250ex Vs. 300ex....honest opinions!

[Texan32]

Ok, here's the deal. I just found out that my girlfriend is getting discharged from the Army. She was at basic training and had an accident (it was her drill instructor's fault). She ended up getting 8 hairline fractures on both her legs. Anyhow, the point of this thread. When she was here last, we went camping with a bunch of buddies and after riding a Grizzly then spinning on my 400, she decided she wants one like mine.

So, now that she will be staying home, i want to get her a quad. I need some HONEST opinions on the 300 vs. 250ex's. How different do they handle. How do they compare in power, acceleration, etc....

I don't think i want to get her a 400 (too much power), but i do want to stick with Honda. So, if some of you that have riden both could chime in, i would REALLY appreciate it!

Also, does the 250 have rev.?

James

yes the 250ex has reverse.
do you think your girlfreind will be able to handle and lern clutch?
the 250ex is a fun little quad, if you plan on just taking her around on the trails it should be a blast for her. if she is going to ride more often, id say get the 300ex. the 300ex acell. a lot faster, has a higher top speed, handles much beter, and it just a plain old beter sport machine. either way you cant go wroung.

[Nausty]

300ex because it has more power and better handling from the start and can be modded to hang with a bigger quad.

get a 300

[racin 400]

Get a 300 they are cool rides.

[RdingManiac420]

I'd get her the 300. Once she gets onto the clutch then she can ride other quads and not be limited to the 250's auto clutch.Plus if when she gets better at riding the 300 can be pushed harder than the 250.

[Sparky416ex]

Id say get a 300,,,and sorry about your girlfriend

go for the big 3-0-0

[honda250]

dude seriously the 300 has a lot more power the 50cc makes a diffence about 10 mph and the accel is alot. But the 250 is more convinient the choke is up on the bars instead of under the plastic. The 250 does about 55 on the road with a k&n. Its alot less maintanence. If you want a fun easy to ride quad with ok speed and performance the 250 is it, if u want a really sporty not so easy quad but that is stillg ood and had really good performance the 300 is it

[ride300exred]

But I would choose a 300 .

[Rastus]

Yeah, id say go with a 300EX.
They mud,trail ride, and can be quite sporty.They're practically bullet-proof,and run almost forever.

[Texan32]

I appreciate the input. When we were out last, she actually did pretty good riding (and shifting...didn't hear too much gringing of gears) my 400. I just think i wanted to get her something with a little less power (we only have life insurance on me :eek: ) and reverse. That way she's not stuck busting her ars getting it out of a sticky situation...you know what i mean?!

I know this is a little premature, but what are some easy/ cheap mods to do to the 300. Is there a pilot jet trick (like the 400) to help start it? Or is it not as tempermental as the 400!? I plan on putting a pipe and all, but i want somethin thats not too loud. What would you guys think?

Thanks again

James

[DEAL]

My 300 was never cold blooded like my 400 is. I think its just because i have it jetted.

if i could have a bike besides my 400 i would get a 250, they are more fun to me because they are little and i can man handle one, hte 300ex is just no fun to me

[250EXChik29]

I love the 250.. I am a fairly new rider and needed something to accomodate my riding experience.. I wasnt used to a manual clutch and I did have the choice between the 250 and the 300 and chose the 250. I do wish the 250 were a little faster on the straight away but when we ride, we usually always do the trails. On the trails.. the 250 is AWESOME.. in my opinion. I have only gotten really stuck once, that was yesterday and it was something that any other quad would have gotten caught up in unless it was 4WD. So really it all depends on what type of riding you are planning to do.. If she wants to eventually race or something.. go with the 300, they can be modded.. the 250 has a lot of limitations (it seems) as far as mods go. Other than that the 250 is a great quad for everything..

My friends 250ex had a WB E-Series pipe,jets,and a K@N filter.My other friend had a had a 94' 300ex stock and the 250 could keep up with the 300.The 250 had a way lighter front end and it was hard to keep the front end down.With out the mods the front end is heavier and easier to handle.I say if you get mods the 250ex.But if she wants a clutch go with the 300.

[SUPER_DAVE]

300ex

more mods
more fun cause of the clutch
faster
handles better
better susp
also if she had a 250ex and wanted to step up u would have already done it.

I dunno i Just flat our like the 300ex so much MORE!!!!!!!
I will never buy a 250ex...I would buy a recon first!

[Rastus]

Id say to let her learn manual shifting first.it will help alot when she wants to go bigger to a better sport quad.Just my opinion.
Also, if your getting a pipe, id recoomend White Brothers E-series slip-on if you dont want to rejet.if you want more power, get the full system, and rejet.It has a good blend of sound/trail rugedness/and power.

My .02$

[NC2Quads]

i HAVE A 300EX AND A 250EX...
BOTH HAVE REVERSE...
THE 300 COMES WITH A SOFTER SUSPENSION...
THE 250 HAS A TIGHTER TURN RADIUS !!!
THE 300 HAS A CLUTCH AND CAN BE A PAIN ON TRAILS IF LEARNING...
MY WIFE RIDES THE 300 WELL BUT SPENT ALOT OF TIME BURNING MY CLUTCH AND TURNING THE STARTER...
THE 250 IS EASIER TO START (HANDLEBAR CHOKE)...
THE 250 IS A **** OF ALOT EASIER TO PUT INTO REVERSE!!!
THE 250 COSTS LESS AND IS CHEAPER MAINTENCE (OIL CHAIN OFTEN)

I'VE BEEN RIDING SINCE 1988... AND I COULD HAVE JUST AS MUCH FUN ON THE 250ex... PLUS THE HEADLIGHT ON THE 250 LOOKS MORE SAUCY!!! I'D SAY 250EX SHE'LL HAVE FUN ON IT WITH LESS MAINTENCE!!!

[Master400ex]

How about the 250x??? you get the best of both worlds. Also, you can find one real cheap:D

[ride300exred]

The 250x isnt a good idea for lady's (kickstart )
Learn he on a clucth maybe in a few years she can ride a 400 . :D

[Rastus]

Yeah, my G/F hates my kickstarter.....lol

[Leo]

really all depends what she would be more comfortable with (comfort=fun)..

The 250EX is probably easier to learn on / ride, but the 300 leaves more room to 'grow' into..

Even if you went with a 250EX, as long as you keep it in good shape you can reasonably expect to get a decent resale on it if she decides to move up (it's a Honda after all!)..

My advice,

take her to a dealership and let her ride both, let her decide :D

Leo

[Rastus]

Yeah, do what leo said.
Let her try out each one, and let her tell you which one she likes.
Most undoubtedly, shes gonna want a nice looking quad. Women go for that kinda stuff, it can run like crap, but if it looks good they'll buy it.

[Texan32]

Thanks for replying. You are the exact type person i was hoping to hear from (someone that has one of BOTH). ...and Leo, i was thinking that what you said would be the best idea, but i still wanted some info about long term effects, on trail differences, maintenance...that sort of thing. Not many dealers will let you take a quad for an hour long trail test ride (not around here at least). So, i was hoping that someone like NC2 would chime in and give the skinny on both.

[BIGRED400]

While alot of people hammer the 250EX 1st. you have to understand the 250 was'nt built for racing ,it was built for a cheaper version of plain fun , I bought a 2002 250EX for my son ,we doubled-up riding trails and for fun and then I caught the bug and went 1 month later and bought a 2002 400EX for myself. NO doubt the 400 is a whole other animal but then again you pay for it, I am happy with both, one weekend we decided to go to ST. JOHNS RIVER here in FLA. i must humbly admit my 400 sucked in water where as the 250 " keep on truckin" due to the design , the 250 may not be the fastest in the bunch but if you look at how it is made it will be there for the long haul when the rest are wore out ,(driveshaft,sealed rear brake,etc. low maintenece)and there is one in my nebiorhood that has a white bro ..e-series pipe and it really has woke it up , so use what you have ,,quad and rider,, to thier full potential. the 250 is a good bank for the buck , sure the blaster will eat it up but do you want to wrench it or ride it!!!!!!



BIGRED 400
2002 400EX
2002 250 EX

[NC2Quads]

Your welcome... More pro's and cons...
-True.. for some reason due to design or application of torque the 250EX goes through water like a duck!

(Both mine are still Stock... bought both the same day :macho Starting to rebound... Mods to come in due time...)

-My wife has smaller hands and the thumb throttle is killing her hand... average trail ride is about 2.5 hrs... I moved it closer to the grip but it has a stiff spring...
(Looking into a twist-Grip for her)

Leo - can the factory cable be used with aftermarket twists or need the cable / twist-grip combo? (2002 250EX)

-I can't say enough about how it goes through the trais (narrower) every inch helps, and the tight turning!

-greater control of power during hill climbs...(pick a gear and go!)
[(no concentration required)(thinking about clutch pressure when starting on an incline)]

-the 300 starts in any gear but reverse (Wich sucks if stalled moving out of shed)(Push down handle, start and go through a street dance to get back into Reverse)

-the 250 only starts in neutral but never stalls !!!

-the 250 has a little more room under seat w/the battery

-300 has squat....for room other than the tube with the overpriced k-mart tools :rolleyes:

-the 300 has more power and is easy to get caught up in :D

Know when to let up!
(I'd rather be passed...and catch up to them as their turning it back upright while their crying holding broken arms and legs and worring about how they're going to fix / pay for thier bike...)
(Then they want you to stop and help them!! And go for help... and don't tell mommy and daddy... But you do get to award them with insulting nick-names... Like "2-Stroke", "Hole shot", "Swing-Arm", "Handle Bar", "Hand-Grip", "Tree-Hugger", "Creek pants",
"Mud-Eye", and "Tank-Nut" to name a few... :huh

[stevengates45]

I would get her the 300 no doubt.

[TRX250EXER]

I say go with the 300ex. I wish I would have now cause my skills way exceed the little 250 now. plus she will have a harder time keeping up with a 400ex. But yes the WB e-series is great. I fly by my buddies 250ex easily. And its tons quicker. One of my buddies has a 300ex and had a '87 250X. I beat the 250X easily until I topped out. he tops out higher. But they are slow. I think thats why he got rid of it. lil pissed that I was quicker. But all around the 300ex is better in every way I think.

[Nausty]

i'm gonna add a little bit more because if I edit the 1st post no one will notice it but the 300ex will have a little bit harder learning curve but it has electric starting, reverse and has GREAT reliability and the clutch is a good thing in my opinion even for a newbie. Plus the 300ex you can mod the crap out of that to fit her skills and there really isn't much you can do with the 250ex with mods. I really think the 300ex is the way to go;)

[tinytim]

Been there, done that. You answered your own question; she wants a 400.
It is a money issue: Buying new; get a 400. Buying used; get a 300.
We ride in sand, and I have stuck way too much $ in mods on the 300, exceeding the total cost of a 400 (and my time in the garage), and still haven't matched the 400.
And guess what? I still hear "I want one like you got"!
Trust me, they grow into them, like kids grow into shoes. You can always tinker with it to keep it less that optimum jetting.
Are you afraid she will beat you if equally equipped?
Common parts are a plus, and if you don't like a mod on your machine, put it on hers.
I can go on and on.

[Honda99_300ex]

get her a 300ex.......my little sister rides mine sometimes and she seems to handle it well.......cause if you get her a 250ex, shell want something bigger soon.......get a 300ex.

[yellowrider]

there was 4 of us that had a 300ex...

here is what happend to them

one got wrecked so that guy got insurance out of it and bought him a new car and a blaster...

one needs rings really bad.. but still ridable .. but you dont want to ride this one on the road cause he hit a cop and still took off...
(he wants a 400ex)


mine i had cylinder promblems but i got rid of mine and got a 400ex

a guy on a 250x had over 5 grand in it and only could beat a stock 400ex in high gear not accelration.. he sold it for 2500.00 and got a banshee

this may not made since to you but i promise you you are going to regret getting a 300ex if you ride with people who have larger bikes because you are going to be giving it **** like i did mine like the guy wiht the messed up rings and the guy who mod his to **** and got no where.


300ex will not last if you give them **** i been there and done that