Rev Up Your Engines!
The Desert Hopper is here!

Experience high-speed action with this 92-piece Racers set from 2008! Includes pullback motor and stunt ramp.

🏛 Racers
Set #8490

Desert Hopper

The Desert Hopper is a fun, pocket-sized racer with a cool pull-back motor.

🏆 Best For: Ideal for kids aged 7-12 who enjoy building and racing cars. ⏱ 1 hr build 🧩 92 pcs 🎂 Ages 7+
★★★☆☆ 3.7 from 1 reviews

Users appreciate the Desert Hopper for its fun pull-back action and simple build, making it great for kids. Some find the overall design basic and the piece count low for the price on the secondary market.

MSRP
$9.99
Best Price
$84.00
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📝 Our Take

The Desert Hopper is a fun, pocket-sized racer with a cool pull-back motor. This set captures the thrill of off-road racing in a small package, complete with a ramp for launching the buggy into the air.

This set is perfect for younger builders or anyone looking for a quick, engaging build. The pull-back motor adds an element of play, and the included ramp enhances the fun.

Skip this if you're seeking a complex or highly detailed model. Consider larger Technic racers for a more challenging build experience.

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🧱 Building Experience

🧩
92
Pieces
1h
Build Time
📊
Beginner
Difficulty
👤
7-12
Ages
Build Highlights:
  • Simple and quick build
  • Pull-back motor provides engaging play
  • Includes a ramp for jumping action
  • Sturdy design for active play

📈 Investment Analysis

→ Price stable
B-
Investment Grade
⏳ Active
The Desert Hopper, being a retired set from 2008, has seen a significant increase in value. Its relatively low piece count might deter some investors, but its collectibility as part of the Racers theme and the inclusion of the ramp make it appealing. The stable price trend indicates consistent demand. However, the lack of unique or rare parts could limit substantial future appreciation. Investing in sets like these depends on the condition and completeness of the set.

Not Financial Advice: Content is for educational purposes only. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Full disclaimer

📖 About This Set

This desert buggy Power Racer with pull-back motor is ready to jump, and it even comes with its own kangaroo-crossing ramp to get airborne! Can you make the Desert Hopper jump further than your friends? Combine with #8491 Ram Rod to make a 4-wheel-drive pull-back racer and ramp! Includes jump ramp, gate and racer with a pull-back motor! Desert Hopper is 5" (13cm) long!

Compare Similar Sets

Compared to other racers, the Desert Hopper stands out for its simplicity and the inclusion of a ramp. While larger Technic sets offer more complex builds, this set provides a quick and fun experience, particularly for younger builders. It's a good alternative to more expensive or intricate models if you're looking for a budget-friendly option.

📦 Full Parts Inventory - 41 unique parts • 80 total pieces

Tile Special 1 x 2 Grille with Bottom Groove Tile Special 1 x ...
Part #: 2412b Dark Bluish Gray
Tile Special 1 x 2 with Handle Tile Special 1 x ...
Part #: 2432 Yellow
Tile Special 2 x 2 with Top Pin Tile Special 2 x ...
Part #: 2460 Dark Bluish Gray
Technic Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise and Center Slots Technic Pin with ...
Part #: 2780 12× Black
Brick 2 x 3 Brick 2 x 3
Part #: 3002 Black
Plate 2 x 2 Plate 2 x 2
Part #: 3022 Dark Bluish Gray
Plate 4 x 4 Plate 4 x 4
Part #: 3031 Yellow
Plate 2 x 8 Plate 2 x 8
Part #: 3034 Yellow
Technic Axle and Pin Connector Angled #2 - 180° Technic Axle and ...
Part #: 32034 Blue
Technic Pin Long with Friction Ridges Lengthwise and Stop Bush [3 Lateral Holes, Big Pin Hole] Technic Pin Long ...
Part #: 32054 Black
Technic Bush 1/2 Smooth with Axle Hole Semi-Reduced Technic Bush 1/2 ...
Part #: 32123b Yellow
Technic Beam 2 x 4 L-Shape Thick Technic Beam 2 x ...
Part #: 32140 Yellow
Technic Axle and Pin Connector Perpendicular 3L with Centre Pin Hole Technic Axle and ...
Part #: 32184 Black
Technic Beam 1 x 3 Thick Technic Beam 1 x ...
Part #: 32523 Yellow
Technic Beam 1 x 7 Thick Technic Beam 1 x ...
Part #: 32524 Light Bluish Gray
Technic Brick 1 x 8 [7 Pin Holes] Technic Brick 1 x...
Part #: 3702 Black
Technic Axle 6 Technic Axle 6
Part #: 3706 Black
Technic Axle 8 Technic Axle 8
Part #: 3707 Black
Plate 2 x 6 Plate 2 x 6
Part #: 3795 Dark Bluish Gray
Technic Brick 1 x 6 [5 Pin Holes] Technic Brick 1 x...
Part #: 3894 Light Bluish Gray
Equipment Signal Paddle Equipment Signal ...
Part #: 3900 White
Cone 2 x 2 x 2, Open Stud Cone 2 x 2 x 2, O...
Part #: 3942c White
Technic Beam 1 x 9 Thick Technic Beam 1 x ...
Part #: 40490 Black
Tile 1 x 8 with Groove Tile 1 x 8 with G...
Part #: 4162 Light Bluish Gray
Technic Axle Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise Technic Axle Pin ...
Part #: 43093 Blue
Slope Curved 4 x 4 x 2/3 Triple Curved with 2 Studs Slope Curved 4 x ...
Part #: 45677 Yellow
Pullback Motor 9 x 4 x 2 2/3 Pullback Motor 9 ...
Part #: 47715 Dark Bluish Gray
Wheel Arch, Curved Wedge 4 x 3 with 2 x 2 Opening and 4 Studs Wheel Arch, Curve...
Part #: 47755 Dark Bluish Gray
Slope Curved 3 x 1 No Studs Slope Curved 3 x ...
Part #: 50950 Dark Bluish Gray
Slope 30° 1 x 1 x 2/3 (Cheese Slope) Slope 30° 1 x 1 x...
Part #: 54200 Trans-Clear
Sticker Sheet for Set 8490-1 Sticker Sheet for...
Part #: 54889 [No Color/Any Color]
Tyre 37 x 22 ZR Tyre 37 x 22 ZR
Part #: 55978 Black
Wheel 18mm x 14mm with Axle Hole, Fake Bolts and Shallow Spokes Wheel 18mm x 14mm...
Part #: 55982 Black
Wheel 30.4 x 20 without Pinholes, with Reinforced Rim Wheel 30.4 x 20 w...
Part #: 56145 Black
Tyre 30.4 x 14 VR Solid Tyre 30.4 x 14 VR...
Part #: 58090 Black
Technic Engine Block Half / Side Intake Panel Technic Engine Bl...
Part #: 61069 Yellow
Technic Car Spoiler 3 x 8 [Three Holes] Technic Car Spoil...
Part #: 61073 Black
Plate Round 1 x 1 with Solid Stud Plate Round 1 x 1...
Part #: 6141 Trans-Red
Ramp Cover, with Tyre Tracks and 'JUMP AHEAD' Kangaroo Sign Print Ramp Cover, with ...
Part #: 61768 [No Color/Any Color]
Technic Pin Long with Friction Ridges Lengthwise, 2 Center Slots Technic Pin Long ...
Part #: 6558 Blue
Technic Axle 3 with Stud Technic Axle 3 wi...
Part #: 6587 Dark Bluish Gray
The parts selection is fairly standard for a set of this size, with a good mix of Technic pins and axles. The black tires are a useful element for MOC builders creating small vehicles.

💎 Notable Parts

Black Tyre 37 x 22 ZR (2x) $1.00
White Cone 2 x 2 x 2, Open Stud (2x) $0.20
Dark Bluish Gray Tile Special 1 x 2 Grille with Bottom Groove (2x) $0.30
Est. BrickLink Part Value
$1.50

💡 MOC Potential

🚗 Smaller, alternate off-road vehicles
🤖 Simple wheeled robots
🌳 Small desert creatures or landscape features

📰 Racers News

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📖 Building Instructions 1

Desert Hopper Instructions
BUILDING INSTRUCTION, 8490
Download PDF

Charts Inventory Statistics

41
Unique Parts
80
Total Pieces
0
Minifigures
Inventory Version: 1