Closer Look: Apex 250F
Born in the USA/ Leader of its Class
By: Jason Giacchino
Long Time Coming
No disrespect intended to Yamaha’s venerable Raptor 250, but take a look at what our motorcycle-cousins are doing with 250cc race designs and it becomes alarmingly clear that the ATV industry hasn’t been giving the class the attention it deserves… until now.
Domestic ATV manufacturer (and mini-specialists) Apex has done what many backyard tuners have envisioned for years by creating a full-size race quad powered by precisely one such 250F mill: A liquid cooled 250cc DOHC, 4-Stroke 5-Valve single cylinder (from a Yamaha YZF).
We can attest that machines can play with the 450s and as far as going up against other 250cc ATVs- it’s in a whole different league.
Specs
-WET WEIGHT: 340 lbs
-ENGINE TYPE: 250cc DOHC
4-Stroke 5-Valve Est. 37 HP at rear wheels
-FUEL SYSTEM: Keihin FCR 37mm- 2.6 gallon capacity
-TRANSMISSION: Manual 5-speed (No Reverse)
-STARTING: Kickstart
-AXLE: 2+2
-LENGTH 71″ – WIDTH: 49”
-FRAME: Chrome/alloy with six point sub-frame
-WHEELBASE: 51”
-SEAT HEIGHT: 31″
-STEERING: Tag Anti-vibe Stem with T2 Handle Bars 1 1/8” Bars
-FRONT BRAKES: Dual Hydraulic Discs w/Wave Style Rotor
-REAR BRAKES: Hydraulic Disc w/Wave Style Rotor
-FRONT SUSPENSION: DC4 Long-travel 2+1 A-arms
-REAR SUSPENSION: Billet Axle Housing / Billet Wheel Hubs / Billet Sprocket Hub / Billet Brake Rotor Hub
-FRONT SHOCKS: Gas Quad-Rate Adjustable Compression & Rebound Piggy Back Reservoir
-REAR SHOCKS: Gas Dual-Rate Adjustable Compression & Rebound Remote Reservoir w/Linkage
-FRONT WHEELS: DWT Aluminum Rolled Edge 10×5 (4+1) Black
-REAR WHEELS: Aluminum Beadlock 8×8 (3+5) Black
-FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: A-arms w/11.5”
-REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: Swing Arm w/12”
-TIRES: DWT MX 20×6-10 (Front) – DWT MX 18×10-8 (Rear)
Price
Like any custom built machine, the Apex 250F isn’t bargain bin priced. ,000 will net you a 250F of your own. And like other class-leading race machinery from the likes of KTM, keep in mind the Apex is loaded with trick after-market bits such as Elka shocks, Douglas Wheels, Nerfs, Tag bars, handguards, Maier plastics, aluminum bumpers and so on.
Conclusion
We suspect that the economic downturn (which of course led to reduced manufacturer R&D budgets) is to blame for the fact that the ATV 250F class has yet to arrive at an OEM level. However we have incredible respect for Apex for taking the concept and making it available to the masses.
Contact
Does Apex’s work interest you? Or is ,000 way too steep of an asking price? Discuss it here!