quad and bike ???

[bigblue2230]

Ok, 2 part question here.

1. I am looking to sell my rm250, and want to buy a newer bike. I like the power to weight ratio of a 2 stroke, but I like the reliability of a 4-stroke. I do mostly trail riding, but still make it to the dunes a couple times a year. Would a 250 4-stroke do well at the dunes? I would have a paddle on it, but does it have enough power, or should I be thinking 300 cc. I just don't want too big of a bike so I can still throw it around on the trails. I am only 170 lbs.

2. My girlfriend is looking to get a quad this winter, and she loves the dunes, but wants to get onto trails more. We were looking at either a warrior or a 300 or 400 ex. We want a sport quad with reverse and electric start, so if there are better sport quads (used, around 2002-2004 era) what should we be looking for. Also, dimensionly, is the 300ex the same as a 400ex, just with a different size motor in the frame, or are they physically different (width and length.)

Any help would be great.

[Smiley23]

I can answer some on the dirtbike. It depends on your weight and what you want to do with it.

I have been looking at a 450 - 4 stroke for myself. Most stores tell me it is too big. But, I am nearly 300 lbs. I personally like the 1st and second gear torque. I dont expect to use anything more.

Just to give you an idea, I tried to run my kid's bike up a hill (125 4 stroke) at Silverlake and I had it full tilt 5th gear at the bottom of the hill. By the time I got near the top I had it geared down to 1 gear and it stalled. No paddle tires mind you. It was NOT test hill - much smaller - about half the size.

Basic equation I have come to for my own personal reference:
125 2 stroke = 250 4 stroke
250 2 stroke = 450 4 stroke

[Theidt88]

Im pretty sure the 400 is bigger. Im actually selling mine right now, but my 300 deff feels a lot smaller, lighter, and has a shorter wheel base to me than my 400. All in all the 400 is a ot better, maybe a little heavier but not by much and in the end the power is worth it.

[blacy001]

i have a 06 CRf 250-F and at 160 lbs i have too much power when raceing in the trails i love it to death, you would be stupid to buy a 450 there way too much bike for the stuff you want to do

i may not know a lot about 4x4 but i know a ton about bikes
trust me on this one

and your GF dont buy her a quad there not as safe as people, ive seen worst injuries out of a quad crash then any bike id ever seen, get her a 150-F or a 100

[Smiley23]

Originally Posted by blacy001

i have a 06 CRf 250-F and at 160 lbs i have too much power when raceing in the trails i love it to death, you would be stupid to buy a 450 there way too much bike for the stuff you want to do

i may not know a lot about 4x4 but i know a ton about bikes
trust me on this one

and your GF dont buy her a quad there not as safe as people, ive seen worst injuries out of a quad crash then any bike id ever seen, get her a 150-F or a 100

There is a difference in torque between 2 stroke and 4 stroke. Since I am 1.5 times your weight - you still say a 4 stroke 450 is too much?

[liv2mx]

get the 450. been riding them since 02, have had many 250 2 strokes and 125's.if you want to do the dunes you will not be happy on a 250f. especially being 300 pds. i could never see a 250f being too much power racing? i have been places were we could easily do jumps on our 450 but 250f's had a hard time.. like the jump in the back of your avator. you are at big air, strait behind you is captain kirt. the first couple years we started jumping it you could not do it on a 125. 250 only. 250f's really had a tuff time until powers cut all the jumps down and the track now sucks. get the 450!!!

[unclebeaner]

depending on the size of your girlfriend on which quad is better for her. my 105 lbs girlfriend felt really comfortable on a blaster which are cheap and start everytime if you leave them stock. currently i gave her a z400 (in my avatar) after she got used to it she was fine but IMO its still alittle big for her. another factor is how aggresively she rides.

[Motor Slut]

4 strokes are not more reliable than a 2 stroke.

They cost more to maintain and are harder to work on, they do however make more torque and require less clutch work to ride hard.

[booblinker]

Originally Posted by Motor Slut

4 strokes are not more reliable than a 2 stroke.

They cost more to maintain and are harder to work on, they do however make more torque and require less clutch work to ride hard.

Are you kidding me. Oil change, spark plugs, the occasional valve adjustment. I actually find 4 strokes much easier to work on. I you ride a 4 stroke all the time you can go 20 years without a new top end. If you ride a 2 stroke hard you'll get 5 years if you are really lucky.

[Motor Slut]

Originally Posted by booblinker

Are you kidding me. Oil change, spark plugs, the occasional valve adjustment. I actually find 4 strokes much easier to work on. I you ride a 4 stroke all the time you can go 20 years without a new top end. If you ride a 2 stroke hard you'll get 5 years if you are really lucky.

yeah OK! A modern 4 stroke dirt bike has a very costly top end that will go bad and will need some maintenance. I can rebuild a 2 stroke in an hour and do it 5-7 times before I even come close to what one rebuild of a 4 stroke will cost.

If you ride a 4 stroke hard you will be lucky to get a year out of it. I have seen so many people f up their 4 strokes because they thought like you that it makes me laugh when I hear it.

[liv2mx]

yep new 4 strokes dirt bikes and the race 4 stroke quads are more maintnance then the old 2 strokes. look in any owners manual to the new 4 strokes and they say you should adjust the valves after every 30 hours of use or close to that.the earlier honda crf 450's have had major valve problums.along w other bikes, 250f kawasaki.suzuki 450 and 250's. and like was stated earlier very costly. i have had 6 new 4 stroke 450's and they are alot of work. you can not be a competative racer without one now though.

[89eliminator]

4-strokes, 4-strokes, 4-strokes. i would take a 4 stroke any day of the week. more reliable, better low end.

as far a quad for the gf. i would get something cheap to start of with. if she doesn't like it, then you might have a better idea to what she does want and can get it.

[Yetti]

Let me know if your interested in a 350 Warrior. my buddy is selling his wifes cause she doesn't ride anymore. its in very good shape. I think he is asking around $2500.00 for it. its only been rode like 6 times up north.

[ScOoTeR]

Originally Posted by 89eliminator

4-strokes, 4-strokes, 4-strokes. i would take a 4 stroke any day of the week. more reliable, better low end.

That's because you've never ridden a KTM 300.

[liv2mx]

Originally Posted by ScOoTeR

That's because you've never ridden a KTM 300.

one of the best single track bikes made.

[blacy001]

Originally Posted by Smiley23

There is a difference in torque between 2 stroke and 4 stroke. Since I am 1.5 times your weight - you still say a 4 stroke 450 is too much?

i wasnt refering to you but i have a firend who is just as heavy as you and rids a 250-f but i think you would be better off with a 450 if your going to the dunes

[Smiley23]

Originally Posted by blacy001

i wasnt refering to you but i have a firend who is just as heavy as you and rids a 250-f but i think you would be better off with a 450 if your going to the dunes

Kool - the FATMAN is looking for a bike . Hopefully I will be able to come up with the cash soon.

[user name]

are you looking for something like a CR or XR. I don't think your going out motorcrossing. I would think about something an XR400 would probably be pretty good but I don't think they make them anymore.

[chris1044]

Originally Posted by ScOoTeR

That's because you've never ridden a KTM 300.

X3, but.....

for a cheap trail bike, an XR 400 is the ultimate trail bike - you never have to work on them other than changing the oil......

They may not be the fastest, they may not be the best handler, but they'll never leave you stranded and are cheap fun

[user name]

I don't think you would be that happy with the reliability of a race four stroke. I'm pretty sure they spin more rpm then the 2 stokes now.