Blaster, 300ex, 250ex, 250x ... whats the best? [Archive]

nakomis0

03-30-2009, 07:08 AM

If you know of a good one I forgot to mention let me know.

I'm looking for a quad for my 12yr old. Currently hes on a Bayou 220 and he handles that good. But he needs a sport type quad, that Bayou is more of a joke than anything else.

Do you guys have any recommendations, what to go with or what to stay away from?

I'm personally leaning towards a Blaster because its what I started with and I think its a great quad except for the terrible brakes on the older models.

I'm looking at all these types of quads and trying to find the best deal.

born2ride14

03-30-2009, 11:08 AM

I think a nice 300ex or 250x woul be a great bike. Many aftermarket parts for them and they are cheap. Plus its a HONDA

hondariderdylan

03-30-2009, 12:42 PM

depends on his goals, maturity level, physical strength and size, and skill level already developed

from personal experience, when i was 13 i was convinced that if i get a manual clutch sport quad that i would have a terrible time and stall it every time it moved, i got a 250ex with a sport clutch and now im looking at the 400ex-450R market

not saying in any way that your kid is inmature but it is somthing to look at, becuase that is a big part of why kids get hurt nowadays

also dont get a quad that will overpower him and give him a reasonable chance to get hurt

hondas good for reliablity, i can attest to that, 2.5 years and no problems from it

only thing about a 250ex is the limited mods to do without major $,

your choice, they are all great quads

jcs003

03-30-2009, 05:11 PM

2-stroke.

907Rider

03-30-2009, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by jcs003
2-stroke.

Yeah 2stroke all way:macho

But a 12yr old doesn't need a blaster. I'd consider a 250ex, there slow turds but, If you can lean how to ride fast on a slow bike/quad, you can master anything.

nakomis0

03-30-2009, 09:56 PM

Well I got a Blaster. I was looking for the best deal I could find and this one was really clean.

I looked at a 2004 Blaster, it was white with new style plastics and hydrolic brakes. But it was beat to crap, plastics had no bolts holding it on, rusty all over and it even ran like crap.. the guy wanted $1300 and would not move off the price. I offered $900.

Then I looked at one more on my way home it was a nice looking, 2002 in blue, a few aftermarket goodies, reeds & exhaust. Pistons and rings replaced a yr ago. Plastics are in good condition, has a graphics kit w/ matching seat cover and hand guards. Guy wanted $1000 I offered $900 and he took it. So I got a pretty sweet Blaster for $900. Only problem is the rear brake needs work, supposibly it just needs pads & someother $5 part but I won't know for sure till I open it up.

I'll post some pics, tomarrow night if anyones interested in what a $900 Blaster looks like?

nakomis0

03-30-2009, 10:04 PM

.. and to address a few concerns about the 12 almost 13yr old handling the quad. Hes not riding this Blaster yet, I'm still going to make him ride the bayou. I'm only gonna let him ride the Blaster on and off to get the hang of it, but the Bayou is his main quad till I think hes capable of handling the blaster.

Plus the kids been being a brat lately so until that straightens up he can keep on that Bayou. :macho He doesn't even know about the Blaster yet I just bought it a few hours ago I'm gonna keep it a secret as long as I can.

hondariderdylan

03-31-2009, 06:20 AM

good deal man
yea, post pics,hide it
all good

it will make it that much cooler when he actually gets it

nakomis0

03-31-2009, 05:15 PM

Here she is.....
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/Trick440/Blaster005.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/Trick440/Blaster003.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/Trick440/Blaster004.jpg

And one of the Bayou...
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/Trick440/Blaster001.jpg

nakomis0

03-31-2009, 05:25 PM

I just showed my kid these picks, He didn't even notice it was our backyard.:D Ha... then I told him he ain't gonna get quad that nice cause he would probably just crash it.

hondariderdylan

03-31-2009, 05:34 PM

Originally posted by nakomis0
I just showed my kid these picks, He didn't even notice it was our backyard.:D Ha... then I told him he ain't gonna get quad that nice cause he would probably just crash it.

lol
thats great

hes gonna go crazy
thats a good deal for 900$
a good stepping stone too;)

dirtrider77

04-02-2009, 02:23 PM

i dont know your kid....but if i were you (which im not) i would let him ride the blaster all the time....i had one at 12-13yrs old and was fully capable of handling it, and im sure your kid is too...there really not that bad, and the powerband isnt too surprising, just gotta watch out if climbing big hills (blaster being short), but thats just my opinio...but he is your son so you should know, and anyways nice looking blaster, especially for $900 !!!

hope he likes it.....!!!

dirtdawg

04-02-2009, 04:45 PM

good luck with those rear brakes. They are a pain in the neck and were not designed right. i traded mine for my 300ex this past fall. anyway, i have the shorty cable for the rear brakes and new pads i could sell you that are in good shape. nice blaster by the way. i bought the hydraulic kit from someone who bought it on ebay for $180 and that was really nice. here's a pic of what it looked like:

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/trailripper1500/P9010066.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/trailripper1500/P9010067.jpg

nakomis0

04-02-2009, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by dirtrider77
i dont know your kid....but if i were you (which im not) i would let him ride the blaster all the time....i had one at 12-13yrs old and was fully capable of handling it, and im sure your kid is too...there really not that bad, and the powerband isnt too surprising, just gotta watch out if climbing big hills (blaster being short), but thats just my opinio...but he is your son so you should know, and anyways nice looking blaster, especially for $900 !!!

hope he likes it.....!!!

I hope it works out where he handles it pretty good that would be awesome. We'll see... We are going riding this Sunday.

I am a bit familuar with the Blaster brakes, a Blaster was my first quad. I would have to adjust them every ride. I did get a chance to tear into these brakes, I cleaned and greased them up. I'm crossing my fingers. -- Nice looking Blaster btw, I like the 300ex better too, but I couldn't find any cheap enough.

nakomis0

04-02-2009, 08:55 PM

That thing looks sweet...

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/trailripper1500/PB230047-1.jpg

headache

04-05-2009, 01:52 PM

i'd go with the blaster myself, but i'm a twostroke guy. They r easy to work on, and easy to make fast. I'd only buy an 03 up model with the hydraulic brakes, bc they work so much better!

Rastus

04-05-2009, 10:53 PM

I'd say 250X/300EX. Easy to find them fairly cheap around my place, lots of parts for them around, lots of aftermarket for them, dead nuts reliable, easy to work on if you have to, and they are about the right size.

nakomis0

04-06-2009, 08:15 PM

Oh man I got a good story... Listen to this...

Ok so that 2002 Blaster has terrible brakes and I thought well, I got a good deal I'll just sell it and get something with hydro brakes. So I start looking on the internet and I find a killer deal, a 2006 Blaster for $1400. I call the guy and tell him I want to come see it.

I go see it and it looks good, but.... It won't start, we check gas and spark and its all good. So we check the compression and it pulls a 40, when it should be like 120. So we figure it needs a top end. I ask the guy if he would take $1300, he says he feels bad I drove all this way and it doesn't start and says he will take $1200! oh yes I want it... SOLD!!!

And get this it came with an extra set of rear tires and rims studded for ice, a gas can full of gas, low pressure tire guage and the stock exhaust cause it has a full Toomey system on it.

It gets better, the 2002 I bought for $900, well I listed that for sale online for $1300 and a guy came and bought it for $1200 within 3 hours of listing it. So after its all been said and done, I basically got a 2006 Blaster with hydro brakes for $900... but it needs a piston... I'm happy as freakin hell.:D

I'll post some pics of the new Blaster tomarrow...

hondariderdylan

04-07-2009, 06:23 AM

Originally posted by nakomis0
Oh man I got a good story... Listen to this...

Ok so that 2002 Blaster has terrible brakes and I thought well, I got a good deal I'll just sell it and get something with hydro brakes. So I start looking on the internet and I find a killer deal, a 2006 Blaster for $1400. I call the guy and tell him I want to come see it.

I go see it and it looks good, but.... It won't start, we check gas and spark and its all good. So we check the compression and it pulls a 40, when it should be like 120. So we figure it needs a top end. I ask the guy if he would take $1300, he says he feels bad I drove all this way and it doesn't start and says he will take $1200! oh yes I want it... SOLD!!!

And get this it came with an extra set of rear tires and rims studded for ice, a gas can full of gas, low pressure tire guage and the stock exhaust cause it has a full Toomey system on it.

It gets better, the 2002 I bought for $900, well I listed that for sale online for $1300 and a guy came and bought it for $1200 within 3 hours of listing it. So after its all been said and done, I basically got a 2006 Blaster with hydro brakes for $900... but it needs a piston... I'm happy as freakin hell.:D

I'll post some pics of the new Blaster tomarrow...

thats neat
wish i could find deals like that

907Rider

04-07-2009, 02:31 PM

born2ride14

04-12-2009, 06:34 PM

Hey I got a wiseco piston that is brand new i need to get rid of.It has been sitting on my workbench collecting dust. It is a standard bore piston and comes with 1 piston, rings,the circlips and the wrist pin. i would like to get $60 shipped for it. lmk

cam19aro86

04-13-2009, 08:29 PM

I got a 400ex, but I picked up a 900 dollar blaster that looks just like that one also. I love it, took it out for a ride the other day. Good choice.

300ex racer 91

05-13-2009, 06:53 PM

well for a 12 year old personally they are all great i have a 1994 TRX 90 ,2000blaster a 2006 300ex and a 2007 450r. the blasters are great for racing and dune's. but the 300ex can keep up with a blaster and the 300ex is good for winter,trail,racing, i race my 300ex and they last for ever and again ITS A HONDA

nakomis0

05-13-2009, 08:20 PM

I looked for a 300ex I couldn't find the deal I was looking for. This blasters pretty tight. So far I rebuilt that top end, changed out the 22" rear tires for some 18", Uni filter, SS bolt kit, removed the parking brake got a normal clutch lever.. then jetted it. Shes running awesome. Heres some delayed pics...

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/Trick440/STICKERS010.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/Trick440/Oxford002.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/Trick440/Oxford001.jpg

300ex racer 91

05-14-2009, 05:49 AM

sweet when i pictured a 12 year old kid on a blaster iwould think it would be small. thats just me i was 5foot 4inch'sat age12 lol
but yea sweetdeal

nakomis0

05-14-2009, 06:27 AM

I didn't start riding till I was 18 and it was a blaster.. ha!.. I rode that thing till I was 22.:huh :macho

I think my kid in the pic is about 5'4, 135lbs. You thought a Blaster would be small for a 12 yr old? In Michigan kids aren't even allowed to ride quads on trails until they are 12yrs old, then they 'recommend' it to be a 90cc. And I think before it was law it had to be less than 350cc.

300ex#69j

05-18-2009, 10:05 AM

a 300ex is way better

hondariderdylan

05-18-2009, 12:35 PM

Originally posted by 300ex#69j
a 300ex is way better

he didnt get a 300ex though, he got a blaster, a sweet one at that:)

Clay200X

06-25-2009, 08:29 PM

Originally posted by 300ex#69j
a 300ex is way better

whats wrong with you 2 strokes dominate them 4 pokes !!! wake up from yer dreamin

300ex#69j

08-19-2009, 09:39 AM

that is y i used to race a blaster and now i have a 300 and i am way faster blasters can not keep up with us 4 strokes

300ex racer 91

08-20-2009, 04:27 PM

yea i agree i race Neatv 200/300 on a 300ex and 300ex's got'em beat, very few blasters stay up front..plus less maitnance, better stock suspension. longer travel etc

finsteratv

06-22-2010, 09:43 PM

i considered both quads but went with the 300ex. either way there both good bikes im just a honda guy and so is my dad but thats a nice blaster:D

jcs003

06-23-2010, 01:45 AM

beastlywarrior

06-23-2010, 10:02 AM

my dad and i considered a blaster, warrior, 300ex and 400ex back when i was 12, i guess you can assume which one we agreed on:rolleyes:

Clay200X

06-23-2010, 11:49 AM

Originally posted by 300ex racer 91
yea i agree i race Neatv 200/300 on a 300ex and 300ex's got'em beat, very few blasters stay up front..plus less maitnance, better stock suspension. longer travel etc
haha i started out on a old yamaha moto 2 200cc, it had no suspension!!!! so then i bought a warrior and i love the stock suspension... i really don't know any better cuz i never ride anything else to know if it is good or if it sucks...but it's fine with me

the blaster was a good choice, yes a 300ex would be nice(reverse) but a blaster is a really great quad for a beginer or just someone who likes to be able to throw it around...

beastlywarrior

06-23-2010, 12:46 PM

haha^^ youd be surprised how much them stock shocs suck, even compared to banshee shocks their pogo stick that bottom out all the time

jcs003

06-23-2010, 02:03 PM

i had a warrior as my first quad and i thought it was great. its not really bad at all but when you move on to others you will know the difference. actually the blaster and warrior have the same horsepower.

Arctic Cat Dad

06-30-2010, 08:00 PM

2 smokes are less maintenance then 4 strokes? What world are you living in? I've owned them both and you have to work on a 2 smoke way more then a 4 stroke. All u have to do to our 300 ex is change the oil and race it. We have 7 2 hr XC races on our Honda and haven't had to do a thing and he's never even come close to being beat by a 2 smoker and I don't see it ever happening! :D :devil:

jcs003

07-01-2010, 02:04 AM

Originally posted by Arctic Cat Dad
2 smokes are less maintenance then 4 strokes? What world are you living in? I've owned them both and you have to work on a 2 smoke way more then a 4 stroke. All u have to do to our 300 ex is change the oil and race it. We have 7 2 hr XC races on our Honda and haven't had to do a thing and he's never even come close to being beat by a 2 smoker and I don't see it ever happening! :D :devil:

well, you apparently dont know what you are talking about. have you ever rebuilt a 4-stroke?? a 2-stroke you bor/piston/rings and its ready to go.

and put your 300ex up against a trx250r...mine basically stock runs all day on 400ex and alot of 450s

Arctic Cat Dad

07-01-2010, 06:49 AM

Yes I have built 4 strokes there easy and you don't have to do it that often. And about your 250r yea there fast but let's see how long it will last in a 2 hr mudfest XC race with the temp reaching around 90 degrees. I've seen them show up and I've seen them, not finishing the race. Most of the time they overheat and there done and the 300ex will do this race after race.

Pavoneson1205

07-01-2010, 05:01 PM

I bought a 440ex for myself when i was 13 for 900$ couldnt pass it up..put its a step up from my dads 1986 fourtrax 350 :D

jcs003

07-02-2010, 05:33 AM

Originally posted by Arctic Cat Dad
Yes I have built 4 strokes there easy and you don't have to do it that often. And about your 250r yea there fast but let's see how long it will last in a 2 hr mudfest XC race with the temp reaching around 90 degrees. I've seen them show up and I've seen them, not finishing the race. Most of the time they overheat and there done and the 300ex will do this race after race.

i believe in 99 they the trx250r took every cahmpionship. its the most winningiest quad in history. try the cost and time to rebuild a modern 450. those engines are always grenading. rebuild costs are astronomical. the only reason 2-strokes arent dominating motorsports is because the communists EPA crushed the market.

woodsracer144

07-11-2010, 11:56 AM

Originally posted by jcs003
i believe in 99 they the trx250r took every cahmpionship. its the most winningiest quad in history. try the cost and time to rebuild a modern 450. those engines are always grenading. rebuild costs are astronomical. the only reason 2-strokes arent dominating motorsports is because the communists EPA crushed the market.

JCS003, i got you back on this one, sorry about jackin your post but I had both quads and the only thing i liked the 250x over the blaster was reverse. thats it, otherwise i would take my blaster.

Originally posted by 300ex racer 91
yea i agree i race Neatv 200/300 on a 300ex and 300ex's got'em beat, very few blasters stay up front..plus less maitnance, better stock suspension. longer travel etc

well im sorry to say but they dont know how to ride cause i could hold off a guy who had a kawi 650 brute force race ready for XC elka shocks, big bore, port polished the whole deal and my blaster was all stock with the oil injection blocked off.

jcs003

07-11-2010, 11:59 AM

Originally posted by woodsracer144
JCS003, i got you back on this one, sorry about jackin your post but I had both quads and the only thing i liked the 250x over the blaster was reverse. thats it, otherwise i would take my blaster.

well im sorry to say but they dont know how to ride cause i could hold off a guy who had a kawi 650 brute force race ready for XC elka shocks, big bore, port polished the whole deal and my blaster was all stock with the oil injection blocked off.

i never mentioned the 250x woodsracer. i was refering to a 250r. cant go wrong with a lil old blaster.

700xxmaniac

07-14-2010, 11:06 PM

i was 5 when i got my recon 250 es it was my firts quad.... i still have it and im 15 but i also have a trx700xx now

finsteratv

07-15-2010, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by 700xxmaniac
i was 5 when i got my recon 250 es it was my firts quad.... i still have it and im 15 but i also have a trx700xx now

and people wonder why little kids get squished by quads to big for them hahah

woodsracer144

07-15-2010, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by jcs003
i never mentioned the 250x woodsracer. i was refering to a 250r. cant go wrong with a lil old blaster.

Yeah i know i should have hit enter and made the 250x stuff another topic...

mx Eli

07-15-2010, 06:29 PM

I started out on a bayou when I was 5 and I'm 14 now and ride a 450r with a cam and hmf pipe. it depend on his size and talent level but a blaster is a good choice I have a buddy with a 250ex sport clutch and he out grew it within the first day:(

good choice and personally I wish I would have rode a 2-stroke when I was smaller it makes you a better ride on any quad