OK, the wife has a Trailblazer that now my oldest kid has taken a liking to. Need to eventually get another bike. How does the 250ex compare to the Trailblazer in areas auch as torque, hp, handling, etc? Has anybody ridden both of them?

Thanks.

 

I own a 250ex and my friend has a trailblazer. All the time we trade quads so i have ridden both of them.Power wise the TB has more but the 250ex has more torque.Handling on the TB is good if you like going in Gravel and going around corners and sliding.The 250ex will kill the TB in the woods.The TB is way to wide for the woods.Also the 250ex is not a gas hog like the TB.

 

Actually my buddy seems to never put gas in his tb. Thing runs forever on a tank of gas. His is all stock though, maybe your buddys is modded. Also the TB isn't the greatest to jump and the suspension will be completely worn out if it is jumped much.

 

I have never ridden a 250EX, but here's my opinion on the TB.

A great quad! The one I ride all the time doesn't use that much gas either. I had a 94, and then upgraded to an 00, and the 94 had more power. The 2000 isn't the best bike, but I love it. I can hold the brake, push the throttle to the stop, and it will wheelie forever. But, the new trailblazers seem to be tuned down. I ride the 00 around a small track/trail, and never let the throttle off the stop. For your child, I'm sure it would be a great starter. It's auto(not a plus or a minus), 250 2 stroke,(give him a good idea about maintenece), and its pretty reliable. Or at least mine is.

Not all quads are the same though, you might get a lemon. If I were you, I would get one, and see how he likes it. Or better yet, let him test drive both. It's HIS opinion if it's HIS bike.

 

I had a 1993 250 Trail Boss (same thing but it had two racks and LOW gear) and it was indestructable! I sold it 8 years after I bought it for only $800 less than I paid for it. I now wished I would have kept it for guests who come over and want to ride. With a few $$s you can buy a pipe to really make the little two-stroke scream (See Ritter Cycle's web site). I hope this helps.

 

The 250ex has better shocks and handles better. I think my 250ex is more powerfull than the Trailblazer. I have a big gun exhaust and K&N airfilter on mine. One of my friends has a trailblazer and he won't drag race me because he knows I can beat him.

 

My brother has both and we have compared them in a number of situations. First off, they are both great atvs and I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Price wise the TB is much cheaper especially if you get a 2001 model still left, Expect to pay $500 or more less for TB. With a broken in TB racing the 250EX in a drag they are even until top end where the EX can pull away a little. The EX is a nimble handler but the auto on the TB evens them up in the woods. The TB is more stable but the EX is a better jumper and wheelies easiest. The Blazer does both of those things ok but EX is more in its element. On hills I would have a hard time calling it. The TB is definitely easiest to hillclimb because you just point it up the hill and hold on. The EX climbs just as well, if not better but it takes a lot more precision and concentration. You have to be in the right gear and watch the front end coming up because it is more prone to try to wheelie on the way up. The TB has the best stock tires hands down so you don't need to invest money in rubber right off the bat. The EX tires stink traction wise. The TB has the softer ride and a better seat. It is also a lot more stable as far as turns, it stays on all 4 tires where the EX likes to go on 2. The EX has shaft drive phenomenal gas mileageand much less maintenance. The TB is easier and cheaper to hop up with big potential gains in hp. The TB is definitely more beginner friendly but the EX doesn't take a lot more to get used to, you just have to think more about what you are doing. The EX is torquey and the auto tranny is forgiving. The TB has better protection from mud etc. The EX is 100 pounds lighter and much easier to get unstuck. That is my take on the 2 machines and I have a lot of experience with both. Oh, one more thing the TB will fit a larger rider better, the EX is a small machine. That all said, I bought an EX yesterday. My reasons were: shaft drive, I was tired of fooling with the chain; the ability to jump better and wheelie easier makes the EX funner for me when I don't have opportunity to ride in a challenging place. Other than that I miss the auto tranny and single brake handle and the big cushy seat of my Trail Boss (another good machine to consider. Good luck on your choice and don't worry, whichever you choose you will enjoy.

 

As far as trail riding goes... including mud... you'd be hard pressed to beat a well ridden 250EX (on any other machine)... light weight, auto clutch, and shaft drive are the only way to go on trails... period... if your an experienced trail rider you already know this...