Feel free to ad to this story as you all want. The Idea is to imagine the state of three wheeled ATVing if the Consent Decree hadn't been drafted. I am taking the role of a writer for a "Major" atving magazines "new model review" issue.
1988 - Model Review - Trikes hang on ( but for how long ).
1988 may go down as a major turning point for our sport to say the least.
With all of the major manufacturers now fully commited to producing four wheeled atvs along with their tri footed models, you may find yourself asking "Is there really a need for trikes anymore?". Well, for one manufacturer, Suzuki, the answer is a resounding "NO!". Their slogan "first on four wheels" has never been more apparent. This will mark the second year now that Suzuki hasn't offered a three wheeler in their lineup (the 1986 ALT125 was the last model available) and the first year for the anti-trike publicity campaign they seem to be mounting in their print ads. With all of the major manufacturers announcing that they are pulling their factory support from three wheeled racing this year it might just be the beginning of the end ...... or is it?.
1988 three wheeled Hondas:
Honda has made some exciting changes this year to existing models and even come up with a few new ones. Honda still offers the most extensive three wheeled line of ATV's available from any manufacturer.
New for 1988:
Goodbye ATC200X, hello ATC250X. Bouyed by the resounding success of their TRX250X, Honda has decided to offer the new four-valve powerplant in a three wheeled configuration. The machine is nearly identical to the later series square tube framed ATC200X except for the addition of slightly larger diameter forks and a stronger rear spring. Suspension numbers were increased to over 8.0" up front and stayed the same at just over 7.5" in the rear. To the delight of sport purests, the reverse gearing was removed from the TRX250X motor in order to make room for a sixth gear. Its a shame Honda dosen't see the need for a reverse gear in a sport model - it would have been a nice feature. One thing Honda didn't do was change the gear ratio spacing in the transmission - but what they did do was drop the rear tires down from 22" to 20" so, as we found out in the side by side comparison test last month in this magazine, the top speed of the ATC250X is still nearly the same as its TRX cousin. This was done primarily to keep the ATC from walking away from its heavier sibling in the real world. Honda is well aware of the fact that the TRX250X is nearly $800 more at retail than the ATC. Unfortuneatly, another trick honda used in keeping the ATC250X in check is the fact that theATC250X dosen't come with the TRX250X's outstanding 36mm Mikuni carb either. A 30mm Kehin oval slide takes its place. That being said, last month when we did the shoot out between the ATC250X and the TRX250X, the ATC250X is still quite a bit quicker off the line, with the TRX250X reeling it in with an impressive midrange. The ATC250X is now available in the new electric blue and white color scheme as well as the white and red one found on last years ATC200X.
Hail to the 300's! - Big news in 1988 is the fact that both the ATC250ES Big Red and the ATC250SX have been upgraded to the terrific 282cc 300 class mill found in the Foreman TRX300 and that the Big Red will be available in a 3x3, three wheel drive sometime this summer!. The new ATC300ES Big Red now features a front disk brake, higher loading capacity, revamped styling, an oil cooler, full instrumentation and greater suspension travel. The big red is now in addition to corporate Honda red, available in a green and tan woods version. We're told the ATC300ES/3-Drive will feature a shaft drive front hub via a neck mounted gear-box. Look for a full report on this remarkable ATC in a later issue.
The ATC300SX has been completely changed for 1988, lost most of its "utility" heritage and is almost a completely different machine because of it. In addition to a newer square tubing style frame, the 300SX now features the 300cc, two valve, auto clutched motor, same front and rear disk braking as the ATC250X, larger diameter front forks with a greater total 7.0" of travel and a completely redesigned narrower swing arm with nearly 2" more suspension travel than last years model. It does still retain the same 22x11x10 wide front and rear tire combination. A standard speedometer is now offered. The body styling has been changed in favor of the more racy look of the X models and is available in red, white, and the new electric blue color schemes. Look for prices to increase $300 over last years models.
Returning models for 1988:
The 125 is alive!. The ATC125M has returned for 1988 with very minimal changes to the upgraded 1986 model. It will still offer the same great value for those in need of a small but full sized ATC for light trail riding and chores. Colors available will be corporate Red and new for 1988, white. Price stays the same as last years model at $1310.
The race in "R". The ATC250R has returned for 1988 pretty much the same as last years excellent model. We're told by Honda that the new Showa forks now offer an inch more travel and that the rear shocks valving has been changed. The gas tank now offers a "Dry Break" fueling system that does away with the traditional screw on cap. In side by side comparison tests, the ATC250R consistantly beats the truely outstanding TRX in both accelleration and top speed, but the TRX's inherent "corners on rails" stability allows it to rule the MX and offroad track. The ATC250R will now also be offered in the new for 1988 electric blue color. The price will be $100 up from last year.
350X eXcites. The ATC350X has also returned for 1988, but with a few more changes than its pinger brother. The front forks are now the same excellent Showa units found on the 250R, the front rake of the triple trees has been legged out 1* and the rear swingarm has been lengthened by 1". We're also told that Honda engineers have managed to eek out 2 more ponies from the 350cc, 4-valve, manual clutched, 6-speed engine to bring it up to 30hp - mainly due to a camshaft profile change. Colors offered are white and red and the new electric blue and white. A standard speedometer is now offered. Price is $200 up from last year. Look for individual tests of the ATC250R and 350X in next months issue.
1988 three wheeled Kawasakis:
Kawasaki has managed to field three trikes this year in its line up. One a returning fire breather and the other two being all new models.
New for 1988:
Baja KLT250 sure is nifty. Kawasaki has finally decided to offer the great
Mojave 250 liquid cooled power plant in an three wheeler in order to combat the continued success of Honda and Yamahas sport four strokes. The all new Baja 250 will of course feature the new 250 liquid cooled, manual clutch 5-speed mill with a top tree mounted radiator, similar to the one found on the older Tecates. The frame is an all new design featuring square steel tube construction with a traditional tank and seat mount configuration. Front forks are in house units with 7.8" of travel and the rear uni-track swing arm has just over 9.0" of outstanding suspension boing. The rear shock is a remote reservoir KYB unit with pre-load and rebound adjustments. The front tire will be a 23x7x10 narrow sport style Dunlop and the rears will be 22x11x8. Braking is handled by two "borrowed" Mojave disks front and back Colors available will be an all corporate green or white and blue. Price is set at $2100. Look for a complete test as well as a head to head shoot out with the other thumper sport models in a future issue of this magazine.
KLT220 Prarie - home on the range. Kawie also has its eyes set on the three wheeled utility market with the all new 220cc aircooled Prarie. Similar in design and function as the Honda "Big Red", the all new Prarie features the new compact electric start with backup pull, 220cc 2-valve aircooled motor, full front and rear racks, shaft drive, sealed drum brakes, big 25" tires, a dual range, auto clutch 5-speed transmission w/reverse, full front and rear suspensions both with 5.0" of travel and a huge 5 gallon fuel tank for all day chores. There is also a "Police" model available that features a lighting and siren package as well as a full first aid kit, windshield and is intended for beach and border patrol. Color available is dark blue and black. Price is TBD.
Returning models for 1988:
Tecate crazy. The KXT250 Tecate 3 has returned for its 5th year with a few changes. The KXT now shares the same counterballanced 250cc liquid cooled 2-stroke, 6-speed as its T4 brother. That engine remains basically unchanged except for a stronger, more durable electrical system. It still offers the most the most thrilling, spine crushing horsepower in its class. Some needed chassis changes have come around to make it more controllable. Kawasaki tells us that in order to improve the Tecates handling manors, the 41mm front forks rake angle has been decreased by 1* and that the swing arm has been legthened by 1.5". A new rear axle with 2 more inches of width has also been installed. A larger rear axle hub with bigger bearings is mounted as well in order to cope with the increased loading the wider longer swing axle gives the Tecate. The lightening quick Tecate 3 will spank its Tecate 4 brother off the line and keep a good 2 - 3 bike lengths lead up to sign off at 75+ MPH. Color available is corporate Green with blue and white. Price is up $100 from last year.
Continued on the next thread ...........................
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Originally Posted by atcmatt
Think of all the aftermarket 
