85 ATC250R compared to 86 ATC250R

[Orangecnty250r]

Whyzee Those are some killer stockers!!!!!!

[tecat-z]

My god are those some beautiful bikes Whyzee! Sounds like a very accurate description to me. I know in working on 86 build and having a friend with a 85, there are many frame differences as well. I agree, they are really very different. But my personal opinion is the 86 is a much better looking bike stock for stock. And like you mentioned, the riding position is much better on the 86 for a taller person. I never really realized all of the changes made between the two years. I have to wonder though, if it's cylinder porting that makes all of the difference, or ignition curves? Or a combo of the two which smoothed out the 86.

[TravEX]

Lmao, I'm a bad enthusiast, I can't tell the difference between those bikes, except for the chrome pipe . I can't stand 2-strokes either way, great speed, but god I hate the noise lol . I may get for that statement .

The main 'at a glance' way to tell a 85 from an 86 is: 85 motor is black, 86 grey. 85 seat says "250R", 86 says "ATC". You can do a search for all the other differences, but those are 2 that I notice right off.

[edog]

The big thing on the 85 motor is the porting.
The 86 has less porting done to it.

[Dammit!]

You have to remember that honda did a lot of their R&D in the desert (Baja 1000 anyone?). The increased rake for greater high speed stability and taller seat are direct results of testing in that environment.

I've always liked the '86 better even before I moved to the desert. I've never owned a bone stock one though. Motor wise there's hardly anything different about them. I think the most noticable difference you feel (power delivery wise) when riding them comes from the different carb.

[stealthduner]

You have to remember that honda did a lot of their R&D in the desert (Baja 1000 anyone?). The increased rake for greater high speed stability and taller seat are direct results of testing in that environment.

I've always liked the '86 better even before I moved to the desert. I've never owned a bone stock one though. Motor wise there's hardly anything different about them. I think the most noticable difference you feel (power delivery wise) when riding them comes from the different carb.

I was gonna say that as well. My black "86" was an 85, it still has the 85 carb, shock and forks on it. I really didn't notice much difference between the two, even when they were 85 and 86. Power delivery is mostly the same between all three liquid R's in my houshold.

I am with alot of you guys in liking the 86 better (hence the update on my 85) I like the taller seat, the headlight is brighter and throws a wider beam, the CDI is different, and the rear ends are alot easier to get parts for.

[whyzee]

Whyzee Those are some killer stockers!!!!!!

Thanks OC. I paid an arm and a leg for the 86 (over 5K) , and $1300 for the 85, so I guess it evens out
Here are some more pics for ya OC. These are from the original owners camera when I bought it. His camera is waaay better than mine.


Check out this motor shot!!!!


And my favorite for telling the true hours on a bike,

I guess my point for this thread was, Alot of people say I want the 86, its newer, its better. Well in my book, I am liking the 85 alot more than the 86. You can find nice 85's on ebay all day long for well under $2k. You are going to spend well above $3k for an 86.

Any newbies here on a budget, or myself now (3 kids) , don't overlook the 1985 250R, it rips.

[whyzee]

You have to remember that honda did a lot of their R&D in the desert (Baja 1000 anyone?). The increased rake for greater high speed stability and taller seat are direct results of testing in that environment.

I've always liked the '86 better even before I moved to the desert. I've never owned a bone stock one though. Motor wise there's hardly anything different about them. I think the most noticable difference you feel (power delivery wise) when riding them comes from the different carb.

you are right on the money. The 85 runs out of speed in mid 5th and mid 6th because of the rpm's. It's like it needs a 7th gear, where the 86 really wakes up and grabs your attention in mid 5th and pulls forever, click it into 6th and you better have alot of real estate, hence the desert testing. Gearing is identical with the 85 and 86 stock.
Makes perfect sense, along with the stability , taller seat, lower footpegs, almost unlimited top end. Direct result of long term testing in the desert.
I was into motocross at that time so I did'nt really follow the 3 wheelers too much.

[Orangecnty250r]

Thanks OC. I paid an arm and a leg for the 86 , and $1300 for the 85, so I guess it evens out

I guess my point for this thread was, Alot of people say I want the 86, its newer, its better. Well in my book, I am liking the 85 alot more than the 86. You can find nice 85's on ebay all day long for well under $2k. You are going to spend well above $3k for an 86.

Makes Sense, My problem is that I like the 1986 model looks much better...the decals, motor color, seat. Same problem I have with women sometimes...I choose body style over long term performance, efficiency, and COST

[whyzee]

Makes Sense, My problem is that I like the 1986 model looks much better...the decals, motor color, seat. Same problem I have with women sometimes...I choose body style over long term performance, efficiency, and COST

LMFAO..... I got lucky with my wife, beautiful and low maintaince!
hell,i might as well show you guys a pic since i figured out how easy it is to post. Here is my family before the twin girls 2 years ago, which really put the kabash on my toy budget!!!

[edog]

I mean just look at the 85.It doesn't even have to be ridden to say it's badazz.
Not a big fan of the seat or the motor color on the 86.

[whyzee]

I mean just look at the 85.It doesn't even have to be ridden to say it's badazz.
Not a big fan of the seat or the motor color on the 86.

Edog, I have also grown to like the looks of the 85 better except for the painted black motor and shroud decals. The Black motor looks cool but too many people can find Krylon Black, lol

I love the way it sits lower, but the stock Dunlops do suck compared to the Ohtsu's in the overall handling.
It's funny, I used to love the look of the 86's and wasn't a big fan of the 85's......but then again I see some brunettes that blow me away

[Dammit!]

you are right on the money. The 85 runs out of speed in mid 5th and mid 6th because of the rpm's. It's like it needs a 7th gear, where the 86 really wakes up and grabs your attention in mid 5th and pulls forever, click it into 6th and you better have alot of real estate, hence the desert testing. Gearing is identical with the 85 and 86 stock.
Makes perfect sense, along with the stability , taller seat, lower footpegs, almost unlimited top end. Direct result of long term testing in the desert.
I was into motocross at that time so I did'nt really follow the 3 wheelers too much.

Yeah mine revs forever out in the dunes. It's not stock though. It's got great power for a 250 through the whole powerband actually. The delivery is nice and smooth and not like a light switch either which is nice.

You should swap carbs on them and do another test ride. It would be interesting to see the results since that's the most obvious change between them. Supposedly the squish is a little different with the 85 having a bit more compression than the 86 but I've never seen any numbers to back that up. My 86 has a lot more compression than my 85 did (again though, neither were stock). The only other thing that could explain the difference would have to be something in the ignition. As far as I've ever read there's no difference in stock porting.

As far as newbies choosing one, get whichever one you find the best deal on. We're splitting hairs here. They're both awesome bikes and the differences are pretty subtle in reality. Anything one might do slightly better than the other is easily adapted with mods.

[TrikesRule_FOOL]

Boyz, these are some dam fine pieces of kit, I hope I can get my 85 to look anywhere near as nice when it's done.

I only picked it up yesterday, and as you can see, minus an engine...but I think it's already off to a good start.

Nice project!

[TrikesRule_FOOL]

Well, I have read the entire post here and say it is quite impressive. Some killer R's there guys. I call mine an 85 and a half. A friend had his 86 stole years ago and gave it to me with out an engine, just a roller. I was thinking of doing mine over as it's been quite a few years now and the frame needs new paint cause it's dull now.

Current set up

86 Frame and Forks
85 Motor, carb and electronics
85 Swing arm mod done to use the 86 brakes
85 bearing carrier
86 rear axle and sprockets.
85 Seat love it compared to the 86 I'm 5'10"

I was thinking restore it back to an 85 or 86 by faking the paint on the engine but after this read I think I'm happy calling it an 85 and 1/2