Advice on a Yamaha Warrior?

[skypilot]

Looking to buy a decent quad, been riding for years, and looking for a good clean sport bike. I have been thinking about a 400ex, but recently came across a clean yamaha 350 warrior. What can ya'll tell me about these wheelers? Are they any good? What do I need to watch for? I sold my 250es big red, and I'm going back to 4 wheelers, mainly for the parts availability. I have owned utility quads, but most are boring unless you sink $$$$$ to play in the mud, and usually lose money. So asking the gurus on here for advice, what would be a good sport quad for me? Don't do motocross, just trailride mostly, like to go fast sometimes! I'm 6'2'' and 280lbs, so i'm no tiny tim! Don't care about going 80mph, just fun, fast, trailriding.

[UI Vandal]

Important part...budget. If you can afford a 400ex, go that route. The Warrior is a little closer to a 300ex in ability/size than a 400ex. Warrior has a bit more punch but is also a bit heavier compared to a 300ex. Since you can find 400ex's for around $2k they are a good buy. At 6'2" I'd would save up for a couple pays to afford a 400ex over a Warrior, it is more "Sky Pilot" sized.

Warriors are pretty reliable and easily found. It is considered to have a slightly "heavier" feeling when it comes to handling (again compared to the ultimate tight trail machine 300ex). The Warriors are an older design compared to the 400ex but similar to the 300ex. Some people consider them lacking in the suspension department. Either route you go you will probably have fun!

[skypilot]

Thanks, I appreciate the advice, I can find a 400ex around 2k in east texas, just didn't know about the warrior! I am on a budget, so i will keep my mind open to all possibilities, would prefer a honda(see avatar) but for the right quad i would switch. I do see warriors that are clean going for around $1000- to $1500.

[Mr_RPM]

IMHO Yamaha warriors are one of the worst quads ever built! I owned 2 and at the same time a neighbor owned one. They all had ALOT of electrical problems as many Yamahas do but they were much worse, starters, stators, CDIs, all very expensive parts that break randomly.

all these warriors were in good shape and we had plenty of fun on them, but it just seems they were always broken and needed 150-200 bucks each time.
I had a stator go out the day before a big dune trip. it was horrible.

either way your budget goes, either get a 400ex or 300ex. I also owned a 400ex and it was a night and day difference. ALL AROUND better quad, it just lacked reverse since it was a 2001. if your budget is low then get a 300ex. as good as a warrior without all the BS.

Some people have good luck with warriors id imagine but i have yet to see a decent one thats reliable.
I have one in my barn right now from a buddy/costumer and it is having an issue with a rod knock and the cylinoid is bad. again this is also a very clean bike and the owners baby all their stuff, the OEM tires still look new.

I owned a 1987 (1988?) and a 1999 (one in the picture) and my neighbor had a 2001.
all 3 had starter problems, the yellow one had MANY stator problems, and my buddies 2001 needed a CDI box just to list a few

[buster-717]

hes right about the problems,ive own two . the 400 are the way to go for a trail quad.ethier a honda or the suzuki/kawasaki z400 their both the same quad.

[skypilot]

Hey thanks, heard about yami's havin electrical problems on the warrior, just didn't want to come out and bash them to begin with, this is the kinda info i need! Do you think the 300ex would have enough power for me at my size? I don't want a quad that will squat bad with me on it, kinda embarrassing.... I had a 200x that was bad about that! Was really lookin for nothin smaller than a 350-400cc!

[Mr_RPM]

hmmm, well at 280 LBS and being a tall guy at 6'2" the 300ex will feel a bit small, nothing like a 200x but still.
I have a friend who is 300 and he makes his raptor 660 squat a little.

I think almost any sport quad will sit a little low with 280LBS, but some worse then others. If your really worried about it then try to find something with adjustable rear shocks.
But I dont think a 300ex will be much worse then a warrior or 400ex.
But i recommend waiting out for a 400ex, probably in the top 5 for good bang for your buck on my list.
the 400 will have much more power then the 300 or warrior and wont mind your weight so much. and out of the 3, it probably has the most adjustable shock, im not sure.

the z400 is a great quad too, just a bit pricier in general

[4cylinders]

hey, warriors look nice parked in the garage, just don't ride them. save your money, buy a 450r.

[tommerp]

Well, my '03 Warrior has never had an issue at all - Bought it from a grandpa that gave the grand kids rides around the cottage. I've ridden it very hard ( and I'm 6'1" and 300lbs) and it seems to pull my fat around without any troubles. I haven't been on said above machines, but this Warrior seems very solid. (Maybe I got lucky though :P )

Just my 2cts

[oldskool83]

Everyone i met who had a warrior when they saw my 300ex wanted to trade...whats they tell ya. a warrior is about 40lbs heaver then a 300ex, both have revirse but id neverbuy a yamaha cuz of their pain the the butt chain tensioner adjustment. its a junk design. more upgrades for a 300ex.

400ex is nice power. im 5'6" 135lbs an ride a 400ex now, it blows the 300ex outta the water. mines only got a slip on, k&n filter and open airbox for engine mods that i know of. i got my 02 400ex for $1600. people what for 15 year old warriors. my buddy for a 05 400ex with 2K with full lard pipe, nerfs, pro taper bars, hiper rear dual beadlocks, 450R shocks and full skid plates.....


get a 400ex and be done with it. my buddy and i both upgraded to them, even got same colors again.

and dont buy a 450r for a trail rider. 400ex motor is basicly same as a xr400 dirtbike. air cooled 4 stroke is as reaiable as u can ask for. trail riders dont want high performace money hungry machines.

kinda wished honda made a 500ex to have even little more grunt.

i want to add you said u had a 200x, my 300ex felt alot like my 1st gen 200x, high bars, low rear end. 400ex sits maybe 3-4 inches taller. has lighter steering up front then a 300ex, turns alot better and is at least an inch longer then a 300ex. i got some super tight spots on my woods track we built...46" between trees at some spots and i can really move better in the woods on the 400 then the 300 and my 300 was same width as the 400.

[spoon]

I had a 96 warrior and raced it GNCC for a year. Didnt ever win a trophy but it did finish every race. The warrior has a reverse that is easier to handle than the yoga move you have to do with the honda.
My warrior sat for over a year untouched and it fired up in 5 seconds when I got back on it.

THe chain tensionor is crap, hardly any aftermarket parts, and just not popular with the cool kids.

I like them though and would own again, if you cant find a Honda in your range, then go for a warrior.

I would also highly recommend the Yamaha Wolverine. Same motor but 4x4 and auto clutch.

My brother smoked me on a wolverine vs warrior drag race.

I dont think you could go wrong with either choice you make.

[Jerm1179]

i had a 01 warrior...beat the snot out of it...never let me down once...BUT if Honda would have put reverse in the 400ex back then i never would have bought the warrior to begin with.

[skypilot]

Hey. thanks for the comments, anybody else? Feel free to chime in! Sounds like it's split down the middle right now, i know their are more aftermarket accessories for the 400ex, so that's a plus! I just see warriors everywhere in east texas for sale, made me curious, as most are real clean...... and cheap..... guess that says something..... also considered a polaris scrambler 500, it's a two stroke, so don't know about trail riding, but it is a sport oriented 4x4, anybody owned one?

[oldskool83]

scramblers are big!!!!!! the newer ones are 4 stroke i belive. i was going to buy one for my g/f, she liked them but shes not picky too much. i dont like their suspension design and droopy rear end.

id look for something that can sell easy if you ever need to sell it

[skypilot]

Gotcha brother, will consider it...... you are a wise grasshoppa!