Used LT250R buying advice needed.
Sep 25, 2003 | 11:09 PM
#1
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Weekend Warrior
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 10
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Used LT250R buying advise needed.
I'm looking to buy an ATV for myself and a used LT250R is my first candidate. Can some of you owners (past & current) answer some questions? I did a search but there is so much LT250 info that it's hard to find posts pertaining specifically to my questions.
Background:
I grew up riding dirtbikes. The only ATV I ever had was a ratted out Kawasaki 185 Bayou I had 10 years ago. Currently I ride a 1994 CR250. All my riding buddies have new bikes and frankly my 10yo CR250 rides no worse than their 2002 CR250s. So for me getting a $6000 new quad is asanine if I can get the same/similar performance from an old ~$2200, LT250R.
Application:
Trails and some dunes, I have a 2-wheeler for the track. My wife will be riding the quad as well as me.
Questions:
1: What kind of condition is a standard ~86-90 LT250 gonna be in? Are most ratted out POSs? Can good ones be found easily?
2: Was the LT250 reliable when it was new? Are they still?
3: What common problems should I look for?
4: Why do the Honda 250Rs cost twice as much?
5: Specifically are there any model years to look for, or avoid?
Let me clarify what I need. I'm not poor or cheap. What I'm looking for is a good performing quad for the BEST VALUE. I want the biggest bang for my buck. Would I be better off with a 15yo LT 250R for ~$2000, or say a 5yo 400EX for ~$3500?
For me a ~$6000 YFZ450 with a monthly payment would not be as much fun as a "paid for", used LT250R.
Thanks in advance,
Mark
Background:
I grew up riding dirtbikes. The only ATV I ever had was a ratted out Kawasaki 185 Bayou I had 10 years ago. Currently I ride a 1994 CR250. All my riding buddies have new bikes and frankly my 10yo CR250 rides no worse than their 2002 CR250s. So for me getting a $6000 new quad is asanine if I can get the same/similar performance from an old ~$2200, LT250R.
Application:
Trails and some dunes, I have a 2-wheeler for the track. My wife will be riding the quad as well as me.
Questions:
1: What kind of condition is a standard ~86-90 LT250 gonna be in? Are most ratted out POSs? Can good ones be found easily?
2: Was the LT250 reliable when it was new? Are they still?
3: What common problems should I look for?
4: Why do the Honda 250Rs cost twice as much?
5: Specifically are there any model years to look for, or avoid?
Let me clarify what I need. I'm not poor or cheap. What I'm looking for is a good performing quad for the BEST VALUE. I want the biggest bang for my buck. Would I be better off with a 15yo LT 250R for ~$2000, or say a 5yo 400EX for ~$3500?
For me a ~$6000 YFZ450 with a monthly payment would not be as much fun as a "paid for", used LT250R.
Thanks in advance,
Mark
Sep 26, 2003 | 01:08 AM
#2
Pro Rider
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
Used LT250R buying advice needed.
first of all the 85-86 suzuki quadracers are a completely different, much more primitive design then their 87+ younger sisters. i'm not going to tell you to stay away from them, because they have their merits and they have potential... but they're stone age stuff, really.
common problems are cracking around the swingarm. and cracking in the frames around the foot pegs and front shock towers.
honda 250Rs cost twice as much for good reason. i could literally write two pages about why that is. basically, the Honda's a damn good machine even if it is a bit slower. it handles better, has a more modern design of chassis (being copied to this day on almost all new sport models) and the aftermarket is incredible.
model years to look for (in my opinion) would be 90-92. they don't have the rocker arm rear suspension, and are the newest model years. a lot of people say the rocker arm rear suspensions aren't bad at all, and they're not... but there's obviously a few reasons why the pros don't run them.
85-86 have a better (read: honda style) rear chain adjustment than the 87-92. they also have a normal seat instead of the T-shape stuff.
87+ front suspensions are more improved than 85-86.
87+ have powervalve while 85-86 don't.
'87 had a bigger intake than 88-92 and therefore makes more power.
87+ have 5 bolt rear hubs while 85-86 have 4 bolt, but a bigger (4") bolt pattern than yamaha or honda.
common problems are cracking around the swingarm. and cracking in the frames around the foot pegs and front shock towers.
honda 250Rs cost twice as much for good reason. i could literally write two pages about why that is. basically, the Honda's a damn good machine even if it is a bit slower. it handles better, has a more modern design of chassis (being copied to this day on almost all new sport models) and the aftermarket is incredible.
model years to look for (in my opinion) would be 90-92. they don't have the rocker arm rear suspension, and are the newest model years. a lot of people say the rocker arm rear suspensions aren't bad at all, and they're not... but there's obviously a few reasons why the pros don't run them.
85-86 have a better (read: honda style) rear chain adjustment than the 87-92. they also have a normal seat instead of the T-shape stuff.
87+ front suspensions are more improved than 85-86.
87+ have powervalve while 85-86 don't.
'87 had a bigger intake than 88-92 and therefore makes more power.
87+ have 5 bolt rear hubs while 85-86 have 4 bolt, but a bigger (4") bolt pattern than yamaha or honda.
Sep 26, 2003 | 01:54 AM
#3
Range Rover
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Used LT250R buying advice needed.
I may have your quad. email and I will tell you more and I can supply pics. kev94mx@yahoo.com
Sep 26, 2003 | 10:45 AM
#4
Pro Rider
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 0
Used LT250R buying advice needed.
Originally posted by: DaisyCutter
I'm looking to buy an ATV for myself and a used LT250R is my first candidate. Can some of you owners (past & current) answer some questions? I did a search but there is so much LT250 info that it's hard to find posts pertaining specifically to my questions.
Background:
I grew up riding dirtbikes. The only ATV I ever had was a ratted out Kawasaki 185 Bayou I had 10 years ago. Currently I ride a 1994 CR250. All my riding buddies have new bikes and frankly my 10yo CR250 rides no worse than their 2002 CR250s. So for me getting a $6000 new quad is asanine if I can get the same/similar performance from an old ~$2200, LT250R.
Application:
Trails and some dunes, I have a 2-wheeler for the track. My wife will be riding the quad as well as me.
Questions:
1: What kind of condition is a standard ~86-90 LT250 gonna be in? Are most ratted out POSs? Can good ones be found easily?
Usually crappy, but enough are still around to find a decent one.
2: Was the LT250 reliable when it was new? Are they still? Yes, yes.
3: What common problems should I look for? I never have any. Be sure the crappy chain adjustment mechanism is not messed up.
4: Why do the Honda 250Rs cost twice as much? Better handling chassis and the racer market developed into the huge aftermarket availability.
5: Specifically are there any model years to look for, or avoid?
Let me clarify what I need. I'm not poor or cheap. What I'm looking for is a good performing quad for the BEST VALUE. I want the biggest bang for my buck. Would I be better off with a 15yo LT 250R for ~$2000, or say a 5yo 400EX for ~$3500?
I am in the same area. Could go write a check for a YFZ today, but my LT works pretty darn good. Makes a lot of power, and fits well, jumps well, never breaks. I'm going to continue to improve on it for the time being.
For me a ~$6000 YFZ450 with a monthly payment would not be as much fun as a "paid for", used LT250R.
Thanks in advance,
Mark
I'm looking to buy an ATV for myself and a used LT250R is my first candidate. Can some of you owners (past & current) answer some questions? I did a search but there is so much LT250 info that it's hard to find posts pertaining specifically to my questions.
Background:
I grew up riding dirtbikes. The only ATV I ever had was a ratted out Kawasaki 185 Bayou I had 10 years ago. Currently I ride a 1994 CR250. All my riding buddies have new bikes and frankly my 10yo CR250 rides no worse than their 2002 CR250s. So for me getting a $6000 new quad is asanine if I can get the same/similar performance from an old ~$2200, LT250R.
Application:
Trails and some dunes, I have a 2-wheeler for the track. My wife will be riding the quad as well as me.
Questions:
1: What kind of condition is a standard ~86-90 LT250 gonna be in? Are most ratted out POSs? Can good ones be found easily?
Usually crappy, but enough are still around to find a decent one.
2: Was the LT250 reliable when it was new? Are they still? Yes, yes.
3: What common problems should I look for? I never have any. Be sure the crappy chain adjustment mechanism is not messed up.
4: Why do the Honda 250Rs cost twice as much? Better handling chassis and the racer market developed into the huge aftermarket availability.
5: Specifically are there any model years to look for, or avoid?
Let me clarify what I need. I'm not poor or cheap. What I'm looking for is a good performing quad for the BEST VALUE. I want the biggest bang for my buck. Would I be better off with a 15yo LT 250R for ~$2000, or say a 5yo 400EX for ~$3500?
I am in the same area. Could go write a check for a YFZ today, but my LT works pretty darn good. Makes a lot of power, and fits well, jumps well, never breaks. I'm going to continue to improve on it for the time being.
For me a ~$6000 YFZ450 with a monthly payment would not be as much fun as a "paid for", used LT250R.
Thanks in advance,
Mark
Sep 27, 2003 | 01:45 AM
#5
Pro Rider
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 322
Likes: 1
Used LT250R buying advice needed.
Very well said 1986________, you seem to know a lot about the quadracer. Daisey, the fact that you picked the quadracer says you have been doing your homework. I too picked the LT because it is the best bang for the buck. I have had mine for a year and am happy with it. I think you'll be much happier with it than a 400EX, since you are used to 2 strokes. Save that money you would have spent on the honda and use it for upgrades. The motors are sound, check the frame for cracks and overall condition and shop around. You should find a somewhat stock one for $1800 to $2000 or one with goodies for $2500 depending on how good of shape and how many mods. Check ebay and atvtraderonline.com for an idea of what is out there.
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