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Thread: What do you guys think of the 81 250R

  1. #1
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    What do you guys think of the 81 250R

    Just trying to see what you guys think of the early 250Rs. I always wanted a later one for the trails and to ride the mountain behind my house, but don't feel like spending a fortune on one. There is a clean 81 for sale locally and at a good price. Just don't know much about them.
    I have been riding a 250ES big red and ATC 200 for a while and am looking for something with a little more performance.

    Thanks
    Ed

  2. #2
    fabiodriven's Avatar
    fabiodriven is offline Aspiring romance novel cover model, and the Official 3WW slayer of thieves and swindlers. Catch me if you can
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    Great machine if you ask me. The suspension is ancient technology, but if you're not racing it will do just fine. If it's stock there is a ton of potential for power improvements.
    85 Tri-Zinger 60
    85 ATC250SX
    86 ATC250SX
    87 ATC250SX
    02 XR650L conversion
    84 ATC 480R

  3. #3
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    Thanks for the info!

    Well it sounds like it has been freshened up and he wants $700 for it. It is only 4 miles from my office, so I may go check it out.


    You are looking at a 1981 atc250r atc 250r. You don't find these often. This is the first year Honda produced the 250r. I purchased this atv about a year ago with hopes of going out and exploring some trails and just having some fun. There is no where to ride where I live anymore so it is time to sell. I have replace every bearing on this atv with the exception of the steering neck which was disassembled repacked with grease and reassembled. This atv was COMPLETELY disassembled gone over and reassembled including the forks which have new oil and good seals. New rear tires. All new bearings in the swingarm and wheels. Carb was disassembled cleaned and reassemled. New O-ring chain. New seat cover. ATV runs good, pulls hard and Idles great. You can do wheelies in every gear!! New brake pads. New top end done professionally at a race shop in NJ. I am not sure if it was the original bore but all new piston, rings, gaskets and machining was done. New top end has less than 2 hours run time up and down my block mostly after I finished reassembly. The gas tank is coated internally and has no rust at all. Plastics have been zip-tie stitched but are very strong see photos. One of the rear fender supports is missing and the park brake is missing. Other than that it is in great condition considering the year. I have the headlight guard and it will go with the atv including some miscellaneous parts such as engine mounts and bolts. The decal kit is not correct for the year but it was only 14 bucks on ebay and I thought it looked good.

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    lets see some pictures of it
    My Rides:
    1985 ATC 250r
    1985 ATC 250r - Want to trade for TRX250r
    1989 Suzuki LT-160

  5. #5
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    Here is the Ebay Link. Lots of pics.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1981-...mZ160559113442

  6. #6
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    Defintely not as cool looking as the later years, but still cool in its own way.

  7. #7
    matt86200x's Avatar
    matt86200x is offline At The Back Of The Pack Arm chair racerAt the back of the pack
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    nice looking bike as long as the price is right, go for it
    85 250sx
    86 300es in the making
    86 200x
    86 350x

  8. #8
    fabiodriven's Avatar
    fabiodriven is offline Aspiring romance novel cover model, and the Official 3WW slayer of thieves and swindlers. Catch me if you can
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    That's a really good deal IMO. You may want to take that link down before somebody grabs it from you.
    85 Tri-Zinger 60
    85 ATC250SX
    86 ATC250SX
    87 ATC250SX
    02 XR650L conversion
    84 ATC 480R

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by acellr8 View Post
    Just trying to see what you guys think of the early 250Rs. I always wanted a later one for the trails and to ride the mountain behind my house, but don't feel like spending a fortune on one. There is a clean 81 for sale locally and at a good price. Just don't know much about them.
    I have been riding a 250ES big red and ATC 200 for a while and am looking for something with a little more performance.

    Thanks
    Ed
    I was in the same boat when i got my 1981 250R. I love my bike and do not regret it at all.

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    I just went and rode it and checked it out. Pretty cool machine and runs very good. Not sure if it would do well on the trails I normally ride on behind my house.

  11. #11
    bcredneck is offline I can fit a square peg in a round hole. Just give me a hammer and duct tape! Arm chair racerJust too addicted
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    Quote Originally Posted by acellr8 View Post
    Defintely not as cool looking as the later years, but still cool in its own way.
    what i think 81s are the coolest looking 250Rs cause the big front wheel

  12. #12
    fabiodriven's Avatar
    fabiodriven is offline Aspiring romance novel cover model, and the Official 3WW slayer of thieves and swindlers. Catch me if you can
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    Quote Originally Posted by bcredneck View Post
    what i think 81s are the coolest looking 250Rs cause the big front wheel
    I'm not sure if I want to admit this, but I am going to have to agree with redneck to a certain degree. I like the way my personal R looks compared to the second and third gens, but mine is far from factory.
    85 Tri-Zinger 60
    85 ATC250SX
    86 ATC250SX
    87 ATC250SX
    02 XR650L conversion
    84 ATC 480R

  13. #13
    Join Date
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    it'lll definetly be more fun then your 4 stroker trike, i went through the same transition but was a YZ addict for 10 years then bought a 185m for pocket change, now i''ll never own a bike and not a trike!!!!!! trike comes first!
    '85 ATC 250R
    FMF Fatty & Power Core
    Boyesen Rad Valve
    38 PWK A/S
    K&N w/PF (next purchase)
    LSR +4 Axcaliber axle
    LSR Duel row bearing carrier
    DuraBlue Anti-fade (to be installed)
    13/36 sprockets
    '85 ATC 250R
    Parts trike (maybe future build?)

  14. #14
    bcredneck is offline I can fit a square peg in a round hole. Just give me a hammer and duct tape! Arm chair racerJust too addicted
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    i didnt know they made a 185m you shure it wasent a 185s

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
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    Ontario, Canada
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    pretty sure it was a m..... it had no suspension front or rear.... i could be wrong but am pretty sure lol
    '85 ATC 250R
    FMF Fatty & Power Core
    Boyesen Rad Valve
    38 PWK A/S
    K&N w/PF (next purchase)
    LSR +4 Axcaliber axle
    LSR Duel row bearing carrier
    DuraBlue Anti-fade (to be installed)
    13/36 sprockets
    '85 ATC 250R
    Parts trike (maybe future build?)

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