I am about to buy my first quad soon, upon graduation of high school. I need some advice on what to buy. I used to ride dirtbikes, so I am familiar with the 2 stroke power. I have found a decent 250R about 200 miles away, they are asking 3000 for it, I can get a new 400ex for 5300. I could use the advice.

Thanks.

 

Both are quality machines, but you will have to give some more info about what you are planning to do with the machine you buy. Where do you plan on riding the most?
You said you are familiar with 2 strokes so you know that for all around ease the 4 stroke will be easier to ride.
Let everyone know the type of riding you wish to do and maybe people will be able to help you decide.

'00 400ex
'99 426ex
'99 Banshee
'96 300ex

 

Sorry guys, I should have given you more info. I will be doing two main types of riding, On tracks and trails. My friends ride 125's 250's and banshee's I'd like to keep up with them, Like I said, I like 2 strokes, and will be able to maintain them myself, hope this helps, Thanks guys!

 

QuadMan400,
I will have to agree with trxoutlawz and say that you did not provide enough info about yourself and the types of riding that you will be doing, but here goes nothing.

I own an '87 250r which is set up for motocross and my friend owns a completely stock '00 400ex. Although it is hard to compare the 250r and the 400ex, especially when one is highly modified and the other is bone stock, I will give you my opinions and comparisons on these two quads.

I will agree with trxoutlawz again and say that a 2 stroke is harder to maintain than a 4 stroke even though I like the 2 strokes speed and overall feel much more than the "sluggish" powerband of a 4 stroke.

On the track there is no comparison at all. Its all 250r in that department, but being that you are just starting out on quads a track comparison may not matter much to you. In the woods it is close, but overall I am going to pick the 400ex for its great handling(even stock), and its willingness to forgive stupid mistakes. Also that "sluggish" powerband that I mentioned is actually better suited in the woods.

We all know which one will win a drag race but who really cares about that anyway.

Dirt Wheels pitted these two machines against each other a while back and crowned the 400ex the winner. The main reason though was because the 250r is not in production anymore and you have to remember that they tested a 12 year old stock 250r against a brand new 400ex. It was obvious which quad they would pick from the begining.
Like I said earlier the comparison is almost impossible due to the gap in production and different engine types. Personally I would buy a 12 year old 250r with some upgrades instead of a brand new 400ex, but that is just my opinion and I welcome any challenges to any statements made above.

Chris '87 trx 250r, too many mods to list.
'00 Blaster, piece of s--t

P.S. Here is a question for you 400ex owners out there. Which quad would you guys have bought if both were released at the same time? Try that on for size. lol

 

sounds to me like you would love a 250R, especially if your prior experience is 2 strokes.

 

MX87TRX great post.
As far as your last question I think I would still have to pick the 400ex because of the riding I like to do. I like to take mine up to the mountains and there you may camp around the 6 to 8k elevation and be at 11 to 12k elevation riding. It just make sense for me to go with the 400ex. It is still a good ride at the dunes and desert.

Quadman400, the choice is yours depending on your riding requirements and wants. Good luck on your decision.
Ride hard but ride safe.

'00 400ex
'99 426ex
'99 Banshee
'96 300ex

 

hi what year is the 250r if it is a 88-89 that is a great price if it is in good condition and had the oil chaged when needed even if it is a 86-87 they are great quads but if you want to have the best quad in your pack you might want to hold off for a litte bit and look at the new fx400 if you have the money

 

i would have u go with the 400ex. it is a awesome bike. i have owned mine for a year now and i have had "no" problems. i ride it very hard and it never lets me down. but if u know anything about rebuilding quads and like to build them go with the 250r because that is what u will be doin most of the time.

 

A 250R even though I have never ridden one. I would like to buy one some day. I love my 400ex though. Screw the cannondale, my 400ex will do all it does and it will cost about the same (works shocks, +2 a arms, cam, 426 piston, motocross wheels and tires) Guess what? my parts will be much cheaper and easier to replace. I am in the process of getting the 400 to look like a 250r racer. If you can't buy it, imitate it. I like the powerband and reliability of the 4 stroke but I like the weight savings and overall power of the 250R.

 

You need a 250r and nothing else. If you hear people sat the 88-89 is the best, that may be the case only for track. An 86 outfited with +2+1 A-arms will ride like a cloud over any type of terrain. The engine is exceptional on any year Honda, rebuilding is much easier than you may think especialy if you buy a repair manual. The money you save over a new machine will set you up with one of the best rides possible.
I know this because my brother has a 400ex, we have spent equal amounts of money on it (his is bone stock and his cannot touch mine any where (trails, sand and track). Parts are reasonable and very common.
You wont be sorry, Im not!

This is a biased opinion by the fatt monn.