1986 Buying a NEW 86 ATC 250R

[Keystone Honda]

Hi folks. Love ATCs always have always will. Thought it would be fun to share my ATC 250R story. So I'm 15 years old in 1986 and had just bought a new Honda XR250R. Liked the bike but hated riding in any kind of wet conditions plus the bike was a dog. Several friends of mine started to buy three wheelers. After my first ride on a 200x I was hooked. I had to have one. A guy at my high school who was a senior and worked at Keystone Honda in West Chester PA ( I later worked there) had a ATC250R and told me to check one out. I read all about the 250R in Dirtwheels Magazine and had to get one.

Only problem NO dealers would sell a ATC 250R to a 15 year old. Well one night my dad said lets load your bike up and go to Keystone Honda and bring home a ATC 250R. When we walked in my dad said it was going to be for him and the salesman knew better, but still did the deal. It was amazing to sit on this brand spanking new Honda work of art. You can never get that new smell of a bike back once it has been ridden. It was amazing. Once we got it home and unloaded it was around 8pm and dark. My best buddy came running over to see the new ride.

The first ride. Now keep in mind I had a XR 250 and had previously had a YZ100. This was going to be a beast. I tore down the driveway chirping the tires with each gear and then went out onto the yard for a quick lap. My dad looked over at my friend and said "Oh that thing is fast - I may have made a mistake."

Nothing at the local riding spots in my area could touch this ATC. Was amazing to pitch it sideways and let the dust fly. On several occasions when I was learning how to slide the rear out - sometimes the whole rear of the ATC would come around on ya once landing me head on into a pine tree! Ouch.

After several years of riding it I made the switch to MX bikes with my buddies. Sadly it was sold and never seen again... Back in 1988 with all the bad ATC press it was hard to sell and I let her go for $800 yes $800! Yeah I know what they are worth today!!!

Thanks for letting me talk on!

[Bren_downe]

Great story, do you have any trikes currently, or pics? We all love pics!

[Ghostv2]

Welcome to the forums from another member from the keystone state.

[Keystone Honda]

Thanks!!! No ATCs right now just a 2013 KTM 300XC. I want a ATC and always looking.
Here are some pics of the old girl... man she was nice!!

Just click on the pics for larger!

[Team ATC]

Wow that's cool story and pics imagine if it was in that shape today!

[Dirtweed]

Great story. What a beauty. Love those old helmets! I remember when my dad sold off the sleds and got my brother a 1984 Tecate
I think he had the same reaction that your father had.

Back in 1998 I went into Lockport Honda and bought a new 1988 TRX250R. It was so nice to get a brand new 250R, but I did the same
and sold it a few years later when all of our riding spots closed up. Wish I would have kept it. Yes it had an extra wheel, but it was fun.
The owner still had a 1986 350X on the showroom floor and was offering it to me for an really good price, but my brother talked me out
of it and I went with the quad. Wish I could have afforded both of them.

[Keystone Honda]

It was a blast! When I later worked at Keystone Honda we had a customer who owned 2 of every Honda ATC built. Was amazing when he would bring them in for service.
Dirtweed - TRX250R was a beast as well. Honda built such a nice product -they still do.

[atc007]

Welcome and thanx for posting those pics. Took me straight back )) I had a Red Moto 4 and a pair of the same gloves. But I was really hard on gloves. Love that 88 Dirtweed.

[Ghostv2]

Great story. What a beauty. Love those old helmets! I remember when my dad sold off the sleds and got my brother a 1984 Tecate
I think he had the same reaction that your father had.

Back in 1998 I went into Lockport Honda and bought a new 1988 TRX250R. It was so nice to get a brand new 250R, but I did the same
and sold it a few years later when all of our riding spots closed up. Wish I would have kept it. Yes it had an extra wheel, but it was fun.
The owner still had a 1986 350X on the showroom floor and was offering it to me for an really good price, but my brother talked me out
of it and I went with the quad. Wish I could have afforded both of them.

I think they look awesome in original condition. Especially the red/white/blue color scheme (i dont recall the years). Everyone who has them now has the racing front fenders on them and stupid graphics kits and eliminate the headlight. Some look good, but i like original.

[BGMAN]

Awesome story

[Daniel86]

Hello and welcome from middle TN!

[honda200x1987]

Love the pics !! It is a reeeeaaaaaaallllllll shame HONDA can't make them again, OMG would it be a dream come true if they ever did,I am foaming at the mouth when I look at the pics you posted. ATV's DO NOT have the style anymore, I wonder...who are the idiots who design HONDA'S ATV today? Dayum HONDA at least make a retro TRX250R, or just use the styling from the 87 200X/86 ATC250R TRX250R and make a kewl looking 4 wheeler Jeeeeez Luuweeeez ... am I right or am I wrong?

[bkm]

Awesome story, thanks for sharing and welcome. I remember the day my dad brought home my R in 1989. He bought it from the original owner that rode it twice before we got it. I was 11 years old and it was love at first sight. He wouldn't let me ride it because I was to young, but it wasn't to long after that I was aloud to putt around in first gear. You are right though, what a beautiful machine. I know I'm biased, but there just isn't a sexier machine than a 86 R.

[darryl v]

Hi had a great 86 r that I regret selling that a gentleman from england purchased, I crated it and he paid dearly to ship....

Hi folks. Love ATCs always have always will. Thought it would be fun to share my ATC 250R story. So I'm 15 years old in 1986 and had just bought a new Honda XR250R. Liked the bike but hated riding in any kind of wet conditions plus the bike was a dog. Several friends of mine started to buy three wheelers. After my first ride on a 200x I was hooked. I had to have one. A guy at my high school who was a senior and worked at Keystone Honda in West Chester PA ( I later worked there) had a ATC250R and told me to check one out. I read all about the 250R in Dirtwheels Magazine and had to get one.

Only problem NO dealers would sell a ATC 250R to a 15 year old. Well one night my dad said lets load your bike up and go to Keystone Honda and bring home a ATC 250R. When we walked in my dad said it was going to be for him and the salesman knew better, but still did the deal. It was amazing to sit on this brand spanking new Honda work of art. You can never get that new smell of a bike back once it has been ridden. It was amazing. Once we got it home and unloaded it was around 8pm and dark. My best buddy came running over to see the new ride.

The first ride. Now keep in mind I had a XR 250 and had previously had a YZ100. This was going to be a beast. I tore down the driveway chirping the tires with each gear and then went out onto the yard for a quick lap. My dad looked over at my friend and said "Oh that thing is fast - I may have made a mistake."

Nothing at the local riding spots in my area could touch this ATC. Was amazing to pitch it sideways and let the dust fly. On several occasions when I was learning how to slide the rear out - sometimes the whole rear of the ATC would come around on ya once landing me head on into a pine tree! Ouch.

After several years of riding it I made the switch to MX bikes with my buddies. Sadly it was sold and never seen again... Back in 1988 with all the bad ATC press it was hard to sell and I let her go for $800 yes $800! Yeah I know what they are worth today!!!

Thanks for letting me talk on!

[King Trikester]

All the talk about 250r's, unfortunalty I have not had the chance to see one in person, I love the pics and agree that they are sexy, I love the look of the trx 250r, if I had the opertunaty to buy one I would not even hesitate. You guys are lucky to have had the opertunaty to ride them back in the day new. I love these old stories and pics keep them coming.