Well, I can afford to spend between $3500-4000 on a quad. I'm deciding between a late 80's 250R or a 400EX. Since the 250R's are still so popular, here in So. California, clean ones go for about $4K, about the same price as a 99 or 00 400EX. I ride in glamis, which the 250R would be better than the 400EX. I also like to ride open desert, and trails in the mountains, in which the 400EX would do better. I would definitely like the range on the 400EX(4-stroke and bigger gas tank), but the 250R would be faster and better for the dunes. What should I get?

 

The 250R will be faster in the dunes and just about anywhere else...250R mods are endless too so you never run out of ways to make it faster. IMO 2 strokes are just alot more fun in the sand. Oh and for the gas milage the 400EX really doesn't go far on a tank of gas...unless your the put-put type....Just throw a bigger Clarke tank on the R and enjoy alot longer rides....another 250R advantage is 6 gears instead of the EX's 5...Chances are that for 4g you'll find a 250R thats allready had some work done to it....(port, pipe, bigger carb...stuff like that) so it'll allready be much faster then a 400EX....get the R man...

 

Back in 1988 i bought a Brand new TRX 250R and Sold it not knowing they would quit making them.So as the next 10 Years went by i have owned a few Quads like a Banshee,Grizzly,XR's,CR500's,and a the latest a 400EX. My point.....After all those years all i wanted was my TRX 250R back.Finally a few years ago i purchase a 89 TRX 250R and have never been so happy.So in my experience and opinion.BUY THE 250R. late,zubbeyboy

 

IF you are paying $4000 for a 250r in So Cal, make sure it has some extras. You can pick up Close to stock ones for about $3000 in the Riverside area. If you really look hard, they can be found for $2500

 

Get the R and don't look back. I can't tell you how go my machine has been to me (reliable) and just last week in installed an ESR 310 kit and a trx-5 pipe, wow, it's almost too much for me.

 

My wife and I like our Rs so much, when we die we're gonna have them buried with us.

Glamis is the place a R really rocks! We go 6-8 times a year!

When you get one, and if you want to ride Glamis the way we do, get a larger fuel tank. You'll thank me later.

 

i agree with everyone here..............i LOVVVEE the 250r. i grew up on 4wd utilties till i traded my 95 forman for a banshee...it can't get any better than this i thought WRONG!..it did indeed much better when i traded that banshee in for a 87trx250r and an 86 atc250r as well as some other stuff the trx250r need some tlc and my friend and i had to swap engine's the atc had the only running engine. at any rate a few minute's on the r and you'll understand what all the hype is about...it's perfect handleing and flawless center of gravity render's it able to pull off thing's that would flip other quad's even with stock shock's it has nearly no body roll. in short weather youre in the wood's on a track or screaming acrossed the open dune's. the trx250r will do it with amzeing perfection.this is why we love the 250r.....there should be a modern marval's episode on it someone should write the history channel....and unless you race or ride really hard upkeep minmal. just keep it clean and use high quality oil's and ATLEST mid grade pump gas in it........and she will reward you with pleaure's no woman could ever match.i don't even need to change plug's that offen and working on the 250r is easy it's diesgn is very thoughtful even in that respect ..........yep "sigh" im gonna go hug my R ..........later all

 

i sold my R a year ago...and every day regret doing it. best bike i ever had and redone period!

 

What I really enjoy about the 250r is that after all this time (about 15 years) and all the new techonology the bike is still competitive with the big bikes (Raptor, Preds, V700 etc...). Now that I did some engine mods it feels great when I go up against these big new quads and pull them. If you go to a MX track the beating is even worse.

Also, when it comes to looks, the R has a timeless look, very clean.

 

R.