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

[Trimoto Mike]

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.

Yes, I am getting an LC trike -- but now I just found another option locally -- a green 1985 Tecate that looks like it's in fairly good shape -- and only $1500. Looks like I may end up going for the cheaper option -- any reason not to?

[Gabriel]

How will you ever buy your ninth trike if you don't buy the eighth one?

[keister]

Yes, I am getting an LC trike -- but now I just found another option locally -- a green 1985 Tecate that looks like it's in fairly good shape -- and only $1500. Looks like I may end up going for the cheaper option -- any reason not to?

Reliability and parts availability are two reasons not to. Tecates are explosive, light, and absolute rocket ships, but are not famous for reliability.

As for the 250R:
I was in a similar situation as you ten years ago. I had a 350X and several 4-stroke trikes. I had avoided even considering a 2-stroke because I believed it would be something I'd have to rebuild every year.
Well in 2009, I took the plunge and bought my 1985 liquid cooled 250R. The owner told me it had the original piston and was on its second set of rings. I have been trail riding, sand duning and MXing that same 250R trike for the past 10 years. I've never had it apart, and it starts every time. I have topped off the radiators once or twice. In fact, I will be taking it for it's 4th (5th?) trip to the Southern California sand dunes in two months. Your results may vary, but don't pass on the liquid R because of maintenance fears. Good luck!

[350for350]

Maybe you can win the lottery and buy both? I'd sure try that option.

[Trimoto Mike]

Reliability and parts availability are two reasons not to. Tecates are explosive, light, and absolute rocket ships, but are not famous for reliability.

As for the 250R:
I was in a similar situation as you ten years ago. I had a 350X and several 4-stroke trikes. I had avoided even considering a 2-stroke because I believed it would be something I'd have to rebuild every year.
Well in 2009, I took the plunge and bought my 1985 liquid cooled 250R. The owner told me it had the original piston and was on its second set of rings. I have been trail riding, sand duning and MXing that same 250R trike for the past 10 years. I've never had it apart, and it starts every time. I have topped off the radiators once or twice. In fact, I will be taking it for it's 4th (5th?) trip to the Southern California sand dunes in two months. Your results may vary, but don't pass on the liquid R because of maintenance fears. Good luck!

I can now see why the Tecate's are less reliable just based on observation of the build. Reliability aside, the trike just did not feel right. Maybe it's the riding position, or the way is handles -- it reminded me of the 450 dirt bike conversation trike I rode last summer -- higher up, and feels like a dirt bike trapped in a three wheeler - albeit with thundering power. Hard to explain, but the Honda's just ride perfectly for me -- seems like night and day difference.

One of my 200x trikes also feel like it's almost as powerful in the lower to mid, it pulls much harder than the other 200x I have -- no breathtaking top end explosive acceleration, but I would likely chose it over the Tecate T3.