1985 250r -- your opinion -- do I need an 8th trike?

[Trimoto Mike]

I just got back from an hour rip on one of my 200x trikes. Felt great in the cool air on the dirt roads around my ranch -- mostly slightly curved roads with lots of straight high speed runs and some really nice dirt/gravel service roads. This 200x was recently rebuilt with a larger piston -- has a few mods including Supertrapp exhaust and larger carb. It feels like plenty of power for me - 160 lbs, but I can see having more power as a nice extra adrenaline rush.

So here's my dilema -- I have 7 trikes -- 2 x 1983 ACT 200x, 2 x 1985 Big Red - One with a snow plow in mint condition, and the other as my beater - but has a perfect condition engine - still lots of fun. Also have 3 x Yamaha 125 2 stroke trikes. I have an oppty to get a really nice 1985 250r - pretty good condition a few imperfections on the body.

Is it worth it? Should I get it ... do I really need it with already having the 200x, and the type of roads/riding that I do? It's $3K, and I paid as much for all the Honda trikes I have combined, but I got smokin' deals on my other trikes. I can afford it, but seems like a lot for maybe a bit more fun than the 200x?

What do you think? Can I really live without a 250r in my collection?

Thanks and Happy Holidays!
Mike

[ChadSaA]

I just got back from an hour rip on one of my 200x trikes. Felt great in the cool air on the dirt roads around my ranch -- mostly slightly curved roads with lots of straight high speed runs and some really nice dirt/gravel service roads. This 200x was recently rebuilt with a larger piston -- has a few mods including exhaust and larger carb. It feels like plenty of power for me - 160 lbs, but I can see having more power as a nice extra adrenaline rush.

So here's my dilema -- I have 7 trikes -- 2 x 1983 ACT 200x, 2 x 1985 Big Red - One with a snow plow in mint condition, and the other as my beater - but has a perfect condition engine - still lots of fun. Also have 3 x Yamaha 125 2 stroke trikes. I have an oppty to get a really nice 1985 250r - pretty good condition a few imperfections on the body.

Is it worth it? Should I get it ... do I really need it with already having the 200x, and the type of roads/riding that I do? It's $3K, and I paid as much for all the Honda trikes I have combined, but I got smokin' deals on my other trikes. I can afford it, but seems like a lot for maybe a bit more fun than the 200x?

What do you think? Can I really live without a 250r in my collection?

Thanks and Happy Holidays!
Mike

You can live without one but there's just nothing like one. You need to ride one to understand...plus that minty 2 stroke smell.

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[Trimoto Mike]

Yes, I am almost convinced. Only issues I think about are ... will I regret it if I end up crashing bad ... well, but that can be avoided - maybe.

Other concern is reliability -- my other 2 stroke trikes -- although much funner because of experience of sound/smells, power-band - they have been a nightmare to maintain. I burned a hole is newly restored Trimoto 125 last summer -- ran really strong until it overheated on my long straightaways in the summer ... maybe water cooling will fix that.

Thanks!

[oldskool83]

Jetting helps too

[Trimoto Mike]

Jetting helps too

I'm at 5,700 ft elevation, and my Trimoto 125 still ran rich with the smaller jetting, and top notch set on the new carb ... not overly rich. It may of had a touch too much oil in the gas/oil mix. But, I should be able to put in a new top-end with about 2 hours of labor -- wish I worked less and had more time for this stuff.

[atc007]

Your post took me back to 84... You most def need the R !! 1st gear is like 3rd on your X. You will NOT be disappointed!!

[350for350]

That's about the going price (maybe low, maybe high depending on location). If you want it then most definitely get it! You won't regret it!

[badasskfx]

Seven is an odd number!!

[sledcrazyinCT]

A third gen 250r could be looked at as an investment. Peddle off some of the others you already have if it means you keep the peace in your household(if you are married)

You will certainly like a nice running 85-6 250r

[HorseMcHorseman]

liquid cooled = extra maintenance + problems. not speaking from atc experience but from general small engine experience.
keep an eye out for 1984 or older 250r
that’s the kind i’d like one day if i can find one too


but i guess if you can afford to buy it you can afford to fix it, i’m in the other boat though.

to each their own

[floydechoes2000]

My liquid cooled 86 Trx250R is the most reliable vehicle of any type I've ever owned. It's never let me down since 1992.

Agreed that it can be seen as an investment, though it better be mint for 3k.

[ATC King]

It's up to you on 'worth it.' That's on the high end and it looks like trike popularity is on a downturn, so little to no ROI in the near future is plausible.

On 2-cycle worries, I've never even fouled a plug in any two cycle motorcycle I've owned, liquid or air cooled. I've certainly never blown a stock engine. If the engine is sound, there's not much you can do to harm it beyond aftermarket parts. Yard people run 2-cycle line trimmers and blowers WTFO all day, every day, and the equipment holds up. It wouldn't be used otherwise.

You've got your trike bases covered already, with utility and sport. Why not go for the race base?

In the places I ride, the 200X would likely be as fast and less tiring than a 250R, but if you've got some open stretches, let the 250R move it's legs.

I'm not a power ranger though. Everything I ride gets ridden WTFO. I shy away from anything too powerful, otherwise I'd be dead or gimped up already.

There was someone who had a song, I think it was Prince, Throttle Control. I don't have it. WTFO is my reflex. I'm dangerous (to myself) on a CT90.

[Baba Yaga]

"Everybody needs a LC race trike."

- Marcus Aurelius

[ironchop]

"Everybody needs a LC race trike."

- Marcus Aurelius

That's true.... he absolutely did say that

I went back to two smoke because it's cheaper to rebuild/maintain. No valve train to mess with. If you are willing to properly maintain one, it's really not an issue for me.

As for liquid vs air, I don't see much difference. LC still needs occasional throttle blips at idle to keep the coolant circulating. Neither design likes being pinned WFO for ten consecutive miles, but then I have nowhere to ride where that would even be possible. I ride woods and I barely get it out of second gear. Doing a proper plug chop required riding it down the paved road.

In MY personal experience, 2-smokes are more reliable than 4, BUT, your results may vary.

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[MrConcdid]

You come to a Trike Forum and ask if you should buy another Trike? If you had a poll I bet it would be 100% yes. lol

MrC.