Stable and nimble chassis with good suspensionPowerband broad and decentParking brake confusing to tyros Cold-bloodedGood overall package with a healthy grin factor
Sally Kirk/5'10"/135 lb/BeginnerThe Suzuki Z400 was the first quad I've ever ridden. It was too powerful for me. I only got up to second gear (and second gear went really fast!). I rode most of the time sitting down, and the seat was really comfortable. I found it very stressful to focus on riding and shifting gears. Once, I felt like I was going to fall off the back of the quad; it jerked forward because I didn't change gears properly. This machine is definitely good for an experienced rider, not me!
So the guys put me on the Kymco Mongoose 300 next. OMG! I love this quad! It is very easy to ride. I definitely want to buy one. The machine was very comfortable in all aspects. It is fully automatic, so I didn't have to shift gears, which is still hard for me. The power was good-it wasn't jerky-and the Kymco went plenty fast for me. The seat was comfortable, and I had plenty of room to move around for proper riding positions. This quad handled the moderate trail riding that we did very well. I was even doing doughnuts on it-that was pretty cool! Even considering this was my first time ever on a quad, I wasn't worried about tipping over on uneven terrain. All I had to do was turn on the quad and go! The electric start made it as easy as starting a car. I can't wait to have one of my own! I've always wanted to go riding with my husband, but the gears always confuse me, so the Kymco 300 is absolutely perfect!
Pete Peterson/5'10"/150 lb/Novice (Vet Intermediate on bike)The Honda TRX300EX was the first ATV I rode-ever. I felt comfortable on it right away in the small dunes at Dumont. It felt low and stable and was confidence-inspiring. The motor was not a dog, but the Honda didn't climb or, more important, throw the rear end around as well as the more-powerful 350. I like to think of the Kymco Mongoose 300 as The Little Quad That Could. Its auto transmission is both a big disadvantage and advantage. In the smaller dunes I had no issues here, but as the sand hills grew, the performance fell. For anyone uncomfortable using a clutch, there's a lot of fun to be had on this little quad. My fear is that novices will outgrow its beginner-biased nature in short order. Yamaha's Raptor 350 had a more responsive engine than the 300EX and was happier turning sharp, but I didn't have quite the calm or confident feeling riding it that I had on the little Honda. The Yamaha's riding position puts you further forward, and a little higher up, so I think this was probably more of a sensation rather than anything unpredictable about the machine's handling. It was a fun quad for throwing the rear end around in the sand.
Moving to the 400s, the big Honda TRX400EX felt like the little 300EX but with more power to rely on. Turning became easier with more torque to get the rear tires spinning and the rear flowing around. It felt more significant than its smaller sibling, but not any heavier-just a better tool for the job when ripping around on the dunes. I only rode one of the twins, the Arctic Cat DVX 400. It was the easiest quad to slide in the sand because of the responsive motor. I'm sure it's not considered a lightweight quad, but the snappy power made it feel very light and maneuverable in the dunes. For another trip out to the dunes, this is the ATV I would grab first.
KnowlesKnows:
Want More Performance?
Engine Builder Allen Knowles Weighs In On 300-400cc Performance OptionsThe midsize sport machines in this test are aimed at trail riders, not racers. A 400cc sport quad is the right ATV for a lot of people, since many find a 450cc sport engine to be too snappy on the trails and just too aggressive, both handlingwise and powerwise. Reverse is important-there are too many off-road riders and, except for the Kawasaki KFX450 that's about to be released, none of the current 450s have reverse. Back when sport quads were introduced, they were often highly modified to make race quads. Now you can just purchase a performance quad if that's what you need. Sooner or later, people begin to get bored with the power; I'm often asked, "What can I do to bump up the performance of my Suzuki Z400 or Honda 400EX?" My response now: Doing a moderate hop-up may be cost-effective on any of these models, and you can make a significant improvement for a reasonable price, but if you want a killer, start with a 450.