Help Me Choose A 3 Wheeler! Please!

[Thursday]

We'll I'm brand new to 3wheelers, ATV's in general. I've found a great use for a 3wheeler recently and to my suprise there's quite a few in my price range (sub $400). I'm providing links to all the 3 wheelers in my price range I can find.

Note: Some prices may be above the $400 range, which I'm banking on them accepting my offer.:naughty:

I plan on abusing the hell out of my future 3wheeler Not in a preventative maintenance way ex. Oil Change, Greasing, Occasional washing. I'm talking about rough and tough abuse. ex. Tumbling down a hill, Crashing in the woods, and fording a river. I doubt it will ever see a sand dune. Mostly mountainous terrain maybe trail blazing. I figure I want a workhorse, but still wanna be able to rip it up and explore. The ability to fix a rack to it is big.

Based on the above information please give me your top 5 picks and why you chose them. If you know any weird qwirks, problems, recalls I should no about a specific model and years you picked, please mention it. Maybe you could refrence me to a good link or Manual.

As you can tell I like to gather as much information on any purchase I make. So dont be afraid to write a novel on any information you know.


Potential buys:


#1

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=6741758&cat=145&lpid=8

#2

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=6724188&cat=145&lpid=9

#3

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=389&ssid=6692859&rurl=nid,218,ad,6692859,lpid,10,cat,145

#4

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=6664605&cat=145&lpid=11

#5

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=389&ssid=6654274&rurl=nid,218,ad,6654274,lpid,11,cat,145

#6

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=6541976&cat=145&lpid=14

#7

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=389&ssid=6395686&rurl=nid,218,ad,6395686,lpid,14,cat,145

#8

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=389&ssid=6342688&pid=1&rurl=nid,218,ad,6342688,lpid,15,cat,145

#9

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=6775684&cat=145&lpid=8

#10

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=6826697&cat=145&lpid=4

#11

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=6845049&cat=145&lpid=3

#12

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=389&ssid=6861199&rurl=nid,218,ad,6861199,lpid,2,cat,145

#13

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=6846151&cat=145&lpid=2

#14

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=389&ssid=6845548&rurl=nid,218,ad,6845548,lpid,2,cat,145

#15


http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=6867276&cat=145&lpid=1


Please give me your top 5 and why. Maybe the biggest one to avoid too ex. Bottom 1.


THANKS FOR THE HELP!
:beer :beer :beer

[lndy650]

i would go with #2 250sx they are dependable and have reverse electric start with kick start backup. top speed about 55.

[Thursday]

i would go with #2 250sx they are dependable and have reverse electric start with kick start backup. top speed about 55.

I appreciate your input. Can you distinguish the year? Is it a 2 or 4 stroke? Chain or shaft? Will I be able to put a rack on this, and does it have a hitch?

[Tri-ZNate]

I appreciate your input. Can you distinguish the year? Is it a 2 or 4 stroke? Chain or shaft? Will I be able to put a rack on this, and does it have a hitch?

1985, 4 stroke, shaft, yes, if it doesnt have one they make 'em

[Name Brand]

The SX will take you where you want to go, and they are very durable. #2 is not a bad deal; go grasshopper!

There's a link in my signature below on my SX. There's some tech, mods, a link to swapping rear ends, and a few trip reports.

[boosted96cobra]

Wow another fellow UTAH triker. What are your uses for it? Do you ever ride the dunes?

[saturnthegiant]

I like the SX's, and wish i had one, but i really like having the front and rear racks! I guess you can attach racks to the SX, but if it were me i might consider looking around for a Big Red, either a 200e or es, or a 250es, though one in good shape might be outta your price range, but not by much. For me, a Yamaha with racks would do the job too. You also gotta consider suspension, which the SX has. It'll be a much smoother ride. I have a 200e Big Red and also a 125m, and the 125 is fun, but riding it all day will wear you out!!! :(

[ceaserthethird]

I vot for #2 Best of Both Worlds ....

[rdlsz24]

Wow all those trikes are for sale local to you? Dang

Rob

[oldtime3wheeler]

I would buy no. 2. Front and rear suspension, reverse, electric start, kick start back-up. Great trike to own. You can get racks at least for the back.

[sittinguy]

Big Red's are always great, and there are lots of parts for them. Most of them already have racks..

[Thursday]

The SX will take you where you want to go, and they are very durable. #2 is not a bad deal; go grasshopper!

There's a link in my signature below on my SX. There's some tech, mods, a link to swapping rear ends, and a few trip reports.

Thank you for the info Sensei!!! Looking at the pictures in your link it doesn't look like the rear has a tow hitch anywhere, but the racks are a plus. It seems like Hondas are dime a dozen which would be nice for used parts down the road.

[Thursday]

Wow another fellow UTAH triker. What are your uses for it? Do you ever ride the dunes?

What part of Utah you from? I'm gonna use it at my familys cabin in Cache County. Hey even better you like SVT's are you on utahstangs?

[Thursday]

I like the SX's, and wish i had one, but i really like having the front and rear racks! I guess you can attach racks to the SX, but if it were me i might consider looking around for a Big Red, either a 200e or es, or a 250es, though one in good shape might be outta your price range, but not by much. For me, a Yamaha with racks would do the job too. You also gotta consider suspension, which the SX has. It'll be a much smoother ride. I have a 200e Big Red and also a 125m, and the 125 is fun, but riding it all day will wear you out!!! :(

So big reds have 0 suspension? That doesn't sound like fun.

[Lukeatc185]

i dont see any big reds there. if u come across one id get a big red. when you said work horse the big red came to mind. im sure they had at least front suspension.

[Name Brand]

There are four threaded 'lugs' (two top and bottom) where the hitch bolts on the rear axle. I took mine off shortly after getting my SX since I don't have a trailer to pull. The Hondaline hitch should accept any size ball.

Honda did make both front and rear racks for the SX. If you can't find them you may be able to adapt a different rear rack to fit on. I couldn't find a front rack, so I started making a slightly sportier one. I wanted to haul more gear, have a good spot to grab onto and it will guard the front fender from impact.

250cc Big Reds have front and rear suspension, 200cc BR only has front. I can't think of any BR that didn't have front and rear racks.

If you plan on riding all day and covering alot of miles, you want a full suspension machine; 250cc Big Red or 250SX sound like they would best suit your needs.

[userj8670]

I also agree with the 250sx. I am the proud owner of one and must say that i love it! The reverse is the biggest plus in my honest opinion. You dont think much of it until your out there on the trail. Really comes in handy. Go on youtube and do a search for rpmoverload - i have a couple vids of my trike up there and my friend jeff's custom sx.

Jim

[Thursday]

Well I appreciate all your guys advice. I've made up my mind on getting a 250 sx. I called on the #2 but haven't got a hold of anybody.

I did find this 250 sx.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=389&ssid=6867903&rurl=nid,218,ad,6867903,lpid,,cat,145

Guy says it has a 250R front fork, and the resevoir for the front brake has a hole. Also something about using pliers on the reverse cable. He has fiddled with the electric start wiring but it's never worked. What do you guys think? Heard of any of these problems before? I'm sure I could make him an offer

Edit: No headlight as well.

[Thursday]

Nobody's got an opinion on the above ^? Anybody have inspection tips when I'm ready to buy? Sorry I've never had a power toy...

[Lukeatc185]

always take it for a test run and test every gear. i went to buy a bike he said he was not ok with me driving it. minutes later he admited 3rd gear was gone. if they wont let you take it for a run i wouldint buy it. let it run for 10 mins or more too. some things can arouse after the bike heats up. listen for things like piston slapping. crank shaft clanking. smoke from the exaust. etc.

[boosted96cobra]

What part of Utah you from? I'm gonna use it at my familys cabin in Cache County. Hey even better you like SVT's are you on utahstangs?

I live up by logan...yes I used to go to utahstangs forum alot, and went of a few of the cruises and rmr race days.

I really don't like that last sx you posted, it has alot of "other" bike parts on it.

[Name Brand]

The first SX looks alot better to me. I try to avoid things that are too 'messed' with. The black spraybombing on the next SX makes me worry. The rear fenders are not from an SX either.

When inspecting; if it looks wrong it probably is. Ask the seller what's wrong with it first. Start by looking at the whole bike overall; don't get fixated on one thing. Use your hands; put them on everything. You can't see a loose bolt or electrical connection, but you can feel it. Dents, cracks and other damage lessen a machines value and can lead you to other faults. Do remove the rear fenders and be thorough. Look in the fuel tank for contamination and rust (an LED flashlight works well). Check for movement not in the direction it was designed to go in the things that are attached by bearings (steering, wheels, swingarm, shift levers...). Push up and down on the whole machine to see if the suspension feels smooth, no tough spots or just bottoming out. Look for loose components; anything that bolts to the frame, electrical connections, battery, carb/airbox setup, fenders, tank... check to make sure everything is properly attached and won't come apart. Check the air filter. Check all the fluids (on the SX; engine oil, rear diff (bring a 17mm wrench), front fork oil isn't easy to check though) for contamination. Look for oil leaks/weeps between the cases on the engine, cylinder, valve covers, rear diff and front shocks. Inspect the tires for cracks, cuts, bent rims, tubes (usually indicate a leak in the tire), tread and pressure. Without running the machine; test the function of the brakes. They should feel smooth and easily hold the machine with you pushing on it. See if the choke and throttle moves freely. Inspect the spark plug. Push on the kickstart lever, it should have tension and you will hear the engine turning. Run through the electrical; see if the headlight/tailight works, neutral/reverse lights, electric start, shutoff switches. Start the machine with the electric start; led it idle for a while and listen for tapping or rough operation. Give it gas to see if it revs nicely or bogs out. Drive it around slowly, test the brakes, feel for slop in the steering, listen for scrapping or noise from rotation while you are moving. Run it up through all the gears, ride for a few minutes in each. Up and down shifting should be smooth. Test out the reverse. I'm sure there's more too.

Any damage, missing parts or components needing rebuild or replacement will lessen the value of the machine. As the buyer look for those things and be tactful when figuring them into your offer. Be fair. If #2 doesn't have any big malfunctions and runs fine, I personally would pay what the seller is asking.

I've gotten more respect from the seller when I show that I'm going to take good care of something and not like I'm just going to thrash it.

[Thursday]

Thanks guys, I guess I wont even check on that 250 SX. I found this one to check on instead.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=389&ssid=6594199&rurl=nid,218,ad,6594199,lpid,16,cat,145

[ditchmud]

In my opinion you are looking for an 85-87 honda 250sx or a 85-87 atc250 big red. Really that is what you should look for. Stay away from crap that aint running or is jerry rigged. Because the stuff the guy tells you about that is wrong with it, is nothing when compared to what you will find with it down the road later. That last link that you posted is a nice looking trike and should be considered. It deffinitely will never need rear tires (trail pro)