Which Big Red model is best?

[auto5man]

If you were looking for a Big Red, which model would you choose and why? I'm asking because I'm on the lookout. And a little bit about how I plan to use it...as a utility trike of course. To ride around the farm, use hunting, pulling trailers on occasion, haul gear, and in general get from point a to b off road through the deer woods and waterfowl fields.

Not knowing much about these trikes, I already bought a 1982 200e, but it needs a lot of work. After learning more about this model I'm thinking that a more desirable model for my purposes would be the 85-87 250es. I would really like reverse and the rear suspension (after riding my daughters 125 around rutted dirt roads I'm longing for the suspension).

Did all the 250es's have shaft drive? I've read the shaft drive is low maintenance, but does it have a downside. Is it more complex to work on, for example? Did any particular model year have the best refinements/improvements? Or were the 85-87's the same.

Anyway, looking for thoughts and opinions on this model....thanks

Dave

[Flyingw]

Dave,

The 87 is more desireable because Honda made some upgrades such as the estart idler gears on the left side of the engine. The 87 is teardrop shaped and the 85/86 are oval. The 85/86 idler gears had a bad habit is detonating. The carb is batter for 86/87 as the 85 carb had cold start issues. The 87 was a better overall machine although the 85/86 are great machines as well. I have a guy in Memphis who told me a while back he wanted to get rid of one of his Big Reds. I can hook you up with him if you like.

[Flyingw]

To answer your questions, the late model Big Reds are shaft drive (84-87). The one thing to remember about the Big Red is to keep the motor oil slightly over full, keep the differential serviced, and keep the valves adjusted. Do that and it will last you a long time.

[captainweezy]

i strongly recommend buying a 250 know matter what year. 87's are more hard to find and 85's are plentiful. Good luck.

[Thorpe]

250ES all the way... Best trike ever built...

[auto5man]

Thanks for all the feedback....so far it sounds like the 87 250es is what I need to look for.

Another question, am I missing the 250es technical data page some how? When I click on the link for "brochures and technical data" I see the 200e and 200es Big Red data but nothing on the 250es...

FlyingW, sent you a PM.

[Flyingw]

Here's all the manuals.

http://www.oscarmayer.net/atc/manuals/

[Flyingw]

Here's a 3WW spec page

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/oldsite/spexhome.shtml

[dougspcs]

Thanks for all the feedback....so far it sounds like the 87 250es is what I need to look for.

If you limit yourself to the 1987 that would be a mistake..the 85 and 86 are very excellent and in fact will be far easier to find. You'll be passing over alot of good machines while you wait for this rare and difficult to find model year.

The refinements that went into the 87 are good and all, but it certainly doesn't make the earlier model years bad! I personally have owned five 250ES and they have all been 85s..great machines all of them!

[auto5man]

Okay Doug, I hear ya...didn't realize the 87 was so hard to find. Guess I'll make that one my Holy Grail and enjoy whichever model comes to me first :)

[keister]

250ES all the way... Best trike ever built...

Best motor Honda ever built IMO. Also, on a short list of best engine ever put into a vehicle of any kind.

[roonie]

85 250es.........all the way baby

[Big G]

...The one thing to remember about the Big Red is to keep the motor oil slightly over full...

I've never heard this before. Anything I've ever read on motors says NOT to overfill the engine oil. Any input on this would be appreciated.

[ps2fixer]

The only benefit for the 84 200es is the fact it has high and low range, 85-87 are geared with first gear being "Super Low". Just to put it out there, the 250SX is very very similar to the 250ES big reds, but slightly lighter and more sport based, both are shaft drive, both can be used for utility. Finding the aftermarket racks for the SX can be troublesome though. I have owned 2 versions of the big red, and a couple of sx machines and all are great (84 200es, 85-86 250es, 85 250sx).

Benefit for shaft drive is the fact it is like your car, you basically never need to touch it, unlike chain drive where you should oil it every ride, or everyother ride. Just keep the fluid full and fresh and shaft drive will last the life of the machine. The only down side is that it is a larger power loss, which is why basically all sport modeled machines are chain drive or belt drive in the case of other brands. Personally would love a machine like a 450r with shaft drive, idc about the power loss, basically maintence free is FTW lol.

Another FYI, the 200es does have reverse unlike the 83 and older 200es big reds.

[just ben]

Best motor Honda ever built IMO. Also, on a short list of best engine ever put into a vehicle of any kind.agreed, It's right behind the SBC.

[brian376]

Got to go 250!

[tri again]

Occasionally significant is the fact that 2 sx models will fit easily in my f150 short bed truck but only one big red.
Virtually the same machine but hard to believe the size difference when they are parked together and yes, sx racks are not as common whereas the big reds all came with racks.

Cutest thing I ever heard is that if you need to fix 'em up, "they'll run forever AGAIN."

[ps2fixer]

The ES is quite a bit wider than the SX, but I think the SX is a bit longer. Stock config, the ES is more stable, I found that out yesterday messing around I drove my SX over an old pile of brush from when my property was clear cutted (before I owned it :(), and it was rather hard to keep balance with the wood braking under it etc. Then I took the ES over it and tanked my way right though lol.

Attached is a beater I bought a while back, they welded a 250ES rack on a SX, so this is the core difference in just the frame width.