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Posted by: Raptorlegs
I would never recommend a 250 for an adult. I would suggest a 400cc minimum. You can buy a 2-3 year old 400 for the same price as a new 250. Reliability would not be an issue. You get a wider stance, more power, more comfort, better suspension, better handling. Shaft drive sucks because it limits you to stock gearing. Any 400 with 22 inch tires and a slightly smaller front sprocket would give you plenty of clearance for 90% of trails and any trails it doesn't have the clearance for, the 250 ain't gonna cut it either.
Posted by: twentycharacters
id go 300EX if i were you as well. Its an excellent trail quad, handles very well has more power. unless you are a hardcore mudder, you wont have worry about the chain. Plus it adjusts in like 2 seconds with the co-eccentric adjuster honda uses (other oems can now use this design since honda's patent expired on it)
these new o-ring chains are way better than the chains of the old days and the ones they put on bicycles...
i bet since the 300ex prob wont return for 2007 (or it may be changed...) you can get HUGE discounts on NEW leftover dealer stock on 2006 and even 2005 models that i bet are still lurking in dealer show rooms.
Posted by: twentycharacters
and whatever you get, it is a good idea to get skidplates for it...ride safe, have fun!
Posted by: Scooter86
Yes, I think you should look into the 300EX or 350Raptor also. The 250's are great little quads, but if you can hack it with the clutch these others have a lot more to offer performance wise. Chain maintenance is pretty easy too. I take about 5 minutes and clean mine up after a ride, then spray it with WD-40 to rpevent rust. Just before the next ride I'll take a couple of minutes and spray a good chain lube on it. Keeping the chain adjusted isn't really a big time waster either once you get the routine down. I am sure you will have fun with whichever you end up with, so let us know which one you bring home, K?
Posted by: Scooter86
Congrats on the new ride! Stay safe tomorrow.
Posted by: Scooter86
Thanks for the update! As for being a bit sketchy at speed, you might want to look around for a steering stabilizer. One of the stick type will do, straghten that front end right up.
Posted by: motox26
Both the Z250 and 250EX are great quads to get around on and both are very reliable. They don't have to much grunt, your bro's 400ex will stomp them, even on the low end, but they have enough power to get you around. If you was to get tired of the machine and want something more (it's addicting, you can always give it to your wife if she is interested in the sport. And just so you know, these do not have a clutch like the 400ex, and they are a little smaller than the 400ex.
If you are truly not worried about power, one of these will be fine, but if you think you might want a little umffff, I would look into the 400's.
Posted by: Catterman
My fourtrax 200 works out just fine Easy to operate, and 95% of the time it can go where my H1 can.
Posted by: BryceGTX
Hello otsxo. You really need to take a close look at the Polaris 250 Trailblazer. I think at your size, you are going to feel very cramped on a dinky little Z250. Those things are very small compared to a 400 EX. The Polaris 250 is a bit larger than the 400 EX. It has more rear supension travel than the 400 EX, equal front suspension travel. Hydraulic disc brakes all the way around. It is wider, longer and has wider rear tires than the 400EX. The 250ex and Z250 are really toys compared. In addition, if you are serious about giving this quad to your wife, and she is not an experienced quader, she will much more appreciate the Polaris 250 to either of the others. It has automatic trans, single hand braking. And if you want to really wake up this quad, you can clutch it and pipe it for $300-$400 and you will feel quite comfortable (not beating) running with your brothers 400 ex. The Polaris has a chain, but it has a very unique chain system called concentric chain system. The chain does not loosen and tighten as the rear suspension moves. Quite different than any other quad. It also has a huge chain for a 250.
I hope this helps you,
Bryce
Posted by: CamoKodiak450
The 2006 250EX are an awesome quad. The new styling is great, along with the new sport clutch. I f you need more power do like I did and put a few vents in the air box along with a Uni-filter rejet the carb with a 110-112 main and add a slip on exhaust. Ours runs great. It's a tough quad and will go just about anywhere. You might want to add a skid plate. Just keep the oil changed and it will out live you.
Posted by: ajd187
I'm not sure what the chain adjustment system looks like on a Honda ATV but on their dirtbikes it's just about the easiest thing. You just turn out two bolts and you're good to go.
Posted by: ATVrider89
Ride em both see which one you like more, personally I'd go with the 250ex.
Posted by: atvmike92
The honda 300ex is nice, too. It has more power than a 250, more top speed, and you can
get almost anything you want for it.
Posted by: havenonickname
I have a raptor 350 with a jet kit and piped and that thing will fly I keep up with the 400 but I think with a 250 you will be wanting more after a couple month a stock raptor 350 would be good and you can always go after martket with it
Posted by: woodsracertofast
yeah,this sport is very addicting,you think a 250 is fast enoughnow,but later i almost guarantee you will want something faster, i have a Z400 and looking at ways to get it faster,so u would probably be better to by a 400.
Posted by: otsxo
I've been lurking around for the last couple of weeks.
About me - 30 years old 5'10' 180 lbs. First quad. Will be riding mostly, if not all, wooded trails in northern Jersey. I have wanted a quad my whole life, but never had a place to ride. My brother just bought a house with tons of local trails to ride. He just bought his quad. A big Rincon. I'll mostly ride with him.
Reasons why I want to stick with a Honda 250ex or Suzuki Z250. I have no problems handling a bigger quad as my brother also just got a 400 ex and I had no problems riding it.
1. More ground clearance. I don't want worry about bottoming out on every rock bigger than 4'.
2. Shaft drive. Less maintenance. I don't have much time these days, so I'd rather be riding than maintaining.
3. If I really get bored with it, I can give it to my wife.
4. Speed is not a real factor. Much more interested in low end acceleration then top end speed. If these 250s can wheelie so easily they most have decent acceleration. When I was 10 years younger I would have definitely wanted something fast.
5. Cost. I prefer to buy new, cause you never know how used ones were treated.
Also, looking at the specs they don't seem to be that much physically smaller.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. And again SPEED is not a real factor. Personnel experiences on either to the two mentioned above would be great.
Thanks
Posted by: otsxo
Thanks for the quick replies.
I wish the 400s weren't so much more money. I think I'll be satisfied with the 250 for at least awhile.
Now, how about the differences between the two? 250ex Z400.
I really like the idea of the sport clutch on the 2006 250ex.
Thanks again.
Posted by: otsxo
Thanks. I really appreciate all of the responses. I'll be going to the dealer tomorrow. I'll probably end up with a 250 as it will be easier to hand down to my wife, who has no riding experience at all. Unless the 250 feels really small while sitting on it.
Thanks again.
Posted by: otsxo
Well I just picked up my 2006 black 250ex yesterday. Only cruised around the parking lot so far. I feel really comfortable on it, which was a big concern. I'm going riding all day tomorrow so that will be the real test. I'll be riding with a Rincon and a Raptor. Thanks agian for everyones comments.
Posted by: otsxo
Well I've got two long days of riding in and I'm very happy with my decision to get the 250ex. Yeah, its not the fastest and I'll probably mod it some time down the road for a little more pep. The first day was 6 hrs in off and on rain. It was me and three big utiltiy quads. Their was nothing they went through that I couldn't including a small pond about 3 ft deep. The second day out it was me 2 utilities and a Raptor 660. Again I made it through everything and I didn't have to avoid things like the Raptor. I can wheelie it and it handles great. I did notice that it does get a little scetchy at higher speed (4th and 5th gear). I think this is probably because of its narrow stance. I'll eventualy put some wider wheels and tires on it which I think will help that.
Again thanks for everyones input and sorry it took awhile to post again.
Posted by: 310
If you were to hand it down to you wife i say you go with the Polaris trailblazer 250 or the honda 250ex.
