I agree. I rode a 300ex for quite some time on trails, and recently I've riden a few 400exs. I have taken that 300ex up hills the 4x4 atv behind me couldn't make it up. I love the 300 for most trails.

Now the 400ex has alot more midrange and topend power. It would be excellent if you commonly rode in strip mines or dunes or some open area.
Thats my 2 cents

 

I think I'll stick with the 250X. Most of the trails we ride I don't make it to 3rd gear except once a day or so.

 

Well, I have had all 3 bikes over the years... and your pics bring back some memories... that sure is a cherry 250X.

I never did like my 300EX quite as much as my 250X.
It was a little heavier and didn't seem all that much more powerful.
I liked the reverse though, and the electric start... but it was a love-hate thing.

I liked the electric start, but only for hard starts that were not to the point of draining the battery.

The reverse was nice too, but only for extreme need situations. It was such a pain to engage that I only really used it when there was no other choice. (that has changed along with the new bodystyle)

The 400EX is a nice upgrade, especially in a 2005 or newer. You gain good electric start, reverse, and power everywhere, plus you loose some weight too. The absolute ONLY thing that might be an issue for some folks is that it is a little wider.

I'd highly recommend it though. I ride mine a lot in places where I hardly get out of 2nd gear... and I'm running 1 less tooth on the front sprocket. It works great for the slow, tight and technical trail rides for sure. Mine just doesn't have REVERSE, which has become a big deal for me now.

If I could have done a frame-off restore, redone the suspension, and put back in a reverse motor with a 416 or 426 top end build for a reasonable price I would have never bought my new KFX 450R.

 

The 300EX is one of the most underrated quads out there. It isn't quite entry level, and it gets overshadowed by the 400's....it's kind of there in between.

It is just enough smaller than the 400 that it fits between the trees a little easier, however I would only pick it if your trails are extremely tight. Everywhere else, the extra power of the 400 makes it more versetile.

 

the 250X has reverse too, (5speed + reverse) just not the 282cc engine and electric starter and battery. nearly everything else is identical. even the plastic on the right side had the indention for the kicker (they may have changed it with the restyling - which i think they should have left it with the 'round' look) it has the same ridiculous reverse proceedure as the 300EX.

every 250X ive been on has had a plusher ride than a 400. plus it just seemed peppier compared to the 300ex. they always jumped suprisingly good for the suspension travel and inferior shocks vs. today's 400/450s.

if i came across either 250X/300ex in good condition, id really consider buying,
esp a 250X. even on ebay they dont last long. if i was you, id keep it and add something else to the collection.

when i started riding i got a warrior as a kid. it was a good bike and i had allot of fun on it. but when i rode a 250X, i wish i had gotten one of them instead! no comparison in handling. the warrior only got it on the very topend but around a track the 250X would blow warriors away allday. and it did not tire you out like a warrior would with its heavy front weight bias...

 

Twentycharacters, I know exactly what you mean. I really do like my 250X and it usually starts on the first kick, even after sitting for a month. And it seems quicker than my friend's 300EX, but I think this has more to do with him and not his 300ex. Another thing I like is that I don't have to maintain a battery. That's a pain in itself. Did you see my 250X on my garage page? I think I'll keep it or sell it to you...lol.

 

I was saying I liked the reverse feature on both, but it was such a pain to use that it had to be a must. When I was young it was less trouble to get off and lift it around than fool with the reverse mechanism.

That stayed the same for years until the R body style 300EX came out a while back.


I much preferred the 250X over the 300EX... but would not take a 250X over a newer 400EX with reverse.

 

My 250X reverse is way easier than my friends 300ex. I can flip mine up and down with my heel but that's impossible on the 300ex. It pivots differently and on the 300ex, you have to be a monkey with 3 arms.

 

ok, so i looked in my local craigslist. found a 1991 250x for $900, and a 1993 300ex for $800. the 250x is ready to go with a carb cleaning. the 300ex needs work, but has aftermarket upgrades. what would you opt for?

250x:
http://appleton.craigslist.org/rvs/1222486510.html


300ex:
http://wausau.craigslist.org/rvs/1192041422.html

 

The 300EX has a cracked case dude...