i recently have decided to not get a 400ex, and get a 250r. i'm no newb to bikes and quads(especially 2 strokeS). my questions are, are there any quirks or things to watch out for on 250rs like maybe a weak frame or something? do you think i will be able to find a nice one around 2500?

how does stock suspension handle? i'm a 122 lb rider. is it fairly wide stock or most of the time are a-arms and an axle needed?

also, how much hp(ballpark) would a piped one have? i know how much 250 bikes have, but not a clue as to how much HP a counterbalanced, un powervalved 250 motor in an R would have. i'd probably be getting mine ported when i get it, but i dont know how much the R has without porting so i dont have any clue where it'd be with porting.

most importantly, how do these things handle the dunes? after my last ride on my blaster(jack@$$es on glamisdunes.com told me to jet wayyyyyy too lean and i blew it up at competition hill) i want something better. we have a cherry 88 shee, but thats my dads so i need something that can keep up, even if i need to out ride him to do so(thats the easy part!)

thanks!

 

Hello. 250R are the best sport quad ever made in my opinion. Look also for the Suzuki Quadracer or Quadzilla. Don't buy the Quadracer made in 1985 or 1986. A lot of problems.

 

couldn't edit, are they fairly reliable as well?

 

Strong as a bullet. You will have no problems.

 

i recently have decided to not get a 400ex, and get a 250r. i'm no newb to bikes and quads(especially 2 strokeS). my questions are, are there any quirks or things to watch out for on 250rs like maybe a weak frame or something? do you think i will be able to find a nice one around 2500?

how does stock suspension handle? i'm a 122 lb rider. is it fairly wide stock or most of the time are a-arms and an axle needed?

also, how much hp(ballpark) would a piped one have? i know how much 250 bikes have, but not a clue as to how much HP a counterbalanced, un powervalved 250 motor in an R would have. i'd probably be getting mine ported when i get it, but i dont know how much the R has without porting so i dont have any clue where it'd be with porting.

most importantly, how do these things handle the dunes? after my last ride on my blaster(jack@$$es on glamisdunes.com told me to jet wayyyyyy too lean and i blew it up at competition hill) i want something better. we have a cherry 88 shee, but thats my dads so i need something that can keep up, even if i need to out ride him to do so(thats the easy part!)

thanks!

 

bizzump

 

I'll answer your questions one-at-a-time.


1) The frames on 250Rs are actually pretty stout if they are not beat to hell. A few places to look for cracks are where the footpegs bolt to the frame, the front engine mount, and the front shock mounts. Make sure to stand the quad up on its grab bar and have a look at the bottoms of the frame rails. If they're smashed in or crooked, walk away. Another spot to check is the swingarm for 88-89 models. They were aluminum and, although rare, have formed stress cracks in them. Check anywhere that a fastener goes into the swingarm.

2) Prices for used quads are very regional. Where I live, everyone wants a hot rod bike for the dunes, so high performance quads are more expensive. I'm not sure what shape any 250R will be in for $2500, but you can bet that it has seen some wear for that price. 250Rs tend to hold their value pretty well, especially the 88-89 models. Aim more towards $3000 for a realistic price. You can find a lot of nice bikes for that amount. Keep your eyes open, though, as you may run across someone looking to unload a quad at a very reasonable price.

3) The stock suspension handles pretty good, provided that the shocks haven't lost their damping abilities. If the shocks bounce back up very quickly after you compress them, they are worn out. That means you'll have to spend extra money to fix them before you can ride. At only 122 pounds, you won't be taxing the stock suspension at all unless you jump insane stuff.

4) My buddy has a bone-stock 88, and I have ridden his a lot. It is not tippy at all, and it handles wonderfully. I'll put it to you this way: All aftermarket 250R frames have only slightly revised suspension geometry when compared to stock. The 250R set the standard for handling almost two decades ago.

5) Most vintage magazines show a stock 250R laying down about 29 horsepower. A piped 250R should be making about 33-35 horsepower. I know that a lot of people claim to make ridiculous amounts of power with only a few modifications, but they are talking out of their butts. 33 horses will move a quad pretty quickly.

6) See my answer to question #4. My house is four miles from Little Sahara in Waynoka, OK. I have ridden the dunes a lot, and I know that a 250R is like an X-Acto knife on sand. IOW, they carve corners like no tomorrow.


One direct benefit of getting a 250R is the guaranteed availability of parts. You will never have trouble finding anything for a 250R unless it's a few specific OEM parts. I will admit that a 250R is too small for me in the motor department (6' 6", 225 lbs.), but they are great quads. See my picture page for some shots of the dunes. There is a reason why they still demand the prices that they do (even in the wake of the four-stroke revolution), and it's because everyone wants to own one at least once in their lifetime. They are just that good. I hope my answers have helped you. Good luck with your search!

 

WOW thanks a bunch for that post, now i know what to look out for etc when buying one, and the whole dune hotrod quad situation is the same for me, since most people around hear have atleast went to glamis, if not they go religiously, as i hope to do in the future on a 250 or 250r. 33 hp isnt as much as i thought it would be for an R, but i'll probly get it ported and shave the head, hopefully to bring it back to upper 30s? i might be lookin into a 310 sleeve kit as well. now my only dillema is 250r or 250!!! i'll probly have both(if not 125) but i wont be able to decide which to bring to glamis!

 

LRD claims to have 48 hp w/ their pipe. How much do 250R's weigh?

Ow and they also claim to 64 hp w/ their pipe and a 350 kit.

 

They weigh less than 250lbs,icant ever remeber its like 226 or 246.They are still the best handlingquad availible.dont kid yourself,33HP in a R makes for a fun ride.Your not gonna set speed records at the sand drags, but youll have a bike that will keep you entertained all day in the woods,at the track,or at the dunes.I like mine so much,Ive started building another one.