I am getting my boy a newer and bigger quad for the dunes. I am thinking of the honda 250ex because of the transmission. He can manually shift or use the clutch. Anybody have any insight or other options to consider?

the 250ex is a good quad. i whould take a look at the new yamaha 250. it is not auto though but i think he chould get the hang of it pretty fast. i like it better than the 250ex and other 250s because it is chain driven not shaft driven. it has more wheel travel than any other 250 and also i think it is the lightest. i think this quad will take him alot longer to grow out of than any other 250. thats just my 2 cents though.

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06 raptor 700....way way way to much stuff to list but makes real good hp and has long travel suspension

I owned a 250EX at one time and it was under powered. There were times when it didn't have enough torque to get over objects. And hill climbs were slow and steady. Also when I rode it in sand, it didn't have enough power to pull to the top of 4th gear. 5th was useless in the sand. This is an adult perspective. With a smaller, lighter kid this may not be the case.

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2005 Kawasaki KFX700
2006 Coolster MOUNTOPZ-110 ATV-3050B

Did you guys miss the fact that the rider is only 9??
I do not know your boys expierience level but IMO, a 9 year old needs a mini.
IF your kid has the height, weight and exoierience, I think the 250ex would be a fine machine. Maybe check out the ATVA guidelines for kids in the youth production class. It's pretty common sence (ride heigh. able to reach controls etc.).
My boy rode my LT230E (same as the 250ex) at Glamis. It wouldn't go up Olds hill but went everywhere cept the big hills.

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88 framed 2-fiddy-R 300cc's
2000 GNC 40+ class 5N
2001 GNC 40+ class 9N
2004 GNC 40+ class 9N
A few fast LT-80's
Father of the "11" time National Champion and worlds fastest woman ATV racer.
Survivor of the 12 hours of ATV America '04 and '05!!
TT RULES!!

He has been riding for 4 years, but isn't a hot dog. That is why I have posted the question. I was first looking at a modded LT80, but saw the polaris 200. Now I am not positive what bike would be the best for him.

The 200 polaris (phoenix??) is an Aeon machine and IMO something that's not the most dependable. If not the Phoenix, I could be wrong..
I look at the "fun rating". LOL
A modded mini may be more fun at 9 then a bigger machine. This has been my expierience anyways.
My kids didn't get on the bigger machine till approx 12. They had fun (fast) mini's tho.
I guess I'd let the height/reach thing guide me most if expierience isn't a factor.

The modded LT80's can go well in sand. I have alot of motors going up olds.

If he is able to go bigger, dare I recommend a 300 mongoose (KYMCO). It's a 300 4 stroke with a CVT (belt) drive. No shifting except from park to forward or reverse. It's a tame machine (my wife loves mine).
I have the 250 mongoose that I rode in 2- 12 hour races. I can attest to the durability of these machines. They have Honda roots. Even the wheels and other things will swap with a Honda. I have a TRX 450R axel in my Kymco. LOL

Good luck with your decision. I commend you on educating yourself first.

P.S. If you look at the modded LT80, PM me with what's been done, what pipe, etc.. I'll try to advise you on what the machine is capable of and what to look for.

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88 framed 2-fiddy-R 300cc's
2000 GNC 40+ class 5N
2001 GNC 40+ class 9N
2004 GNC 40+ class 9N
A few fast LT-80's
Father of the "11" time National Champion and worlds fastest woman ATV racer.
Survivor of the 12 hours of ATV America '04 and '05!!
TT RULES!!

What type of mods would you recommend for the LT80? There seems to be quite a few of them out there. He is on a mid 80's Yamaha Badger 80. It is a piece of crap with no suspension, but keeps running. I have some carb problems with it and want to jump to something with a lot more pop for my kid. That is why I am going to get him something else.

You can't go wrong with the TRX250. I just moved my son (9 yr old) from the raptor 80 to the TRX250. He does great. We ride in the Dunes. I know you need the power and the larger tires in the sand.

does he reach all the controls well?

Yes, but just barely. I bought this quad used off of some one else that had it for his 9 yr old that went to a dirt bike instead. And he said that he did just fine with it too.

I have 3 quads for my boys ages 9,10 and 12. They all started with 90's but my eldest outgrew his at 11 and got him a blaster yes it requires shifting but he can go just about anywhere in Glamis. Runs Olds hill all day long.. The reviews for the new Yamaha 250 are out and they say its better than a stock blaster. But my blaster aint stock and it smokes 200's and even honda 300ex. Now for your 9 year old who feels most comfy on an 80 or 90, I recommend picking up a used ETON 90 or Kasea or even lt80. Then call Hetrick racing for about $1000 in mods. You will have a transformed youth atv and my 9 year old's modded 90 beat 200's or 250's (4stroke of course). There is no comarison to modded and my 10 year old's stock eton 90. NONE. It still cant climb the steepest sand dunes but it rarely gets stuck and the stock eton well it gets stuck alot. He just knows to turn around when he has no momentum, but the tires are still spinning hard. HOpe that helps.

I have 3 quads for my boys ages 9,10 and 12. They all started with 90's but my eldest outgrew his at 11 and got him a blaster yes it requires shifting but he can go just about anywhere in Glamis. Runs Olds hill all day long.. The reviews for the new Yamaha 250 are out and they say its better than a stock blaster. But my blaster aint stock and it smokes 200's and even honda 300ex. Now for your 9 year old who feels most comfy on an 80 or 90, I recommend picking up a used ETON 90 or Kasea or even lt80. Then call Hetrick racing for about $1000 in mods. You will have a transformed youth atv and my 9 year old's modded 90 beat 200's or 250's (4stroke of course). There is no comarison to modded and my 10 year old's stock eton 90. NONE. It still cant climb the steepest sand dunes but it rarely gets stuck and the stock eton well it gets stuck alot. He just knows to turn around when he has no momentum, but the tires are still spinning hard. HOpe that helps.