OK, here is the situation. I have a 85 LT 250R with some mild motor work and stock shocks. I just ride trails(aggresively) with the occasional mx lap. My brother and I are fairly competitive with each other, and since he has a faster LT, I am looking to upgrade. The flip side though is that I am trying to get my wife into the sport, most likely with a 250ex. When I ride with her, I will definately need to be able to put around a bit. Now the questions, how stiff will the YFZ shocks feel to me in comparison to my crappy 20 year old stockers? My LT actually is fairly happy cruising at lower speeds and I know it could be pressed into service following a pokey beginner. Does anyone have a similar situation, and if so, how does the yfz/pred work in the same situation(also would be riding with young kids in the next couple of years)?

 

YFZ suspension is great.As far as putting around the YFZ is not gonna like it.They were definitely built to ride fast.The pred might be a better answer for the lower speed riding but the trade off is weight(it is noticeable).

 

13inc, Any idea how much more plush the 05 front end is in comparison to the 04s? Any experience with LT's? My bike pretty much already rides like a lumber wagon at slower speeds, but I would like to know if either of these two quads would be stiffer than what I have now.

 

The 05' is a little better I guess (I didn't really put any time on the stock shocks before changing them).They seem to be a little jarring when your at lower speeds but at higher speeds they really work nice.The YFZ is so predictable and light you find yourself going faster and faster.I wish I could give you an answer on the ride comparison between the LT and the YFZ (The last time I rode an LT they were still being made).I also can't tell you a whole lot about the PRED other than the weight drawback.I've beaten them in drag races but that doesn't mean anything.the LT will be hard pressed to outrun a YFZ stock for stock and the YFZ definitely will respond to mods like exhaust,air filter and etc.(They are capped up stock and fast;You open it up and it will scream).