I found a 2004 250EX for $1200 that I am considering buying. Are there any known problems with this ATV? Any problems with the shaft drive? How about the automatic clutch? Is the engine the same as my 87 250X besides the fact that the 04 engine sits vertical? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

There don't seem to have any regular problems. They are usually dead solid reliable with just routine maintenance. Ask if they ever adjusted the valves.

Not even close to being the same as the 250X engine.

 

what happens if you dont adjust the valves for like 6 yrs of hard rideing?

 

The first valve adjustment just after break-in is the most important. Things wear in, and tolerances change.

After that, the valves go tight and they slap closed instead of easing closed, leading to accelerated wear. It will be hard to start, and I have seen them so bad that they won't start at all.

 

if you'r concerned about the rear diff. you can check the fluid ,and grab both sides of the axle and try to wiggle the rear axle ,any play here results from worn berrings .wich leads to bad seals wich eventually leads to a bad diff......if the rear diff. fluid looks clean the seals are probally ok ...and being a 2004 its probaly fine but the axle wiggle test is somthing to do again in the future ....worn berrings caught and replaced early can save lots of $$$
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i recently repaired a neglected rear diff on a honda 300 fw ...pretty much same rear setup

 

Check the air filter to make sure that is is cleaned and well oiled. If it isn't oiled the fine dust will go right through it. If you want to check for how much its been ridden see if there are any big gashes on the bottom of the arms, see how the tie rod ends are too.

 

my son has one and stripped the splines on the rear axle and need to replace it does anybody know if the axle out of a 87 trx will fit other than that it has been a outstanding machine with no major proplems at all i would recomend this to anybody that has tenagers takes a licken and keeps on ticking