300EX: Dropped, Redone, or Replaced in 2007????
#1
06-07-2006, 09:52 AM
300EX: Dropped, Redone, or Replaced in 2007????
http://www.hondanews.com/CatID7507?m...66018&mime=JPG
The 300EX is not on the list of carry-over quads for 2007. This means that it will either get some changes, get dropped completely, or get dropped completely and replaced by something else. Anybody care to speculate???
Possibilities: Just updated plastic to match the rest of the lineup, and an improved reverse selector???
Replaced with a light, mid size frame, containing a CRF250X motor???
(Yamaha looses the Blaster this year, leaving a big hole in their lineup (Honda at least has the 250EX). What will they replace it with??? A YZF250 based machine???)
The 300EX is not on the list of carry-over quads for 2007. This means that it will either get some changes, get dropped completely, or get dropped completely and replaced by something else. Anybody care to speculate???
Possibilities: Just updated plastic to match the rest of the lineup, and an improved reverse selector???
Replaced with a light, mid size frame, containing a CRF250X motor???
(Yamaha looses the Blaster this year, leaving a big hole in their lineup (Honda at least has the 250EX). What will they replace it with??? A YZF250 based machine???)
#2
06-07-2006, 10:19 AM
300EX: Dropped, Redone, or Replaced in 2007????
Usually I have a good idea on what the manufacturer's are going to do, but I really have no idea with this one.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img] I vote for the 300ex as one of the greatest of all time, but I just don't know if there is room for it between the 250ex and 400ex. If it does get updated you can bet it won't be much more than plastics and maybe tires.
IMO the 250f engine in a quad is a bad idea. They are ticking time bombs as it is, and with the added weight of a quad they aren't going to seem as potent. The cost wouldn't be much less than the 450's, so what is the point?
Oh, and I bet the replacement Blaster is a Blaster like frame with a TTR engine.
IMO the 250f engine in a quad is a bad idea. They are ticking time bombs as it is, and with the added weight of a quad they aren't going to seem as potent. The cost wouldn't be much less than the 450's, so what is the point?
Oh, and I bet the replacement Blaster is a Blaster like frame with a TTR engine.
#3
06-07-2006, 10:25 AM
300EX: Dropped, Redone, or Replaced in 2007????
Everybody says the 250 would cost as much as a 450, but why??? The CRF250 is what, ~$1,000 cheaper than the CRF450. It would be the same with the quads. The 300EX was never cheap either!
And, I'm imagining something very light (like Blaster light, ~320 pounds), so we're talking a highly favorable weight/power ratio. This would be a quad for advanced kids and small adults, not 250 pound guys.
And, I'm imagining something very light (like Blaster light, ~320 pounds), so we're talking a highly favorable weight/power ratio. This would be a quad for advanced kids and small adults, not 250 pound guys.
#4
06-07-2006, 10:42 AM
300EX: Dropped, Redone, or Replaced in 2007????
There is less than a $1000 cost difference between a CRF450 and CRF250. And when we are talking over 6g's, $1000 isn't all that much. On bikes, a 250f is what the majority of dirtbike riders 'need' so the cost isn't an issue, it's worth the money. But on quads, $1000 off and take a considerable loss in power AND reliability is insane to me. I'd rather have a 300ex than a ticking time bomb underneath me, even if the cost was low, maintnance is going to be more than your payment.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
#5
06-07-2006, 01:51 PM
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300EX: Dropped, Redone, or Replaced in 2007????
Those YZ250F and CRF250 engines don't have any power whatsoever to pull a quad. And 4 tires with a wider contact patch on the ground only worsens the situation. Anyone who has ever ridden double up on one of those dirtbikes know what I am getting at here.
No gearing changes or minor design changes are going to help it either. And if you did such design changes, what do you end with???..........an engine,..well,...like the 300EX.
Regarding cost, that is another point. Who is going to pay more money for a CRF250 quad than they would for the 400EX when performance is realistically better for the 400EX setup???
The 250 engines are badass no doubt,........but that is in a 215 lb. dirtbike.
Now my .02 regarding the 300EX situation....
In my opinion, the 300EX will simply be dropped. ATV sales across the board with all makes and all market segments have been on a DECLINE since September 2005. The first actual decrease since 1996.
The 250EX got the sport clutch last year to add a bit of flavor to it because their plan was for it to occupy the 300EX's slot next year.
And another possibility is that they are sticking with the modular engine program like with the utility quads. The 300EX is the only old engine left other than the TRX90. And all the patents on that engine expired in 2003. If you notice, there are 2 "generic" overseas ATV plants building replicas of the 300EX that sell for only a couple hundred more than a Blaster does.
Could they be testing something ,...like a 350EX?? Based off the Rancher?
Who knows..... No one but the guys in red,..and they arent talking. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
No gearing changes or minor design changes are going to help it either. And if you did such design changes, what do you end with???..........an engine,..well,...like the 300EX.
Regarding cost, that is another point. Who is going to pay more money for a CRF250 quad than they would for the 400EX when performance is realistically better for the 400EX setup???
The 250 engines are badass no doubt,........but that is in a 215 lb. dirtbike.
Now my .02 regarding the 300EX situation....
In my opinion, the 300EX will simply be dropped. ATV sales across the board with all makes and all market segments have been on a DECLINE since September 2005. The first actual decrease since 1996.
The 250EX got the sport clutch last year to add a bit of flavor to it because their plan was for it to occupy the 300EX's slot next year.
And another possibility is that they are sticking with the modular engine program like with the utility quads. The 300EX is the only old engine left other than the TRX90. And all the patents on that engine expired in 2003. If you notice, there are 2 "generic" overseas ATV plants building replicas of the 300EX that sell for only a couple hundred more than a Blaster does.
Could they be testing something ,...like a 350EX?? Based off the Rancher?
Who knows..... No one but the guys in red,..and they arent talking. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
#6
06-07-2006, 01:56 PM
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#7
06-07-2006, 02:46 PM
300EX: Dropped, Redone, or Replaced in 2007????
Hey Knowsalot, been a while. You know anything about a big bore sport from Honda, or is every still dreaming like we have for 5 year?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
I'm really surprised to hear a decline in sales with all of the new quads I see in the back of pick ups anymore, maybe because it has been winter.
I'm really surprised to hear a decline in sales with all of the new quads I see in the back of pick ups anymore, maybe because it has been winter.
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#8
06-07-2006, 02:55 PM
300EX: Dropped, Redone, or Replaced in 2007????
Knowaslot-Any inside information on the 07 Ranchers??? http://forums.atvconnection.com/mess...did/492931.cfm
I am keeping both the EX and Z. I have so much in them, that nobody can afford them!
I am keeping both the EX and Z. I have so much in them, that nobody can afford them!
#9
06-07-2006, 02:58 PM
#10
06-08-2006, 12:49 PM
300EX: Dropped, Redone, or Replaced in 2007????
i dont think they'll make a 350ex, based on the rancher engine.....the rancher 350 doesnt have the power up top it would need for a sport quad, plus that engine is logitudinallly mounted, It would just look funny in an ex frame. I bet the rancher gets a power makeover, same look but maybe overhead cam engine? more ground clearance? etc.
as for the 300 ex, i bet it gets dropped. with the 250ex, 400ex, and 450r, honda will figure they have a nicely rounded sport quad lineup and probably put some work into the utility aspect, last year was a big year for the sport quads (450r getting electric start, 250 and the sport clutch) maybe they'll think EFI for the foreman, etc. I dunno.
as for the 300 ex, i bet it gets dropped. with the 250ex, 400ex, and 450r, honda will figure they have a nicely rounded sport quad lineup and probably put some work into the utility aspect, last year was a big year for the sport quads (450r getting electric start, 250 and the sport clutch) maybe they'll think EFI for the foreman, etc. I dunno.