Gunship Guy
Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 08/09/2003
View Profile
|
Too bad you're not closer to FL. I have 2 Yamaha Blasters I'd love to get rid of since my boys outgrew them years ago.
My youngest doesn't ride anymore and my oldest now races a Honda CRF450R.
PICS OF STUFF
I like chicks with nice tents.
|
bcoakley
Bishop, CA.
Full Member
Joined: 10/28/2006
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
 Offline
|
Yamaha Wolverine 450. Not the SUPER powerful 450 engine found in the sport quad. 4X4, automatic. Looks like a sport quad. Shaft drive. Top speed about 45-50 mph. Just a lot of fun.
2005 Ford F250 6.0 Super Duty
2007 Cyclone 3795
2008 Yamaha R6
2007 Yamaha Grizzly 700 Special Edition
2006 Yamaha Wolverine 450
2004 Yamaha WR450
|
dougford
San Antonio, TX
Full Member
Joined: 04/01/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
Mav,
I'm a Yamaha guy, but as mentioned above, either the Honda TRX250 with the sport clutch or a Recon would be a good choice. In fact, I've have a 2007 Recon with the electric shift that my daughters ride. HOWEVER--my 11-year old son calls it a "girl's" ATV. He actually rides a Yamaha Blaster (6-speed two-stroke) and a Yamaha TTR125--both with clutches. It takes them some time to learn, but once they do, they can then pretty much ride anything (my son rode a Raptor 350 last week down a gravel rode while we were in Iowa, and rode a Raptor 250 the week before in South Dakota). So, don't rule out the sport quads or a manual shift. Just give him some time to learn how to ride it well before you hit any hard stuff...
2008 Ford F350 CC 4X4
2006 Hobbi HB200
2006 Yamaha Kodiak
2007 Yamaha Big Bear
2006 Yamaha Blaster
2007 Honda Recon
2006 TTR125/TTR50
2007 TTR90
|
roamerr
NC
Senior Member
Joined: 10/29/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
Easy choice if you want an auto, 4x4, 450cc, and sport quad lighter weight. Yamaha Wolverine 2006 to current. You should be able to find a good used one. Very dependable and easy to ride.
Yamaha Wolverine Specs and reviews
2009 Cherokee Wolfpack DFWP27 Toyhauler
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi Quad Cab w/3.92
Can-Am Outlander 800 XT
Yamaha Rhino 660
Honda Recon
Honda XR200R
2 dogs - Basset Hound and German Beagle (mutt)
Great Family Fun!!
|
Dirtclods
Newport Beach
Senior Member
Joined: 02/19/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
ATV Club
http://www.cqr.org/
|
|
|
rapdaddyR
Oklahoma City
Full Member
Joined: 07/13/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
I am a Yamaha guy as well. I ride with a guy that has a 12 yr old boy and he rides a yamaha big bear. He can follow us pretty good on the sand and it handles good. I think yamaha has put a 400 in the big bear but you could probably find a 350 used.
2006 F-250
2008 Raptor 3612
2007 Raptor 700
2009 Razor
http://toyhaulers.atvowners.com/
|
Badhabt
Puyallup, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 09/06/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Yamaha Raptor 250 would be a good choice but it depends on the type of riding you do. Heard its got great power/great handling/lots of fun potential. It wouldnt take long for your son to learn the clutch from past experienc. But if you do alot of trails, rocks, roots, cant really beat the 450 wolverine...kind of cool, but not real snappy power wise if you do alot of sand riding/play riding, handles ok for a 4wd quad but again he might want more power and handling as he gets older and theres not much you can do with the wolverine. The wolverine is hefty too...about 520 pounds.
Been there done that with the bikes...my son started on a yz60 at 4, then to a raptor 80, then at 12 on a blaster..then moved on to my banshee at 14...then he got yfz450 at 16..oh boy,but you know, I wouldnt change it for a minute! ENJOY whatever you decide. RIDE on.
06 F350 4X4 Crew Cab Dually Tow Boss
07 Raptor 3612DS
92 Banshee - sons now
06 YZF450 50th Anniv Edition - sons too
06 Raptor 700R 50th Anniv Edition - mine
06 Wolverine 450 - wifes
07 Wolverine 450 SE - my other toy
04 YZ250F - spoiled sons newest toy
|
N-Trouble
California
Senior Member
Joined: 12/02/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
I would pick up a Raptor 250 or a Suzuki LTZ250 before considering a Honda TRX250. Both the Yamaha and Suzuki have undergone updates in recent years while the Honda continues to be the same old design that allows it to finish last in every 250cc sport shootout I have read.
THe thought of a sport quad might scare off some parents but also consider that any ATV can be rolled. A sport ATV is a lot less weight on top of you than a 4x4 utility quad. He'll have a lot more fun on one of these as well than a big boring 4x4.
|
coolbreeze01
Redding, Ca
Senior Member
Joined: 08/24/2006
View Profile
 Online
|
A two wheel drive will go just about anywhere a 4X4 will go, they often have to ride faster to get there though. For serious trail riding plus the age of your son, I recommend a 4X4. You'll save on tires and worry 
PS
If you get into beach/dune riding then you will want 2-wheel drive and all the horsepower you can buy.
2008 Dodge 3500 CTD LB SRW 4X4 6-Speed Auto
P3 Blue Ox Sway Pro
2007 Komfort 212
|
reno82
Cardiff by the Sea, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/01/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
I like the idea of a 4x4 utility quad for where you ride, but would look at some of the lighter models. I always worry about my grandkids on my 900 lb Polaris's. If these big boys flip, that much weight will really do some damage if not kill. I like the looks of that Wolverine, seems about the right size and weight for a teen. I also wouldn't rule out a sport quad along with some chest protection.
|
|
|
