1985 atc 200x vs 1984 225dx

**DohcBikes** · 02-17-2014, 02:32 PM

But remember, you can change the gearing on a 200x if you want to. Not so easy on the Dx.

**slashfan7964** · 02-17-2014, 02:49 PM

I'm biased, but I'd take the 200X. It's a much better overall machine in my opinion, despite lack of electric start which really doesn't bother me. I don't have much seat time on a 225X though, but they felt a little squirrely at speed. The 200X just seems very well rounded.

For those of you with bigger trikes I can understand why you'd say a 200X is underpowered...for me it's fine, gets me moving rather quickly, much faster than my friends Sportsman 400 HO and that waste no time getting moving.

You also need to remember the 200X was an entry level machine for sport riding. It wasn't designed to be an all out racer, that's why you have the R, and arguably the 350X.

**Ghostv2** · 02-17-2014, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by DohcBikes

But remember, you can change the gearing on a 200x if you want to. Not so easy on the Dx.

I dont see why anyone would want to, nobody tries to make anything out of the DX. It is what it is.
Now the 200x, people can make it into a racer, gear it low for a nice trail machine, etc etc etc.

The 200x is a better machine. I owned both but none were in tip top shape so i cant really say much for personal experience.

BUT, a real nice 200x (First gen) will run me about $1k. A real nice DX, probably half that.

200x has WAY more aftermarket options than the YTM. Has better suspension too. I can keep going on.

**lokisbuddy** · 02-17-2014, 06:33 PM

200x for sure. I own 2 dx's but only one x and when I jump the 200x it doesn feel like jumping an old hard tail (yes iknow they hve shocks)

**hillbilly 200x** · 02-17-2014, 08:50 PM

Never owned a dx or any yamaha for the matter but i can tell you that the 200x is one hell of a bike. I have had a 250r and a 350x and i didn't really care for them i know there is a huge difference in power but you can built a 200x to have enough to keep up. You can even drop a 6 speed for a xr200x and have a little more for road running

**dougspcs** · 02-17-2014, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by hillbilly 200x

I have had a 250r and a 350x and i didn't really care for them i know there is a huge difference in power but you can built a 200x to have enough to keep up.

You are a true original Aaron..never heard anyone say that before!! But, I've seen you work that little X..it's definitely a good fit for you.

**slashfan7964** · 02-17-2014, 09:50 PM

I haven't personally seen it but I wouldn't doubt it could be done...but it won't be cheap.

**Derrick Adams** · 02-17-2014, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by DohcBikes

The DX's ARE bigger and built with more features, but they are poorly built at best. The axles bend if you look at them wrong. The front ends are way too light for a big bike. The swing arms snap in half pretty regularly.

Apples to oranges though. Hey Doug, how bout 250es or sx vs. 225dx......makes it easy to see what's built better IMO.

I totally disagree with everything he said about the 225DX-

**fabiodriven** · 02-17-2014, 10:42 PM

I've never heard of snapping swing arms on DX's, but I will agree the front end is too light duty.

I wouldn't seek out either bike and I'd take either or if they were free.

**DohcBikes** · 02-17-2014, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Derrick Adams

I totally disagree with everything he said about the 225DX-

I'm not sure how you could disagree that they are bigger. The engine is bigger, and the frontend is wider. They have more total mass, which means they are bigger.

The DX does have more features, electric start and keyed ignition to name two. I can't think of any feature the x has that the dx does not, unless youre like me and you consider a manual clutch a feature haha.

Every set of Dx forks I've had in my posession were bent or ended up bent. The last two sets of triples I had were bent, they are not beefy at all, quite flimsy compared to a set 200x triples, even though the x weighs less.

The axles are known to be weak, I know several people with bent dx axles.

Furthermore, the frames are not built well from my experience. Must have had some twisted jigs. Either that or they are just weak as well.

I personally have not seen a swingarm break but I have read of several on this site. It may possibly be partially due to receiving the abuse from the ridiculously stiff stock rear suspension, I don't know.

I can only form an opinion, which is all this is, based on my experience with these two machines.

**slashfan7964** · 02-17-2014, 11:03 PM

The last DX I saw looked like a monster next to my 200X. I'd say it's closer to a 250SX in size.

**Ghostv2** · 02-18-2014, 12:45 AM

Originally Posted by DohcBikes

I'm not sure how you could disagree that they are bigger. The engine is bigger, and the frontend is wider. They have more total mass, which means they are bigger.

The DX does have more features, electric start and keyed ignition to name two. I can't think of any feature the x has that the dx does not, unless youre like me and you consider a manual clutch a feature haha.

Every set of Dx forks I've had in my posession were bent or ended up bent. The last two sets of triples I had were bent, they are not beefy at all, quite flimsy compared to a set 200x triples, even though the x weighs less.

The axles are known to be weak, I know several people with bent dx axles.

Furthermore, the frames are not built well from my experience. Must have had some twisted jigs. Either that or they are just weak as well.

I personally have not seen a swingarm break but I have read of several on this site. It may possibly be partially due to receiving the abuse from the ridiculously stiff stock rear suspension, I don't know.

I can only form an opinion, which is all this is, based on my experience with these two machines.

Who knows in the bikes 30 year history what has been done and how it has been abused. For all we know it was sent to the bottom of a lake and jumped by the last owner. I'm sure yamaha never planned for it to be on the trails at this day and age. Point being, there are too many variables, it's not a one owner machine I'm sure. Yes, the 200x appears to have a stronger front end and better designed but then again the dx was made to be a work horse/trail machine. The 200x was not.

Lighter front end? +1 in my book, I like wheelies.

**fabiodriven** · 02-18-2014, 12:49 AM

Originally Posted by Ghostv2

Lighter front end? +1 in my book, I like wheelies.

I took that as "not heavy duty enough".

**DohcBikes** · 02-18-2014, 09:59 AM

Yes, the frontend is not heavy duty enough.

Talk all you want about a trike being flogged over the years, I've had several dx' and several 200x' and I'm here to tell you that the Honda is FAR STRONGER than the Yamaha. Multiple units of the same model tell a story over time.

Buy and sell a couple hundred bikes, and you'll start to get a good idea of what lasts and what doesn't. You will also get a better handle on how to interpret the wear on a bike correctly.

The 200x doesnt "appear" stronger, it IS stronger. The DX was only made to LOOK like a workhorse, because a good horse doesn't break a leg every time you jump a fence with it, had a few of those too. OK maybe that's a little dramatic, but the point has been made and I can and will make it clearer if needed.

**Ghostv2** · 02-18-2014, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by DohcBikes

Yes, the frontend is not heavy duty enough.

Talk all you want about a trike being flogged over the years, I've had several dx' and several 200x' and I'm here to tell you that the Honda is FAR STRONGER than the Yamaha. Multiple units of the same model tell a story over time.

Buy and sell a couple hundred bikes, and you'll start to get a good idea of what lasts and what doesn't. You will also get a better handle on how to interpret the wear on a bike correctly.

The 200x doesnt "appear" stronger, it IS stronger. The DX was only made to LOOK like a workhorse, because a good horse doesn't break a leg every time you jump a fence with it, had a few of those too. OK maybe that's a little dramatic, but the point has been made and I can and will make it clearer if needed.

If you scroll up i have been for the 200x this whole time, is it built better. ALL Hondas were, we all know that and its stupid to argue it.

Its all a matter of what you prefer and opinion after that. Along with availability. As stated before, i can get two DX's for the price of one X. I have been broke for nearly a year now because i cant work due to my surgery. So i literately have no budget for trikes. So i am stuck bouncing around from these "lower-end" machines. As far as i am concerned, the DX i am getting tomorrow is an upgrade to my 200e. I NEEDED something with suspension for a softer ride because of my back. So, +1 in my book.

My point is that i know its not very well designed but its not THAT bad of a machine.

The 350x breaks its legs every time you jump a fence with it, you dont see anything putting that down.

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