can am outsources to kymco and they build the ds250 along with artic cat 250. the rally is a brp but they give a horrible name to the company.

 

I bought my wife a 2005 Rally and we like it. I also own a outty 400 and sure its no outty but for 2600 otd its hard to beat. Its made by a Tiwain mfr call Heer-Chee or at lest that is what it says on the title. No problems as of yet.

 

the 250 is not outsourced to kymco it ousources to a very unheard of company and as for reliability issues i know of none on it now the rally is brp made and the only problem we've had with rally's is the carb's are junk other than that we've put them through the paces and they did just fine

 

my local can am/brp dealer is #1 in atv sales for can am and they arnt even ordering rallys anymore than what they have to. they are getting them in with sooooo many problems. very unsatisfied customers. tranny problems, carb issues, and a few have toasted their motors. they hate to sell the rally. they have been pushing ds250's when people are looking at rallys.

 

Here is my 2 cents.. have you looked at the ds250 next to the trx250? the ds is a tank! i was excited to hear of it when it was first out since i LOVE my DS, however since i have also owned Kazoomas & 1 Panterra. I avoid clone quads at all costs. the ds250 looks like a clone.. its size is not prportionate, very tall & a bit narrow. you said your son was 13, the Honda i bought was for my 14 yr old, he has already outgrown it (he's almost 6 ft. tall) wish i would have bought him a 400!!! the trx is a great machine, power, reliable & has the sport clutch which helped the him learn about putting the power down & how to shift. In june of this year we bought our 9 yr old a new machine.. looked at the ds 250 again, ended up buying a Polaris Phoenix200... wish i would have bought another Honda. the Polaris runs great but the Honda is much faster. the Honda may be $1400.00 more up front but that cost will long be forgotten when you don't have to wrench on it every time you take it out. again i'm not trying to ruffle any feathers, this is just my 2 cents.

 

Her-Chee, Kymco and Sym are the three main manufacturers in Tawain. All 3 have a good reputation.

Look at the picture and scroll on the motor, says it's a Rotax.