aceisback Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Alright, here's the deal. I'm going to attempt this one last time. If she can't jump aboard the bandwagon on this attempt then I throw up my arms in disgust and give up... Long story short for those not familiar with the situation: picked up a KFX700 for the wife so that as she learned and got more skilled and comfortable with it she could go where the rest of us go. Didn't work out so well as the whole time that we owned it she never got it over 10mph. Okay, so maybe it was too big/scary for her. Sold it. Now I need some input from you guys and gals who have owned different makes and models. I'm specifically looking for a sport or dual purpose quad, not a ute. HAS to be automatic (don't ask)! I know they are out there, I've been looking for a good deal on an Outlander 400 but with as little as I forsee it getting riden I'm hesitant to spend a fortune. I needs to be a 4 stroke as well for simplicity sake, and because it probably won't be stretching it's legs like a 2 smoker needs to do. Maybe if it's smaller than the KFX she'll be more comfortable/secure. Wish they made an automatic Predator. So, does Honda, Kawi, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, or Can Am make a fully auto ATV that you would recommend??? Had a couple of Trailblazers back in the day and I'm not getting another. Not bad machines, but not what I'm looking for. I know someone can point me in the right direction. Warrior, Blaster, TRX, or models like those that are AUTOMATIC would be considered. Thanks for the input, I'm looking forward to it. I'm really leaning towards the Outlander Max 400. If she won't go over 10 mph on that then I'll just strap her on the back, gag her, and GO. Really wish she was the Outlander Max 800 kind of woman. Leaning towards just getting her a RZR and calling it a day but they are still pricey. I think strapped in and roll cages around her may open her mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britincali Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Got my Mrs a honda TRX250 and she friggin loves it, its a manual but you dont have to use the clutch. I would defiantly reccomend one to anyone who aint a speed demon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakster884 Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I hear you. I have the same problem with my Wife. I have purchased her a new quad and doesnt want to get the puppy moving. TRX450. I have now came to the conclusion the only way to go is with a Rhino or UTV. She will feel safer and they are easier to ride on flat land. Just my .02C. Its easier said than done, I know I have not made the purchase yet.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertskyz Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Alright, here's the deal. I'm going to attempt this one last time. If she can't jump aboard the bandwagon on this attempt then I throw up my arms in disgust and give up... Long story short for those not familiar with the situation: picked up a KFX700 for the wife so that as she learned and got more skilled and comfortable with it she could go where the rest of us go. Didn't work out so well as the whole time that we owned it she never got it over 10mph. Okay, so maybe it was too big/scary for her. Sold it. Now I need some input from you guys and gals who have owned different makes and models. I'm specifically looking for a sport or dual purpose quad, not a ute. HAS to be automatic (don't ask)! I know they are out there, I've been looking for a good deal on an Outlander 400 but with as little as I forsee it getting riden I'm hesitant to spend a fortune. I needs to be a 4 stroke as well for simplicity sake, and because it probably won't be stretching it's legs like a 2 smoker needs to do. Maybe if it's smaller than the KFX she'll be more comfortable/secure. Wish they made an automatic Predator. So, does Honda, Kawi, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, or Can Am make a fully auto ATV that you would recommend??? Had a couple of Trailblazers back in the day and I'm not getting another. Not bad machines, but not what I'm looking for. I know someone can point me in the right direction. Warrior, Blaster, TRX, or models like those that are AUTOMATIC would be considered. Thanks for the input, I'm looking forward to it. I'm really leaning towards the Outlander Max 400. If she won't go over 10 mph on that then I'll just strap her on the back, gag her, and GO. Really wish she was the Outlander Max 800 kind of woman. Leaning towards just getting her a RZR and calling it a day but they are still pricey. I think strapped in and roll cages around her may open her mind. I don't think she is going to change. RZR or the likes is your best bet. Being a girl I kinda know how she feels. I know they are pricey, but keep you eyes open and ask her how she is feeling about it all and what would make her happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Cheese Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 i sure dont know any ACE...but i know my wife takes the ranger out way more than she does my quad (long story on that one too) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltr450rider Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Bigtruckdrmr bought herself the trx250ex. Semi auto like brit said, use the shifter but not he clutch. She got it down pretty quick. You can be in any gear and it will not stall. You can stop and start in 3rd with no problems. Gets through most of the dunes at Dumont just not the super steep or really big stuff. check it out, I've seen them on sale lately for $3,000 off the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indasand Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 GOOD FREEKING LUCK!!!!!! hint: it's not the quad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunefreak Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 I hope I don't come off the wrong way here to some, but here it goes... Man, you're wives suck! You too desrtskyz. Way to degrade yourself like that. nice! :ah: Check it out..either you can and want to learn to ride or you don't want to and never will. I'm don't think it is a girl thing. Some people just don't grasp the concept or have the courage to get better, take some chances and actually learn to ride and get better. Anna started out on a big azz Grizzly. After that...Raptor 660. I think the larger the quad, the easier it is to get up stuff. Larger quads have more power to get you out of bad situations and they also doesn't beat you to death like the smaller bikes. Speaking of plenty of girls who can ride...what about Christina (tacomama). She could keep up with some of the fastest riders in our group. What about Kayla (GirlWitHorns). They both ride yfz450's and ride VERY well. How bout Kristin (foxysandchick), dunelover, Ashly (Bert's wife), sandchick, 2 WHEELER RIDER Pam, etc etc. They all do just fine. I don't think they started out on any smaller of bikes either. My point here (not to Vic but to the other peeps in this thread) is that some will learn to ride and some never will. It has nothing to do with being a chick. As for my advise.... Unfortunatly it doesn't sound like she really wants to ride, Vic. The RZR might be something for her, but those can actually be MORE dangerous for unexperienced duners. Just something to keep in mind. Make sure she really wants to do this before you invest a bunch of time or money in searching for a quad that doesn't exist. Where has she tried learning to ride these quads? Is it in the dunes? Cause that is intimidating for beginners. Try and get her to become more comfortable in whatever terrain she feels least intimidated and go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vegas FX400 Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 just get her a used honda 400ex....i think there is one on here for sale........................hint hint hint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Rhino Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 it really depends on what you want. My wife loves the mountain trails and keeps with the rest of us for the most part, (she has a Kodiak 450) but the dunes scare her, so rhino it is, she still doesnt go duning for the most part, but she does cruise around and enjoys going to the dunes now. Problem solved, well at least for us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EY3BA11 Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 mine is scared of the bike.. Thats all fine and dandy.. Just means i get to get a buggy sooner heh.. she loves buggy rides and cruisin around in the truck and stuff like that but sumthin about her wreckin a quad and it chasing her down scares the piss outta her... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1320 Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 My wife started on a suz 250 sport...slow and undr owered for the dunes. Then I got a blaster. It had some work done and re geared ut for her. She likes it, but is now taking my banshee out every chance she gets. For your wife, I would let her try our polaris 500 scrambler. Its full auto, sport, with 4 wheel drive on a switch. Reverse, electric start, etc. We have the polaris for a spare/ rescue quad, for freinds to ride cause its so easy anyone can do it. They are around 3000 used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiCk 350R Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 CHEAP! GOES ANYWHERE! ANY TERRAIN! ANY DUNE!! AUTOMATIC! 4 SEATS! LOTS OF FUN! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltr450 Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 I got to agree with dunefreak on his post...my wife has a warrior 350 great bike to learn on. But definitely not a hill shooter... For opening weekend, I let her take my LTR out, and see loved it...See said that it was more comfortable to ride and felt a lot safer on it....By the end of the trip she was dunning some pretty big stuff and got to climb comp hill 3/4 the way up, and was so excited about it....Because this is more of a guys sport and want are other half to enjoy it as much as we do..Don't under power them, and if you got some patience too teach them on a one on one basis...They will get it, and be a little more excited about the next trip out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mineurbiz Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 I %100 agree with freak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertskyz Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 (edited) I really have nothing to compare any dune stuff with. I was raised a Water Baby and when I got my Waverunner 1200 when they first came out, speed and danger was what I learned to handle. It got so fun sreamin' up a ditch, that they fill the fields with in Parker, in and out fast as you can and NOT washing out or crashing was the chit. The only experience I have with the sand it buggies. I have done quads out in the mountains and stuff,but very little, so don't bash me. Now when it came to our fast a$$ boat I was not into speed when I was driving. Scared the bejezzes out of me. So there! That is all I have to say. I see this thread is going to go to hell in a hand basket. Yeah! to all you chicks that can ride as fast as any guy. You learned early. I envy you. But I can drive a LT car..............sort of Ace let your wife choose what feels good to her. She should talk to some girl and not listen to a bunch of dudes yaking about how good the girls are. LET YOUR GIRL make her own decision. She'll either like or not. I see a Buggie in your future. Edited October 14, 2008 by desertskyz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duniemonkie Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Skys, you're missing the point. Pete is saying bikes aren't gender specific. So talking to other girls shouldn't make a difference. When you said in your 1st post that you, being a girl, understand... it sounded like you think having a vagina somehow makes duning different. Maybe if it drags under your tires, and I know yours doesn't No bashing sky, you ride on monkie The proper question for this topic should have been "What is a good BEGINNERS bike?" Good luck Vic. What worked for me when I was a BEGINNER was just going out on my own and pushing my limits. I got in some pretty f*cked up situations, but I had to get out of them alone and that was the best lesson! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandSoulja Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 this only does 10 miles an hour... and you dont even have to buy or mix gas. hit me up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertskyz Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Skys, you're missing the point. Pete is saying bikes aren't gender specific. So talking to other girls shouldn't make a difference. When you said in your 1st post that you, being a girl, understand... it sounded like you think having a vagina somehow makes duning different. Maybe if it drags under your tires, and I know yours doesn't No bashing sky, you ride on monkie The proper question for this topic should have been "What is a good BEGINNERS bike?" Good luck Vic. What worked for me when I was a BEGINNER was just going out on my own and pushing my limits. I got in some pretty f*cked up situations, but I had to get out of them alone and that was the best lesson! Point taken, But what I meant about being a girl was, I was raised like one of the boys, and I didn't always like they way they pushed me beyond my limits when I was afraid. Always shown how and told how, but not taught how. Having a big brother sucked sometimes. Did I mention my minibike was faster then my brothers. He hated that. My Point is: Let her learn at her own pace and I really have know idea what kind of quad you should buy her. So that is all I have left to say is except: I like raspberry jello, right out of the package, sprinkled on toast. having a vagina somehow makes duning different. Maybe if it drags under your tires, OMG ROFLMAF thanks for visual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyvw Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 i have owned just about every quad made from 2000 to 2007, so i know them pretty well. when i was married my favorite wifes bikes were scrambler 500 4x4, kfx 700, honda 250ex, suzuki z250(it starts in high gear, unlike the 250 ex). my favorite, like 1320 says, the scrambler....auto, reverse(important for girls), rides pretty good, use it in the desert too(think dual sportish), pretty good power, 4x4 allows you to get out of trouble in a tough spot. this is a bigggie.... one brake on handle bars operates all 4 brakes(less to think about). a monkey could ride a scrambler(many do).....my favorite bike now....can-am renegade....it's scrambler on steroids. my favorite bike out of all of em.....nothing, and i mean nothing can touch the smooth ride of this bike and it hauls a**. and it even has a low range. that all being said it sounds like she don't wanna learn? grab her by the throat(did i think that out loud?) and ask if she really does before you spend a bunch more on a failed experiment. lots of girls are much happier in a ranger or rhino. they can take along friends and gab while cruising through the lower dunes or around the parkin lot....makes a good recovery vehicle too. you can buy a ranger 700xp for 5 grand right now(wider and longer than a rhino=more stable and seats 3) just remember most girls don't want to go out and do what the guys do on a quad(i bow to those of you that do!). and it does take quite a while to learn this very dangerous sport. gotta be patient with em. good luck.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duniemonkie Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 It's good to know reverse is important for girls... maybe I'll start using mine instead of just getting off and pulling the bike out Again, just ask her what she really wants to do at Dumont. If she really wants to be a rider she should sign up on DDR! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakster884 Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 i have owned just about every quad made from 2000 to 2007, so i know them pretty well. when i was married my favorite wifes bikes were scrambler 500 4x4, kfx 700, honda 250ex, suzuki z250(it starts in high gear, unlike the 250 ex). my favorite, like 1320 says, the scrambler....auto, reverse(important for girls), rides pretty good, use it in the desert too(think dual sportish), pretty good power, 4x4 allows you to get out of trouble in a tough spot. this is a bigggie.... one brake on handle bars operates all 4 brakes(less to think about). a monkey could ride a scrambler(many do).....my favorite bike now....can-am renegade....it's scrambler on steroids. my favorite bike out of all of em.....nothing, and i mean nothing can touch the smooth ride of this bike and it hauls a**. and it even has a low range. that all being said it sounds like she don't wanna learn? grab her by the throat(did i think that out loud?) and ask if she really does before you spend a bunch more on a failed experiment. lots of girls are much happier in a ranger or rhino. they can take along friends and gab while cruising through the lower dunes or around the parkin lot....makes a good recovery vehicle too. ]you can buy a ranger 700xp for 5 grand right now[/size](wider and longer than a rhino=more stable and seats 3) just remember most girls don't want to go out and do what the guys do on a quad(i bow to those of you that do!). and it does take quite a while to learn this very dangerous sport. gotta be patient with em. good luck.... WHERE CAN I PICK UP A RANGER FOR 5K. I WILL BE THERE THIS WEEKEND. PM ME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxysandchick Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 I didn't always like they way they pushed me beyond my limits when I was afraid. Always shown how and told how, but not taught how. My Point is: Let her learn at her own pace I agree with you on this part Skyz.... :porn: When I was a BEGINNER the 'guys' who were trying to 'teach' me how to ride didn't really 'teach', it was more like this is how the quad works, now follow me and off they go up the biggest tallest dune out there, so that made me hesitant and scared :ah: . I didn't really learn to ride well until I found someone who was willing to take more 1 on 1 time and start out simple and work up to bigger things and was willing and able to answer all my 'stupid girl questions' so I could understand how/what I was supposed to do. I was determined to learn so I tried and tried and kept pushing myself . Just for info...they put me on a KFX700 on my first trip to the dunes because it is an automatic, I took it up the finger dune and turned right back around and parked it at camp. Those quads still scare me now, along with the 'farm equipment', I just didn't feel comfortable or safe on it, it was so big I was scared of it rolling over on me like it did my sister. I then asked them to teach me how to shift and I went out on a LTR450, of course I didn't get past 2nd gear for awhile , but I felt much safer on the LTR450 it being a smaller bike and felt more stable in the dunes. I didn't find it hard to learn how to shift, more difficult to know when to shift. I then tried the YFZ450 and liked it almost as much as the LTR. It took me a few trips to be able to ride in 3rd gear and for an entire season I never took it to 5th. I bought a LTZ400 for myself and I love it, it doesn't go as fast as the 450's but everyone I have taught on it has learned quickly and felt comfortable. I crashed it on my first trip with it, but it has never rolled. This is the start to my 3rd season and I can keep up with the guys on 'most' dune rides except the super fast hella Pauly rides . The 400 is not too much underpowered for the dunes, I take it to the top of everything out there. You mentioned it has to be an automatic, I question why? I think the hardest part about shifting is learning when to shift not how to shift, when I was teaching other people to ride we would ride side by side on the flats in the open and I would signal when to shift up then back down, do that for a few then pick a small hill and do the same thing, then go bigger. I agree with Freak also...if she doesn't really want to ride she wont learn. My sister was going to the dunes and would never go for a 'dune run' she would ride around the flats, over the finger dunes and around the small rolling dunes across from comp, but that was it. We all tried to get her to go into the dunes and she simply would not do it, same thing at Coral and Amargosa. After many trips she finally admitted she didn't want to really ride (good thing she never bought a bike). She rode the little bit that she did just to please her boyfriend. She would never explain why she didn't want to try, she wouldn't let you try to teach her, she simply refused to learn. But she did say that the bike she felt safest and most comfortable was on my Z400 compared to the above mentioned bikes. I'd be happy to let her ride my bike, if she is willing to try to shift, and I will take her for a cruise around the flats...and maybe some little dunes if she is really wants to learn...I'd only suggest that she try as many bikes as available before you decide to buy anything (including rhinos and razrs). randyvw... my bike has reverse which doesn't help in the dunes except to get you more stuck, but it is nice to use to get out of camp and to get it out of the garage and it back it out of the truck but I don't see the need for it really. :dance: :bert: :rhino: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertrider71 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 I agree with you on this part Skyz.... :porn: When I was a BEGINNER the 'guys' who were trying to 'teach' me how to ride didn't really 'teach', it was more like this is how the quad works, now follow me and off they go up the biggest tallest dune out there, so that made me hesitant and scared :ah: . I didn't really learn to ride well until I found someone who was willing to take more 1 on 1 time and start out simple and work up to bigger things and was willing and able to answer all my 'stupid girl questions' so I could understand how/what I was supposed to do. I was determined to learn so I tried and tried and kept pushing myself . Just for info...they put me on a KFX700 on my first trip to the dunes because it is an automatic, I took it up the finger dune and turned right back around and parked it at camp. Those quads still scare me now, along with the 'farm equipment', I just didn't feel comfortable or safe on it, it was so big I was scared of it rolling over on me like it did my sister. I then asked them to teach me how to shift and I went out on a LTR450, of course I didn't get past 2nd gear for awhile , but I felt much safer on the LTR450 it being a smaller bike and felt more stable in the dunes. I didn't find it hard to learn how to shift, more difficult to know when to shift. I then tried the YFZ450 and liked it almost as much as the LTR. It took me a few trips to be able to ride in 3rd gear and for an entire season I never took it to 5th. I bought a LTZ400 for myself and I love it, it doesn't go as fast as the 450's but everyone I have taught on it has learned quickly and felt comfortable. I crashed it on my first trip with it, but it has never rolled. This is the start to my 3rd season and I can keep up with the guys on 'most' dune rides except the super fast hella Pauly rides . The 400 is not too much underpowered for the dunes, I take it to the top of everything out there. You mentioned it has to be an automatic, I question why? I think the hardest part about shifting is learning when to shift not how to shift, when I was teaching other people to ride we would ride side by side on the flats in the open and I would signal when to shift up then back down, do that for a few then pick a small hill and do the same thing, then go bigger. I agree with Freak also...if she doesn't really want to ride she wont learn. My sister was going to the dunes and would never go for a 'dune run' she would ride around the flats, over the finger dunes and around the small rolling dunes across from comp, but that was it. We all tried to get her to go into the dunes and she simply would not do it, same thing at Coral and Amargosa. After many trips she finally admitted she didn't want to really ride (good thing she never bought a bike). She rode the little bit that she did just to please her boyfriend. She would never explain why she didn't want to try, she wouldn't let you try to teach her, she simply refused to learn. But she did say that the bike she felt safest and most comfortable was on my Z400 compared to the above mentioned bikes. I'd be happy to let her ride my bike, if she is willing to try to shift, and I will take her for a cruise around the flats...and maybe some little dunes if she is really wants to learn...I'd only suggest that she try as many bikes as available before you decide to buy anything (including rhinos and razrs). randyvw... my bike has reverse which doesn't help in the dunes except to get you more stuck, but it is nice to use to get out of camp and to get it out of the garage and it back it out of the truck but I don't see the need for it really. :dance: :bert: :rhino: WOW! True duner woman reply ! Very well said ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyvw Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 WHERE CAN I PICK UP A RANGER FOR 5K. I WILL BE THERE THIS WEEKEND. PM ME i have one with 110 hours on it...apple valley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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