My dad picked up two FX 250s a week ago. This past weekend we actually had our first shot to ride. They gave us about 5 total hours of trouble free riding. We did notice that they didn't perform the same though. One definitely jumped out of the hole better than the other.

The second day of riding was when the problems started. My dad noticed his getting louder and louder, then stopped to look. The exhaust pipe cracked right ahead of the muffler and the muffler actually broke off. Oh, yeah, that wasn't the first thing. The first thing to go was the heat sheild on the exhaust pipe on both machines. They simply fell off in the first hour of riding. I have the burn mark to prove it. Anyway, back to my dad's machine. We had to get back from the trail so my dad just rode it thinking there was enough exhaust pipe to not hurt anything other than his ear drums.

As we pushed on, the bracket that holds the chain tensioner bent on his machine. We stopped and banged it flat. We continued to have problems with that. The third time it happened we realized the chain was entirely too loose. So, using the tool kit provided by Redcat, we slid the axle back to tighten the chain. All was good after that. Right as we were getting near home, we came to a stop where my dad's machine had trouble idling and died. It never started up again. I think he burnt the valve.

It is all covered under warranty and will be fixed. We did, however pick this machine up from a dealer who assembled it. There were many parts that were loose or not adjusted properly. The valve settings on the two were very different. I also don't understand why the footguards are so close to the front wheels that they rub when you turn. That was a design flaw.

My machine gave me no problems. Maybe my dad just got a bad break. I do have to say that the advertised speeds for this machine are way off. neither of our machines got over 35 MPH. They are advertised to do 45-55. There's no chance unless you do a lot of mods.

In conclusion, I think they can be great machines for the atv beginner, especially for the money. Just make sure you go over your machine from top to bottom tightening every bolt on the thing and adjust some of the slack out of the chain.

 

UPDATE!***********************

My dad contacted the dealer about the problems with the FX 250. The dealer was really concerned and helped troubleshoot the problem with it not starting. He seemed to be an avid ATVer so his experience got the two of them on the right track. Apparently some debris shook loose from riding and gummed up the carb. Easy fix. Glad it wasn't a burnt valve like I previously thought.
The dealer also got in touch with Redcat to get a replacement exhaust system. I guess they knew about potential problems with the exhaust because they didn't bat an eye lash about sending another. Redcat is also aware that the heat shields don't stay on and are trying another way of fastening them.
We also found out that these things get faster as they are broken in. I can personally attest to that. The one my dad rode seemed to get faster and faster as the day wore on. It had enough grunt that it set me on my but when I tried a little too hard to pull a wheelie with it. Rookie mistake I guess.
All and all I really believe these are good begginer machines. I think the company is working hard to get their name out there and they stand behind their products. I do, however, still think no matter what dealer you get yours from you should pull out your wrenches and socket sets and tighten up everything on it. It's just a safeguard.

HAVE FUN!

 

Welcome to the forum toneloc60, thanks for the honest review of the redcat 250. It sounds like your dealer is stepping up to the plate and handling your problems the right way. Keep us informed on what ever happens next good or bad.

 

 

I am the dad that he is talking about. I took sum time to think about my what i thought might be making it a dead red cat. Then I talked with my dealer sum. I look at the ATV. Then with my dealer on my cell phone we we went at it checking it out. I told him i could smell gas when i would turn it over and we had spark,we had compression(120 psi that is good). Then i do not know if it was him or myself but we came up with how about poring gas into the spark plug hole and see if it pops off. So i did. It ran. So he then said you can bring it out to him and he would pull the carb and check it out for me. But i declined his offer. I told him i would do it and let him know. So when i came home from work the next day i pulled it out took it apart and took the air blower and hit all the passages i could find. Then put it back together. Gess what it ran just fine. I did not see anything in it in the fuel bowl or any other part of it. I call my dealer and could only give him a message that it was running. he did call me back and said he was so glade that fixed it.
But buy that time i had started on the heat sheild. {It has written on it that it is for only one rider. You know as well as i do if there is any small kids around they are going to want a ride. So you put them in front of you and you ride. So after the heat sheild broke off. That is how my son burned his leg.} I told my dealer what i was doing with a heat sheild i am making for it. He said that i should send him sum pic of it when i get it done. There is a lot of heat that comes off the exhaust.
I think that this atv works great no gears to change. I have never rode an other atv's before but with this one you never have to wonder what gear you are in. It just go's!!
I am looking forword to the two 75"s i have ordered they should be in later this month. For two of my youger kid's. If all of the dealer's work this way it will make having them better when things come up.

 

I’ve had an AWESOME experience with this dealer as well and we did not even purchase our quad from him!!

We just purchased a Kazuma Falcon 150 4-Wheeler for our son from an outfit in Illinois. Right off the bat (we’ve had it for 3 weeks) we had several different mechanical problems and the bike has literally sat more than he’s been able to ride it. The dealer we purchased it from has supplied us with the parts to make the repairs but that’s about it. With the understanding that yes we did buy an off brand bike, no we did not pay top dollar (we just couldn’t afford a big name bike) and no we didn’t buy it locally – some type of concern and support for our problems would be nice. After we replaced the parts that were broke our next problem was the bike wouldn’t start. We were able to get it going with a jump but it wouldn’t go on it’s own. He did have us check some general things, which did not help, and then we were told to find a small engine repair shop to take it to. The money it would cost to have somebody look at it is minimal in the big picture because of what we paid for the bike - we’re still ahead of the game because of the deal we got – GEE THANKS!! We basically feel like the dealer’s main objective is to make his sale and then you’re on your own when any problems come up. Needless to say we will never ever purchase anything from this outfit again!!!

I was SO FORTUNATE to get in touch with the Redcat/Kazuma dealer in Hastings, MN where the 2 Redcats were purchased from (son and father posting their experience). Jim totally offered his support to help us out AND as I said before – we didn’t even buy the bike from him!! The fact that he took time out of his day to correspond with me and talk to me on the phone as well is absolutely remarkable! His time, efforts and excellent trouble shooting skills helped us to figure out (what ended to be a simple fix) the problem and FINALLY my son can ride again!!! As I said before, we could not get the bike to start on it’s own – only with a jump. We charged the battery, it wouldn’t start. Took the battery in to have it tested – was told it was perfectly fine. So in our minds we eliminated the battery as the cause so it must be something more major. Jim suggested we make double sure it wasn’t the battery because crazier things have happened. He told us to hook our lawnmower battery up to the bike just to see. It fired right up!! It was the stinkin battery after all! Needless to say we flew to the battery store and my son is on top of the world (me too)!!!!

The service we received as a “noncustomer” of his was phenomenal. Do I ever wish we had found his dealership before we made our purchase! A HUMUNGOUS THANKS to Jim for all of his help and to those of you out there looking to purchase, I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend you seek out this dealer! I would LOVE to post their website and/or phone number but I’m new to this forum and don’t want to get in trouble if I’m not supposed to – If I can – somebody please let me know!

NOW – we just have to keep our fingers crossed that nothing else goes wrong with the bike and my son can finally get in some riding time! These first 3 weeks have been frustrating to say the least but I’m grateful to know there are good people out there willing to help!!

 

Glad to hear that Jim helped you out so much! He's a good guy. I would also recommend him to anyone.

 

After doing some searching around thoughout the forum - I've found others who have posted recommendations - which that's what most of us are here for right? Either in need of help ourselves or looking to help out someone else -

As I said before, I sure wish we found Jim before we made our purchase. I would feel totally confident doing business with him, without any doubts. He was great to us and we are not even a customer of his! It wasn't like he was obligated in any way - he just really wanted to help. So for those of you out there looking to make a purchase - I highly recommend you check out his site!! His contact info is posted on there as well -

Here is Jim's website link: www.kidatvs.com (make sure to NOT put an S after kid) --