10 yr. old on a 250ex

[Drummit77]

I know...some of you are cringing...some of you are wondering why he isn't on a 400ex by now. :)

My son is 10. He weighs bout 60 lbs. in full gear. He's been riding since he was 2. He started on the LT80 and he's had his '03 250ex for a couple years now. He's pretty aggressive on it and it's time to do some mod work. The stock engine has plenty of power to tote his skinny butt around, the issue is the stance. He LOVES to jump and powerslide. (God help me) So far he's clearing stuff about 4-5' high onto flat ground at a pretty fair clip. All that said---

-This Diamond J setup on eBay...I've seen them close for around $90. With 400ex or 300ex shocks, are these kits any good? I was thinking that 4.5" in the front would be much better than the 6" stretch since this is a trail machine. Any experience with the kit? Drawbacks? Anything....

-Wheel spacers. I read the other thread that was put together...very nice and helpful. Alas...I'm assuming that the bent/broken pieces are coming from significantly heavier riders going over larger jumps...would wheel spacers be a good route to go with my little pip-squeake running the bike?

-Last one....he loves the plastics on the later model 250's. Will they bolt up with good results to his 03 frame? Any mod work or issues? Who makes a good sticker kit for the jellybean plastics he has if the plastics don't work?

Thanks guys! I appreciate the help!

Chris

[exrider12]

a couple people have the diamond j kit and love it. I think the wheel spacers would be fine seeing he weighs 60lbs. Kits for the 2006 and up plastic pop up on ebay every now and again, but if you can find any you can go to www.goforitgraphics.com. these are the ones im getting.



http://www.goforitgraphics.com/product_info.php/cPath/98_102_36_63/products_id/154?osCsid=8ad9e61833c9b874c1773ccfbbc27b4f

[Drummit77]

Hey thanks for the reply! So the 06 up plastics WILL work on his 03 for sure? Sounds pretty sweet! Does anyone have any idea what I should ask for a set of stock 03 red plastics? One crack by headlight and missing a sticker or two is all that's wrong with them.

Chris

[tedwilley]

Drummit77.
There are some graphics on eBay for $99 right now, search 250ex graphics. They fit the old plastic.

Re: the diamond j kit, we have the +6 with 2-1/2" rear spacers and ride trails all the time with no problems. The difference in stability is amazing. I have pics in some of the threads, or PM me and I can email you some.
The kit will fit 400ex, yfz, 450r and some other front shocks. We're using the 400ex and they made a big difference in riding and jumping. We may go to the 450r or yfz this spring for the adjust ability.
My son is 95 lbs so I can't see him damaging anything due to the spacers. Heck I'm 195 and I have been jumping it for about six months! Get dura blue or diamond j billet spacers, don't use the lug extension only type. They don't have any support at the hub.
Also, if you haven't already, go to 20" rear tires. That will make it a lot more stable, also.

[Drummit77]

Thanks tedwilly...would really rather go to the newer plastics later on though. As far as everything else...the 6" kit doesn't create a squat in the front end at all? The pics look like it takes away some front end clearance.

Thanks for the insight on the spacers too! Are they made of billet aluminum or are they steel? I've got the machines available to make them myself but I don't have access to aluminum billets. To make them from steel they'd probably add 12-15 lbs to the front end.

I'm still running the stock balloons on the machine but considering a set of Razrs for the rear. I've got them on my 440 and love em. What do you think of the Realtors? Or even Holeshot GNCC's? If anyone has the Diamond J kit installed with spacers, could you link me some pics? Thanks all!!

[tedwilley]

The Diamond J rear spacers are billet aluminum, www.diamondjcustoms.com
The front was lower about an inch, plus for now we're running 19" tires.
However, we just flipped the shocks over this week and relocated the a-arm end of the shock back to the original mounting location. That puts us back to stock height in the front. New mounting is NOT shown in these pics.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z86/NotSoYoungAnymore/IMG_0019.jpg

[tedwilley]

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z86/NotSoYoungAnymore/HPIM0207.jpg

[tedwilley]

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z86/NotSoYoungAnymore/HPIM0206.jpg

[tedwilley]

Tim wasn't bottoming out on track jumps, but over deep whoops at speed he would occasionally hit the front bumper.

[glamiskid395]

just read this thread
if you check my thread (widened 250ex)
theres a couple pics of the kit on my dads 250.
he also put the +2 1/2" spacers on the back.
its real smooth now even with the stock front shocks.

[Honda10]

i am installing my +4.5 kit tommorow, I just need a pair of stock 400ex shocks.

[tedwilley]

IF you still need some, I have two pairs of stock 400ex front shocks. $50 plus shipping.
PM me.

[BlaineKaiser450]

Originally posted by tedwilley
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z86/NotSoYoungAnymore/HPIM0206.jpg i saw that quad at the snadhill race. My dad and i are doing the same thing with my moms