Badhabt
Puyallup, WA
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For pure guttural rush, its gotta be the banshee in the sand. Not alot of bottom but the hit is incredible. If you like the handling aspect of the 250R, then I would recommend the YFZ 450! My kid has one and piped and jetted is one heck of a ride, bottom end power, yet screams up on top, flies straight and true. Power and superb handling. I have the 700R and it is a torque monster (even stock). Climbs everything, just a little top heavy comparded to the YFZ. Can you see I bleed blue ?
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OlderThanSand
Tollhouse, Ca
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Here is a thought that no one else brought up .. although the 250R was an absolutely awesome machine it's now 20 or so years old. Even a well kept one will have some mechanical issues from time to time. Since it sounds like you're going on an extended vacation I'd opt for a new four stroke so that you won't lose any precious play time wrenching on your toy. Like someone said, it's hard to go wrong with any of them these days. I have a Suzuki LTZ 400 and love it. Water cooled, predictable, adequate power for me, reverse, and won't break the bank.
Ride one of the newer 4 strokes before you buy a 2 stroke. You'll be surprised.
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jasona33xj
Montrose, CO, USA
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Joined: 05/16/2004
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OlderThanSand wrote:Here is a thought that no one else brought up .. although the 250R was an absolutely awesome machine it's now 20 or so years old. Even a well kept one will have some mechanical issues from time to time. Since it sounds like you're going on an extended vacation I'd opt for a new four stroke so that you won't lose any precious play time wrenching on your toy. Like someone said, it's hard to go wrong with any of them these days. I have a Suzuki LTZ 400 and love it. Water cooled, predictable, adequate power for me, reverse, and won't break the bank.
Ride one of the newer 4 strokes before you buy a 2 stroke. You'll be surprised.
I hear you Older than Sand. A new 4 stroke is what I was thinking I would get....or a Banshee.  So far it sounds like the Raptor 700R is a nice choice. I rode a 660 Raptor back in 2000...is there a huge difference? Has anyone ridden the New Honda 700XX?
I'd Rather be in Moab!
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N-Trouble
California
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How big a guy are you? The 700R is a big improvement over the 660. The Honda 700 looks like a dud in my opionion.
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davegvg
Los angeles
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As N trouble says - the raptor 660 wasnt the bike the 700 is - lot of changes not just motor, frame, suspension geometry .....
Older than sand is right - youve just gotta try a new bike befre you plunk your hard eanred cash down-
Coming off a 99 banshee with a trinity 420 long rod kit and a stage 3 port job I know all about the 2 strokes and true there is nothing like them- power to weight ratio isnt the same on the 4 strokes- BUT I still wouldnt go back to it after experiencing the latest technology.
As an Expert is was a real thrill but I really could only loan it to a select group of friends with a like level of experience. It terrfied my newbie friends, and my ex wife just couldnt handle it at all.
The Honda 700 seems all about compromises- honda qulity yes- but 505LB rolling- WOW thats a beast
-IRS is big advantage in the trails but not at all in the dunes.
Next time Im out at Glamis should somehow we be able to hook (doubtfull but you never know) up I have no issue letting you ride both my bikes.
Davegvg
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Richard cheese
Shafter, Ca
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Joined: 01/10/2007
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several variables come into play here......
what type of rider are you?
what is your height/weight?
are you going to be strickly sand, or go in the dirt too?
do you want out of the box performance, or do you plan on modding your ride?
do you need comfort, or can you sit on a rock all day?
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WoofersInc
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Joined: 02/08/2005
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You mentioned riding with the kids also. How old are they and how fast do they ride? That might play into your decision. I would have to vote for the 700 Raptor here as you can put it in second and it will run around all day without having to shift at slower speeds. Just let the torque pull you along. Great for riding with new or slower riders.
WoofersInc@cox.net
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HOTSKI2
Alta Loma, CA
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Joined: 03/17/2008
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You had the best quad ever made and sold it! I still ride my 87 250R and will never give it up. It's not the fastest out there ,but the best handling and much lighter than the four strokes. My wife and kid ride the new Suzuki 450 Quadracer and they are awesome bikes, too. I get plenty of chances to ride them, but always get back on the 250R after and love it. You sit ON other quads, but you sit IN a 250R. When pushing the bikes around, I always notice how easy it is to move my bike compared to the other ones. There are plenty still out there to be had, some better than new, some stock. Pick up a cycle trader and you will notice that they have held there value or gone up in price over original sale. This confirms how good the bike really is. You can find a good one for $3,000-4,500. Hope you get another!
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DuneMe
Elk Grove, CA
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Joined: 09/19/2004
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I had a DS650 for years and just jumped ship and got a Raptor 700.
My Wife had a 660 Raptor - hated that thing. Carbs suck!
The new Raptor's are great. Elec. start, fuel injection, put the 3-mod on and it is a strong bike. Trail ride or dune it all day long.
Two strokes (IMO) are dead. Unless you are purely hill shootin' don't even look at one. It's funny, I ended up renting a Sled over the winter and was thinking how I'm so glad I don't have to trail ride my quad with that stink.
The new Honda is going to be a beast. I think it will be similar to the old DS. It will have a great ride but, it will be less powerful due to the weight.
If I were looking at a 450 I would look hard at the KTM.
Something to think about. . . many of the 450's don't have EFI. I wouldn't buy a carb bike again.
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rad valve
In the woods
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jasona33xj wrote:I don't want to start a turf war, but I would love to hear from all sides... What is the best quad these days for the dunes? 
A little about my situation...I had (back in the day ) a '88 Fourtrax 250R. Loved it!!! We used to ride Glamis, Pismo and Dumont all the time and it was the best quad I ever rode. I sold it  like a big idiot in 1995. Years have passed and I now live in Colorado and ride mostly for fun with the kids and DW. Next year, we are planning to head west for a few weeks and I want to get a quad for the dunes (Pismo, Oregon and maybe Dumont on the way home). It will also give me a reason to visit the dunes in the future. 
If I could find a cherry 250R I would settle for that. But as I probably won't...Thoughts?
You want a cherry honda TXR250R here it is. Very expensive. But it is new and you can have it your way.
servicehonda
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