Guy...sounds like you just got had by a person that was getting rid of an abused quad to someone who didn't do his homework. I have a 98 Warrior which is bone stock and as far as I'm concerned it rules the sport-utility group. No problems what-so-ever. I can't wait until Yamaha comes out with there new high-performance quad. Come on Yamaha strike back....

 

I bought a lemon warrior about two months ago. It's a 1990 warrior, and the previous owner was the original owner. He said the only thing that needed done to it was the valves needed adjusted. So far, I've had to replace all the bearing, replace the engine casing (had a crack in it), replace all four A-Arms in the front (ball joints were wore out), and replace the gear shifter. ...and it still needs work done to it.

 

I think you just found a lemon. I've had two Warriors ( a new '94 and a well-thrashed '92) and they don't screw up too bad. They are kinda heavy (but that can be taken care of)- but handle pretty good. Jumping them very much in stock form takes some getting used to, you have to be sorta careful how you land them to keep from bottoming the suspension (especially the front) out slam to china. The motors are tough as nails unless you over-rev them excessively. The biggest "bogus" failure on warriors I've seen is stators-and I know of only two that done that. Everything I've seen was due to over-revving, lack of maintance, etc.
I've ridden 300EX's a few times- they're OK, kinda 'tippy', not that much power really (but then again a warrior isn't exactly Quadzilla either)- for most situations I like the Warrior better than the 300EX. But that's my opinion, others may differ...
Truthfully, I like my LT250R better than either one of those :-)

Greg Coats
'87 LT250R
'00 Rancher ES (wifes ride)
Petal, MS