Hi,
I have a nice 250r that Im finishing up on a complete rebuild. Its very nice and I could easily get $5,500 for it. I've had EVERYTHING freshly PC'ed and I have rebuilt almost EVERYTHING and its in mint shape! But the reason Im thinking of a cannibal is I want a quad that will be competitive at the national level (my dreams)
I want to decide which will be cheaper and faster on the MX track.

-If I keep my R, I'll have future plans of an Attitude frame, PV top-end, LT front end, TCS shocks ect.... but that'll take a LONG time!
-Or I could sell my R right now and buy an 03' cannibal (stock) adding a couple bucks to get it.
-OR I could race my R for a year and save up to buy a cannibal and have money to put into it. Then decreasing the value of my R.


I realize its kinda hard to read and understand my situation, but just lmk what ya think and any advise you have would be GREATLY appreciated. Please give me reasonable answers though (explain why). I know some of you guys have made the switch, did you like it?

Here's a list of all my mods (I think) that I made up a week or so ago:


*250R Mods List*

-88' Gusseted and Powder coated High gloss black frame (almost NEW!)
-Chrome +2+1 Dean Sundahl A-arms, new ball-joints, like new bushings
-OMF Radiator Scoops (almost NEW!)
-Front Works Triple-Rate shocks w/ rezzys (fresh valving, 155lbs)
-Rear fully adjustable (Preload, rebound, & Compression) Ohlin's shock
-Carbon Fiber (Featherlite.com) hood and tank cover (NEW!)
-Shaved OEM 88â€Â&Acir c;™ plastics w/ One Industry's graphics and seat cover
-Burgard Silver vein anti-vibe steering stem (NEW!)
-RPM Tapered bearing carrier
-Dura-Blue +2+2 Axle
-ITP Holeshot MX tires on Douglas .190 Wheels (ALL NEW!) at all corners
-LSR dog-bone bar clamp (NEW!)
-TAG CR hi-bend bars, gun-metal gray with renthal grips (NEW!)
-Sidewinder sprockets
-AC bumper, pro-pegs, and grab bar (NEW!)
-LSR lock nut/disc hub
-Master-cylinder guard
-Shockwears

*MOTOR*
-Amateur ported 86' cylinder
-CR intake from ESR (NEW!)
-ESR Reed spacer kit
-FMF exhaust (NEW!)
-Cool head w/ 19cc powerstar dome
-Boyesen carb. bowl
-CMF exhaust flange
-Brand new top-end
-new water pump
-K&N filter & outerwear
-aftermarket air-box lid

 

How are you as far as maintainance goes? Do you like the feel of a 4 or 2 stroke? What type of racing/riding do you do?

 

The canibal is not MX race ready. You will need to add a few things before you can race. Kill switch, rims, tires, nerf bars, axel. Shocks will be next with +3 a-arms. But THEN you will have a really good ride. It will be less expensive to maintain the Dale in the long run. But they are a little harder to do the daily stuff on than other machines. I think its part of the fun though. But alot depends on you. Money is a big issue. Its takes alot up front for the Dale. Are you a novice or expert?? Once you get a machine MX ready, It's tough to go woods riding with it.

Something else to think about. What about the idea that everybody is bumbing up to 450. There may even be a rule change in the next year. Rumor has it that C-dale is working on a 450 already. Plus the tree huggers won and no more new 2 strokes in another 2 years I think.

 

As far as maintaince, Im not lazy, I do everything needed on my R PLUS more. I would do the same on a dale. But there really wont be more on the dale as far as Im realizing (just adjusting the valves being a pain).
I like haveing fun on a 2-stroke (powerband), but a thumper just seems like a better racer with a smoother powerband and torque.
I realize the cannobal isnt MX ready, I can take care of that within a year. My R will also need new everything!
I ride MX
Im more of a novice rider, but very serious about racing and have been for many years (long story).
The whole 450 thing....I am thinking now that waiting till 04' to buy a dale might just be a good idea! Cuz my R is MX ready, then why I would buy the Dale in 04' I'd have alota money to put into it (roughly 4k).

 

I am going to get some flak for this.Keep your 250r for another year after doing all that work race it.If I were younger and willing to do all the jumps I used to I would have kept my R nothing is as confidence inspiring as a 250r in the air.Powerwise I prefer the cannondale but for flying 250r.

 

Thanx for the help everyone, keep it coming.

 

I've got an 02 Cannibal and a decked out R which I"m currently moving my motor over to an aftermarket frame, Laeger protrax frontend, pep/zps shocks, etc., in other words, the best of the best stuff. Don't get mad but there is no way you could get $5500 for your R, no matter how mint it is. I follow the R's and know how much people buy and sell them for and I just don't think your's would fetch that kind of money. There is nothing like the R, I would definitely keep the quad, save up the money you would need to spend on upgrading the Cannibal to ride mx and take that money and start buying upgraded items for your R, such as:
better shocks like Axis or PEP
aftermarket frame such as PRP
PV cylinder - much smoother power bad than normal R cylinders

Yea I know the trend today is for everyone to dump their 2 strokes but there are alot of people who are not doing that. The R only weighs 328 pounds, nothing can compare to it's power to weight ratio, especially with a few mods to the R and it will pump out 50 horses, definitely keep it!!!

 

i have to say if money is a problem, then i would ride the 250r for another yeah and sell it. make no other mods to the 250r and save your money for the cdale. for a full mx ready cdale you'll have $10500 to $11500 in it.

 

I made the switch from an R about half way through this season. After I spent all last season and last winter building it for MX. I love the R and if I could just set and watch anything go around the track it would be an R they just fly awesome. I also love the rev and the hit of a 2 stroke, but with my Moto I have a good mid range hit...lot's of power and it revs to 11,600 i believe which is just unbelievable out of a 4 stroke. Another reason I made the switch is I was so afraid I was going to bust up my frame and as a college student and part time worker I couldnt afford to shell out the $1800-$2500 for the aftermarket frame. Also you would need an awesome motor something like a powervalve. Then you get into the roll front end with the axis...thats just a lot of money that I didnt have. I mean my R has a-arms and pep shocks but nothing special like roll. You are talking some major cash. I dont know how competitive it is around your house but around here people are stepping up there game every year. The 4 strokes have taken over. On a fair race or something when we get an awesome show for money class there are usually eight or nine 4 strokes and like two 2 strokes (250R's). I know its not that bad nationally yet but I am just using local races as an example. I know I got my C-dale at the right time but I didn't get rid of my R fast enough...they just aren't selling around my house MX ready cause everyone wants a C-dale or is just going to build there 400 ex's. Last year there was no way I would have gave up my R...everything is just turning 4 stroke. And one other thing about C-dale is they are standing behind there work but I am sure you already new this. I am just real happy I made the switch and I am sure you would be too but I think the 4 stroke suits my riding style a little better than the 2 stroke. Well good luck deciding!

 

Im gonna wait and see for a lil while. I've decided to get a lil ride time in one my R. I just droped the motor in last night, It will be ready by the end of next month for sure.
I wana ride a dale too before I commit to getting one.
Thanx for all the help, Im gonna wait a lil while before I make my decision!
I just ordered an 89' houser swingarm, "race" roll pegs, and ac nerfs (by by pro-pegs!)
Yamracer, I know what your talking about, the frame is a big deal for me too. Even though I have a re-inforced freshly PC'ed 88 frame, it wont last for more than 2 years. I realize if I keep my R my investment wont be worth much, thats a big deal to me too.