250 3 Wheeler Values - Your Prediction

[brrcuda]

OK - I have been thinking about this lately because i need to make a decision regarding riding my newly restored bikes or keeping them hidden from the elements and storing them for future value. I have noticed the prices are dropping on 250rs and such and the Tri-z seems to be the *Edited**Edited**Edited**Edited**Edited**Edited**E dited* child of the 250s with little value on ebay. But in the same sense, parts are less and less for such bikes - to me means there are less trikes around to part out. I am wondering what you all think will happen to the value of our beloved trikes? Obviously the value will go up but to what level? If my 250r is only going to be worth 2 - 3k max. in a few years then I might as well ride it now and enjoy it and restore it again in a few years.

Another factor is that 2 strokes are end of life for atvs and next year for dirt bikes in 2007. How do you think this will effect the old 2 stroke trikes and their perceived value.

I personally think an excellent condition tecate or tri-z should bring 2-3K easy. But that is not the case. nice original 85 tecates are bringing 800 and tri-zs around the same. I don't get it. Those bikes are sweet and more rare compared to an R.

Right now I have a near perfect 250r and a tecate in the same condition stored in my basement. I have such an itch to ride them but also don't want to ruin them if value looks good in the future. A sweet tecate went for 2800 last week on ebay and I would have expected up to 4K, but thats me.

What do you all think - hopefully others are thinking about this also as there are a few collectors here. I have all 250 2 strokes and thus my interest in these bikes, but this question is not just for those particular bikes - actually all trikes in general.

Thanks - sorry for long post - stuck in hotel room this week on business travel.

[Eric250R]

hmmmmmm, well, I'm sure values will go back up, how long it will take or how they'll increase is hard to say, but if you're waiting for them to skyrocket I wouldn't hold my breath. There are still plenty of them out there right now and people are just starting to really take interest in them again. (Other than the hard core like most of us) My advice would be to take off any hard to find parts or any really nice factory parts you have, throw some aftermarket parts on, and ride like hell. Then in a few years if prices really go up, do a quick restore, throw your parts back on and sell. ( by the way, I want dibs on the Tecate...lol) Now, go riding........

[chris200x]

Never plan on making your money back once you fixed up a trike. That's not the way it works... Well at least not from what I've seen. They're not dust collectors.. I say ride them.. thats what god intended them for.

Edit: Now dirtbikes on the other hand are a diffrent story...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda...36312470QQrdZ1

[hrc85250r]

wtf are you talking about? there are no plans to end production of 2 strokes in 2007, sure banshees and blasters are ending this year, but they are 20 yrs old....and 2 strokes are going to come back, evinrude e-tecs already run cleaner, last longer and have better fuel efficiency than a four stroke. just wait, in a few years they will come out with direct injected 2 strokes with four stroke smoothness...

[Mosh]

I really dont care what they are worth down the road.If they bring big bucks when I am like 70, then cool!I say why have them if you wont ride them?None of my bikes are showroom mint.I just want to ride them.It is nice going out and trying to decide which to choose from for a ride trip.As far as future value,I guess you can look at it like any other collector.It is always a risk.Look back 20 years ago when like Cabbage Patch kids were going for like 200 dollars in 1984,But what do they go for now?I know that is a apple to oranges comparision,BUt around here,we are losing tons of riding areas,and the ones that are still open,only half will let trikes on the property.
As far as for 2 strokes,holy crap i hope we can still ride them 5,10,15 years from now.I dont know if i can have fun on a 4 stroke.

[Orangecnty250r]

The major manufactuers have bagged 2 strokes after 2007....all four strokers.

That Tecate that sold on ebay was 2800.00 nice not 4k nice....Frame and hubs painted not original colors...4-5 K trikes are ALL original looking.

The end of the two strokes will increase the value of 2 strokes in the years to come...no doubt.

As for the value of three wheelers...who knows...I think part of it has to do with nostalgia. I was 14-15 when they were big...had no money then....Now I want what I couldnt have back then and I think some others feel the same as they have become financial well off or stable after talking with different collectors....now in 20 years...I will be 55 and my childhood interest of three wheelers may fade??...Does that mean those people 20 years younger than me then will be collecting trx450rs instead of three wheelers..thats the risk right there!!!!...a "Generation thing"

[maggiesboy]

only fine folks like you will really appreciate the build on my TRI-Z. It is still gonna be a $1500.00 machine when I'm done. I'm keeping this biotch!

Junkies will always bring you the best money, some of us see the value of the build differently. Just my .02 cents.

[hrc85250r]

honda is the only one that has officially said no more 2 stroke bikes, so BLAH!!!!

[250r'en +TCB]

Paul I personally say the same thing I have been saying before, only ride your R and the Tecate on the snow/ice!!! They are in such beautiful condition it would be a shame too see them get pounded on those machine killing RR beds we ride!!
Try and hold off that itch to ride them for another 3 months, then you can come over here and open them up on the ice without having to worry about dirt, rocks and mud damaging them!!!

[ATCGENIUS]

I am not sure what you have read, but all major manufactures have dropped the 2-strokes from the 2008 lineup. That is why I just went and found a brand new in the crate yamaha yz250 that never sold and going to keep it. If you want any 2 strokes, you better get them now, you are right about the new etec boatmotors, they are awesome and super on fuel, but all manufacturers are not wanting that new technology for the motors, and plus it makes them more money on 4 strokes because it cost 3 times as much to rebuild a 4 stroke and only 5% of 4 stroke buyers can even work on them, so more money to the local shops too.

[ChrisD]

Keep a nice one and one beater. That's what I did, but neither of my bikes are worth anything the way they are. Even my nice one is worth more in pieces than together. The stock R did not thrill me.

OC is correct. It's a mostly a generational thing. I will still love to pull out my R when I'm 50 and see what people think. I guess if you are in it for the money, then treat it as any other investment and store it away. You can always buy a beater.

If you wait your whole life for something to pay off, then what have you got? Just like a stock, buy a great company and preferably one that pays a dividend so you can have your cake and eat it too.

[brrcuda]

This is good stuff guys.

I am not looking to make alot of money on these trikes. I just know they are getting more difficult to find parts and even worse to find good original machines.

It is a childhood thing for me as well. I grew up on these bikes with my first yt125 in 1984. I always dreamed of having a clean jimmy white replica tecate. This is why I have the itch to ride the hell out of them. More trikes (beater) are out of the question cause i don't have the space to put them - thus the basement storage.

As for the 2 smokes - It has been the trend for the last few years - started with the snowmobiles phasing out, then 4 wheelers, now the dirt bikes. The bike racing scene has quietly moved to all 4 strokes as well. I really think the only reason 2 stroke bikes are still around today is cause of arena freestyle - thats died down in hype so - see ya 2 strokes. Thats my opinion.

ATCgenius has a very interesting comment on more money for shops and manufacturers - its all about profit to them in the end- thats business.

[nate b]

I hope they become worthless soon, so I can afford to buy some parts

[bigtloc]

The shop around the corner has a new banshee and told me that was the last one.no more take it for what its worth

[350xBomb]

I hope they become worthless soon, so I can afford to buy some parts

Amen to that.....

They are only worth what someone will pay for them. Be sure to get the right someone. But if your doin this for money, then you got the wrong reasons.

And about the E-TEC, if you think that is the future than the future is f**kin expensive. 5grand for an outboard...imagine what they would charge for the bike that comes around it.