Project: waterpumper or 350x?

[yater]

I'm thinking about one of these for a running project--something to build back to mint condition, probably with a few personal touches. I want something for high-speed trail riding and a little sand. Is the R too hot for woods riding? I STILL haven't ridden a waterpumper! I'm not really concerned with finding parts for either since they are both really popular trikes.

[Maine_Triker]

An R should be fine for woods riding, as long as your not crawling over rocks and stumps, etc. And you would like the R better in the sand.

[BIGCRIP28]

id do the R.

[yater]

Bigcrip, you're right there by claiborne. Whatever I get will mainly be ridden right there at claiborne and at the dunes. I grew up in Lafayette and have been riding out there since I was a kid. We've been a few times with several different trikes and it seems like the 350x is the ideal ride out there--the '86 200x was nice too. It's definately fast enough in the woods and also good for those 30+ mile loops...a little safer for night riding too. I love the Rs but man those 350s are tough to beat in the woods. I guess I'll just see what comes along

[Dirtcrasher]

It also depends on whether you like the predictable 4 stroke power of the 350X or the eyeball socket splitting and arm yanking 2 stroke power of the 250R. I like a 4 stroke much better in the woods, wheeling over obstacles with the 4 stroke motor is a breeze.

[BIGCRIP28]

yater, wheres claiborne i looked at the map (list of cities) and didnt see it.
i never heard of it, what is it a track, dunes, riding area, pay, free?

[OldSchoolin86]

Go with the R. Tons of power, better suspension and I even like them in the woods.

[yater]

Camp Claiborne is near forest hill (many just refer to the trails as "forest hill"). It's actually an abandoned military base from wwII--if you look around, you'll find old tank tracks and bunkers out in the middle of nowhere...GREAT riding for sport trikes.

I agree about the 4stroke in the woods. The 350x is a blast coming out of those corners...great roll-on power down low. The R is flat out FAST...either way I can't loose--I may end up with both?

[Mike_Ham_250R]

Go for the R. I just took mine in heavy woods riding an hour ago and its awesome other than it being a little wide for how tight the trees were.

[BIGCRIP28]

do you know the address to over there? (so i could go to yahoo and get a map?)
do you have to pay? wear helmets? have a spark arrestor? is there anywhere i can find out the rules.
oh yeah, i dont mean to hijack your thread. :D

[yater]

Head straight up 49 to the forest hill/lecompte exit. Turn left at the stop sign (over the overpass) and go into forest hill until the end of the road (about 5 miles). Turn right after the tracks and look for LA 112 on the left. Follow the signs to the "multi use trail". You may want to ask the locals in forest hill if you get lost....EVERYONE knows where it is.

It is USFS land so spark arrestors are mandatory, helmets are not, and there aren't many other rules. I would recommend a helmet...you'll be 30 miles from the truck and an accident will ruin your day (or worse) out there. The trails are closed after heavy rain so call the ranger district to find out trail conditions (call before you haul). Just do an internet search for camp claiborne ranger station or something like that.

I'd like to get down there soon for a night ride so let me know if you're interested and I'll show you around--make sure your ride is trail ready though..breakdowns would be a ***** out there

[Pigga]

DO NOT DO THE R if your looking for some thing for bolth trail and sand build the 350x i live in the mountains in utah and its really hard on any 2 stroke 4/3 wheeler to even move in the moutains because they are built lower to the ground and the 2 strokes hate climbing hills with ruts be cause it takes away your power band i know alot of buddys that have ruined their banshees in the mountains and i have a 350x its the ideal mountain machine and it will actually do more in the sand than an R the only thing the R is faster in is a flat drag and straight up the mountain if you get stuck at the bottom of a bowl on an R your screwed because you have to be in your power band to climb a 350x you do not

[yater]

There are no mountains where I plan to ride...although there is a landfill nearby but it's off limits. That's about the biggest elevation change it'll see (other than dunes). I think I could make the R work as a woods ride but the 350x was MADE for that stuff. I haven't ridden the x in the dunes but can imagine it's a bit underpowered (or just not the zippy power needed) for the sand...I guess everything's a compromise. In reality, the trike will probably spend more time in the garage than anything (sad but true). I don't really plan to pound on it like I do my dirtbikes and quad. I find it's more fun to ride with like machines and it's tough to get a group of trike riders together

[MO350X]

I had a 350X and miss it something terrible at times.
They're torque beasts and GREAT on the trails.

BUT my '86 R is lighter, VERY comfortable, EXCELLENT on trails (believe me) and an R is MUCH cheaper to add power to and a LOT cheaper to rebuild due to the added simplicity of 2 stroke.

Just my 2 cents. :)

[AZ250R]

For sand the X will NOT outdo the R in any way shape or form, IMO. Unless you wanna see who can go up the hill the SLOWEST!?!?!? :rolleyes: You & I can stop in the bottom of the bigest steepest bowl, then head on out. No matter how ya "slice it", I'll be pass'n you on the way out for sure!!! :p


i have a 350x its the ideal mountain machine and it will actually do more in the sand than an R the only thing the R is faster in is a flat drag and straight up the mountain if you get stuck at the bottom of a bowl on an R your screwed because you have to be in your power band to climb a 350x you do not

[OldSchoolin86]

For sand the X will NOT outdo the R in any way shape or form, IMO.
I don't think that's an opinion, that's a fact.

[83185s]

* guys are getting me to want somethin bigger again..a good sign but not good right now cause i have no money..lol...i like 4 strokes so if i was gonna get somethin bigger than my 200x itll be a 350x..skip right over the sx cause i cant find any out here

[86250RZ]

Bigcrip, here is the website address to Forest Hills aka LA Dunes. No major hills or anything but lots of space to ride. You will see a lot of drag racing going on.

www.thedunesinc.com

[Pigga]

NO you wont ive seen 250r s and banshee's and dirt bikes get stuck at the bottom of bowls and have to get pulled out by sand rails be cause they cant hit the power band to climb :P
and Choke cherry One of the steepest sand hill's around an R cant touch it when an X powers right up it WHy??? because it doesnt need to be in a power band to climb I will take an x at the dunes any day over an R all you do is throw a 12 front sprocket on them with some good paddles and your fine

[yater]

NO you wont ive seen 250r s and banshee's and dirt bikes get stuck at the bottom of bowls and have to get pulled out by sand rails be cause they cant hit the power band to climb :P
and Choke cherry One of the steepest sand hill's around an R cant touch it when an X powers right up it WHy??? because it doesnt need to be in a power band to climb I will take an x at the dunes any day over an R all you do is throw a 12 front sprocket on them with some good paddles and your fine

I'll give you a break because I think you're young...in order to get a 2 stroke into the power, you just need a little clutch work. Any smoker can be in the power instantly. I think those guys were either kids that hadn't yet learned to ride, or idiots. Either way, I'd ride the R out of whatever bowl you're talking about

[Pigga]

ill give you 5 dollars if your R could out climb my X up choke cherry

[yater]

Shut up and STAY OUT OF MY THREAD. I don't have an R....remember what thread this is? I'll ride anything out of whatever bowl you're talking about and roost all over you in the process. Those guys at "choke cherry" sound like they need riding lessons. I'm free until early July if they're interested....but please send a PM so I can keep the meaningful suggestions coming in this thread

[Pigga]

this is choke cherry if you have riddin in utah this is twice as steep as sand mountain
"not exagerating" its like 80 Degrees

[Dammit!]

ill give you 5 dollars if your R could out climb my X up choke cherry

If I'm ever up that way, I'll take that bet in a hot second. :welcome:

Back on topic, your choice should be made depending on which style of riding you intend to do the most. If it's 50/50 trails to dunes then it's a tough choice. A stock 85/86 R is a great trail machine but a 350x could be better for a number of reasons. The low end and wide powerband are better for slow speed stuff for sure. Water pumpers can heat up on extended slow trails because no wind is getting to the rads. Same thing can happen with an air cooled 4-stroke but it always seemed like less of a problem for them to me.

I plan to pick up a 350x as soon as I'm able to afford it and use that for a lot of the slower desert trails around here. My R is modded for top end which makes it not the most trail friendly bike in the world but it smokes in the dunes. I was climbing the steepest hills at Gordon's Well in 4th gear with no problems at all without gearing down. In fact I'm running 13/38 gearing on that bike and my paddles, despite being labeled as 20 inches tall, are actually 22 inches tall.

So in other words, get both. :D

[Troll 2]

If your going to get just one. Get a 85/86 R. Just miles ahead compaired. Youll love the R................. :beer

[AZ250R]

this is choke cherry if you have riddin in utah this is twice as steep as sand mountain
"not exagerating" its like 80 Degrees
http://www.evadingreality.com/damn.gif

[jenndnn3]

Yater I once wrote this for someone a while back,
t
I own both. I ride the R. He rides the X. We would have owned 2 X's, but I really did not like the X. It is heavy, and very hard for me to start. That would get easier I am sure as I rode it more often, because all trikes have their nitches or tricks for starting, the X is one of them. The biggest or number one reason why I stayed clear, is "If I get into trouble factor, and noone is around". It is heavier for me to lift, move out a stuck position, Turn it around by hand, you know the good stuff. So the choice was pretty clear. BUT my hubby prefers without a doubt the X. He has no trouble with it, Like I would have. As far as rides, it is the most comfortable ride you can have out there. I have not ridden one that can compare. It like driving the cadellac of cars. Mind you I ride the R. My R is pretty plush too. Not as comfortable persay, but pretty dam close. Each has their own power delivery, one is way quicker then the other. I think they are equal in the jumping factor, both good climbers. Both pretty equal almost on all levels except, 2 vs 4. Both are pretty equal in price, tho your options are more avialable I think with the R. The X's doors a rapidly closing. That is for performance and upkeep. I think if you want a dependable, all around trike you will be very happy with an X. If you want to pump something up, then you should look at an R. I should add when I do go to woods, small trail's no sand, I leave the R home and the 200x comes out. The 350X goes all places.

Since that time, I am making the R more and more my primary trike. And my baby x is sitting waiting for a rugrat to take her over. I wont turn mine into a high rever, I want the lowend torque which I can come close to on my R. You can achieve any direction either way. I have ridden just about every honda out there except the aircooler and 250 utilities. 70, 90, 110, 185, 200, 200x 85, 200x 86, 350x, and 85 250r. I will take the R anyday, anywhere. 200x will come second, 110, 350x probably last. Folks tell me the 250sx would prob make the 200x seem not so second anymore.

Oh yes I forgot, I get the honorary pleasure of kicking my hubbys ;) . It is honestly the only time I can.