250r VS 400ex
Sep 9, 2001 | 06:19 PM
#12
Pro Rider
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 749
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the R has diff geometry than a 400ex. An R engine will not even work in a 400ex frame without a custom pipe. The 400ex shocks are slightly better (stock) but with aftermarket shocks this advantage is gone. The R handles better because its lighter.
Sep 10, 2001 | 03:35 AM
#14
Trailblazer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
I just happen to have an '86 250R and a 2001 400EX. The 400EX is stock except for suspension and tires, and the 250R has been heavily modified and rebuilt, so here are my $.03 (inflation, you know):
1) The 250R is VERY reliable, starts on the first kick, parts are easy to find, handles beautiful, runs much stronger than my 400EX, and holds it's value very well.
2) The 400EX is NEW (so's my 250R, now that I rebuilt it), meaning you can go to a dealer and pick one up new. No looking through classified ads for a rebuilt 250R, or rebuilding a thrashed one, and the electric start is nice for some folks.
3) The 250R IS a 2 stroke, so easy to work on that ANYBODY can do simple maintenance or top-end rebuilds (about one every two years). Maintenance and repairs are also cheap, since there aren't many parts involved.
4) The 400EX is much easier for a non-sporting-bike rider to ride well: hell, it's easier for ME to ride well. I just can't go as fast on it as I can on the 250R, but sometimes I don't NEED or WANT to go as fast. It's harder to do your own work on it unless you're experienced, the parts will cost more, because THERE ARE more, but Hondas don't break much anyway, so this may be moot.
5) The 250R is a blast at the track or the dunes (I don't trail ride), but I can ride the 400EX much longer without getting tired: it takes less work and rider input to do what you want to do, you just won't do it as well as on the 250R, but you'll be able to do it longer.
I hope I've managed to confuse you enough, but it's hard to explain until you've had a chance to ride both in the same day for a while, with bikes in comparable condition and setups.
Either way, you'll have a ball!
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
1) The 250R is VERY reliable, starts on the first kick, parts are easy to find, handles beautiful, runs much stronger than my 400EX, and holds it's value very well.
2) The 400EX is NEW (so's my 250R, now that I rebuilt it), meaning you can go to a dealer and pick one up new. No looking through classified ads for a rebuilt 250R, or rebuilding a thrashed one, and the electric start is nice for some folks.
3) The 250R IS a 2 stroke, so easy to work on that ANYBODY can do simple maintenance or top-end rebuilds (about one every two years). Maintenance and repairs are also cheap, since there aren't many parts involved.
4) The 400EX is much easier for a non-sporting-bike rider to ride well: hell, it's easier for ME to ride well. I just can't go as fast on it as I can on the 250R, but sometimes I don't NEED or WANT to go as fast. It's harder to do your own work on it unless you're experienced, the parts will cost more, because THERE ARE more, but Hondas don't break much anyway, so this may be moot.
5) The 250R is a blast at the track or the dunes (I don't trail ride), but I can ride the 400EX much longer without getting tired: it takes less work and rider input to do what you want to do, you just won't do it as well as on the 250R, but you'll be able to do it longer.
I hope I've managed to confuse you enough, but it's hard to explain until you've had a chance to ride both in the same day for a while, with bikes in comparable condition and setups.
Either way, you'll have a ball!
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
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