Well, I have checked out a Raptor 250, and I had a Mojave 250 a long time ago.

This Raptor is the first true 250 sport quad since the Mojave and 250X, but as times have changed, so have the bikes.

The Raptor motor may be SOHC but isn't really 'old school' to the 9th degree. It came out of the foreign Tricker 2-wheel bike. Light and spunky.

But back to the point of CHANGE... Over the years we have gotten displacement hungry, so naturally the new 250's are smaller.

The Raptor 250 is an awesome bike, and the lightest sport quad ever... 313 lbs. In the real world it would spank a Mojave, and probably a 300EX for that matter. It's like a tame mini YFZ 450... really it is. Light, low, great handling, etc...

I was sad to find out it's really more of a teen-sized bike though. Smaller than the Mojave, 250X/300EX. Not so small I couldn't stand it (6'0" 200lbs) but small enough that folks might snicker.

If it were just a tad bigger I'd have one myself right now, and was tempted anyways. It would be soooo much fun in the tight woods... probably the best ever made so far.

 

Yamaha didn't compare it to the Mojave because it is no longer a production machine. They do have pretty stout motors, but frame/suspension components are likely better on the Raptor. it would be interesting to see a comparison, why don't you talk a buddy into buying one? Also, Duster, be careful with that "lightest sport quad ever made" statement. Suzuki actually had lighter published dry weights back in the 80's on the Qsport and possibly the Racer too. Not that it really matters though, those machines are 20 years gone, lol.

 

I believe the 1985 LT250R is the only adult sport quad to break the magic 300lb barrier..... and can-am says their DS is light.... i guess the motor makes up for it

 

Wow, I never knew the Mojave was such a pig.... 380lbs dry! What, do they have lead in the frame??? Nice engine design with the dual 29mm intake and 25mm exhaust valves. 11:1 compression stock that Kawi says churns out 25hp at 8000. The CVK 34mm carb leaves a lot to be desired though.

The Raptor and Mojave have the same bore n stroke.... 74x58mm. But the Raptor has only a 29mm BSR carb (still a pos just like the CVK, but smaller). The raptor has a 34mm intake and 28.5 exhaust valve. Very similar to the 230 and 250 quadsports. And of course, the Raptor only weighs 313lbs dry.

So who would win??? The Mojave in a straight line. Easy. But on a tight trail.... I had to give it to the Raptor because of weight and more low end grunt due to the smaller carb and valves.

It doesn't matter anyway because a 250 quadsport or a 230 with a big bore kit will leave them both in the dust. Mine weighs 315lbs with a full tank of gas and has a bore n stroke of 70x67mm. The valves are 32mm intake and 28mm exhaust. Not much you can do to the Mojave to make it faster. Wiseco only offers a 75mm piston max size. Hot Rods doesn't offer a rod for it.... It seems there is little aftermarket support for the Mojave when compared to the 250x or even the 230s. The 230, for instance, can be made into a 272cc machine and weigh only 315lbs! Now that's cool! The Raptor with only a 58mm stroke could never be that big unless someone offers a stroker kit for it. And now we're talking serious cash.... New crank, rod, spacer plate, timing chain, and frame mods because the engine just got 10mm taller. Not worth it when you can pick up an old quadsport for <$500.

So is the Raptor really the "best"? Hardly. But if there is a decent supply of aftermarket parts I'm sure it could be made into a decent trail quad!

Stock for stock trail riding I'd rate the 1/4 liter class like this:
1) 89-90 250 quadsport 330lbs 68.5x67mm bore n stroke
2) 87-88 250X 350lbs 74x57.3mm
3) 250 Raptor 313lbs 74x58mm
4) 85-86 230 quadsport 309lbs 66x67mm
5) Mojave 380lbs 74x58mm
6) 250EX 350lbs (not sure it should even be on this list, but...) 68.5x62.2mm

That's not a who's fastest list, just what quad I think would do best in the trail. 1 and 2 could be a tie. They are both excellent quads.

 

OK look i own a raptor 250 im only 5"2" 100Lbs. and 13 years old but i can tell you right now that the 08 raptor 250 will leave the kojave and the 300ex and i totally recommend it for you! I havent rode mine without the governor yet (in the process of breaking it in) but its bad the handling is the best you can get on a fourwheeler high or low speed and this dude does not no what he's talkin bout ! if the kojave did win in a straigght up race it wouldnt be by nothin at all and if there were turns then it wouldnt even be a race the raptor is amazing but im saving up to put the big bore kit on my raptor and then in the straight up ill leave the kojave

 

kicktailraptor250, You used only ONE period in that entire post. Do you even expect anyone to understand what you are saying?

 

kicktailraptor250
First of all if you intend 4 any one 2 respect what your saying please spell the quads name your dissing RIGHT. 2nd most ppl on this thread have alredy established tht the mojave is faster in a drag but i will give the raptor its handling.you said it will leave the 300ex in the dust which it prolly will but so will the mojave dont be like those guys with the 450s tht are "better" than every thing else out thare just because they have it. grow up you have a 250 thare NOT the biggest badest quads out thare but they are a nice fun machine 2 ride you gotta realize tht but dont try 2 tell me that a 250 raptor will destroy a mojave until you have a video of a real race.

O and welcome 2 the forum.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

not to mention he hasn't even gotten off the governor yet!
hahahahahha

Ill race you on my 300 any day punk!

 

Hahaha yea id race him 2. What prolly happened thare was he prolly had a 90 or something and daddy went out and bought him a 250 and he thinks its the best thing out thare and excitment over came him and he started talkin smack and had nothing 2 back it up. pretty understandable if thts what happened.

 

ok im not the best at english like spelling and sentences and all but i do my research and if you race me it will be a huge mistake unless you have a 350 quad or bigger.

im not talkin bout the mojave but check this out not bad at all right!


Engine: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-stroke, single cylinder
Displacement: 249cc
Compression ratio: 11.0:1
Starting system: Kick
Bore x stroke: 74.0 x 58.0mm
Carburetion: Keihin CVK34
Ignition: Electronic CDI
Transmission: Five-speed-plus-reverse with manual wet multi-disc clutch
Final drive: Shielded chain
Frame: Double cradle, high-tensile steel
Suspension, front/wheel travel: Double A-arms with two shock aborbers/6.9 in.
Suspension, rear/wheel travel: Swingarm with single shock absorber/8.5 in.
Tires, front: AT21 x 7-10 tubeless
Tires, rear: AT22 x 10-10 tubeless
Brakes, front: Dual disc
Brakes, rear: Disc
Overall length: 68.3 in.
Overall width: 42.9 in.
Wheelbase: 44.3 in.
Ground clearance: (center of chassis/at rear axle) 8.5/4.6 in.
Seat height: 29.7 in.
Dry weight: 379 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 2.2 gal.
Instruments: Reverse indicator
Lighting: Single headlight with high/low beam
Colors: Kawasaki Lime Green
Suggested retail price: $4,099


ok that nice but your carrying 77 pounds . . . . . i no the mojave has a bigger compression ratio i think it would be a good race but id have to give it to the raptor (just because i own a raptor though) but i have never owned a 90 ive road alot of fourwheelers i dont think the raptor 250 is the best i think any thing above the 300 could beat it except the wolverine 350

MSRP* $4,199 (Team Yamaha Blue/White) Available from November 2008
$4,199 (White/Red) Available from November 2008


Engine
Type 249cc air-/oil-cooled 4-stroke; SOHC, 2 valves

Bore x Stroke 74.0 x 58.0mm

Compression Ratio 9.5:1

Carburetion MikuniŽ 29mm BSR

Ignition DC-CDI

Starting System Electric

Transmission 5-speed; wet multiplate clutch

Drive Train 2WD; sealed O-ring chain, eccentric adjustment


Chassis
Suspension/Front Independent double wishbone; 5-way preload-adjustable shocks, 7.5-in travel

Suspension/Rear Swingarm, preload-adjustable, 7.9-in travel

Brakes/Front Dual hydraulic disc

Brakes/Rear Hydraulic disc

Tires/Front AT20 x 7-10

Tires/Rear AT19 x 10-9


Dimensions
L x W x H 64.0 x 42.1 x 40.9 in

Seat Height 28.7 in

Wheelbase 43.7 in

Ground Clearance 3.9 in

Fuel Capacity 2.4 gal

Dry Weight 313 lb


Other
Lighting Dual 30W Krypton multi-reflector headlights & 21/5W brakelight

Warranty 6 Month (Limited Factory Warranty)


there very close with no mods there almost equal . . . . . we could argue about this forever and never give in cause we've set our minds but ill say they are very closely compared