Which quad to rebuild?

[Groundworx]

I am currently rebuilding my TRI-Z and I am just about done with it. I am thinking of purchasing a quad and doind the same thing. Does anyone have any good suggestions on a quad that is cheap to pick up and will be worth rebuilding. I want a Honda 250R, but that is probably going to be out of my price range. I also was thinking about the Suzuki LT 250R or 500R. What would one of these bring with fresh paint, plastic, and topend. I have seen some of the LT250Rs for 1200-1800 in rough to fair shape. What would one bring in really nice shape?

The 500Rs bring more money and you don't find a lot of them in bad shape. Let me know what you guys think.

[yellowhammer]

i think you should look for a banshee or a blaster to rebuild, both are fairly fast machines, and they look good when they are done up good too

[Groundworx]

I definetly don't want to a Blaster. I thought about a Banshee, but my only problem with that is I don't find many that are in rebuildable shape. Most of the Banshees have already been rebuilt. That is the same problem I have with the Honda 250Rs. I like the aftermarket selection of Banshee parts too. You can get just about anything and everything for a Banshee. I am looking at only spending around 1500 for the quad before rebuild or restoration. So I am probably going to end up with one in pretty rough shape. That is why I thought the LT 250R might be a good choice, the only problem with the LT250R is I don't see them bringing much money after rebuilt....

[ATC crazy]

Well...If you want to do a rebuild and customize it...I would get an R rolling chassis and find an old wrecked streetbike. Something like 600-800cc single-twin cylinder and drop it in.

If not, I was thinking about getting a 300EX and putting a 330cc kit in it, or even dropping a 350X motor in it.

[Groundworx]

I actually almost did that not too long ago. I had a 85 model 250R frame. A buddy of mine owns Street Bike Depot here in Tuttle. He had a 01 GSXR 600 motor with 4k miles on it. He was going to sell it to me for $500 with all computers and hookups for it. I really considered it, but I thought that would be suicidal on a trike. I am not sure I want to do a Hybrid quad. I did think about finding a ragged out 250EX or 300EX and putting a 250R motor in it.

I really didn't have anything in particular in mind to build. I was thinking of finding one that needed some work, but running and tearing it down to frame and just rebuilding it. Nothing real radical, just a nice quad. I might consider getting my hands on that GSXR motor and putting it in a quad. I didn't really think about that. Do you know anyone who has done that. I just wanted to know how ridable it is.

[REDMAN225]

i think the quadzilla would be very cool. you dont see too many mint ones around.

[Groundworx]

I liked the idea of the Quadzilla too. I have never known anyone that had one, but I heard to this day they are still one of the fastest quad ever built. A 500CC 2 stroke quad, whether you like Suzuki or not, you have to have some respect for the Quadzilla....

[Trikemaker]

And why not a Suzuki Quadracer LT500R'S

thats a good machine

[Groundworx]

There is nothing wrong with the QuadRacer. I am not sure if you can find a 500R that is just in average to fair shape. Most of the 500Rs I have seen, people have already rebuilt. If I could get my hands on one of these for a good price, I would defenitely look into it.

[triz69]

i would not go with a old suzuki they are made so poorly they break every thime you ride them and yes the the 500 is fast but ive seen many with trashed trannies and thats no fun rebuildin and the lt 250 also has bad trannies and cant evan compete withe a trx just wait it out and get a honda :Pimp

[Groundworx]

I am not really concerned with the reliablility of the Suzuki quads. I don't really ride my bikes that hard. Don't get me wrong, I do ride fast and I like to show off just like everyone else, but I also have my 2 kids that ride with me. I ride with them more than anyone else. I like putting around with them just as much as I like riding hard with my buddies. I have never heard of Suzuki have tranny trouble with those quads

I agree that the 250R is and awesome quad and would definetly be one of my first choices. Here is how I feel though. I would want a 88 or 89 model with factory plastic. The problem with that is everyone 88 or 89 that I have seen has been in awesome shape and they are getting like $4,000-$5,000 for these. I just don't have this kind of cash laying around. I could probably get money for a R from my bank, but they only want to try to loan book value on one. Well, NADA book only shows a 89 R in excellent shape to be valued at about $2600.00. I also don't want one that has had a crap load of stuff done to it. There are tons of them that have been raced or are set up to race. That is just something I am not looking for.

Here is a tip that I got from a buddy of mine at the Yamaha shop. I don't know where he heard this, but the owner of this same shop told me this a few months ago too. I have heard that the Banshee's production is going to come to an end. I heard it could be as soon as 2005 models being the last year. Most manufactures are trying to do away with thier 2-stroke models. That is why there are so many 4 stroke Dirt Bikes poping up now. I head that the YFZ450 was built to replace the Banshee. If you have a Banshee, you might want to hang on to it. I am considering keeping the Z now and buying a Limited Edition Banshee. Still not sure yet though.

[Trikemaker]

But, i know that Suzuki's quadracers are rare but, that's the reason why them quad have a high price...

Your idea to buy a limited edition 2005 banshee is a good placement to do
anyways the limited edition since 2000-2001-2002... in mint condition will always have a high price

if you have the chance to buy this Limited Edition of the banshee and the place on your garage to conserve it in super condition...you will not loose cash and you will have a lot of fun to ride it...

[Groundworx]

I hope you are right about the Banshee. I had a Limited Edition Raptor. I didn't have very good luck with it. It was an 02 model. When I bought it in Sept. of 02, I gave $4500 for it. I sold it about 4 months later for $5000. Now, when I bought it, it was only on its 2nd tank of gas. There wasn't a scratch on it. I rode about 2 more tanks through it and I never took it anywhere. I just rode around at my dads house. I didn't want anything to happen to it. I really thought that $5000 was too cheap. I thought it should have brought closer to $6000.

[RedRider_AK]

I hread that the YFZ450 was built to replace the Banshee.

YFZ = motocross/supercross/XC ready
Banshee = none of the above without extensive mods.

Where did you hear this from, now?

[69HemiGTX]

Personally, I would look for a 500. I have owned several, and I have never had any problems with the transmissions, no matter how hard I rode them. And yes, a few of them were 87s, the "bad model" according to many so-called experts out there. 500s are tempermental and finicky, but they are awesome quads. I know that you can pick up a nice 500 for less than it would cost to rebuild, but the joy of bringing something back to life and knowing that every nut and bolt was put on by you is very satisfying. I would stay away from a Banshee because they are so common. They're not special because everyone has one. Only a lucky few own 500s now.