Im thinking of buying one of these. Ive got a 13 year old thats looking for something, and Ill probably end up riding it too.
I know the 300 will easily haul me around, and probably be lots of fun, but Im not sure how well my daughter is gonna pick up the manual clutch. Shes probably better off with a auto clutch for a first quad.

Is there any years which are better than others. Such as suspension or frame changes? Or are they all much the same, no matter which year? Ive seen some 300s for under $1800. Does that sound right? Or does that mean it has problems? I havent seen many 250 ex for sale...that must mean, the owners are pretty happy with it.

I guess im just looking for things to watch out for, and things to look closley at , when i go look at them.

 

get her the manual, i'm 13 and i started on a semi auto, and it messed me all up, beleive me start her off with clutch she will pick it up in no time

 

I have owned both these machines, so you are getting first hand advice here.

The 300 is a sweet little machine! What the XR250 is to dirt bikes, the 300EX is to quads.........arguably the best trail bike of all time. Well manered, great handling, and it has real sport bike suspension. Dead solid reliability. I use to bust out huge air on this bike. If she is willing to learn the clutch, by all means get the 300, it's no contest! Later, if you are ready for more power, the engine will hop up fairly well. I really wish I had kept our 300, now that my kids are older.

The 250 is a great machine as well, but it shows its utility (Recon) heritage, particularly in the suspension area. The suspension is stiff and ridgid, and rebounds quickly. Works surprisingly well in a lot of ways, but just not at all plush like the 300 can be. Dead solid reliability. The shaft drive might be a better choice if you need higher ground clearance, or if you ride in the wet often. Look for perhaps some serious updates to the 250EX, for the year 06????

Both these machines need tires! The balooney stockers on both machines are a major negative! They make both machines a little tippy, and make the 250 push somewhat in turns. Both these machines need a pair of Holeshots, on some wider than stock ITP rims.

In terms of safety and control, I always prefer a full manual clutch! One thing most people don't realize is that an autoclutch bike will ROLL BACKWARD IN GEAR (unless in reverse). So, if the rider doesn't make a hill, they darn well better be ready to hold the bike with nothing but the brakes. On a fully manual (hand) clutch bike (my 15 year old daughter is now riding my hand-me-down 400EX and she rode the 300 for many years before that), I just tell my kids that if they don't make a hill, just stall it in gear, and compression will hold the bike. A big safety issue in my experience! Advantage 300EX, here. Wish I had kept our 300 for my 12 year old son, who is now riding the 250EX and Recon.

 

my friend whos 14 just got a 96' 300ex its in good shape just some damange and cracks in the front plastic. for 1100$ it is his first quad too and he learned the clutch in no time.
o and theres a pic in my profile if u want to see exactly what it looks like

 

Thanks for the replies. Good points reconranger.. i know if it were for me only, id get the 300.
Importknight, that 300 for ,$1100 bucks looks great...hes lucky i didnt see it first.
Ive riden a friend's 450r, and its way too much for me or her, it doesnt like to run at low rpms, and the thottle is way too touchy. It was also a workout...im not sure if its because the suspension was too stiff, but i was feeling it, after a couple of miles.I know the 300 isnt the rocket ship that the 450 is, but is it happy to just putt along, or does the motor need to be spinning pretty good? Is it forgiving, when the motor lugs down? Hows the gearing for going slow...can the clutch be left out, or does it need to be slipped? That 450 would be a major pain, to go slow on a tough area of the trail, it didnt seem to pull away, with out clutching a bit, and if i let it go too slow, it would stall.
Hows the ride? can it be set for comfort, or will it be stiff too?

 

the 300ex is the #2 wheelie quad behind the 400ex put it this way its a ball to ride

 

HB, I think you are messing yourself up by thinking too much on this. I know because that how I make decisions too [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

You see many 300EX's for sale because they have been out since I believe 1989 give or take a year. Read any Dirt Wheels or ATV mag articles and you will see they foam over the 300EX. It's a bullet-proof quad with great performance. The soft ride quality is much better than any Yamaha I can tell you that. The 250EX has been around maybe 5 years, based on the Recon, and not really a great quad. The 300EX has a lot of low end and is very forgiving. I've ridden mine up some pretty steep long trails in the Allegany Mtns, no clutch slipping needed. You can't compare this at all to a 450R either. Not even in the same zip code of design. Lastly, my 12 year son mastered the clutching and shifting in one day, after never had even been on a quad. Buy the 300EX

And it may be the all-time wheelie quad [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

the 250 will easily haul you, its got great torque. it depends what you gunna do with it whick you should get, trails-250ex dunes-300ex. the 250 needs less maintinace, because of the shaft drive and everything. i cant say which you should get, just depends what your going to do with it