This is a late reply but I have experience with both. My brother owns an 86 250r and I own an 86 Lt250. THe last "New Years" trip to Glamis both of our quads were worn and needed top end rebuilds. At that time I would beat him everytime. He got his rebuilt and now he wins by about 2 quad lengths up Olds hill. I expect that I will beat him again once I get mine rebuilt. I hate the way 250s' feel. My Suzuki has never broken down and has never needed any work. The Honda was constantly needing Jetting. Best of all, since people think Suzukis arent very good, you can get them cheap, invest a little money, then beat the 250rs'

 

GaryManilow, why are you asking this question when it says in your signature you own a LT250R? I must be mising something.

 

in my experience the 85 and 86 LT's have weak motors compared to a 250R. the 87 on QuadRacers had much much much better motors that could keep up and even beat stock vs. stock a TRX250R, but the 85 and 86 LT's just don't cut it.

 

I disagree. My 86 LT250 often beat my Brothers 86 250r

 

Killer 250X, I asked this question a long time ago, when I was presented with the opportunity to buy the LT.Thanks for the info slacker bob and yes the LT is faster stock for stock than the 250R as I have found out.Thanks for the advice guys.

 

Have you fixed the shock mounts or swingarm on the Suzuki yet?

 

CP, you know how you kind of get a feel for a machine after you buy it? you know buying an old 250 and rehabing it.I think this one is an EX moto crosser.The foot pegs were bent, it had nerf bars and a kill switch, but guess what? no cracks in the frame anywhere and none on the swing arm or shock mounts.And belive me, I checked! I spent hours meticulously going over every inch of that machine and it looks really good.And fast? CP this thing spins through 3rd gear with no english, it is FAST with just minor mods, but yeah your right not any faster than a 300ex........

 

BarryManilow, that's great that you haven't had any problem with your machine...yet. If it is an '86 make sure to check the frame where the front shocks mount and check the swingarm for hairline fractures. Hopefully you won't have to go through the same thing I did. As far as your comment about my earlier statement, no doubt a slightly modified 250 would be faster than a piped, airboxed, geared 300ex. However, just as sure as you are about your '86 suzuki beating an '86 R is just as sure as I am in saying an '86 suzuki is only slightly faster than a piped, airboxed, geared 300ex......top end! Now this is a bone stock '86 250 I'm talking about. The '87 and up suzuki's had the power valves and were faster, not to mention they had a 6th gear. I'll tell you what sucks about this forum, you can't leave out any info (usually done to shorten the writing) that someone will pick up on to use as there own justification. So if you can't look past the part where I missed the "getting to speed" or the word "stock" ...it's not my problem it's yoursuzuki!

 

CP you can't even compare the 300Ex to this machine anywhere, low end top end whatever.This machine is fast, plain and simple and its not even in the same time zone as a measly little 300ex.If this machine does crack somewhere, so what I'll weld it.Being capable of fixing things is key to maintaining your machines.Tell you what, maybe sometime we could meet up at Silver Lake and if your buddies 300EX beats me an inch from start to finish I'll give you my quad, its a freakin 300ex for christs sake!

 

CP - are you saying that a LT250R is only slightly faster than a 300EX? I think you meant 400ex, not 300ex. Right???