either one is an great choice. they are pretty darn close. i think the honda has taller rear tires thats probably why it can keep up. if you get taller tires on the z it'll be 3-4 mph faster. but i think the honda has a little more low end. you pretty much have to decide what one you think looks better. i got the z250 cuz it looks way cooler in my opinion. and plus the z has a gas rear shock, which i heard is the exact same as the z400's.

 

By Honda mounting the motor transverse it will give it a little better bottom end. I just bought my kid one and I like it accept for the pos shifter, the shifting action is a pain and dosen't allways go into gear. Maybe this will get better as it breaks in.

 

Ok here's the deal, I bought the 250ex in part to the dirtwheels test where they said that the z250 did have a slight power advantage in the upper rpm range, but the 250ex had alot more bottomend, ride's better and shift's much better. Bottomend is very important to me since i'm 6'4 and weigh in at 260lbs. Even for my size the ex pull's very well, I can climb pretty much any hill i feel like with little or no trouble. I've also had it up to the fender's in mud with no problem's to speak of. I've never riden a z250 so I can't offer an opinion on that. You would probably be happy with either one, i've heard good thing's about the z250 also, just pick which color you like and go with it, I like RED!!! Hope this help's

 

hey wheelerbob, where are you in md? me n my friend both ride 250s and maybe we could ride together sometime

 

I live in middle river near white marsh.

 

I have to agree I think it is a win win situation with both. My wife picked the Z250 because she liked the looks a little better....

 

the 250ex has more power to the wheels because of the way the engine is mounted in the frame and it is faster and harder accelorating i would go with the 250ex

 

Hey I had a 250ex its a blast to ride plenty of power for a 250 could go any where the rest of the guys went on there 4x4s and a lot better ride have not been on a z250 but every thing I have read about the two they all ways pick the 250 ex over the Z and never had any trouble out of my ex good luck.