Newbie lookin for some answers

[BigSkip]

Hello everyone.....I'm a new guy to atc's (kind of) and had a few questions....Use to ride with my friends (on their bikes) when I was a kid back in the early eighties...mainly big red 200's, 110, 125,185's....but I was just a kid so we just rode them and that was it.....Now that I am a little older and wiser...Looking to get my first ATC...I had a polaris X-plorer 400 (4x4) 2-stroke Quad, but it just seemed heavy, and unresponsive, it just didn't handle like the ATC's growing up...I ended up selling it within a couple years...So once again I find myself looking at getting a BigRed 250ES...I've heard lots of good things about the bigreds...I am not really interested in Jumping, just looking for a smoother trail ride machine that good pull a heavy yard cart around, play in the mud crossing a few open ditches and creeks, hauling out deer, and hauling my beagle hounds (dog box) to the back fence rows through the snow. I guess that makes me either OLD (old school) or a weekend warrior...but that's ok...This dog is still learning new tricks......I've not found a 250ES yet, but am watching craigslist,ebay, and local classifieds....I would like to find one in good shape and completely restore it over this winter...Hopefully I can find one with a good engine and trans...Were these good engine/trans units...What broke on them...and what do I need to service repair in a resto to prevent problems (i've heard 85's had issues and oneway clutches should always be replaced???) .Wondering what everyones feelings were on the 250ES BigRed and what the availability of parts (plastic,oem tires,decals,etc) was for a restoration. If you know of any good sources please list the websites or mailing adreess or phone numbers so I can ge some leads on resto/repair parts.. It looks like a lot of the stuff is still available...Just wonderered what the expensive pieces were and what to look for and avoid when looking at potential bikes...Also..There is a 250SX that is for sale semi-locally(within an hour's drive) and it looks to be in pretty good shape from the pictures that were sent to me....What is everyone's thoughts on the 250SX....I pretty much have my mind set on a BigRed so I've been holding out for one.....but just wondered what everyone else thought about them, far as handling, durability, etc. compared to the Big Red....Thanks in advance for all your replys...I know my thread is kind of rambled, but I have been thinking about it a lot...Thanks again.


Lots of questions...feel free to throw in any other advise you might feel would benefit me in my quest for my first ATC...I've wanted one of my own since I was a kid...25+ years later it's been a long time coming...

[MudBug]

The 250SX uses the same engine / tranny as the 250ES but some say they are geared differently. I have two running 250ES's and I couldn't be happier with them. Tough as they come. You can get Maier replacement fenders, OEM arent available anymore. By the sound of what you plan on doing with this bike, a 250ES is the best thing for you. The SX isnt very different, just a little more sporty.

[BigSkip]

Where can I get Maier fenders at..I've heard of them and read about them in other threads....Also read that they are not a good color match...Can they be painted??

[oldtoys72]

Sounds to me like you need to get a 250SX! it can do all the things the Big Red can do but it seems to me that it is infact geared different! you can get it with racks just like the BR but it handles ALOT better and would be much more fun for when you just wanna whoop it up a bit!

[oldtoys72]

Where can I get Maier fenders at..I've heard of them and read about them in other threads....Also read that they are not a good color match...Can they be painted??

Dennis Kirk has them! I had a set once for a 200X the rear fenders were spot on with color and remained that way until I sold it, the fron fender however seemed like it was a tad bit lighter in color and it faded to almost a light pink color within a year!