Howdy all
 

Hello all. Wanted to introduce myself and get a little help if I may. I have been reading the forums and appreciate all the information you guys and gals have provided. I have ridden dirt and street bikes for all of my life. Only occasionally ridden quads. I am looking to buy a quad and wanted an opinion on the three I have narrowed it down to.

The three quads I am looking at are the LT500, TRX250R and the Banshee. I know each has their strengths and weaknesses. What I want it for is to do some trail riding, some racing and for a small amount of towing. What I am towing is a 600lb (including rider) drag bike. So the weight is rolling mass and easily towed. I was thinking of gearing down for track days when I would be towing and then go back up for the other riding. I am looking at an 88 LT500, 86 TRX250R and a 95 Banshee. All three are mostly stock and have not been abused. Also all 3 are about the same price. I am looking at the 2-strokes because that is what I like to ride. I know the 4-strokes are great but I just love the snap of the 2-strokes. Thanks and nice to meet ya all.

I also posted this in the buying section hoping to get more opinions hope it is not wrong to do so.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

No one has any love for a newbie huh? Oh well.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

for what your describing, the TRX250r sounds like it fits the bill the best...
1- great trail machine in stock trim.
2- changing gears is easy, with a very simple & fast chain adjustment... which the other 2 don't offer unless they have aftermarket wingarms w/ round housing bearing carriers.
3- lots of aftermarket support.. due to its popularity for many years
4- great racer, best handling out of the three choices
5- mods are out there to fit almost any application.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

Thanks again dual-sporter for your reply. I think I have eliminated the LT500. After talking to the guy it doesnt seem like such a good deal. I am now throwing into the mix the LT250R. I have looked long for a TRX250r in my price range and havent found one out here on the west coast. Found a couple in the eastern portion but shipping makes it too expensive. Thanks again for your input.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

I think a 4-stroke quad would suit your needs much better. They are way more realiable, cost less to operate, and there are alot more used ones out there for sale. You can pick up a good used 400ex thats only a couple of years old for $3000- $3500. All of the new 4-stroke sport quads (z-400, 400ex, Raptor, Predator,KFX700, C-Dales) will be way better on the trails then any of the 2 strokes you mention'd. If you were going to be doing alot of dune riding then I would say 2 stroke all the way, but for trails the 4-stroke is a much better pick. In stock form, they all have a way better suspension for trail riding then any of the quads you mention'd. Just something to think about, don't limit yourself to just one type of sport quad when theres so many good ones out there.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

hollywood, what's your price range?

since you already ride bikes, the LT250R has a standard kick starter too... the TRX250R kicks forward.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

I am looking in the $3000 and under price range dual-sporter. I know that is not enough to get an already built machine, but then again I dont mind doing the building.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

Hmm, good luck finding a 250r in that price rang. anyone who owns them tries to Ripp off whoever buys it because it says honda on it. anyhow, none of those Quads you listed would be able to tow the 600 pounds you said you needed to tow. because the quads are too light and not geared for it. but good luck anyway. (Welcome to the Forums)

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

Well, the towing part does throw a monkey wrench into the works but otherwise for your budget i guarantee the Basnhee will give you the best machine for the money. Like you said each has strengths and weakness so I won't go into all of the pros and cons. I just think you will have a better chance of getting a really decent Banshee for the money.

I'm sure you can tow the drag bike with any of those but they are not the best choice.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

Hollywood614

out of the 2-stroke quads that you listed are definitly the top choices of most 2- stroke riders/racers. The Honda 250r is still the top race quad out there and getting parts aftermarket and factory would be easier and larger amounst since this is the choice machine that most racers tend to go for. It wins races. So for the trail riding and racing parts I'd say 250r all the away. The problem I have is towing a drag bike with any of the 2-stroke quads do to the charactistics of a 2-stroke engine being every pipey. A banshee in my mind would be out of the picture for the towing reason do to it's poor bottom end, plus the banshee isn't the ideal woods machine either. So on to the 250r or lt250r both could pull a drag bike, but I would worry about a couple things: clutches, transmissions and not made to putt at low speeds (fouling plugs). Out of the 3 choices I'd rank them like this:

250r
lt250r
Banshee

The only nice thing about the lt250r is you should be able to pick it up alot cheaper than the 250r so you could buy a cheap 4-stroke 3-wheeler or mini quad to pull the drag bike. The other thing about the lt250r is if you go that route buy a 87 or newer. The newer the better the suspension was (still now honda handling thou), plus the 87 up where power valved with a 6 speed instead of 5.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

Thanks for all the input guys. I really appreciate it. I understand the complications that towing the drag bike puts into the mix. I have started to look at some four strokes but am afraid that a 250 or 300 just isnt gonna be enough quad. I am 6' and 200lbs and used to two stroke dirt bikes and sportbikes on the street. Am I wrong in thinking that the smaller four strokes will not have enough power for play? I looked at the 400's but they are all out of my price range right now. Thanks again everyone.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

I do want to clarify that the drag bike is 400lbs and rider(me) 200lbs. It is rolling weight so not that tough, but I am starting to think that the pipey 2-stroke may be harder to pull smoothly.

Also I have thrown the 250r out of the picture due to unavailability within my budget. Thanks all.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

The 250 and 300 4-stroke quads might be to small for your size. I'd go and sit on a couple and see if the ymake you feel cramped. The 400's would be more to your liking for what you want to do and more comfortable. The problem is like you said though it's going to be tough to find one under 3k. You might have to save a little longer and wait til you can spend 3500 to 4000 for a 400ex or something equal to it. Goodluck and happy hunting.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

Look for a used 400ex. You should have no problems pulling 600 on a 4 stroke and with a few mods the ex can run with the other bikes but is still low geared enought to pull your drag bike. Surely you can find a used one for around 3000

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

A four stroke will make pulling a lot smoother due to low end torque.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

just sold my '91 today... good deals go fast.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

Nice to meet you too...

I had the three wheeler version of the trax 250r it's the ATC 250R

I have a new 03 Banshee..

If you want a good, quick bike that's pretty racey stock stick with the 250 R TRAX.

I owned my 250R for 10 years..

My Banshee is new.

The 250R probabally has a better suspension , and it probabally has more snap to it.

Also
**** tHE BANSHEE IS A TWO CYLINDER BIKE****

TWO CARBS, EXHAUSTS, SILENCERS, TWICE THE PRICE TO UPGRADE. AND YOU WILL WANT TO UPGRADE THIS BIKE. I'm 35 I rode a new TRAX 250R in 89. It came stock really quick. For someone who has has experience like you the 250R should keep you entertained....

Bset Regards.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

Thanks for the input and info. I am learning that while the Banshee is a good quad it may not be for me. Keep comin back to the Zuks or the R. Everyone here has been a wealth of info and help, thanks all for not flaming a newb to the atv world.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

Hey Hollywood, If you're towing this dragbike on pavement the 2 stroke will do it just fine. The LT 250 Suzy is a powervalved motor with good bottom end. This also makes it a good trail machine. I am 6' and 200 lbs and my 87 does me very well whether at Moses Lake dunes or St. Anthony BIG dunes. Good thing is, you can get a really nice one for about 2K if you look around. Had mine for 12 years now, and I have ridden everything else, and still like my little 250. Parts are readily available, and when you want to go faster, you can do many upgrades. Mine has an old DG pipe, 38mm carb, reed cage, Wiseco and K&N with open airbox. I also cleaned up the casting flash on the ports last time it was apart. With me on the 250 and my wife (130 lbs) on the '01 Raptor (12-42 gearing, K & N, jetted) we are just about dead even in a drag race on flat sand both having paddles. (She knows how to ride too) So to sum up this wordy and somewhat biased discertation, the Suzy is inexpensive and will do everything you want. Happy Quad Shopping!

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

hollywood, keep watching the buy-n-sell, cycletrader, the nickel ads, bulletin boards, local newspapers, & possibly ebay... bang for the buck, a 88-92 LT250R in good condition sounds like what you want..... if i see something in your price range that looks like it's a deal, i'll definitely let ya know.

Howdy all (can I get some input on a sport quad)
 

Can anybody suggest a good two stroke pipe for a Banshee. I want to start upgrading my 03
Banshee. My price range is $500.00 to $700.00.

Thanks for reading this and trying to help....