Need Newbie Trike Info

[Honda_Dude]

MAJOR noob here to trikes. I had a 400EX but sold it to fund my SHADOW.

Anyway, I'm 40 years old and am desperately wanting to do some trail riding again (miss my 400EX) but am thinking about going to 3 wheels.

Now I'm years beyond 80MPH through the woods with 30 ft jumps but still like to zip through the trails.

I know NOTHING (well maybe a little) about the trikes. I do know I wanna ride red though.

I found a HONDA brochure site that showed specs and such but I want some input on what trike I should look for.

I have seen several 250SX's (autos) and 200X's for sale by me pretty reasonable but I want to make sure they'd be the right trike for me.

It doesn't have to compare to my old 400EX but I don't want it to be "too small".
Would a 200x or 250SX suit me ya think ???? I seem to like these 2 models after just reading a bit for a couple of weeks.


ALL input is welcome. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YA THINK !!!!!!!!!! Oh, I weigh roughly 200 lbs and am 5'10" if that matters.

ThX a Bunch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doug

[Vealmonkey]

A 250sx isn't bad if you want a cross between sport and utility. They have shaft drive which I personally don't like and can be expensive and time consuming to rebuild. A 200x is a great sport trike, but maybe a little small for you. They are quite a fun trike to throw around and don't take up to much space in the garage or shed. They are about the same size, maybe a little smaller than the 250sx. Chain drive 5 speed and if you stick to the 83-85 models, parts are pretty plentiful-cheap.
You may want to look into a 350x. More along the lines of your old quad. Bigger than the 200x and chain drive. Hondas biggest trike. Usually more expensive than the 200x but a great trike. Plenty of power on tap and great bottom end power of a 4 stroke. I really dig my 350x. It is nice and comfortable for low speed trail riding and can clip along pretty good when you open it up. There are still performance parts available for the 200x and 350x, but not nearly as many as there were back in the day. If you like big and more comfortable, get the 350x. If you like the smaller toss around-ability, then go for the 200x. I personally never like the 250sx, but there are alot of people on here that swear by them. Perfomance parts for the 250sx are way harder to come by. Do some more research. Good luck with your choice and welcome to the site.

[Lukeatc185]

trikes are generally alot faster then quads. your 400ex probably would be equal to a 250 trike in terms of pull and speed. if you thought your 400ex would be a little much for you now adays id think of a 200.

[outtaline]

:welcome::beer Be careful these things are addicting. I would suggest a 350x or 200x. They are great trail rides with plenty of power and are a blast to ride.

[Honda_Dude]

Thanks for all the feedback and KEEP IT COMIN- It's exactly what I needed to hear.
No, my 400EX wouldn't be too much for me. I just wouldn't want something that felt like a turd compared to it. I figured they were quicker than a same engine quad but didn't know how to compare. So you say a 250 would compare to my old 400EX? Any of the 250's or just the SX's?

The 250SX and the 200x seem to plentiful around here. Would there be alot of difference performance-wise between those two?

What about these Big Reds and ES's, M's, S's and such. I would probably prefer a "sport" trike. Are these more utility and slower???



Oh, no 250 R's at least for now..... wanna stay a 4-stroke guy :p

[Lukeatc185]

i would say the 250x would be a little less, a 250r would be quite abit more then your old quad. i can keep up with a 125 yamaha ttr, on my 185s. a 250x would probably be perfect. the 350x would probably be more to handle then the quad.

[outtaline]

Those are utility trikes not slow ,but not as fun. I my opinion the best trail rig is a 350x. If you have been ridin a 400ex anything short of a well worked 200x will feel slow. Why not a 250r? don't like 2-stroke?

[Lukeatc185]

250r are wicked fast, i was just saying under the asumption that he just wanted to go trail riding. and now throw dirt all over the place.

[Honda_Dude]

Well, guess I'm not ruling out a 250R, just would prefer a 4-stroke. And what is a 250x???? You mean SX or is there a 250x also ???

[Honda_Dude]

So far I'm thinking maybe a 250SX. How does an auto-clutch work? Do you have to shift at all ???? I've always had manual toys but wouldn't be opposed to a shaftdriven automatic - semiautomatic ?????

[outtaline]

No such thing as a 250x 250's are sx and es.

[Lukeatc185]

i would also look at the trails your going to be on. are they clean well maintained trails? the 350x and 250x have the smaller racing tires iirc. maybe you wana consider a big red also?

[Lukeatc185]

i got a 185s, alot of people think there lame and slow. but when it comes to mud and water, they dont stop. i can go over large knocked over trees. huge rocks etc. ive seen alot of racing quads get stuck and it seems to be because of the smaller tires.

[Honda_Dude]

So when I see 250x they mean 250sx. And the ES would be a Big Red with bigger tires? You guys are helping me tremendously. I'll be researching these and looking for the right one to pop up. Thx again !!!!!!

[Lukeatc185]

i got a 185s, alot of people think there lame and slow. but when it comes to mud and water, they dont stop. i can go over large knocked over trees. huge rocks etc. ive seen alot of racing quads get stuck and it seems to be because of the smaller tires.

[outtaline]

Get a 350x with some good 22 inch tires and you can go places a 4x4 quad can't , but who cares you are riding trails not going muddin. 185s is a good trike don't get me wrong I have a hard tail, but face it(no offense I'm feelin it ) you're gettin old \, you want some thing with some suspension travel your options are 350x, 250r, 200x. Thats all I can say........................Oh yeah:beer

[Lukeatc185]

there is really no right bike for just you right. its going to depends on where your using it. you want a trail rider so the 250r and the 330r are probably not the way to go. the 350x and the 250sx are both great trail bikes. but iirc have smaller tires stock, are your trails nice and cleaned of big debrees?. is there alot of deep mud or water you need to track through? and cause im poor. i also think about fuel consumption. my 185s eats so little fuel i forget sometimes that it takes gas to run. i can toss a 2 gallon gas can on my bike and be gone for a whole day where as a 350x is still good. but your going to notice a larger fuel consumption. its all about your situations where your going with it. what you plan on doing. do you need it around the yard? big reds have a good reputation for hauling boats out of the water. are you going to be doing things like this?

[Lukeatc185]

not to rag on you outtaline but thats why i asked him how his trails are. alot of people can choose to go mudding but alot of trails you dont have a choice getting from point A to point B you may need to trail through alot of mud. it depends on where he lived.

[outtaline]

Come on guys Somebody else chime ine and tell this guy what is the best trail bike!

[Lukeatc185]

lol im not saying a 185s is the best trail bike. i just want to get an idea of what hes going to be using it for. what hes going to be going through. etc, can u imagine us telling him to get a 250r when he might of wanted it to tow something real around the yard? lol

[Honda_Dude]

Actually they might involve some water and mud. I'm thinking one of the 250's. I actually took my 400EX places I probably shouldn't have LOL because I rode with some 4x4 guys so yes that is something to consider.

I don't think I need anything that would faster than my 400 was, just not alot slower.

I love the 250SX when I read the Brochure page, but I might have to consider the ES.



You guys are great. It would have taken me a week on the quad site I used to go to to get this much info this quick LOL

[theiizz08]

i ride a 200m not much smaller than a big red ,it hauls around just fine. plenty fast in the woods and vary little that i have gotten to stop her .:TrikesOwn

[Honda_Dude]

I'm not quite yrt ready to make the jump but if I see the right priced 250SX or 250ES I will have to take a closer look and maybe go for a spin.

[Lukeatc185]

yea i was thinking the 200m also. but you can never go wrong with a big red 250. if your going out with a bunch of 4x4 quads and there actually going through the terrain there meant to. then a 330r and a 250r are out of the question unless you want to jump over all the rocks trees and mud lol. a 350x with bigger tires is another option, but unless your getting the bike with the tires your looking at more money right.

[SYKO]

best trail trike? ATC500R... done... beat the trails FLAT.

[AutoXer]

I would think that a 86 350x would make you a pretty happy ...... think about a good rider that is priced between $1500-$2500 and enjoy it ..... I got a couple 200x's and they are great trail bikes but I feal that at 5'8" 170# that I am at the top of where you should be on one and if you are going to be riding with newer 4x4 quads a hard tail really isn't a option you will fall way behind without suspension

[shadix518]

well i got a 85 250sx and i love it even though it is shaft driven it is a sick trike.its not one of those that has to much power but has the right amount. and if speed is an issue ive had mine up to like 50-60 on a country highway. with trails it is a good trike indeed. like someone said before it is a mix between a sport and utility trike. it does perfect on pretty much anything. i have put my bike in some heavy mud and it makes enough power to pull me thru it...and im 230lbs. i say go test drive the 250sx and see how you like it you arnt gonna know if you like it until you ride it. and for a first trike id say the 250sx is for you. then after a bit then you can upgrade your trike.

and if you get a trike :welcome: to the board

[CRAZY70MAN]

200x is quite a bit lighter than 350x and has plenty of torque for the trail I think. A couple of small mods on the 200x and you will be all over the big quads on the trail I would think.............. remember....Jack be nimble, Jack be quick....jack was on a 200x.... lol lol lol goood luck.... as long as it's 3 wheels, it does'nt matter........

[oldtime3wheeler]

I have had a few trikes in my life. I loved my 85 200x when I was in my teens. For good trail riding with some speed go with the 350x. I love mine. If you will be cruising trails at a slower clip go with the 250sx. I have a big red and love it for what it is. I use it for work and not much play. Hard tails are great in mud, but at my age(38). The most I can handle on my 110 and 70 is ripping around the yard.
If you want a 200x go with a 86 or 87. Seem to handle slightly larger people better than the 83-85 models. But any trike is a good trike.

[MonroeMike]

So far I'm thinking maybe a 250SX. How does an auto-clutch work? Do you have to shift at all ???? I've always had manual toys but wouldn't be opposed to a shaftdriven automatic - semiautomatic ?????

You still have a foot shifter. You don't have a clutch lever though.

The 250sx and the 250es both have electric start and reverse, if those are important to you.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/1985HondaSpecpage.shtml

http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/Brochures/ATCsite/85atcs.html

[Dirtcrasher]

Personally, I think you'll like the 350X. It's such an easy thumper to manage and roll the throttle on, but the power you need is there.

A 250R is allot less forgiving machine.....

I also own a 250SX and it's a fun trike. BUT, it is heavy as all hell with axle shafts and diffs to get stuck in the mud, and then the reverse is useless because your buried! The reverse is awesome on dry land though. Great trike, lots of fun, easy performance upgrade (hell, they even have webcams and hi comp pistons for the SX!) Suspension on the rear is decent at best and your top speed will limit itself to about 50MPH.

You can't compare the 2 in terms of power though. A good strong 350X eats up allot of stuff :naughty:

[Lukeatc185]

you only get 50mph on your 250sx? im 200lbs, im getting to 51mph on my bored out 185s. 5speed semi auto.

[charger]

250r are wicked fast, i was just saying under the asumption that he just wanted to go trail riding. and now throw dirt all over the place.

ya they run hard 250x would be good they work hard and ride decint

[atctim]

First of all - to Lukeatc185 and charger - stop refrencing the 250X - a 250X is a quad. I can assume the are talking about the 250SX. Also - stop referencing a 330R - that is not a stock bike - it is a motor upgrade.

Honda_Dude,

I am gonna jump on the get the 350X band wagon also. I have a 250SX and as someone once said - your stance feels like you ride "on it"rather than a 200X or 350X where you have more of a "in it" feel. They seem top heavy to me - but for a trail rider only - I suppose it would make an excellent choice.

The 200X or 350X are gonna handle more like your 400EX - but will take some time to get your feet wet on the 3 wheeled machine. 200Xs can be had for not alot of money - expect to spend double on a 350X - in my opinion the 350X is worth it if you are a big guy. I also have a 200X and a 350X whereas I use my 350X as my primary ride because it is faster, easier to ride, and I just plain like it the most.

On a side note - the 350X will be much harder to find - and if I had to choose between a 200X and a 250SX - I would pick the 200X for it's light weight, parts availability, and general flickability.

Fun factor overall says get a trike - spend some time riding it slowly to see how it reacts so much differently than a quad - then dive in and show your quad buddies that these old machines can hang tough!

[Honda_Dude]

Again, thanks all. These are EXACTLY the kinds of things I need to hear. My cousin had a little trike when I was young. It's the only one I've ever been on. I've obviously ridden my old 400EX alot, and a few other quads (mostly Polaris 4x4's).

I have never seen a 350X for sale around here but haven't been looking very long.

I think I would love the 350X if I can find one around here. I'm not in a big hurry so I'll spend some more time researching while I'm looking.


If I do see the right 250SX, ES, or 200X I may jump on it and continue to look for a 350X because I've got a 13 yr old boy and I'd like to eventually spend some riding time with him, but he's a virgin ATV'er but he's big for 13 yrs old.

Oh, and yes the mentioning of the 250X and 330R had me a little confused. I thought maybe they were Canadian models or sometrhing. LOL

[keister]

ATCTim and Dirtcrasher are both making great points.
Two questions, what is your budget and what kind of trails do you ride,, Honda_Dude?

At your (our) age, rule out the hardtails - probably stick with the 4-strokes for the trails too - althought if you find a good deal...., never say never.
That leaves you with 350X, 200X, 250ES Big Red, and 250SX.

If you are on tight trails with a lot of obstacles and downed trees you will love the reverse, electric start, and no clutch on the 250 utilities.

If they are more wide open trails and field edges, get an X for the sport and speed.

The beauty of it is, you really can't go wrong with any of these choices provided you find a machine that was well cared for. Good luck in your search.