I'm thinking about buying either a 89 or a 92 lt250 quadracer. I don't have expirence with quadracers, only 250r hondas and I was wondering if there are any problems I can expect to encounter or I should look for. I'm trying to get a bike that won't give me alot of problems. On that note, what is a good year to get and about what are they worth? I've heard mixed stories about the lt250r, some say their great bikes others say they break all the time, so needless to say I don't know what to believe. Thanks in advance for any kind of direction you can give me.

 

I've owned an '86 and two '92 quadracers and they are reliable quads if you keep up with your maintenence. The Suzuki frames have a tendancy to crack near the front shock upper mounts, the '85 and '86 models were weaker than the newer models however. Also, depending on the type of riding you do can be a factor in reliability. I had to replce the aluminum swingarm on the '86 and '92 models. I have cracked every one I have owned, also, they do not hold up well to aggressive MX riding and the chain will sometimes derail with abuse('87-'92), it may be a good idea to replace the swingarm with the round housing style as I did to eleminate any of those problems. The ball joints on the front A-arms will fatigue after a lot of abuse, but no worse than any other quad. Other than that, I can say that the quadracers are just as reliable as any other 2-stroke quad as long as proper maintenence is done. I have also owned a few Honda 250R's, and the Suzuki is just as reliable engine-wise.
In my opinion, the '91 and '92 models are the way to go.

 

The responses you got above are right on. Any quad, or anything mechanical for that matter is only as good as the perosn who takes care of it. My 86 for example, when I first bought it 10 years ago, it was the MOST unreliable machine I have ever owned. If I made it a week on one piston, I was doing something. So after about 3 pistons, I let it sit for 2 years, then I decided to do it right. I changed every bearing in the motor, the crank etc, you name it I checked it and replaced it if it needed it. Now, it is a VERY reliable quad, I would take it anywhere and almost certainly make it back under it's own power. I do however take good care of it maintanence wise, but I run it hard, not baby it. It has been a good machine, still own it, still ride it, still love it! I just bought a 92 for dirt cheap, and I am doing the same with it. I have no clue what condition the motor is in, it does not run, but I don;t care cause it is getting the full treatment as well. I am ripping it down, powdercoating everything, checking the entire engine, replacing what needs to be replaced, and I expect it to be just as re;liable as my old 86. Then once it is done, the 86 is getting an entire makeover itself, it deserves it. So, any quad is good, every quad has it flaws, but every quad also needs its TLC to keep it running when you want it to, if not it will leave you. Just buy the one that seems the most sound, or the one that the current owner seems to have more appreciativeness of his machine. That will probably be the one that is most mechanically sound.