I just wanna put my 2 cents in. There isnt really anything you can do to that 250ex that is gunna even come close to the stock power of a 700xx. There beast. But if u cant afford the payments i dont suggest it. Plus my buddy rides a 700xx and they sound like a helacopter when there goin down the road. Pretty Sweet! And he dosnt seem to have many problems getting through the tight trails he probably is the least wide of all the people i ride with tho.