Yamaha Tri-Z 250: should I bother trying to buy one?

[EvilMooseofDoom]

Hello....I had no clue this site existed....COOL...anyway...

Since 1983, when the first spy photos came out of the upcoming Yamaha TRI-Z 250...I wanted one. I was 12 when they came out in 1984...and I still have(somewhere) the article in "Dirt Wheels" magazine where the Z was introduced. However, circumstances (at first, parents, and later, work schedule), have not allowed me to buy a Z. Either they are harder to find than Honest Democrats (when I am actually looking for one), or practically raining out of the sky (when I have no time to notice).
My questions are:
1. Should I bother trying to find one?
2. Reliability: Good bike, or will I have trouble carring a big-enough toolbox?
3. Parts: Is locating replacement parts a pain?
4. Are there people here who play with them, and may have extra stuff to sell, should I find one that may need restoring?
5. How do these bikes ride, compared to modern machinery? The closest trike I have owned to a Z was a 1986 Kawasaki Tecate 250...a fun bike, but that was in 1988....I have never even had the chance to ride one....
6. Pros and cons of this bike?

It would just be easier to buy a newer ATV, but I have not had the same fun on modern ATV's, that I did on the ATC's....and there is just something evil-looking about the twin-headlight yellow and black attack...

Thanks for your replies....this may actually lead to me buying one finally...after 20 years.

[MO350X]

It was a STRONG running trike for sure.
Maybe it was the way the fella had it set up but it was VERY trail-rideable, not as peaky as you'd think a 2 stroke might be.
And the ride quality in general was very good, not as "cushy" as my 350X but great for such a hi-po trike as the Tri-Z.

The only thing really peculiar about the Tri-Z is the fuel tank/pump arrangement, I believe.
As for parts, yes there will be some discontinued.
I've run into that on my 350X.
But there's always these sites and Ebay (prepare to pay top dollar for most in-demand trike parts on there).

As with 99% of our beloved trikes, your biggest hurdle will be finding one that hasn't been abused, neglected, raced, or worse yet.....half-*** "restored".
As the old saying goes, "buy the best you can afford" and don't let emotion drive the purchase. Be patient and one will come your way.
There was a pair on Ebay in Vegas a month or two ago (same person had both, original owner).
They were museum pieces and he only wanted $1500 a pop!
Those were two beautiful machines.

Why did I choose a Honda 350X?
Familiarity with Honda and the less peaky powerplant-4 stroke.
Believe me.....I long for the day when I stumble onto a good 250R, Tecate or Tri-Z.
I'd love to add a violent, torquey 2 stroke to my garage.

As for your long-time yearning for a trike.
You sound like me.....I had an ATC200S back in '84.
When the 350X came out, I would have done almost anything to get my hands on one but the money and parents issue stopped me.
Now, almost 20 years later, I finally got one.
Even my quad buddies love my old trike....it turns sharper, it's lighter, cheap to fix/repair/maintain, plenty of power and I don't have a $6000+ loan hanging over my head like they do (no payments)!!

Best of luck in your search and welcome to the site!

[Billy Golightly]

You mentioned carrying a toolbox, are you planning on doing work with this machine? Probably not the best choice if so.

The Z's are very good machines, I like mine alot. There isn't a whole whole lot of them around, but they are out there. It depends alot on demographics. As far as comparing to modern day machines, other then suspension, one that is in good shape and is not worn plumb slap out will compare with any of the new quads pretty well as far as I'm concerened.

[TrikerR]

2. Reliability: Good bike, or will I have trouble carring a big-enough toolbox?

na hondaATC he means are tri z's rleiable enough not to have to carry around a toolbox full of tools...lol.

[Derrick Adams]

I think you'll find that most people will agree that the Tri-Z is one of the most capable trail bikes out there. For a 2 stroke it has a very well mannered power curve and is an absolute blast to ride. The great power combined with the light weight make it a natural anywhere.

I never cared for the Tri-Z when I was growing up because of all the stereo-typing back then of them being behind the other 2 strokes, but anyone that's ridden one will tell you that's simply not true.

I've had mine for just under a year and will never part with it. It is the absolute best all around 2 stroke I've ever had, and I've had all of them (3 and 4 wheels). My biggest LIKE is that i'm 6'4" and the bike just fits me real well. Very predictable and lots of torque to pull my big butt around.

Here's a few facts that seem to be true about Tri-Z's. They commonly will need the oil seal replaced in the water pump. This interchanges with the Banshee seal. Easy fix.
They are known to crack the clutch cover because of a bad designed kick start location and 20 years of kicking. These covers are still available thru Yamaha for around $100. Rear shocks tend to go bad. These are interchangable with the Warrior. Huge Improvement, will ride like a Cadillac. The engine will directly swap with a YZ 250 in the event you totally destroy one. Most people seem to slide the front forks up in the tubes about 1 1/2" from stock to change the center of gravity and make the bike much more stable.

Go find you one and enjoy it. ALSO, check the Home page for info on Trike Fest and come ride with us!!!!

[Maine_Triker]

they are harder to find than Honest Democrats

That's funny, and true!

As far as the Tri-z. If I was you I would get one, I almost got one myself a couple months ago. If you keep looking you can usually find them on ebay. Also if your in it for high speed and more power get an 86 cause it's got 6 speeds.

[CHAINSAW]

Ive found Tri Z's are just as reliable as the next. Its all in the history of the machine. Just keep in mind they are 20 year old machines, so yes it will break down, yes parts are harder to find then say a 250R. I'll never part with mine either, Im a Tri Z man for life!

[EvilMooseofDoom]

na hondaATC he means are tri z's rleiable enough not to have to carry around a toolbox full of tools...lol.

Thank you...I was worried no one might understand what I meant...lol...

[EvilMooseofDoom]

I think you'll find that most people will agree that the Tri-Z is one of the most capable trail bikes out there. For a 2 stroke it has a very well mannered power curve and is an absolute blast to ride. The great power combined with the light weight make it a natural anywhere.

I never cared for the Tri-Z when I was growing up because of all the stereo-typing back then of them being behind the other 2 strokes, but anyone that's ridden one will tell you that's simply not true.

I've had mine for just under a year and will never part with it. It is the absolute best all around 2 stroke I've ever had, and I've had all of them (3 and 4 wheels). My biggest LIKE is that i'm 6'4" and the bike just fits me real well. Very predictable and lots of torque to pull my big butt around.

Here's a few facts that seem to be true about Tri-Z's. They commonly will need the oil seal replaced in the water pump. This interchanges with the Banshee seal. Easy fix.
They are known to crack the clutch cover because of a bad designed kick start location and 20 years of kicking. These covers are still available thru Yamaha for around $100. Rear shocks tend to go bad. These are interchangable with the Warrior. Huge Improvement, will ride like a Cadillac. The engine will directly swap with a YZ 250 in the event you totally destroy one. Most people seem to slide the front forks up in the tubes about 1 1/2" from stock to change the center of gravity and make the bike much more stable.

Go find you one and enjoy it. ALSO, check the Home page for info on Trike Fest and come ride with us!!!!

This is great to hear about the ergonomics....I am 6'1", and used to be a weightlifter...still weighing in at around 315...(a little fat, but I was scrawny and 270 my senior year)...I can't stand 4 strokes anymore..

[BigGreenMachine]

http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/s...9&page=1&pp=15

Here are a few Z's that grace the board. Some real nice bikes. There are always people on here trying to get rid of their bikes and just as much parts. I always liked Z's and would love to build one with the 89 YZ motor some day. If you can find one in good shape then snatch it up. Best of luck.

Heres one in our classifieds

http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/s...ad.php?t=27115

This one might still be for sale?
http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/s...ad.php?t=26880

[EvilMooseofDoom]

Oh, something else I forgot to mention...I live in Portland, Oregon...and I hate all of you east coasters hogging all of these bikes, lol......

This is the other problem...I can't take a week off to drive out to New York to buy one. Nebraska? Maybe...Nebraska is still 2000 miles away, lol.

Seriously, though...thanks for the input. I think I am going to try to pick one up after new year's, even if I have to drive to get it....I am going to give myself a $3000 budget....$3000 is the bare minimum of what I am going to spend on a Banshee here, anyway, and I don't like ATV's.

Is it okay if I continue to post? In my other life, I do a hell of a lot of work both repairing and modifying cars and trucks...my specialties being Ford and Chevy...so maybe I can return something to the board....


And one more question: Does the 6th gear of the 1986 make that big of a difference? I usually don't ride faster than 70 or 80, whether I am on a dirt road, school playground, or speed-bump-equipped church parking lot, anyway...

[CHAINSAW]

And one more question: Does the 6th gear of the 1986 make that big of a difference? I usually don't ride faster than 70 or 80, whether I am on a dirt road, school playground, or speed-bump-equipped church parking lot, anyway...

When I first got my 86, it was doggy in 6th. It was all stock, and wasnt tired or anything, the bore was standard and nothing wrong with it. I put on a DG Extreme pipe, new reeds, and she came to life. A nice little stretch on the dunes, I find myself trying to shift into 7th, so yeah, it makes a big difference. Im also running stock gearing.

[TimSr]

The Z will stand up to any other two stroke trike out there quite well. Ill give the edge on the Honda for being more reliable, but I wouldnt call the Z unreliable by any means. The Honda also has a lot less vibration vibration due to the counterbalancer. The TriZ pulls a lot better low end than the Honda, while the Honda pulls more at the top. As for parts, ive never had a problem finding anything that is a normal wear and tear item. The R has more after market stuff available, but OEM stuff is not a problem. I disagree about the waterpump seal being a common problem. Ive replaced 3 or 4 in 15 years. The coolant pump impeller is what fails all the time. Its a plastic finned disk bonded to a metal shaft, and they commonly come apart. Last time I drilled and cotter pinned mine and its been going strong for a year and a half now. Most of the problems that might develope on a Z can be traced back to cooling system failures, you its important to know how to check flow and recognize cooling system problems quickly. I also agree with the cases cracking over time due to a poor kickstarter design. I did find a way to make them last a lot longer.
As for the 5 speed and six speed tranny, I prefer the 6 speed for trail riding, but the 5 speed performs much better for me on the track. The 5 speed gears are spaced wider, and with the Z's low end, the closer spacing of the 6 speed just adds unnecessary shifting on a track. Keeping in mind I primarily ride wooded trails, Motocross, Harescrambles and keep my occasional drag racing to near regulation drag strip lengths.
If you get a chance to ride some and compare them, thats the best way to decide, because it comes down to personal choice and preference. The Z is as good as anything out there, and its my own preferred weapon of choice.