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Thread: If You Could Only Have One ATC

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    South TX
    --
    71

    If You Could Only Have One ATC

    I got bit by the ATC bug after acquiring my very first 3 Wheeler which is a 1983 ATC 185s. Now I find myself looking everyday locally for another one but also got me thinking if I could only have one ATC that was more of a do it all what would it be. I'm very new to these fine machines and learning daily about them. So, if you could only have one which would it be?

  2. #2
    Footy's Avatar
    Footy is offline At The Back Of The Pack Arm chair racerAt the back of the pack
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Charlotte, N.C.
    --
    295
    Probably a ATC250SX. It does work and play. Having said that my atc350X is by far my favorite trike.
    Put your butt on the inside fender or end up on the ground!

    TRX450ER
    ATC250SX
    ATC350X
    ATC110
    ATC185S
    XR100R
    CRF230F
    Raptor 125
    Breeze 125
    Grizzly700

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    South TX
    --
    71
    Quote Originally Posted by Footy View Post
    Probably a ATC250SX. It does work and play. Having said that my atc350X is by far my favorite trike.
    I found a 250SX for sale about an hour away couple of weeks ago. Original owner and super clean. Was asking $1K for it. Saw the ad 4 hours after it was posted and messaged the seller. Didn't respond till the following day saying it was sold. The guy who bought it cleaned it up and reposted it for $4500.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Soutwestern PA
    --
    2,040
    Would have to be the fully suspended 250ES Big Red. Mine has a plow and a hitch and still goes virtually anywhere (except the most extreme hill climbs, but you can always find a way around). With autoclutch, e-start and reverse, it can take on any trial.
    Having said that, my 1986 125M is my favorite trike.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    South TX
    --
    71
    Quote Originally Posted by keister View Post
    Would have to be the fully suspended 250ES Big Red. Mine has a plow and a hitch and still goes virtually anywhere (except the most extreme hill climbs, but you can always find a way around). With autoclutch, e-start and reverse, it can take on any trial.
    Having said that, my 1986 125M is my favorite trike.
    What year is the fully suspended 250ES that you are referring to? Why is your 125M your favorite?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    az
    --
    1,949
    for general riding, I'd say a 1st gen 200x. I have 3 185s, 2 200x, 350x and a 70. the 200x is easier on my knee to start and has decent suspension. jim
    81 185s
    82 185s with 85 200s motor
    suspended 185s
    85 atc70
    1984 200s
    85 350x 3rd owner
    and a 72 ct70

    projects coming along

    85 200s
    81 suspended 185s (can't believe I came across 2)
    1982? 185s

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Edmond, KS
    --
    2,531
    I have to second the 250ES. I LOVE my 1985 and it's my favorite. I like it better than my SX because it rides smoother. That's why I'm slowly working on building another one.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2021
    Location
    Anthem Arizona
    --
    42
    I have always loved the 185s due to the size and sportiness, and it was my first 3-wheeler back in 82. I finally got around to rebuilding one and I love it but now some 40 years later I rear wish it had better front shocks and rear suspension(my back is getting old). I know a 200x kinda fits the bill but a well-done 185s with good suspension would be my choice.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Stellenbosch, South Africa
    --
    179
    250ES big red for sure.
    1983 Honda ATC250R
    1983 Honda ATC200E BIG RED (sold)
    1984 Honda ATC200X (sold)
    1985 Honda ATC250ES BIG RED
    1985 Honda ATC70 x 2
    2001 Honda TRX90
    2004 Honda TRX300EX (sold)
    2008 Honda TRX250TM
    1976 Suzuki RV90M (sold)
    1967 Vespa Primavera 125
    1958 Massey Ferguson 35

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    SW Alabama
    --
    763
    If I could have only 1, it would be 86 or 87 200x. Very easy to kick/crank compared to 1 gen 200x. I ride them the best of all the sport trikes (yes I have had all the sport models except 2nd gen r and had to one of those avaliable to ride). They are also one of the best head turners, being all white. Light enough to handle by yourself if need to load/ move ect.
    Trikes: Cagiva 200, 85? Tiger 250,(2)84 200x's , (3)86 200x's, 87 200x, (5)85 350x's, (2)86 350x's, (2)85 250r's, 86 Tecate, (3) 85 250sx's Restoring: 83 200x, 86 250sx. Too many utility trikes to list.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2022
    Location
    South TX
    --
    71
    That 86 and 87 200X sure is a good looking trike. I'm going to be on the lookout for a 250ES.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Arkansas
    --
    2,196
    I wouldn't consider anything without a dual range transmission if owning one trike.

    One trike means play and work use. Having low range makes work use much easier on the trike. Pulling yard carts and small trailers isn't nearly as hard on the engine and clutch with low range. On technical trails, low range has the same effect, it's a whole lot easier on the engine and clutch and climbing steep hills doesn't impart nearly the same strain on the trike as with only one transmission range.

    The 200ES would be my one trike. Not as powerful or smooth riding as the 250ES, but about a 100lbs lighter weight with similar ground clearance and a lower center of gravity. the 200ES has a dual range transmission, which also means all five gears in reverse (no reason), shaft drive, reverse, and now worries about loosing a side panel.
    The story of three wheels and a man...

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Western Pennsylvania
    --
    107
    I would also go with a 250SX. Love the 250ES as well, but I find the 250SX is a little more nimble. 250SX can also be fitted with a rack and hitch. And I do prefer the styling of the 250SX over the 250ES
    3 Wheels:
    1982 Honda ATC 185s
    1983 Honda ATC 250R
    1984 Yamaha 225DX
    1985 Honda 250SX
    1986 Honda Big Red 250ES

    4 Wheels:
    1986 Suzuki LT50
    1987 Honda TRX 250 Fourtrax
    2023 Honda Foreman

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Oceanside, CA
    --
    88
    I live in southern CA and only do desert riding, so I would have an 86 250R.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Soutwestern PA
    --
    2,040
    Quote Originally Posted by StinkerBean View Post
    What year is the fully suspended 250ES that you are referring to? Why is your 125M your favorite?
    1986 or 1987 are the best. The most important upgrade over the '85 is the cold start carb. The '85s take a while to fire up when it is below zero. But I see you are from South TX, so probably a non-issue for you.

    The 86-87 125M has electric start and reverse and is the only mini I know of that does. It is just so nimble on tight trails. It has more than enough power for an adult, and mine even has a rack to haul refreshments. The best part is seeing all of the big 4x4 quads lined up and waiting at a big mud hole or water crossing, and you can just hop off the trail, weave through some trees, cruise around or over whatever obstacles are holding up the group, and find yourself at the front of the pack

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