Ok, my boss is willing to sell me a 400ex at HIS cost!! And a friend of mine is getting out of racing and is turning his EX into stock again(so I think I could get parts off of him). BUT I don't know if I should do that or just go for the 250r........I am sooo confused!! What would you guys do?? I have been weighing the options of both and this is what I have come up with:

400:
1) easier to get parts for(more readily available)
2) newer...less likely to break
3) less maintenance due to it being a 4-stroke

BUT
1)weighs more
2) harder to jump(I have only ridden one though)

250r:
1)used more often for Mx
2) lighter
3) EVERYONE has one!! Meaning that if I had a prob more than likely someone has the part I could buy off of them!!
4) Has more top end


Do you think that it would be to my advantage or disadvantage for the Nationals?? The Womens class can't exceed 250cc in 2-stroke BUT can go up to 400cc in 4.....
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I don`t have much experience in racing but the 4 stroke has smoother power delivery. Meaning not a big burst of power like 2 stroke. It might be easier to ride and all around less fatique. Something else to think about anyway not that you needed more. HTH
I hope you don`t think I`m being sexist by saying you need an easier bike to ride but I would guess there is a difference.

98 Scrambler 500
00 Trailblazer 250

 

Amanda,

You can't have the commercial links in your signature. Sorry

 

To decide between a 250R and a 400EX, ultimately, you must decide whether you are a '2-stroke' girl or a '4-stroke' girl. I think the best way to find this out would be to ride each one more time before you make a decision.
But remember, not all 2-strokes have a hard-hitting powerband. I own a 250R and the power delivery is actually very smooth and 'rideable'.

 

As the others said I think this choice is more a matter of personal preference than one being "better" than the other. You covered many of the advantages in your post but here a few more:
Cost - I don't know if this is a factor or not, but a full race 400EX is probably going to cost more than a full race 250R. Mainly because you have the cost of the new machine and the motor mods to give a 4-stroke enough power are expensive.
Reliability - A lot of people say this, but I don't agree that a 4-stroke is less maintenance. If you race, the oil and oil filter need to be changed and the valve clearance adjusted every few races. If you race every weekend a 4-stroke top end should be tore apart every year for rings and a valve job.
Rideability - I am not sure how long you have been riding and or racing, but for most beginners a 4-stroke is easier to ride. Much less shifting and clutching is required on a 4-stroke but I believe you are coming off of a Banshee and anything will be easier to ride than a shee.
Good luck and let us know what you choose.

 

go w/the 250r i desert race and to me the 400ex's seem to be led sleds and im talking the ones that have just about everything put on them the 250's are lighter and more nimble... goodluck

 

I would buy the R I think they handle better than
the EX. The EX feels top heavy to me, and feels like it pushes in the turns.

89TRX250R set-up fro XC w/ too much to list

 

The big difference here is the motor. The chassis are remarkably similar. The four stroke has more bottom end, but the two stroke will hit alot harder, and you have to be in better shape to handle it. The 400 is heavier, but you dont notice it that much. Basically, its whether you prefer a two or four stroke engine. I love my R for MX though, and wouldn't trade it for a 400 anytime.