i narrowed it down to the 250ex and the lakota but now i cant decide on which one to buy. im new to the sport and im very excited to but my first quad. speeds not really a factor but i would like it to go fast enough to have fun on. i will mostly be using it for trail rider. if it helps i weight about 135 and im 5'6. any help will be awsome

 

250EX hands down. The EX will be around long after the Kaw is dead and gone. Check some of the replacement parts for the Kaw like fenders and other parts that may break in a roll over. Sit down when they tell you the price of the Kaw parts. They are that High. There are alot more after market parts for the EX for looks and to make it go faster.

 

another thing you may want to consider is maintenance. a lakota is chain drive, while the ex is shaft drive. the chain would require more maintenance.

 

I own a 250Ex and am very safisfied. If you're a serious sport rider, you may want to consider the 400EX. If you want an easy to own quad that is light, reliable, peppy and has a high fun quotient, you can make a worse choice than the 250EX. I bought the 250 rather than the 400 because I wanted my girls to ride it and other casual riders.

On tight trails it is a hoot. When the trails open up some, you may wish you had more power. Its fast enough to kill you though.

I bought my 2002 in June or July of 2001. 2 seasons of riding (probably 800-1000 miles) and it's perfect so far.

You can get a nice "out n back" rack from Rocky Mountain ATV and I recommend wheel spacers to make it more stable (don't have mine yet though).

In retrospect I might have gotten the Recon for better mud protection and the racks. If you ride through any water or mud, you will get very dirty with any sport quad.

Good Luck - Enjoy

 

I've ridden both, my friend had a 01 lakota, and my wife has a 250 ex, the lakota was alittle faster but the honda is better trail machine, nice and light suspended very well. No problems with either one, my wife's honda seems to be bulletproof, nice little quad.

 

Hey there,
seeing on how this is a honda fourm most will say the 250ex.
I ridden it and don't get me wrong, it is sweet but things you should consider:

1. The Lakota has been discontinued, so if you find one it may be cheap
2. The EX has 229cc, while the Lakota has 290cc
3. The EX suspension is about 5 1/2 inches front and rear while Lakota is 6.9 up front and 8 in the rear
4. The Lakota has a more powerful headlight than the 250 (45watts to 35watts)
5. For someone who wont beat the hell out of the machines maitnence wont be a problem.

Now these are just some things to think about but no matter what you get you will have fun these are great quads for being in the smaller class.

 

tho i amnot keen on dirtwheels mag's teszt, these tow were tseted head to head last summer.
maybe you'll find some helpful info there.

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If you're in no hurry, you might consider the soon to be released Suzuki Z250. It should out perform both the 250EX & the Lakota. You can find info on it in just about every Mag out on the stands right now. Or there is an artical you can read on the ATV Connection Magazine home page (Towards the bottom).

 

You couldn't be more wrong. I bought new rear fenders for my Mojave, genuine Kawasaki fenders for $92 from the dealer. This is cheaper than those dull Maier fenders. A friend of mine said he priced fenders for his 300 EX and the rears were something like $190. I know another guy priced fenders for a blaster and said they were over $150(whether or not those prices are accurate, I think they will still be more than the Kawaski fenders). As far as making one go faster, the Lakota would be easier with simple sprocket changes, and I think it would be a tie as far as wich one has more aftermarket accesories. This is a 250ex, not a 400ex. Either way I think they are both reliable nice machines and you will probably have fun on either one of them.

 

Even with chain drive, the Lakota is WAY heavier than the ex, so the power difference is negligible. Honda handles better, and has better quality, fit and finish. One of the worst things about the ex is lack of manual starter to back up the electric. Does anyone know if the Recon recoil starter will fit the ex? There are pipes, airbox kits, filters, wheel spacers and even a new crankcase ventilator that is supposed to boost power if mods are your thing. If you are shopping new, ride the new Suzi 250Z, coming soon to a dealer near you. It sounds like a significant improvement (more power, better suspension) on the ex concept, for the same $.