Buying 1st buggy????

Posts: 9

Ok, I decided to get a buggy after visiting Gander Mtn yesterday. There is a used Dazon 250D that Gander is selling for 2200.00 but, I am thinking about getting the Yama 400cc. I would like some more input from everyone on this. I drove the 250D and was not impressed at all with the power.

I do not want to be second guessing my decision once I make the purchase.

I want a buggy for my wife and daughter to ride, but also be fast and nimble enough for trail riding here in east TN once I get on it.

Like I stated in the newbee section, I usually ride my KTM 300xcw, but would like to have this as family option and for me to ride if I get tired of the bike one week.

We have lots of trails here, mostly hills. So I would want something that has great low-end for climbing the hills fast, but fast enough to get some air on some doubles. Here are my parameters for the buggy:

Less then 10k
Fits two people
My height is 5'10'' 190 lbs
Must be able to mod engine with aftermarket parts
Safety is a priority
Quality is prefer over anything else.
Must be able to climb steep hills, yet still be fast on straight aways.

I don't know if this is realistic or not, I'm probably just spoiled by riding my ktm. Anyone have any suggestions?

I open to all models.

Posts: 1672

heck you can get a joyner 650 new for under you 10k or used for less then half and this thing will be nice i would look at that option

Posts: 1612

For what your asking, I would go with the HH250 and mod it out. Kinroad has a nice long travel 300 coming out but we haven't R&D'd it yet.
Joyner is a quality buggy as well with anything over the 250 model (Not enough power to pull that heavy frame). The 650 I hear, is nice and I think under 10K but a bit wide for ATV trails.
The MBRA is planning a trip to your neck of the woods this summer ( Blue ridge trail riders) so you may get a chance to try out a couple buggies if you can wait till then.

Posts: 9

So are you saying that the reason Joyner's are 650s is because they are so heavy?

I've looked on their website and they do have some nice ones. Just didn't know if the 650 is more than I needed.

Has anyone here driven one of the RAGE Buggies? They look like very nice!!! Very expensive though.

Anyway can you mod the Joyner 650?

Posts: 4208

you can get a 250 with the high/low tranny and do some cvt mods to get them to climb better.

The Blade 250xtx has the high/low and I have installed 15 gram rollers and a main spring. it climbs everything I have pointed it at and still runs around 43mph.

Posts: 9

I am looking at the HH 250 and the blade xtx now. They seem very similar. I am worrying more about being able to mod the engine than anything at this point. How do these two do as far as mods go?

Posts: 2634

I think for the size, you would do better to get a used RZR or possibly a Joyner 650. I believe the yamabuggy 400 is like 60" wide or larger. I know the Blade XTX is also that large. If you are looking at wide buggies, then go with a joyner, new or used above a 250cc.

The RZR used, can range anywhere from 5K to 15K depending on mods, miles, hours whatever. A local shop to me is actually selling a 2007 RZR with less than 30 hours on it, 13" rims, all ITP tires, and well equipped with winch and all the gear for only $8900. I asked if anything was wrong and they said the guy traded it in for a can-am 3 wheel motorcycle!!!!! lol...

The RZR is 50" wide, 4X4, and 800cc!!! If you want new, then i would go with anything local to you if you are going to abuse it... You NEED service and dealership support, ESPECIALLY with a chinese buggy like the blades, kinroads, sunLs, and anything else! If you go Joyner, go big or prepare to loose a lot of weight...

The Blade XTX looks like a great deal but is large and kinda heavy as well. It sports upgraded suspension, better options, and is probably one of the best Blade has to offer... Mods usually go well with these things, but you will not do 40mph up a hill or get major air on these buggies. They are big. The Kinroad, the yamabuggy, and all china buggies have their ups and downs, you just have to be sure you have the support after the sale in case you do get carried away and happend to break something! lol Blade is pretty good with their customers, KIDNME is awesome with his support after sale, Twister is pretty nice, and I believe they are producing the 400 buggy now.

get to local shops and find out how long it takes to get parts and anything you think you might need. Try ordering a part from them, something simple, cheap and easy like a ball joint or something to that effect, and see how long it takes to get it. Some are really good, some are really bad. If you like the service you get, then buy!!! lol

As per any other mods, fuel system, intake, exhaust, cvt and suspension are all biggies. Upgrade the CVT first, get the good stuff and go from there.

Good luck!!!

john Very Happy

Posts: 325 · Gold Member Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 325 Pictures: 0

neomist, check your pm's.

also, welcome to BN. as a fellow knoxvillian, make sure that the local dealers are within reach of you. gander mtn is a great place. i talked with dazon when gander came on board with them and i've talked with gander mtn extensively about their support. they are good. i would trust them. unfortunately, there are not any other 'dealers' here in the east tenn area. i wish there was a joyner dealership here. or a twister or kinroad. but, unless you seek out the used car dealerships that have a few sunl's, you're pretty much stuck with gander mtn. but if i can help, let me know. and yes, there are some GREAT trail areas around here to ride. check out royal blue, brimstone, black mtn adventure park, and of course, coalcreek. 200,000+ acres and 2000 miles of trails. goodluck on your buggy quest. check out the webcast show for more information on all these buggys above.

Posts: 9

Posts: 325 · Gold Member Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 325 Pictures: 0

quote:
Are you saying you would not get another type of buggy, because Knoxville only dealer is Dazon? I was hoping the Gander Mtn here could work on other types of buggies.

no, not at all. i was just saying i wish there were more of a selection of buggy dealers in knoxville. i'm not sure if gander mtn would service other buggys or not. but i would ask if i was interested in their service.