Folks.....I went to the dealer yesterday and took a look at the Raptor 250. It has a very prominent throtle limiter screw sticking out....so you just turn it in for the beginners and that turns it into a 90...so I can't figure out what in the world all this to much power argument is about!

This is the best intro level sport quad to come along since the Blaster, and anybody who is looking for an intermediate kids quad would be a fool to pass it up! Wish I was 12 years old again! Just go out and get one already....

 

Exactly! Why would you buy an ATV that is going to be better suited for a beginning rider on day one, and only on day ONE! Spend some time with your son directly supervising him the whole time he is on the ATV. After the first day is over with you've got a better ATV for the next several years.

DV

 

yea my warrior even had a limiter screw but it was a pig dont get one

 

Yeah OK... But First let me say that I think the Honda TRX250ex is a better choice. Not the Raptor 350. It is much more docile. I think the Raptor 350 is too much for a novice too.

The honda has a clutch that can't stall teh bike. Best of two worlds there, he can learn how to use the clutch in a non threatening environment. Plus, I am a believer that the child needs to concentrate on skills development, not going faster than the kid next door. Frankly I think the Raptor is too fast for him at this point. A 12 year old will turn up the wick when you are not looking.

Maybe in a year, but not in the beginning. Besides, a kid can have fun on just about anything with a motor on it. He doesn't have to make racing his main focus right now.

I do not argue that the Raptor is far superior to the TRX in just about every category.. But I do not think you can honestly learn everything you need to know in one day, a week or a month. Not a 12 year old.

The Raptor is a HUGE step up for someone who has no experience. 12 year olds being what they are, the chances of him "Acting out" or getting in over his head on it are far higher. Speed, agility etc are all well and good for those that can handle it, but that asumes he has the skills necessary to handle it. Remember he may not be on the same level as your child, and your recommendaitons may place him in danger, and his parent must be the judge of that.

I went through this already with my older son... a totally fearless novice. I didn't get any sleep for several months after watching him "learn" on a blaster. Sorry, but on this one, I guess we have to agree to disagree. Like any discussion, there are two sides to it, and the father deserves to hear both sides and we let him make up his own mind. We don't know his child and I think that is really the deciding factor, not our opinions.

I respect yours, and hope you show me the same courtesy.

DB

 

Exactly Viper... Your son had some seat time. This guy's kid has zero... nada. The raptor 250 has some very big shoes to fill by replacing the Blaster. Yamaha did an excellent job in this new model.. It probably is second only to the 450F, and that says a lot about just how much potential it really has.

As for teh warrior being a slug etc... Compared to what? It is unfair to compare a Warrior to today's modern sport machine. In it's defense, it was at one time the premier sport model. It also single handedly saved the sport class when everyone else pulled out for a few years. The Warrior was at one time the only one out there, and like it or not, if you add up total sales and combine with the Raptor 350, you have probably the number one seller of all time in teh sport category. I think the thing that I like about it is that it doesn't do anything spooky. It may not be the class leader, but it doesn't attempt to be. You compare it to a full on racer, and sure it is going to come up short. But that does not relegate it to the junk heap either. If my 96 Warrior didn't run so darn good, I'd consider getting the 350 Raptor for nothing more than having a spare machine for my buddies to ride. I actually like my Warrior better than my early model 660 Raptor. Now granted, I'd sure like a 700 with EFI etc, but I have no reason to go out and plunk my retirement funds on the counter for one... Now you want to get me talking about a 550 Grizzly, and we might get another answer.

One last thing Viper, you son looks good on that machine, BUT are those tennis shoes and a short sleeve shirt and no gloves? Hmmm Come on dad, lets set an example....

 

Hey everyone actually my son does have some experience on atvs. We have rented them before. He is actually a pretty good, responsible rider.

 

Then it is up to you to decide if he can handle the Yamaha. Trust me, there is a big difference between the two. The yamaha is a racer supreme. the Honda is much tamer. You gotta go with what lets you sleep at night... and only you know what your son is capable of. Nobody argues that the Yamaha will run circles around the Honda. On a tight trail they will probably be about the same. If it is open field or on a track.. the Yamaha will prevail. You decide if you want your son out there "Racing" with the boys or not. That is after all where it all leads.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: tjatvfan12345

Hey everyone actually my son does have some experience on atvs. We have rented them before. He is actually a pretty good, responsible rider.</end quote></div>

then is is cut and dried. Definetly the Raptor 250. He will be much happier with it.

 

There is this misconception out there that "speed kills"....but more often it is "weight" that kills! The worst accidents I have seen have not been from kids ripping around, but rather have been from someone trying to make a hillclimb, getting stopped, then the quad rolls over...sitting there on the side of the hill perfectly still!

The Raptor is only 313 pounds, and that is 50 pounds less than the Honda. 50 pounds may not be much to beer bellied rednecks who are use to riding their 600-900 pound utes, but it sure is going to be a lot to a 100 pound kid!

I think Dragginbutts thoughts that the Raptor is to "racey" are nonsense, especially in light of the fact that you can limit the throtle to anything you like. Racey actualy means "excellent handling", not "inherently dangerous"!!!

 

I agree with you 100% reconranger. I think im going to get the raptor 250. I just hope it fits him long.