2003 polaris 330 trail boss reviews

3inthedirt · #1 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 05:03 PM

I'm looking at a '10 or '11 TBlazer or TBoss for my 14 year old daughter and wife to use. Can I get some opinions on pluses and minus, especially the following:

ease of use
acceleration
comfort, especially suspension

thanks

btw, she's coming off a modded TRX90 and will be riding with me (Prairie 700) and brother (LTZ400)

crimson850 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 05:09 PM

Well obviously its a value minded/entry bike but to be honest with you I would spend a little bit more to get the sporstman 400. Its up to you though

3inthedirt · #3 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 05:10 PM

Wow, that was quick. I'll take a look at them..

crimson850 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 05:13 PM

well keep in mind for 2011 the 400 is in the full size chassis

crimson850 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 05:21 PM

Good luck. Polaris is great though!!

**blueline15** · #6 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 05:37 PM

Overall, great little starter machine, very solid and simple....

Easy of use: It honestly cant get any easier to use. One brake lever on the handle bar that is tied into both the front and rear brake in a 60/40 split for the best stopping balance. Also has a rear aux. brake down on the foot. Fully automatic CVT transmission. It has Forward, Neutral, and Reverse gear on a straight pattern shifter. Just push or pull the shifter into forward gear, then hit the gas. It is carbed, so they can be "cold blooded" to start, but once you understand how to use the choke (or your wife and kids understand, and its very easy to do) then it starts pretty easily, even in the cold.

Acceleration: is okay. great for new people. My guess is it will most likely have all the acceleration that your wife and daughter ever need. Its very gentle and friendly, no fear of it popping a wheelie or anything like that. It could get boring, as someone gets used to atv riding but thats just when you need to find new terrain.

Comfort/Suspension: This is where you might not like it. Comfort is good. It has a nice sized seat, good ergonomics for women, teens, and men of smaller size. But suspension, it does of independent suspension on the front, and its okay. But the rear is a straight axle, and so will not be as smooth on rough terrain and might "jump" around on tree roots and larger rocks. Something to be aware of, there is a big difference between straight axle and IRS. Also, the Tblazer and Tboss are void of 4x4. Depending on the terrain, this may or may not be a concern.

Other noteable machine, as mentioned. The new full sized sportsman 400. Same ease of use, but with IRS and 4x4. Also, the 300 hawkeyes and 300 sportsmans are half sized chassis,also have IRS and 4x4, and the 08-10 sportsman 400 is still the half sized chassis, with IRS, 4x4, and liquid cooled. All of these machines are single brake lever and automatic CVT transmissions.

3inthedirt · #7 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 05:50 PM

Thanks for your time to write so much. I was aware of the features and am not new to quads in any way (mechanical or riding).

The girls want an automatic and there aren't that many choices in a quad that is small enough for them to handle easily. They don't need 4-wheel, we ride in the sugar sand pine barrens of south jersey and have been to WV 3 times. We are not mudders - we run as fast as we can. I like the single axle Prairie and ride it like a sport quad although I have to admit I'm beginning to like the IRS machines.

Never owned a Polaris. We have or had:

Suzuki 50 2 stroke (her first quad at 6)
Honda TRX 90 (son's first quad at 11, her second one)
Honda XR250
Yamaha XT250 (1982, just sold, all original 100 miles)
Suzuki Z400
Prairie 700 (love the v twin!)

If there are any other choice/brands let me know. I think the 400 is a little more than I can spend right now but will try to find a left-over 2010 and see how that goes.

Any comments on the Hawkeye or Sportsman 300?

crimson850 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010, 06:22 PM

well I would get a hawkeye over the trail blazer but to be honest that new 2011 t blazer looks pretty good in white.

3inthedirt · #9 (**permalink**) 11-27-2010, 02:22 PM

Found an '05 Tail Boss 330 today that is like brand new. No scratches on the side covers or frame. Original tires with nubbies still. There are a few scratches on the plastic but that is it. Bought it for $1700. Prolly could have been a little less but it was too good to let it go. Our daughter is pumped.

cwlongshot · #10 (**permalink**) 11-27-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3inthedirt

Found an '05 Tail Boss 330 today that is like brand new. No scratches on the side covers or frame. Original tires with nubbies still. There are a few scratches on the plastic but that is it. Bought it for $1700. Prolly could have been a little less but it was too good to let it go. Our daughter is pumped.

I was in a simular boat a couple months back. My only difference was my wife and niece have no experience riding on their own. Both have saddle time as a passenger.

I decided on a older machine as I don't even know if they will take to it. I mean they like the passenger stuff and like the idea of their own machine. If it works out my niece will get this one and my wife a new machine.

I bought a 2000 Trail Boss 325 for a good price and added about 600$ to bring it up to snuff.

Good luck and happy trails to you guys!!

CW