What 350X would you choose ?

[sweetip2000]

Here are the 2 choices. 1985 350 X Motor never opened top end good frame good all good needs only back brake pad. Aftermarket plastics good seat cover good runner all bearings seals tight. No smoke. Suspension good. 1200 bucks Travel time One hour 30 minutes. The owner is very familiar with the bike and did his own work
including recent swinger and carrier bearings.

The other choice. 1986 350X Needs front fork boots, motor has been opened, New piston. Suspension frame seals bearings good. no smoke. After market old maeir plastics no cracks seat cover. 1400 bucks Toatl travel time each way almost 3 hours.
The owner did not really do the bike over and is unfamiliar with it.
Has surface rust inside tank and says carb needs cleaning tahts all he knows.

I am posting each bikes picture. If you had to choose between the 2 what would be your choice ?

[Honda_ATC]

The 1985 for sure I personally was never a fan of the 86-87

[slaughter]

the 85 it just sounds like less of a hassle

[Honda_ATC]

And it looks in better shape. When buying a 200x 350x 250r look at the case,( how much wear dose it have? what shape is the frame in? ) that will really tell you alot and personally the 85 is the one I would buy

[dougspcs]

The 1985 for sure I personally was never a fan of the 86-87

Just wondering your reason for this?? Not calling you out, but curious about your experiences that made you feel this way.

[dougspcs]

If you had to choose between the 2 what would be your choice ?

I personally will say from the experience of ownership that there is no 'BAD' model of 350x..true that there a number of small improvements to the 86 model and that is the machine I currently have. But I wouldn't be afraid to buy and own another 85 if the condition was right..

When choosing a trike I look for the machine that has been molested the least..I usually stay away from engine work and hope to find a machine without turned edges on the fasteners. Factory condition is best..

My experience is that alot of work, even done by dealers is usually not done to factory standards..

I'd probably pick the 85 because it looks a bit cleaner and less tinkered with.

Judging from your list of currently/previously owned machines this is your 1st..you are in for a treat. Good luck whatever you choose!!

[ezmoney1979]

The 1985 for sure I personally was never a fan of the 86-87

Yeah I hate those 87 too........... seems like everyone and their brother owns one.

[swampthang]

Unless there is damage to the head(exhaust studs) or engine case I would take the 85 hands own. Cheaper, closer, potentialy less screwed with.

[dustrunner]

i also would take the 85... i dont like engines that have been opened up... let us know what you decide...

[dougspcs]

Yeah I hate those 87 too........... seems like everyone and their brother owns one.

I know right..I must have 4 or 5 of those POSs in my shop. But what the hell, they make good parts machines for the GOOD ones!

If you know anyone with one of these crap heaps kicking around tell them Doug as a place to dispose it..I won't even charge them for it, cuz I'm that kinda guy! I'll just stack it with the others...

[ATC-Eric]

I personally like the 86's as well a little more, but would go for the 85 hands down in this situation. It's cleaner, closer, cheaper, no contest. Sure there were some improvements made, still didn't stop us from picking one up last year.

[keister]

This seems like such a no brainer.
What is it about the '86 that even makes you consider it?

[Dirtcrasher]

I know right..I must have 4 or 5 of those POSs in my shop. But what the hell, they make good parts machines for the GOOD ones!

If you know anyone with one of these crap heaps kicking around tell them Doug as a place to dispose it..I won't even charge them for it, cuz I'm that kinda guy! I'll just stack it with the others...

I hated my 87 and just let the paper boy have it

[ps2fixer]

I own a 86, beat to death, exhaust headder shot/welded to the HEAD, forks bent, etc, but it always starts up (and smokes/stinks) when I want to take it for a spin. Been riding my 250sx dreaming that I had the rest of the parts I ordered to start the break down and fix up (rider). Stinks the 250sx don't handle as well, flipped it while messing around in snow with unfrozen ground, sand caught and right over I went and bent my handle bar, first time ever to do damage to a atc, but not the first time of injury (was going 3rd or 4th gear mid range)

Anyway... as everyone else says, 85 hands down, even if the 86 was cheaper, it would have to be like $800 before I would consider it... Mine was $260 as a "non-running" machine, tipped it a little to get gas in the carb and fired it right up lol.

[sweetip2000]

Well I think the 85 is the keeper for sure. If it all works out I will be getting it this Saturday. Let me point this out. You guys were able to identify something wrong about the last 350X I got. The frame was not right and I did notice that the bike did pull while the front end was up and the bearings and axle were good. That means it was not riding straight. You don't know how much I appreciate being able to have someone point this out to me. I am lucky I was able to sell it asap and get back more than what I paid for it. I cant gamble anymore or I will loose so wish me luck and I will post pics if I buy it. Most likely its a done deal but time will tell.