There are two quite different used 2007 250 buggies for sale in my area: TJ Power Sports Hammerhead 250 Super Sport and Joyner 250cc Sand Viper.

Anybody have values and the pro and cons of these models?

The Joyner is about 150 lbs heavier and larger than the TJ, but the Joyner seems to have much better suspension and clearance. Is this too much buggy (740 lbs) to haul around with 250cc engine?

Do they have the hi/lo tranny in them? I would go with the twister, its lighter and more nimble in the trails.

If you have the opportunity to drive both, that would give you more information to base your decision on. I think you will be surprised at the performance level of the Joyner.....

Glade

Both have 2-speed CVT's with reverse mated to a 250cc water-cooled engine. I cannot tell what variation there is in the power train, but the chassis are completely different in design.

Both are for sale by private parties but each one is about 100 miles in the opposite direction from me. It will too hard to arrange a meeting with both parties, so I hoping to get the pros and cons of of anyone owning these models. What about pricing - I know they go for about $3500 + shipping and/or tax when new, but what is deppreciation on these things the first year of ownership?

I have sold about 30 or so of the 250 Joyner Sand vipers. The number of customers that have had serious issues is....4. And they were not so serious that they regretted the purchase.
The reason that the Joyner may be so heavy is they are built like a tank. They can take abuse and still keep going.

I had one customer that jumped his off a 6' jump and landed hard on the nose. He thought he had totally ruined the front end by the way he had landed.. Upon closer exanamination, one of the a-arms had a slight bend. Replacement was about $30.

If you want a good, tough machine, get the Joyner. If it has been taken care of and not abused, $2500-$3000 is a fair price for a machine that less than a year old. Older than that? $2000 to $2500.

Glade

I don't think you can even compare these machines, the joyner has a FAR superior suspension, and the weight isn't that much more than the HH (which is no lightweight either). The only instance I think the HH would win out is tight woods, where the shorter wheelbase would be more nimble, the width is identical so that's not an issue.

All reports I have seen, put the 250 Joyner or HH above a good running 150 in power and speed (at least after a pipe change and jetting).

Just keep in mind the HH is only going to have about 4" of front travel, the independant rear does make it ride better than my solid axle, but I don't think it would even be close to the Joyner (which I have never driven by the way, but is a LONG travel machine). I think the Joyner is also much roomier. Don't think I'm down on the HH, they are a great buggy, you don't hear a whole lot of problems about them, especially considering the number of them out there, and they do ride a lot better than the 150 version.

I probably wouldn't pay much over 2k for a used one of either make, the original prices of these were close to the same I believe. Chinese buggies just don't hold their value, whether the seller likes it or not, cash is king, you might get a real deal, especially this time of year?

There is a 150 lb difference between these two buggies - That's like always carrying a passenger in the Joyner vs. riding solo in the HH.

My riding is about 2/3 trails and 1/3 dunes so turning radius and bulk can be an issue when trekking down ATV paths between trees. With the Yerfs currently at 430 lbs, I can pick up either end and move it if I am in a bind - I don't see this possible with the rear of the 740 lb Joyner. I would guess over 75 percent of my riding is under 25 mph due to technical terrain - It's rare when I can just open the throttle and let it go top speed.

Some people have suggested I stay with the 150cc since I do not need more speed, but I would like to have more torque that only displacement and water cooling will satisfy.

Both buggies are currently overpriced, so I can afford to wait a little since there really is no deal passing me by...

hmmm, if you are going to be doing a lot of trails then I would say the HH would be much more nimble, the size of it is nearly identical to the 150 which is a FUN machine in the woods. With the addition of independant rear it may be ideal. The joyner just looks like it would be superior on the really rough stuff. I don't think you would be picking up the back of a HH though, they are a bit heavier than the 150's

Have you driven the short wheelbase type buggies before?

Before "settling" on my used Dazon, I drove a couple of HH250's, definite improvement in ride quality, but as far as power, about what you would expect with an extra 100cc and 100lbs, which is to say, less than thrilling, still, it did make more power though.