'83 185s vs any type of big red

[Finn_TheRiddler]

Hi someone near me is selling a 1983 atc 185s for $950. I was wondering if I should jump on this or wait for something a like a big red 250. I mostly just want to know the power and speed differences. Any input would be greatly apreciated.

[schlepp29]

I personally like both models you mentioned. But the 250 bigred is the Cadillac. It really depends on what your going to be riding in. They both have there place. You can do more with the bigred. Hope this helps

[Finn_TheRiddler]

Thanks I’m looking for a big red 250 preferably a 85-87. The type of riding I do mostly contains really rocky roads, loose gravel, the occasional creek crossing, and of course mud. Which would be better?

[schlepp29]

If the rocks aren't to big they'll both work fine. The 250 bigred is a bit of a cushier ride

[keister]

All are just fine for the type of riding you want to do.
The 250 Big Red is a bigger heavier machine, but what makes it night and day difference from the hard tails is the rear suspension.
If you are young and not worried about rear suspension, get a 185 / 200 or 200 Big Red.
For an old guy with a bad back like me, I need the 85-87 Big Red for comfort.

[Finn_TheRiddler]

Thanks for all the input right now I’m look at a 1985 big red 250es. It’s going for 1900 is that too much?

[Finn_TheRiddler]

The 185 is much cheaper but I’m just not sure if it’s powerful enough I want something mostly for trail riding but can get up steep inclines and pull a mid size trailer

[derkperk]

The 185s is surprisingly powerful.


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[Finn_TheRiddler]

I found a non running 1983 200e for 500 I’m probably gonna go for that one but I was wondering if it’s possible to ride even if the front end is locked up I don’t know if it is yet but could I.

[Finn_TheRiddler]

Oh and also is there anything I could do about a frozen engine?

[Finn_TheRiddler]

Okay all of those sadly sold but i found a 200x for 1200 i dont know much about this type of three wheeler being the ones without the huge tires

[schlepp29]

There fun!!

[Finn_TheRiddler]

It sure looks like fun and from what I’ve seen it has a manual clutch is this true?

[350for350]

Yes. They have a manual clutch and a 5 speed transmission. Plus they're kick start only.

[Finn_TheRiddler]

Im excited for the kick start its gonna be so much easier to maintain then a pull start and a whole lot less tiring to start in the winter.:lol: The listing says everything works on it and it starts in a couple kicks but the front brake doesnt work and ideas as to why?

[350for350]

Maybe the master cylinder or the caliper need to be rebuilt/replaced. It's hard to tell why it doesn't work without looking at it.

[Finn_TheRiddler]

wait it has a master cylinder I've never had on of the sportier trikes but that would be weird since the back brakes work fine or does it have a separate master cylinder?

[coolpool]

Yes it would be mounted on the handlebars vs mounted on the frame for the rear brake. I wouldn't be pulling too much of a trailer with a 200x...I'd stick to utility. And for the record, it's almost always more economical to buy a complete working machine for a few more bucks than a clapped out one for cheap. The parts are getting hard to find in some cases and the prices are getting crazy. Your $500 deal might turn into a $1500 turd in no time.

[Finn_TheRiddler]

I’m probably not gonna get that one I found the big red I wanted that’s already been fully redone also all my trikes so far we’re absolutely trashed when I got them so i have a stock pile of parts for a while I was working on a 200es and I got it to fire but the next day when I was putting the wiring so it looked nice it didn’t have spark so I just sold it as is.