form and a great platform to build up from. That way you won't have to buy a new machine next summer. I would take him to the dealers and see how he fits on machines, don't put him on something that is to big for him.

[OldSchoolin86]

There's no way I'd start a kid on a 400ex, there's a lot to learn from starting on a smaller machine. A 400ex simply has too much power and size unless you want to fast track your kid into racing.

I'd say a bone stock 300ex would be a great choice. It's got more then enough power for a beginner, nice geometry for a small machine, and it can be quite fun even for an adult. It's no great power house but they still move very nice. IMO it's a great beginner machine if you plan to watch him for a while.

[200xcellent]

I think the 250EX and 300EX should be your options. While any youngster can learn to use a clutch to take off and shift, what about when they get into certain trail conditions that require more clutch play? Him being a beginner I would put him on the 250EX. He would be able to tackle bigger hills and obsticles with an auto clutch. That will build his riding confidence and his manuverability skills.

[sblt500r]

if he's only 12 no dealer will sell him a quad over 90 cc. so don't bring him there and try out all the quads because they won't sell you one. one of my buddies wanted to get a 250ex for his 13 year old son but they wouldn't sell it to him, he had to say it was for him.

so if you go and purchase an atv for you son thats over 90cc, just tell them its for you, if they give you any crap.

[New2ATC]

I think a 230 quadsport would be an okay quad too, Not too much power, its a small quad, and it has reverse. The 250-300 ex quads would be another great choice. I learned to ride on a 250 EX, and the kid still has it to this day still running.

[peeweesp]

250ex i think is a waste of money id go with the 300ex, wont be too much power, but will still be tons of fun.

[Rm250RF900R]

How about a Quadzilla? Not to much power, and it should fit him perfectly :lol: .. Nah on a serious note, the 300ex has my vote. I have a 2002 sitting outside. Its a good quad for what it is. Perfect for a 12 year old. There are also plenty of aftermarket stuff for it so when he wants more power you don't have to buy a new quad. Plus, Its a Honda.

[brapp]

i was on a 250ex and a blaster when i was 12, and even took a few laps on a shee when i was 12 when my parents would let me, but after i turned 13 i bought a yz490 and a zilla so it all depends on how much power you think the kid can handle, i have my cousins kid riding my 350x and he's going on 7, he just cant start it yet.

[TimSr]

We are in the same boat now with TimJr being 11, 4'10" and 110 lbs. He has outgrown his mini quads. He got to test drive a few at my brothers house. First, Ill recommend the smaller adult size quads, and would no way go for a full size. The short wheel base models work well for a short rider under about 5'6" or so. The 250EX is nice, with shaft drive and little maintentance, but TimJr learned a clutch in about 5 minutes, and had it mastered after a day in the field, so no knowing a clutch is a bad reason to pick it. I have yet to see the kid who is not willing to learn the clutch on his new quad sitting in front of him! Also, autoclutch models roll backwards which is really a bad thing if you ride where there are hills, so it was not even a choice for TimJr. He really liked the 250X, but he just could not start it himself. I even noticed it takes a pretty good kick to get it going. The 300ex with electric start would solve that problem and be a very good choice. Its a very old tried and true reliable design.
He absolutely loved the Blaster, and we will be buying it. They are a lot less expensive than 300EX's. He could start it easily, and though its an old model, my brother has upgraded the braking system. It will also be suitable for motocross for Blaster youth class. The new Blasters with hydraulic brakes are super, and pretty much bullet proof in their stock form. I dont think you can go wrong with the 300ex or the Blaster.
The Mojave 4 stroke 250 is another one you might want to consider in the same class as the others. I personally think its a technically better design than the 300EX, but it doesnt seem to share in the Honda's reputation for as good of reliability.

As for trike choice, TimJr absoluetly loves his 200X and nothing could be a better fit.

[MTS]

Ahhh Heck get him a banshee and be the last quad ya buy him....God know's i woulda loved one when i was 12...hahah!

[honda200]

300EX, my bro had a 2001, he learned clutch on it, wanted more power, so he bought a FMF Power Core 4 full system pipe. I put it on for him, and jetted it, and it was quite an improvment, we shaved the front fenders to give it a much nicer look, added a filter and he had a very, VERY nice quad to ride on. I had my Warrior, and even with the stuff I had done to it, he could still hang with me for a bit.

Curtis

[Modded660R2fast]

Yeah a 300ex is probably he best quad you could get him. I gave my girl friend my old 300es and she Learned to ride Just like Everyone else did. She loves it but she cant hang with my raptor :)

[Modded660R2fast]

Sorry EX not ES

[Chrisbroeders]

i strongly recomend either a 300ex or look for a 250x i learned how to ride on a atc 110 then my dad got me the 250x i think 250x is the choice id go with

[MichiganRedneck]

the 300ex is a perfect quad for your kid. i own one myself and it is the easiest quad to ride that ive ever ridden. they are bullet proof and are easy to modify if you want. they are light and the have reverse. you can buy a used one for pretty cheap to.

[zeus8807]

Ahhh Heck get him a banshee and be the last quad ya buy him....God know's i woulda loved one when i was 12...hahah!


haha darn right thats how i started, if it hadnt been for totaling it some years later i would still have that beast too. seriously thou screw blasters their junk, if you can pick up a older one for under a grand then its worth the money, but for the cost of a new one their not even worth a 1/4 of what yamaha wants for them. i would either go with the suzuki z250(also comes as the dvx 250 from arctic cat) or the honda 300ex, the raptor 350 isnt a bad model for kids either, its the same quad as the old warriors and i know quite a few ppl that have started their kids on warriors with wonderful result and they have alot of upgrades for them so i think itll be quite a while till he would outgrow it.