Honda 250sx info?

[Name Brand]

I'm trying to gain some knowledge, I have a lead on a 1985 Honda ATC 250SX
I know they were made from 85-87 and share the same engine and driveline as the Big Red did. (except for the gears between the driveshaft and rear axle, and the tire height) I understand the 250sx has more suspension travel than the Big Red. The 85 has four forward speeds, were more avialable in later years?

What do you guys know about these, problems, plusses?
Most importantly, how much shold I pay for a stock 85 in good/great shape? (It still has all the original tires on it, not too worn down.)

3 wheelers in this shape are hard to find where I live, most are ridden to death or rusted through.

[ATC crazy]

PROBLEMS???? There are no problems with the SX. I got my brothers '87 after his friend bought it new in 1987. My 2 brothers and their friends rode it everywhere in the Stateland of Upstate NY. I would bet anything that it has well over 100,000 miles on it now. I owned it for 4 years and rode it EVERY DAY for at least a half hour after school....and thats not countin the weekends. I recently sold it to a friend last March, and he told me last weekend when we were riding that the stock clutch is finally starting to slip. As for suspension...I think the front is a little spongy and the rear is a little stiff...but thats my 265lb arse talking. You can't go wrong with the SX....Its hands-down the best ATC ever made

[chewzu]

You won't go wrong with a 250SX. I bought new one back in 86 and loved it. I got stupid and sold it two years later. After being married, 3 boys and coming back from over seas I decided to find one again. I got lucky and found a 250SX and 200X and bought them both. The SX if it has orginal body parts and is in good shape may not be cheap but will be worth. One thing to check is to see if the rubber boot around the drive shaft intact. If is not and you purchase it get it replaced ASAP. Drive line parts are to find and it would prudent to protect it. One thing I did when I got mine was to change all the fluids so you know they current. Other than that enjoy riding it.

[jeswinehart]

if i am not mistaken both sx + es 85 and up are 5 speed tranny's forward w/ a reverse gear.
both have cold weather starting troubles in 85 and took a factory update kit. 1986 modles (bot sx + es ) early modles shared the same problem but was corrected during production about mid-year.
es has a little wider stance then the sx but sx will out do es in top end by at least sevral mph. in tight woods it's up to rider abilty.

sx is a very nice trike to have for sure,,,,

john

[TimSr]

I should start a thread, about the most dependable or reliable trike ever made, but in my own opinion the 250sx/es would be first on the list.

[bentwrench]

two great bikes but the gear ratio's are diff.. each has its own place.

[Dirtcrasher]

two great bikes but the gear ratio's are diff.. each has its own place.

Thats very interesting. Where did that come from. Is just the final drive responsible for these differences or the tranny also??


I've been trying to get the real scoop for sometime now on the ES SX gear changes as I have a good lower end ES and a good top end SX. But I want thew SX gear ratios so I won't use that tranny if it's geared lower.

Thanks!

[Russell 350X]

i dont own a sx, or drove one, but from the stories ive heard and the reliablity and fun that come out of em, that would be my choice.

[bentwrench]

These gear specs came out of my owner manuals I was comparing them to the specs in the 300TRX manual. The trans. ratio's also make a diff. The ES is lower geared has more luging power and less top end.

[Dirtcrasher]

I've had numerous people say that just the final drive ratios are different and others say the tranny is different.


I'd like to see some actual printed material.


In the CLYMER manual they show only 1 - 5 speed gear box for 250cc engines. It would certainly make more sense for HONDA to change just a final drive rather than the tranny.

Anbody got the SHOP MANUAL from Honda??

[Name Brand]

I just bought it last Friday :-D

It runs and shifts great! It does have 5 forward speeds and one reverse. everything was in great working order, original plastic had no cracks or breaks, all electrical works perfectly, electric start starts the machine with just a touch. The only adjustments I have made was to the idle speed and also tightening the front brake cable! It came with a brand new battery, Clymer repair manuel and a rear rack. I also got the original certificate of origin with matching frame and engine numbers. I've driven it constantly since friday and have had no problems from rockcrawling on the beach to hitting jumps in the sandpit.

The original tires are on it but really worn down, I'll be getting new ones soon. Also a nice loading ramp for my truck, it's a little more than I like to lift. :shock:

I paid $600. :-D

[ATC crazy]

Congrats and welcome :-P You will be very pleased with the SX and so will your great grandkids if ya know what I mean (reliability)

[N8s250r]

Another difference between the sx and the big red (so ive heard) that the sx has a hotter cam which is what makes it more "sporty" compared to the big red. idk maybe im just making stuff up.

my sx is too reliable for how i treat it... they just will never die (knock on wood...haha) Have fun name brand :-D

[XDAD2]

I paid 1,000 for my 250sx but it was well worth the money. It came with a small trailer and this makes the bike fun for both work and play. I take my 350X to the dunes but the 250sx is for around the house. The most reliable bike I have had but I have to tell you if it's a Honda you can't go wrong. I have owned almost every ATC made and there wasn't one that I didn't like...... some I just liked better than others.

[Ivan T]

It seems you have owned more than all of them, did they make a 200es in 1982??

Anyone have the dates for
200s
200m
200e
200es
200x

I have seen all of these refered to.