Im getting a 250r in a few days and would like to know how it compares to other sport quads like the banshee, raptor, blaster, 400ex and anything else. Im not just looking for horsepower comparisons as it takes more than horspower to make a great overall atv. Im interested in how the whole package of weight, chassis(design) handling and horsepower come together.

 

It's better than all of them. What...you expected a long winded reply?

 

My brother has a sweet '92 that I've ridden quite often. The Quadracer is light, around 330-340lbs if I remember right. The '85 & '86 were listed at 293lbs dry! unfortunatly they had a lot more problems than the '87-'92 models. The '87 on up racers used a power valve motor that had excellent power. Easy to control but plenty of beans to slide, spin your tires and wheelie. The suspension was really goog as well as the handling and balence. The front suspension was a little weak and if you have shaved fenders you can watch the tires toe in and out as the suspension cycles since Suzuki didn't tune out the bump steer like Honda did.

I have extensively ridden or owned the following quads, Blaster, Quad Sport, 250X, Warrior, Mojave, Quad Racer 500, and Banshee.

The Blaster is gutless compared to a Quad Racer and the suspension and brakes suck.

The Quad Sport has reverse, is lighter than the later model Racers, doesn't handle or ride as well but is easier to wheelie and explore/trail ride on.

250X - Gutless, rides pretty well, way easy to wheelie, more dependable and less finiky than the Racer.

Warrior- Good power, feels too heavy and clumsy, rides okay but too soft. Great for exploring and trail rides but not as fun to ride as the Racer.

Mojave- The engine likes to be revved like the Quad Racer. Heavy, doesn't pound through the whoops like the Racer. Needs to be longer and a bit wider. It is quite a bit smaller than the Racer when they are side by side.

Quad Racer 500- The one I rode was clapped out so the handling was scary because of the looseness. The power was broad and smooth. Basically like twice a Racer 250. The 500 is too big! Way too long and wide. It didn't let you throw is around like the 250. Also felt heavy.

Banshee- Hard hitting power, faster than the Racer. The Banshee doesn't handle as well and feels clumsy compared to the Racer. For duning the Banshee is in its element while the racer does quite well, on trails or the track the Racer blows it away.

400EX- Only rode one once for about 10 minutes. The one I rode had a cam and the power was pretty strong and way easy to control. It didn't have a hit like the Racer and felt a bit heavier but it got traction and hooked up. Way easy to wheelie, slide and jump. The front end felt better than the Racer. Depending on my mood if I wanted to jam I'd go Racer, to cruise the 400EX.

In summary the Quad Racer is an awesome machine that is better or competitive with any of the new sport quads. It is too bad Suzuki quit making it.

 

quadracers are awesome. their so light you won't even believe it. i like em a lot more than my lame 400EX. out of all the quads you listed i'd get a quadracer 250 first (and your in luck because their really cheap and u can usually get a pretty good one).

 

I have a Mojave and the LT which I havent got to ride. When placed side by side and measured the LT is 2" wider up front and in the rear and almost 6" longer. The rear shock is way more bottom resistent than the Mojaves rear. The front seem similar except for the LT's extra 1.6" of travel. I did notice right away that the LT has a bit of bumpsteer. It doesnt look bad enough to make a noticeable difference in the ride however (the Mojave is about the same). The LT is much lighter, I cant personally stand the Mojave up on end by myself and I've shaved about 25lbs off of it so far. I can easily pick up the LT though. I feel much more comfortable on the LT, I'm 5'11" and some change and 165 pounds.

 

Madweazl,

What did you do to take the 25lbs off your Mojave? I'd like to lighten mine up to get it close to my old 250X's 350lbs. The lighter weight of my 250X is the only thing I miss from that machine.

 

well from my experiences... you guys really havent ridin a nice quad till you've hopped on a honda trx 250r! seriously, i didnt think i'd like it so much, but to tell you the truth, im hooked! im almost to the point of maybe selling my quadracer for another 250r. but i'll make up my mind when the new suspension comes in, if it aint up to what i want, its gone and im lookin for another R, or even maybe one of those raptor jobbies..... MAYBE! probably just another kick *** R to put shame to everyone else even more is what i'll do! muahaha! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I've got a '85 LT250R, personally I think it handles much better than the 400EXs I've rode. The 400s feel so stiff. You feel every bump. i dont like that. A good LT can run or even beat a 400. A Banshee is faster but it feels a little clumsy to me, but they are nice bikes. I love my LT. The one thing i like most is that Banshees, 400EXs, and Raptors are a dime a dozen you dont see near as many Quadracers around, so you get noticed a little more.

 

even a crappy LT250 can beat a 400. i've done it plenty of times on mine! and people say LT's handle bad, well if your tryin to ride it like a 250r or 400EX it does. you gotta have a different style to make that LT handle like a dream. and after you own one for a while u get the hand of it.

 

LT250s are great. Mine is an 86 and the motor is original and it still beats 400ex and keeps up with Honda 250rs. I prefer the handling of Suzukis and the feel of the motor over Hondas. My brother has an 86 Honda 250r so I have been able to directly compare.