Adult Male "Grown-up" Raptor 250 Owner

I was recently looking to buy a new sport ATV on the cheap and the Raptor 250 caught my attention. Unfortunately, try as I may, I couldn't find any advice as to whether or not this little machine would be worth my consideration nor did I know anyone who owned one. Everything I’ve found states either..., “my kid’s… or my wife’s 250 is fun to ride…”

This is going to sound a bit like a personals ad, but here it goes. I'm 28 years old 5'10" 190lbs. I have owned dirt bikes and quads my whole life. I'm and experienced rider with a pretty high skill level. I primarily woods ride but I will be ice racing a few times this season. I know what some of you are thinking, “Just get a full-sized bike dummy”. Well, like I said, I was trying my best to get a new sport ATV cheap.

I sat on the entire Yamaha sport ATV line-up, one after the other, to give me a basis for comparison and it still didn’t give me a clear answer. Even for my size, as small as this machine is, it’s still got a very comfortable riding position with plenty of room to maneuver and unfortunately the dealers don’t allow test rides.

So, after much deliberation I decided to just go for it and buy one ($3800 out the door). I got the 2008 Raptor 250 SE Custom. I figured, worst case scenario, I’d have a fun little toy that’s not very trail capable for my size and experience level for my wife and I to rip around my yard on.

Well let me tell you the most comparable ATV by way of size and displacement I’ve owned was a 2003 Yamaha Warrior and this puts that bike to shame.

This bike power wheelies 1st and 2nd with me on it with little to no effort. It has enough power to slide around and get out if corners like a champ. It’s quick enough to keep me happy and it gets there in a relative hurry. The suspension does a good job of soaking up the landings and yes it’s a heck of a lot fun to ride.

This thing is a blast in the woods. I can’t wait to see how it does on the ice. Hopefully the little kids in the 250 class don’t shame me too badly.
So, it’s not just a machine for the kids and wife! If you’re my size and you’re looking for a capable inexpensive sport ATV, I would defiantly consider the Raptor 250.

As a side note I’ve also got a Yamaha R6 street bike(600cc crotch rocket) so I know what quick is. If the Raptor 250 was a slug I’d tell you. Read Full Review