It is very evident that Honda designed the Honda TRX250EX to be more than just another entry-level sport quad. It’s a training tool designed to help beginning and novice riders mature to a more aggressive style of riding.
The fun factor of the TRX250EX can be experienced by adult riders of all sizes and skill levels, but if we had to pinpoint the ideal candidate, it’s the maturing teen whose skill level and size has advanced beyond that of their former youth-sized ATV.
For our testing, we used 16-year-old Lauren Bolinger, of Peoria, Ariz. Bolinger, 5 feet tall and 100 pounds, is an advancing novice rider with five years of ATV experience. She prefers tight, desert trail riding, and would like to eventually compete in a ATV race (if her mom allows it).
Staging at “The Boulders OHV Area” northwest of Phoenix, we rode the numerous trails that encompass Arizona’s Hieroglyphic Mountains. Our day of testing brought on of a variety of hard-pack and sand wash trails consisting of G-outs, rocks and countless whoops.
Comfort “The seat is very soft and comfortable, and I don’t feel cramped at all. It’s also easy for me to change my position, whether I want to stand, sit or hang off the side for more turning stability,” Bolinger explained. “I can also ride the Honda all day long with out getting really tired.”
That was her take, but let’s not forget she has youth on her side and is still growing. The Honda’s seating position is well thought out for riders of most every size and age. At 6-feet tall, I can honestly say it doesn’t feel any more cramped than some of the full-size 450cc class sport machines, but the seat foam is a lot more forgiving!
Engine, Drivetrain And ‘Sport Clutch’ “I love the power! Just it never let me down on any hill climb, and I love blasting down the sand washes that can be found on some of my favorite trails,” exclaimed Bolinger.
Even with my much taller 200-plus-pound girth on board, I noticed the oil/air-cooled 229cc longitudinally-mounted engine puts out plenty of low-end torque. Lofting the front end over obstacles and popping a wheelie is effortless fun, thanks in part to the shorter wheelbase. Throttle effort is light and manageable with the 22mm Keihin carburetor.
ATV Sport
Bolinger’s dad said the Honda is the simplest machine to maintain among his garaged arsenal of quads. The TRX250EX requires little more maintenance than cleaning the air intake filter, checking the tire pressure and occasionally changing the engine oil, he explained.
The battery, air box and carb are all easily accessible under the seat. Changing the oil is simple, because the drain plug and oil filler spout are easy to reach.
The five-speed transmission, with reverse, is shaft driven between the transmission and a large rear differential. Shaft drive makes the Honda considerably heavier than the sportier chain-driven Yamaha Raptor 250. The Honda weighs in at hefty 377 pounds ready-to-ride with a full tank of gas. On the positive side, the shaft is enclosed inside the swingarm, making it virtually maintenance free and void of broken chains.
One of our favorite features on the Honda, is the “Sport Clutch.”
ATV Sport
“The Sport Clutch has taught me how to use a clutch and manual transmission correctly, without all of the frustration of constantly killing the engine,” said Bolinger.
The Honda will not stall when coming to a complete in-gear stop with the clutch disengaged. However, riders can use the clutch for smoother shifting while under power, practicing motocross gate hole-shots and clutching for more power while exiting corners. The Sport Clutch provides the perfect bridge between a youth quad’s automatic transmission and a fully manual transmission.
Suspension, Steering and Brakes “I like the way it handles the rough stuff,” said Bolinger after she tackled the ruts and embedded rocks on her favorite trailhead. Bolinger is a natural sport quad rider, always choosing the most formidable routes. She stands up in an attack position as she rides, allowing her legs to further enhance suspension performance.
The Honda’s double A-arm front control arms are equipped with non-adjustable shocks. The ride might suit Bolinger fine, but the lack of spring preload adjustment will have heavier riders taxing the front suspension’s 5.9 inches of travel, adequate at best. The same can be said about the rear shock, which sits straight up and down, offers zero adjustment and a limited 5.7 inches of travel.
The Honda’s short wheelbase enhances its cornering abilities. It isn’t overly tippy, and is easy to whip around trees and rocks. Derived directly from the 400EX to further enhance handling, the stock Dunlop tires are OK.
“It turns really well, especially around sharp corners,” said Bolinger. “I’ve learned to use the front brake to help me slide into corners, and then slip the clutch a little to get the rear tires to hook up and shoot me out.”
ATV Sport
Up front, dual hydraulic brake calipers halt 174mm steel discs admirably, without any hint of brake fade. The sealed rear drum brake is less impressive on paper, but it worked well for us.
Performance Enhancing Honda’s affordable 250EX is designed to enhance younger, less-experienced rider’s skills before they move up to a full-size sport quad. The little TRX does it without all of the high-maintenance costs and headaches associated with those modern race-bred machines. We’d like more suspension travel and, at least, shock preload adjustment. However, even advanced riders should appreciate the enjoyable ride, surprising comfort and reliability of the TRX250EX.
