Choosing a three wheeler

[saturnthegiant]

Hi all! I have a newbie question.....I'm about to purchase a three wheeler, preferably a Honda, but am considering other brands, maybe a Yamaha. I've been looking around and found a few prospects, but most of the ones I've come across are either 185s or 200's. My question is, will either of these be big enough for me? I am about 6'1" and weigh about 240, not really big just long legged. I never had a three wheeler
before and am not sure what size to be looking for....I figure a Big Red will be but i haven't come across too many of them.


Also, anyone that has one for sale in either the Memphis, St. Louis, or Springfield, MO area or points in between let me know what you have. I don't care to own one set up for racing, i am looking for a utility trike to pull a small trailer with for rabbit hunting.

Thanks in advance, there seems to be a lot of knowledgeable people here, looking forward to being part of the forum.:)

[Hoosier_Daddy]

200s would probably work fine for you. I used to have one and they are roomy and have plenty of pulling power. I used to pull a hay wagon with mine.

[Bulldozer]

im 5'11" almost 300lbs and my 200s had no problems pulling me

[225DX DUDE]

250sx is a good 3 wheeler. Its not a racer.. its similar to the big red but sportier..

I have two in the pic below.. also have a big red 200es thats also a utility.

The 225DX is also a good trike. This is also not a racer its somewhat of a utility and has good power like the 250sx. The 225dx is in the pic below also, its the yellow one.


225DX DUDE

[Trouble]

i am 5' 10/11'' 240LBs and i have a 83 honda 200 and i use it all the time!

[300rman]

depends on your riding style. if you want something somewhat "racy" with suspension, get a 200X. otherwise, the 200S will suit you just fine.

[Eric250R]

Honestly for what you are wanting to do with it, a big red is exactly what you're looking for. Or a Yamaha 225.

[225DX DUDE]

Yamaha 225 for sale... in Springdale

http://fayar.craigslist.org/mcy/759334770.html

[saturnthegiant]

Wow, i didn't expect so many replies so quickly!!!! Thanks fellas! I've been scanning Craigslist, found a few good prospects. The one in Springdale may be just what i'm looking for. I'm kinda overextended as to buying anything new, so i thought a three wheeler would be an affordable way to go if i can learn to work on it and repair it, and keep it alive. I would have killed for one when i was younger, my parents just didn't have the money to buy one for me. My pickup is only 2wd and i thought with a three wheeler i could get into some places to hunt i normally couldn't get to.


Another question if i may.....i'm not the most mechanically inclined guy, about average Joe i guess, how hard are these to work on? And are there any advantages/disadvantages as to Honda vs. Yamaha? As far as keeping them up and running? Any special tools i would need? Also what manuals will be best to have and where can i get them? (I guess that will depend on what trike i get, huh?) Pardon my inexperience.

I really have no preference, i had friends who owned both as a teen, they both seemed pretty good. I'm really looking forward to my first buy and getting excited about owning one.

[saturnthegiant]

225DX Dude, you have some nice trikes there. Looks like you put a lot of work into them with great results!!!!

[Aka_am]

Umm as far as i know most hondas still have the most aftermarket.

I learned most of the stuff I know on single cylinder motors, and it's it really easy if you can read and use hand tools. rebuilds are easy too if you have a manuel and most with show you what tools you need. a torque wrench, and valve spring compressor i still dont have, but i havn't had to replace valves yet.

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Wow, i didn't expect so many replies so quickly!!!! Thanks fellas! I've been scanning Craigslist, found a few good prospects. The one in Springdale may be just what i'm looking for. I'm kinda overextended as to buying anything new, so i thought a three wheeler would be an affordable way to go if i can learn to work on it and repair it, and keep it alive. I would have killed for one when i was younger, my parents just didn't have the money to buy one for me. My pickup is only 2wd and i thought with a three wheeler i could get into some places to hunt i normally couldn't get to.


Another question if i may.....i'm not the most mechanically inclined guy, about average Joe i guess, how hard are these to work on? And are there any advantages/disadvantages as to Honda vs. Yamaha? As far as keeping them up and running? Any special tools i would need? Also what manuals will be best to have and where can i get them? (I guess that will depend on what trike i get, huh?) Pardon my inexperience.

I really have no preference, i had friends who owned both as a teen, they both seemed pretty good. I'm really looking forward to my first buy and getting excited about owning one.Honda is your best bet for what you want. All the 4 strokes were pretty reliable but Honda has such a higher amount of available parts.

[cr480r]

I would stay with a honda 200s or 200m... the heavier suspended/shaft driven machines are overated IMO.. I think its better to be lightweight in the trails.. although reverse might come in handy if you are towing..

[drhatc200]

im 6'2 260 have a 85 200x bored 20 over dg exhaust runs good with my big... on it my buddy that built it for me weights about same as me and it will power whellie in 3rd with him on it

[TravEX]

Yeah, the 200S will do what you need it to. If your looking for a worker look at the Big Red's. And, yes, stick to Honda!

What part of AR you in? I'm in the NE corner.

[longbedGTs]

Id suggest an 84 Honda Big Red for what you describe. Its 200cc, has a hi/lo subtransmission, 25x12x9 tires, front and rear racks, pretty large rear tool box, and has reverse. It also has a socket you can use to run a spot light off of...or almost anything 12 volts(air pump, ect...).

:welcome: to 3WW!

[devilman]

there is a honda 350x in southern il, right now. the guy is taking offers. i am trying to get pics of it. Also there are a couple 200s in nashville craigslist, one for 600 and one for 250(wont spark) both look decent. if thats in your driving range.

[firehart]

When you are driving around just start looking in backyards and alleys. That's how I got mine. You could also post an ad on Craigslist. I got my 185s for $50.00, my 110 for $50.00 that way. I got the mixed up trike ( Its parts from lots of different trikes) for $25.00 because a neighbor had it in his front yard. I stopped to see if he was fixing it up. I was going to offer to ride with him. He said he was going to haul it to the scrap yard so he offered it to me for $25.00

[DeePa]

id say a 350x would be better suited for you. Yeah, no electric start or reverse, but youll never be low on power.

[devilman]

what about this. says its a 185 but has 200 stickers on it?
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/mcy/762122800.html

[Erics350x]

Try the classifieds on semo.net (Malden,MO based site) i see Big Reds on there all the time for under $500

[Frankencelery]

Everybody has their own preferences, of course. I agree with those who said go Honda. Most parts are readily available. I'm not going to say one is better than the other, because I don't know that, and the rabid Yamaha guys on the forum would lynch me! But it's clear that if you need something for a Honda, it's probably available. That said, I would recommend the Big Red or 250SX. My main ride is a 250SX, which can do utility and semi-sport.

Whoever said that the 84 Big Red had a power outlet taught me something! That's pretty cool for utility use.

[oscarmayer]

i have a Honda 185s and a 200E (big red) the 185s and 200s are the same drive jsut one has more cc. if i had to make a choice iw oudl highly recommend a big red over the S.
200E minium but something like an ES (es has reverse) or even a 250 bigred.
why a bigred?
big reds all come with an electric start (very nie to have) and a pull start incase the electric dies). they have a high and low trans gearing (es and m have reverse as well) and they are physically bigger trikes. they run larger wheels too, so they are more confortable. I'm 5'9.5" tall and the big red is plenty big for me, and there's still room for more if i was bigger. the 185/200S seems to be about the perfect size for me or someone smaller. (wife is 5'2" tall and she likes the smaller trike).

as for power, you can always fix that. if you do get a 200E/ES/M I have a machine shop that is doing CNC valving and porting work to the heads and getting much better flow out of them. then get a wesico .080 overbore kit (that's 2mm larger and about 10ccs when done),, and a 2nd or 3rd staged web cam w/springs and your set. you'll probelby close to double the stock HP which should be more than enough for ya at that point.
Also the big reds have a much more beefer suspension than the S series. as they have larger front shocks as well.

anyway, hope this helps. i'm restoring my 185s for the wife and will be eventually buting an electric start upgrade kit for it too. it's getting a ground up restore as in frame up restore. i still need to take pics. I'll do that this evening. (i know i have been promissing but i will this time)

as far as power, you can do a weisco .080 piston kit (2mm over stock), I also know a shop doing CNC valve jobs and some poritng work., and get a web stage 2 or 3 cam w/srpings and your set. that will probebly clsoe to double the stocker HP. (total package is about $450-$500 to do a performance top end rebuild, but it's well worth it)

Over all I prefer honda trikes and ATvs as they seem ot run bullet proff pretty much, they seem to be the "tanks" of the atc/atv world. may not have the performance as some of the other makes but they sure do last.

[DeePa]

85 and up big reds didnt have high/low selectors.

never bore your cylinder 80 over just to get 10 more cc's...what happens when that cylinder is out of spec? spend 200 + on a resleeve because you wanted 10 more cc's instead of 2???? Instead of trying to soup up a utility trike, just get something bigger like a 350x or go buy a quad with electric start and reverse and a bigger motor. Unless you're racing a 200x, dont bother souping up a 200cc engine.

I agree on the valve work, but even then, its a 250 or 200cc utility trike. go out and buy food or something, it will be money better spent. 500 bucks for a performance top end on a utility trike is worthless. Go buy a bigger trike with that 500 bucks.

[Dirtcrasher]

500 bucks for a performance top end on a utility trike is worthless. Go buy a bigger trike with that 500 bucks.

HEY!! You never have ridden my SX ya big jerk!! :beer

Whats with the 350X recommendation? I thought for you it was 2 stroke or "your a friggin joke" aaye Mikey boy...... :lol:

[DeePa]

and i wont ride your 250sx. Theres a reason you havent ridden it in over a year.

I say a 350x would work well if he could do without electric start and reverse. It would have more use than trailering a small trailer and hunting.

A 2 stroke really wouldnt work for pulling a trailer and rabbit hunting. A 350x would work, of course with a little more effort on turning it around if he stops at a dead end with a trailer.

My main thing is...why recommend him a souped up small 4 stroke for 500+ dollars and wasting the amount of bore sizes when you can just say heres a 350x and it can be used for what you want and even more. Especially true when he said that he doesnt care about it being a "racer"

Oh and you are a joke until i see you wreck a 2 stroke again.

[unclecracker]

Go 4-stroke, semi-auto transmission:
Many 200cc models, 250sx, 225dx/dr
Those are good choses

[brapp]

buy every one u can find and run em hard!!!!!

[oscarmayer]

85 and up big reds didnt have high/low selectors.

never bore your cylinder 80 over just to get 10 more cc's...what happens when that cylinder is out of spec? spend 200 + on a resleeve because you wanted 10 more cc's instead of 2???? Instead of trying to soup up a utility trike, just get something bigger like a 350x or go buy a quad with electric start and reverse and a bigger motor. Unless you're racing a 200x, dont bother souping up a 200cc engine.

I agree on the valve work, but even then, its a 250 or 200cc utility trike. go out and buy food or something, it will be money better spent. 500 bucks for a performance top end on a utility trike is worthless. Go buy a bigger trike with that 500 bucks.

eh to each's own. i'm not "suoping" it up to race. I want more low end grunt and pulling power so I can get over the humps easier. it's a trail blazer. it's being built to pull and plow through jsut about anything. you might not like the idea because it doesn;t fit your needs, but it certianly fits mine. speed is not the issue, it's raw torque and low end grunt. something the 350x didn't have that much of down low.

i didn't realize the 250 big red didn't have a hi/low selection, so only the 200 did eh? interesting.i thougth all big reds had the high/low gearing selector but that's cool.

anyway, before you judge someone else's build think abotu what they are doing with it. not everyoen is building a speed deamon. some if us will actually use the power and turque no just have it get to top speed faster but to pull and plow throught he mud and the much. I love mudding in my trikes back int he day. it was so dam fun to blow past the big 4x4s that were getting stucka nd spraying them with mud and seeing them laugh as i rode by and waving. we all had fun. sometimes they speayed me with mud too and i laughed. it's all good!

[sgp56]

How come nobody ever talks about Suzuki's?? I recommend a 1985 Suzuki ALT 185. It might not be a 200, but it has a lot of power. It could easily tow things around. It has a HUGE seat on it. It has a low gear for power and then 4 or 5 up gears, i forget. Its a good reliable trike that dosent really get talked about much. Theres not alot of aftermarket parts for it, but its good stock. It also has reverse. Give it a chance.

[TriMotoMan]

Go for a yamaha, my yt 125 does everything i need it to do, it will haul gravel trees and hay, it tows anything i tie to it, but im fifteen and only 140 lbs so you may want a 225

[saturnthegiant]

Travex, i'm in the NE corner also- Corning.....small world!!!!!:beer

[TravEX]

speed is not the issue, it's raw torque and low end grunt. something the 350x didn't have that much of down low.




Huh? Have you ever ridden a 350X? So, with valve work and a .080 over piston in your 200 you got more torque and low end than a 350X?

As for your first statement (speed is not the issue, it's raw torque and low end grunt.), on your 200, a simple gearing change (shorter tires or spocket changes) woulda accomplished what your motor work did (if it was chain driven, I can't tell from your posts).

The guys aren't knocking your motor work or your ideas. A person is just NOT gonna get that much more outta a 185 and 200cc motor. That is why most 200X owners will avoid dumping a ton of jack into their 200X to try to keep up with a 350X, just go get a 350X, it will be money saved in the future trying to keep a top end on the 200X. Spend your money where you want, it's not any of my business. Nobody meant to offend ya.

[TravEX]

Travex, i'm in the NE corner also- Corning.....small world!!!!!:beer


SWEET! We're 20 minutes apart, I'm in Engelberg! We need to get together and ride!

[dcbaaca25]

I dont think it matters which trike you buy because you will probably have a collection of them this time next year as there all so much fun lol!

I have Yamaha DX225, Yamaha 200E and Honda Big Red 250ES. I favour the Yamahas myself (although cant decide between the DX and the E). But my mate favours the big red!

[saturnthegiant]

Well, folks, going to look at my first one today- my buddy told me about the guy that owns it, it's sitting in his back yard. He wasn't sure about the size, he thought it might be a 225es, he said i definitely could ride it. It hasn't been started in a while, so no telling what i'll run into, but it's worth a look!!!!

Maybe i'll get it dirt cheap, if nothing else for a project!

How about the rest of you, did you all buy running trikes the first time or did you fix them up yourselves?

[userj8670]

To answer your question is that it varies. Some people have bought RUNNING trikes for as much as $50.00. I bought mine as a runner but also as a fixer (as i learned more about it). It runs and drives great but there are minor things it needs. for example, i just put a tail light on it, it needs a new seat soon, needs valves adjusted and new seals. Also just fixed the electric start. I just doing minor things as i go along, but i can still ride it. Its the best of both worlds:beer I own a 85 250sx and i LOVE it. got power and a sporty feel at the same time. Would kill for a 350x but i think the 250sx is better suited for trails since it has reverse and shaft driven. Good Luck!!


Kind Regards,
Jim

[sgp56]

My first needed electrical work. Once you get your trike fixed and hear it start for the first time, its like when you are a kid on christmas morning!! ITs great to ressurect a classic.

[225DX DUDE]

Well, folks, going to look at my first one today- my buddy told me about the guy that owns it, it's sitting in his back yard. He wasn't sure about the size, he thought it might be a 225es, he said i definitely could ride it. It hasn't been started in a while, so no telling what i'll run into, but it's worth a look!!!!

Maybe i'll get it dirt cheap, if nothing else for a project!

How about the rest of you, did you all buy running trikes the first time or did you fix them up yourselves?


If you get it, be sure to post up some pics! There is no such think as a 225es. It might be a Yamaha 225dx. Or maybe a Honda 250es, which is a Big Red.

[userj8670]

Once you get your trike fixed and hear it start for the first time, its like when you are a kid on christmas morning!! ITs great to ressurect a classic.

God thats so true!

[The Goat]

i'm not going to lie, when i kicked off my 350x for the first time...i felt like dr. frankenstein when he shocked that dead body, and a woman when she gave birth to a child, all rolled into one.

i also think we should do a challenge...hook a 350x to a big red...see who pulls who...personally i don't think either will move....try it on asphault though and that 350x should drag that big red. at the cost of a clutch of course.

[TravEX]

I have got em free and then dropped just a few $ in em to get em going. My Big Red, 350X and 250R were runners and I paid for it too. Now that I am comfortable with the ATC's I prefer non-running and I'll do the work and save some cash.

Let me know if I can help you out if you get one. I may have parts to spare for ya, and can help ya turn a wrench if you need.

Like all the others have said, PREPARE to be ADDICTED and clear out room in the shop, cause one is NOT enough!!!!!!!!!!!LOL

Travis

[Dirtcrasher]

At your size you'd love the 350X and it has plenty of torque down low. But ANYTHING will get you started in this beloved hobby!

The 250SX is an awesome trail machine that would pull a trailer or hunt rabbits (Hey Deepa when did he mention slaughtering rabbits :lol:?)

But the 350X is a nice step above, great all around powerful fun machine.

Thats what I don't care for about these 2 strokes, you have to be in the right gear at the meat of the power for them to go. TO ME, there is very little lowend and heavy clutch use is necessary. Unless the ones I'm riding (which include my old fresh 250R) guys are either jetting them wrong (the ones I've ridden) or they just aren't my style of riding.

Stick a 350X in 2 gears to high and it will still lug its way through.......................

Great to hear your picking something up :beer:

[firehart]

My fisrt was a 200x. I traded yard work for it. I had it until I bought the Rancher and then like a fool I sold it. I picked up all the trikes I have now from backyards for $50.00 each. None of them run at this moment. Some are missing parts, others just need to be cleaned up.

[saturnthegiant]

Well, i did it!!!! Went to look at the trike and it was a BIG RED, the guy said he thought it was an 85. He wanted $100 and wouldn't come down, so i bought it. Not running, it has good compression when i turn it over. The electrical system looks like it needs some work. Needs new plastic on the rear. Shaft driven.

I'll post some pics when i can....

[Taiser]

85 should be the 250, you can tell by the reverse button on the handlebar. 84 has shaft too but the reverse is down on the left side of the engine on the hi/lo selector. Running or not 100 bucks is a STEAL. How come I can't get $%^&* deals like that here! :(

[TravEX]

Good luck with it, holler if you need help.

[oscarmayer]

good deal dude! what ever you get i'm sure you'll be happy with it.

i jsut always kinda felt they 350x+ didn;t have as much start off torque and grunt as a slightly tweaked bigred. not sure why, but it always seemed that way to me. maybe it was the gearing that changed it, oh well, at least i know my motor will be running for many years to come w/o issues. :)