What were the best years for the 200x?

[Tippmann98]

I read on here awhile back that the later models are worth more than the earlier models and that they're better for some reason. I'm looking at a couple 1985's and wondered what you guys could tell me about them. They both don't run and the owner wants $450 for both.

[hoosierlogger]

86 & 87 are the better years as far as desirability and power. 87's are almost non existent with only a very small ammount getting released. You cant go wrong with getting two for $450

[Tippmann98]

What changed from 85 to 86 that gave it more power?

[dksix]

The 2nd gen was a completely different engine and had a 6 speed tranny.

[2Tim215]

I believe the 85 and under had the crank seating different than the 86 and 87. I'm not very mechanical but to my understanding after being shown a split case the 86 and up have some type of sleeves or bearings that is much better than previous years where the crank rests in the case. Someone more knowledgeable can probably explain it better but I believe the intent was to extend the life of the case etc.

[Chazz of Blades]

I've owned both generations. Two different animals, second gen had a better tranny, better, stronger, even bigger displacement engine, with a completely different design(seriously, the valve adjustment is CRAZY!), better swingarms, better suspension, better kickers, better everything IMHO.

Better lookin' too. Even the frames are different, the second gen frames are squared IIRC. I've got one as a deco piece in m shop, I should be able to remembeer that.

[atc007]

2 completely different machines. 86-7 are square framed,6 speeds,Much more comftorable,far smoother. Superior chain adjustment,,on and on !! Having said that,,1st gens are awesome too!! An 84 was my 1st "sport" ATC. Pounded her relentlessly,,bent axles were all it ever cost me. great machines..

[tri again]

I think mine was an early model.
Very fun but there are extensive posts about kick start gears,
Since they have manual clutch, easier to jumpstart
and if they're tuned correctly, they should start 1/2 kick anyway.

450 for 2 sounds good.

Kick each starter a few times to make sure they don't slip or hang down,
reasonable tires, compression, not rotted gas tanks and I'd get them for sure.

Unless I'm forgetting some catastrophic deal killer specific to the x.

One model has a nightmare swing arm bolt issue but that may be the 'r' 2 stroke models.

[ametzker]

Tippman 98 I see your also an International Harvester man. I've got a a 200x and an IH Scout 800. Seems there are certain types of people drawn to same hobbies. = ) For the record I have an 85 200x and am happy with it.

[oldskool83]

83-85 had chain adjusters on swingarm. 86-87 had ecentric (sp) carrier in swingarm adjustment like new atvs. ive had many 83-85s. cheap fun bikes but kicker issues came up with everyone i owned and axles are junk on 83-85...they are my fav style but not worth much in my mind anymore...too many issues they always have later down the road and oem axles are not made anymore lol.

[Xpress]

My personal opinion is for you to get a first gen 200x. There's THOUSANDS of things you can do to them, and the best part is you can get a good one for cheap. You can get a POS and restore it back to original, or you can make it a solid running beater. Take a good one and trick it out, or inject nitrous into it's blood to make it a full blown race machine. The skies the limit.

The best part is that you're not hurting anything by taking a run of the mill first gen 200x and doing whatever you want to it. The second gens I tend to think of as the trikes that should be kept in good condition and not beated on, because there's not a whole lot of them left out there.

I know the second gens have more power and a 6 speed tranny, but the same year XR200R engines have 6 speed gearboxes, and they literally bolt right in. I hat a hot XR200R engine that's been stroked out that I sold to a member here and he ran it in his 200X. The only issue is that the kickstarter is rear kick, but looking at the engines, I'd bet that you could slip on a rear kick mechanism relatively easy. I think it's just the side covers that have the reverse gears...

[scruffy390]

Are the aftermarket parts available for the second gen as they are the first? If you wanted to build a racer which would be the easiest to find aftermarket parts for?

[atc007]

Neither would be easy. 2nd gen,almost non existant..

[Bustos82]

have an 84 200x and love that thing....

[110klt]

Buy them and send me pictures........ I would be interested in just one for $300 if it were fully intact.

[Tippmann98]

I ended up taking a friend along and we each bought one. Talked him down to $200 a piece. Mine turned out to be an '84 and in rough shape but I did get it running without much trouble. The guy said they hadn't run in 5/6 years. Mine smokes real bad but that's the gamble I knew I was taking. I kinda wanna fix it all up and make her look nice but it depends on what all I have to do to get the smoking stopped. Thanks for all the information. Makes me want an '86 or an '87 instead!

[atc007]

You will need a hone,,or MOST likely a Bore. New piston and rings,gaskets,,and maybe,but hopefully not . Valves,cam,timing chain,chain guides,etc.. Probably just the 1st list. Parts will run about $100.

[three_wheelin45]

I would like to own a first gen just to see the power difference between my 87 and a first gen. I love my 200x it is a tank, not many after market parts for second gen though.

[Sick200x]

I agree that a first gen would be my choice to hop up/ride/beat on, as there are plenty of them to be had, not so many 86's even fewer 87's, I would leave those as original as possible (unless they've already been beat to hell). As for performance, the 86-87 are a much better design, good ride quality, better frame, better kicker, and the 6th gear is nice too. But really it's not a world of difference, I own a couple 1st gen. and my riding buddy has an '86. His is bone stock, mine has minor upgrades, nothing extreme, piped, jetted, cam, played with sprocket sizes, etc. Through trails we're pretty even (I know alot depends on rider) drag racing mine is faster unless it's far enough for him to run in sixth, and of course he'll take me in top speed.
Enjoy your '84, freshen up the motor and get it running how you'd like, plenty of threads on here about hop ups, the sky's the limit. Once your happy with performance, another $200 worth of maier plastics and a seat cover will have it looking damn good! AND...post up some pics of as you go...

[Xpress]

I ended up taking a friend along and we each bought one. Talked him down to $200 a piece. Mine turned out to be an '84 and in rough shape but I did get it running without much trouble. The guy said they hadn't run in 5/6 years. Mine smokes real bad but that's the gamble I knew I was taking. I kinda wanna fix it all up and make her look nice but it depends on what all I have to do to get the smoking stopped. Thanks for all the information. Makes me want an '86 or an '87 instead!

Time for a rebuild. Very likely you will need to bore it out to the next size up piston, and buy a piston/ring kit. Dennis Kirk has aftermarket kits complete with piston, rings, and gaskets from Wiseco, runs around $160. A bore will run anywhere from $40 to $100 depending on where you do it at, but you gotta know if the cylinder is completely round, AND what the diameter already is so you know what kit size you need. Then buy the kit, have them bore it out, and bring the piston/rings along to check the fit.

OR you could just strip it down, stroke it, bore it wayy over, beef up the kicking system, run an XR 6 speed engine, oil cooler mod (the works) and have fun :D

[Dirtcrasher]

Parts are MAYBE a hair harder to acquire.....

Ride an 86/87. It's just a round-a-bout talking about it.

The stance, the shifting, handling, rear shock, carrier and valve adjustment - Just tooooo name a few MAJOR improvements on the 2nd gen.

An 86 is fine! in 87 it had a key, graphics and some stupid stuff... Nothing "Earth Shattering.........."

[DRKCYDE]

1985, because I bought one a week ago!!

[350XJEDI]

you can do a cheap rebuild just hone , rings , seals , gaskets. clean the valves and head , that will probly fix the smoke , i have done a few this way and it works , less then 100$ . the exhoust might have a little residual oil but it will go away . or go all out and spend more get more good luck . I love my 83,and my 85 autox ,my sons 84 20 overbore they are good fun . the 86-87 isnt that much better ,in most riding cond. but they are nice if you can find one cheap enough get it ,

[ctbale]

I got a 83 for $300, smoked like hell, so down she went, piston, rings, bore, new valves, valve seats cut, new con rod, timing chain, tensioners, 2 tranny bearings, stiffer kicker spring, cam journals BAD so got a used head, KX80 caliper, YZ250master cyl, 400ex rear hubs wheel bearings... some people (me) just dont know where to draw the line! If your piston is good, 350XJEDI is right on, do the hone and rings, you should be good, do a timing chain too $15

[350XJEDI]

:rolleyes: sorry forgot the timing chain ,def good call.:D