250"F" based sport ATVs, Is there a market?

This is something I have wondered about since 2004.  Why 2004 your ask?  Well in 2004 all the major motocross bike manufacturers had a 250cc “F” (high performance 4 stroke) in their line up.  This obviously was the last nail in the coffin for the 125cc 2 stroke motocross bike. 

Is the ATV world ready for a 250cc, 40hp, fire breathing sport quad?

Seeing the success of how the manufacturers transitioned a version of their motocross/off road 450cc “F” engines into a decent sport inspired frame and suspension, one would think the next logical step would be a light weight sport inspired quad with a borrowed 250cc “F” engine.  It seems logical that there should be a market for it as a stepping stone for racers up and coming out of the mini atv ranks.  I mean, the mini race atv market has some excellent high performance machines to choose from to get the future Tim Farrs and Bill Balances off to a good start.  And with some of the Asian brands (such as Pitster Pro and SSR) bringing legitimate mini racers into the ring, youth atv racing has a good foundation.  It must be noted that NONE of the major Japanese manufactures currently build a race ready mini atv.  

Unlike up and coming youth racers in motorcycle motocross, stepping up from their 85cc two stroke or 150cc four stroke mini cycles to full sized (125cc two strokes in the past)  250cc four stroke machines, youth atv racers have really no stepping stone to the 450cc ATVs if they want to be riding a legitimate race machine.  Even a recreational sport ATV user could benefit from having high performance 250cc ATV, not only as a stepping stone, but they could be priced affordable between the youth ATVs and the 450′s.  My guess would be they could be priced in the $5,000 range.  A 250cc “F” based ATV (if designed right) could be incredibly light, agile, and powerful.  Typical stock 250 “F” motocross bikes make just under 40 horsepower from the factory and are very quick revving, having redlines up around 13,000 RPM.  For some reason my logic and thinking must flawed or outrageous, because we have yet to even hear a rumor of any such ATV.  My eyebrow raised a bit when buzz of the Raptor 250 coming out, until I saw in the specs that the power plant would be just another ho-hum low compression air-cooled 250cc SOHC engine (probably borrowed from the XT or TTR250).  Like we haven’t seen that for the last 20 years.

My opinion on why such an ATV has not yet existed is as follows.  In racing the current AMA/ATVA sanctioned class rules for Pro “A” and Am “A” production classes state machines up to 450cc.  At that skill level why would a racer choose a less than maximum displacement machine.  To best market these machines the AMA/ATVA would have to make a dedicated up to 250cc class.  Although even with the current classing I believe that a skilled “B” and “C” riders could be very competitive against 450′s.  The current mentality in ATVing is still predominantly Bigger is Better so initially they would be rejected.

Credit: Motorcycleusa.com, even in 2007 the 250F's put out amazing power.

On the recreational side I think its an even tougher sell.  Borrowing the mentality from the racers of Bigger is Better (or faster), the average recreational rider is usually less informed or even ignorant about the shear performance differences of say a 250EX (14 hp) vs. a CRF250 (38hp) powered ATV.    The reality of it is 90% of the ATV riders (including me) could be classified as average riders, recreational riders would find a machine like this a very agile and easily ridden trail machine without all the clumsiness of an overpowered 450.  Think of it this way, it is like the difference between a Ford Ranger and a extended cab long box F150, but all you use it for is commuting to and from a desk job, the Ranger is the more logical choice.  Marketing would have to be very skillful in how they advertise and present the 250 “F” machines, so buyers don’t think its an overpriced “chick” quad.

Anyway, that is my opinion.  I do not claim to know anything and it is all speculation.  If you agree or disagree or have an opinion of your own, please leave a comment OR visit the ATV MAGAZINE FORUM and tell the world what you think.

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