2008 Joyner 250 review

Posts: 96

Well today I bought an igntion switch at Kragen autoparts for $9.99 and it worked perfectly. And its higher quality (all metal).

So I took the Joyner to El Mirage Dry lake today. The GPS said it got up to 41.2 MPH. While the gauge said 55 MPH. I think the gauge is off just a little. When the GPS said 35 the guage said 50. At 25 on the GPS it said 38.

The Joyner actually climbed some much steeper hills today. These hills had some sharp granite sheers and the tires could grab in low. We had two guys totalling 500lbs and we climbed everything we tried today.

So far everyone who drives the joyner wants to buy one. When they first look at it, everyone has that 'its too good to be true" look. They are quiet and skeptical. Then after they drive it, about 5 minutes in they start selling me on how good a deal the thing is.

The videos I took are not great so I will post some next weekend.

Z

Posts: 2632

glad to hear you had a better outing!!! good luck!!! have fun and be safe!!!

John Very Happy

Posts: 76

Glad to hear no problems on the second time out. Nobody wants to be the guy always needing a tow back to camp.

The buggy's are a lot of fun. I went out with a friend and his 10 year old son. They had just gotten two new bikes a few months back. I let his son drive the buggy. When we got back he told his dad he wanted to sell his bike and get a buggy. You should have seen the look on his face.... Priceless Razz

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Good luck with the videos and thanks for the jet size.

Posts: 96

Yeah,

the buggies are very fun. But I personally think the excitement wears off at some point. I say that because I have been riding Dirt bikes my whole life and I see this buggy as an accessory for down time in between dirt bike rides.

I have seen hundreds of guys try dirt biking and because it takes some skill and experience they get frustrated and give up to quick (usually within a year). They then say I am going to get a quad or a rhino and those eventually become statues at camp that they bring out every time.

I think for guys who fight through the pain, frustration, and bruised egos Dirt bikes are much more fun and rewarding. Quads I am mixed on. They actaully require alot more skill to keep up with a fast dirt bike rider in a lot of different techincal terrain. But you can ride them flat and medium speed pretty easy.

The problem with quads is the offer a false sense of security and they are harder to get away from when things go bad. They like to follow you in a crash. So for every injury I see on a dirt bike, I see 10 on quads.

These buggies are a new option for a lot of people. I think they will sell like crazy. But I think in 5 years there will be millions used on craigslist, and the guys who truly know how to off road will still be on their dirt bikes.

I also noticed that my friends who are great dirt bike riders are better buggy drivers in extreme conditions. They pick better lines, they never get stuck, and they never roll over. I let my friend Rob try stuff, I would not let most guys do, because he knows what to expect from the terrain.

The problem making these statements to guys who really arent good off road riders is that they cant comprehend the subtle differences in skill, so they think thats BS, I can tell dirt from dirt. But they really cant. Thats why the Terrible Herbst family pays Larry Rossler a dirt bike rider to drive their trophy truck. He smokes everyone else out there in baja.

That is also why Travis Pastrana can step into rally car and run with the best in the world after just a days a of practice. I only say all this, because if you can only afford one toy, I would pick a dirt bike. You will get the most out of it, and if you stick with it, you will haunted by a desire to ride that doesnt come with other types of off road transportation.

My Joyner is fun, but is for a break after the real riding is done.

Z

Posts: 96

I want to say before some people get offended by my above comments, that I realize there are plenty of talented people who either can't or dont ride dirt bikes for a variety of reasons. And a buggy is a great option for them to experience the outdoors.

I am just saying that if you already have a dirt bike or are deciding between the two, I would get a dirt bike first. For many people on the forum a dirt bike was never even an option for a million reasons.

The above comments are just observations I have made over my 30 years of riding dirt bikes, and camping in the desert about 20- 30 weeks a year. I realize most people on here are probably enjoying their karts as a backyard activity and never even thought about riding two wheels.

Z

Posts: 248

Dirt bikes are a blast! I still have a Crusty VHS video with Travis Pastrana riding with pro riders at age 12 doing tricks that most of us would much rather watch than attempt Shocked

.

Posts: 2632

dirt bikes scare me... My ego is soooo fragile! lol Twisted Evil

John

Posts: 96

I went to rewire the kragen autoparts starter in today with better connections and then zip tie it all in. When I took off the temporary connections, the wires crossed and now I have no power at all. I checked the fuses, but none seem to have anything to do with igntion and starting. Any advice would be appreciated.

I am at a loss?

Z

Posts: 1009

Did you check that fuse by the battery? Mine has one
there, don't know what its for, never needed to trace
it yet.

Posts: 96