200X vs 350X: purchase

[200XMichigan]

So I just got an itch to buy a 3 wheeler, started looking around the area (within 200 miles, ha). I found an 1984 200X, perfect tires, DG pipe, great shape and really clean, bored .30 over with a Wiesco piston. Comes with an extra frame, seat, triple tree, gas tank, and more. The guy said the clutch slips under hard load, but it will still wheelie in first and second. Putting in a new clutch isn't a big deal but I read that the weak link in the 200X is the transmission. Or is it only if the engine is much more modified than just bored over with a pipe?

There is also a 350X, not near as clean, rear fender busted and missing, got some rust on it, no aftermarket pipe, runs good though, $300 more.

I really like the 200X its super clean and comes with almost a whole parts 3wheeler minus the engine. As long as I don't do any crazy mods will the stock transmission hold up fine?

The 350X is tempting but is way more beat up, comes with no extras, most of the trails around where I live are pretty tight, not many places to open it up anyways.

whats the best choice?

[200XMichigan]

Gimme some real world advantages on these two machines, both are almost 200 miles away. Never ridden any ATV other than a old ATC125 or 185, it was years ago. But I've drove a lot of powerful street bikes, so I want something that will feel fast enough I won't get bored on it. How much faster is the 350X than the 200X? Is there anywhere the 200X would be better?

Is the 350X more reliable or is reliability equal?

[oldskool83]

ive had alot of 200x's i like them for that they are. 350x feels too big for me. i would not say only because you road power ful street bikes make is ok to get a power trike. i ride a cbr929rr on street and feel a 200x is nuff power for what i need to do, trails and such.

i road a quad with a worked 350 motor and it ripped, but i prob wouldnt need that power on 3 wheels if i didnt have the experance 1st.

[inv3ctiv3]

If the trails then you might really like the grunt of the 350x....I have had two 200x's and recently got a 350x and I can't even explain how much better I like the 350x. The power and suspension are so much nicer. But in your case the 200x almost sounds better because it is in really good condition with extra parts, it would suck to get a clapped out 350x unless you have some money to spend on it! I guess I would have to see both and see how both of them ran then I'd decide but if it came down to a 350x in a little worse condition then a 200x I'd get the 350x.

[Erics350x]

350x in any area, hands down. Comparing the 200x to the 350x is like comparing a 250 Ninja and a 600rr

[85Tecate]

350x is better in all aspects IMO.

[4cfed]

iv owned 2 200x's and also rode a friends 350x... the 350 has alot more power everywhere.. which can be a hand full if your not expecting it, his is ether rollin the tires or hanging the front tire in the air!!

i love my 200x for trail riding its light and nimlbe an can be tossed around easy

[200XMichigan]

Think I'm gonna go with the 200X, the 350 is pretty beat when you compare the two. The 200X is read to ride. When you look at the responses everyone with terrain like Michigan said the 200X is more fun on the trail. And the 200X is just in awesome shape with the DG pipe for less money.

[inv3ctiv3]

Think I'm gonna go with the 200X, the 350 is pretty beat when you compare the two. The 200X is read to ride. When you look at the responses everyone with terrain like Michigan said the 200X is more fun on the trail. And the 200X is just in awesome shape with the DG pipe for less money. So if anyone else wants it....its only $750 obo

http://nmi.craigslist.org/rvs/1471260440.html

Hmmm that's weird I can't see any real situation where I'd prefer a 200x over a 350x....The 200x is lighter so you can throw it yea but the 350x has so much power you don't need to throw it you just hit the throttle and it slides.

[jeffatc250r]

Ive had both and still have a 350 for putzin around. 200x sux imo, too low to the ground and hits every rock that sticks up more than 2 inches. Even a 350 can get boring. Everyone has their preferances.

[Texas 200x]

Clean and reliable is better than something thats beat to hell. Yes the 350x is WAY more powerful but, the 200x is no utility vechicle. 350x parts are EXPENSIVE and if its beat it won't do you much good waiting on MORE parts in the garage. It only gets boring when you ride the same place over and over. Don't get me wrong I'm still waiting on my 350x, but my old reliable 200x is always ready to go.

[200XMichigan]

Are parts a lot more expensive for the 350X? God part of me knows I'm gonna want the extra power and 6 speed. The 350X isn't so trashed you couldn't get some good riding time on it, just the other one looks real nice. I wish they weren't on opposite sides of the state. Whats the top speed of each? I weigh 160.

[ProCarbine2k1]

Go for the one your heart points you to! You won't have any less fun on the 200. I love 200x's, always have and always will. You can make them what you want, and with it being a 1st gen, there is a lot out there for it. Good luck on your purchase!

[Thorpe]

ive had alot of 200x's i like them for that they are. 350x feels too big for me. i would not say only because you road power ful street bikes make is ok to get a power trike. i ride a cbr929rr on street and feel a 200x is nuff power for what i need to do, trails and such.

i road a quad with a worked 350 motor and it ripped, but i prob wouldnt need that power on 3 wheels if i didnt have the experance 1st.

I also ride a cbr 929rr, and hands down vote 350X all the way!!!

[oscarmayer]

as it has been stated, I tend to feel it really depends on the type of riding your doing and the size of the person. he;s 160. that's not a very big guy. a 350x will be harder for him to toss around and deal with on the trails, where the 200x will be perfect. Also the 200x is more nimble int he trails than the 350x. There's advantages to both. the 350x has better suspension and more power yes, but with a few bucks you can get a nice riding 200x and it has a TON if swapable parts out there. the 350x is kinda a loaner. if he's downa nd gets ahold of a 200cc anything they swap right onto the 200x engine. heck even hald the guys swap out.

the weak link in a 200x is the clutch basket when you have installed a very heavy duty clutch and lots of power. if not then your fine.

[AutoXer]

you can ride the 350x in almost any gear they produce alot of torque so you can pull a hill in a higher gear. I would say that the 200x in this instance is the better buy being that it is in better shape if the 350 is beat than the suspension will suck the studs on the head are probabally going to snap if you take them out and on and on the 200x is easy to work on and produces good useable power ... you will find that it needs to be shifted more but who really cares atleast you will be having fun riding instead of looking for parts or wondering if you will make it home

[inv3ctiv3]

Yea like I said the 200x is probably the right choice in this situation just because the 350x is beat. I guess I was just too big for the 200x (6'1 210lbs).

[this guy]

Desert guy talking, but have to go with the 350x more power more suspension not matter how beat.

[harryredtrike]

unless your prepared to spend some coin,and work on her i'd go with a clean 200x.i went up north this summer with my 200x and everything was cool.no hill too steep for her.im 6'1 and 200lbs.

[200XMichigan]

Yeah I'm gonna pick up the 200X this Saturday, can't wait. Figure once I have more money I can always buy a clean one or restore a 350X. They sure look fun, but I know the 200X will be a blast to drive. And it comes with all kinds of extra parts and is in perfect shape.

[inv3ctiv3]

Yea a nice 200x with parts is a good choice over a beat 350x, post pics when you get it!

[this guy]

have to admit, I have never had a trike that didn't come with lots of spare parts. Enjoy the ride the 200x will not dissapoint.

[oscarmayer]

sweet! gotta post photos when you get her and clean it up completely. i'd take it straight to the car wash and use a pressure sprayer to clean the underside and the area of the the bottom of the engine to the frame/belltpan. it holds dirt/grease there and you have to blast it to clean it.

[200XMichigan]

I can't wait. I'll deffinately get some pics up of it. Probably gonna get it home and drive it all over before I clean it. And it will be almost a 400 mile drive round trip to get it. I'll change its oil though, what do these machines require for oil? Weight and spec wise? Just wondering cuz my CB750 can use regular automobile oil, I have run 15-40 oil that is S (spark) and C (compression) rated cuz it contains more sulfur and detergents than standard gas engine oil.

[oscarmayer]

i like to use pensoil 10w30-10w40(30 for winter and 40 for summer) as it has everything it needs and will not hurt the wet clutches. it's also cheap!

[200XMichigan]

So pretty much any good automotive grade oil? Just wondering if they required anything special like some of the newer stuff.

[i58829]

I think since you weigh 160 the 200x will be the better purchase, i'm a bit over 200 and the 200x will cart me around just fine. The 350s just have more power and i prefer them because they can just cruise around and rip things up too.

If you want an opinion you didn't ask for, based on what it seems like you want an 86/7 200x is the bike for you. It's the best of both worlds, and i loved the 86 i had it was favorite ride i've had because its set up well. So once you get the 200x and ride it around for a year and decide you're addicted to buying/riding/working on these things that would be the machine to keep an eye out for, TC...

[Side Wayz]

I love the 200x you could always get some upgrades and get more power for the size. Sprokets tires maybe first. I would like to have a 350. Im olny 5'7" 181. And din't honda call for just 30 weight oil for the 200x. Have fun when you get it dude.

[200XMichigan]

Its gonna be awesome, can't find a 86/87 200X. This 200X is so nice and cheap, figure I'll find a 350X when I am working again, just drop the jack for a nice one. We moved so I'm out of work. I'd love to see the power of the 350X, I can imagine its fun as h-ll. But I thought about it and while I love my old Suzuki GS1000E, it had so much power, my 1991 Nighthawk 750 has never broken down in 9 years of ownership, I have done nothing other than oil, chain, sprockets, plugs, air filter, in 30,000 miles it hasn't even worn the brakes down, and I ride it hard. And what have I kept, the 750 Nighthawk, my first bike, and so many other have come and gone and broke down and got fixed and sold and many other outcomes.....but always the Nighthawk starts and runs like the day I bought it, so I keep it, even though its not the fastest bike I've owned. So I figure get the reliable one, the 200X, I don't want another project now, I got a few. Looks like I can take this thing off the trailer when I bring it home and ride it. The guy has owned it for 5 years and you can tell its been well maintained. Then when I have the money I'll get a sweet 350X and an ATC90 or 110 just for fun. Can't have too many toys.

[this guy]

on these older machines, try to use an oil with very few deturgents. They were never designed for them, a nice high end oil like maxima or golden spectro will help save all the old seals and gaskets you have.