Everybody thinks since its a newer model the 86 is better than the 85. Well I have 2 nearly new 250R's and I rode them for a few hours this week side by side, here are my findings. These machines are bone stock.
The 85 motor completely blows away the 86 until mid 5th gear and 6th gear. It pulls way harder from bottom , mid and has alot more over rev than the 86, so much so, that the 86 will begin to wake up in mid 5th and 6th and pulls forever, where the 85 seems to be topped out, and actually starts to fall off.
The 85 will out turn the 86 all day long . The only time the 86 is better is when you start to get into the straight aways in 5th. It is slightly more stable. The 85 will begin to get al little "twitchy".
The lower seat height on the 85 makes for a lower center of gravity, hence one of the reasons it turns better, and a steeper fork rake, but it is tough on the knees if you are tall and hard on your spine.
All in all 2 really different bikes. I liked the 85 suspension better, the motor is a totally different animal from the 86, almost night and day different. Jetting was spot on in both bikes, started at stock and adjusted accordingly. Both needed the needle raised 2 clips, and minor air screw adjustment. I went both ways with the main jet on each bike and the stock main was dead on in each bike. The 85 having a 142 main, while the 86 having a 145 main.
Conclusion, in every department the 85 is set up stock as a race animal. The 86 is still an animal, more comfortable to ride for longer periods of time, but much more calm than the 85.
Think of the 85 as a race bike out of the box and an 86 as an ultra high performance, all day adrenaline producer. The 85 will tire you out much quicker, but out race the 86, hands down.
Both Bikes have similar hours on them. The 85 compression tested at 177psi while the 86 blew a 181psi. Both were with a cold motor and well within the original specs of 170-199 psi.
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. I can't stand 2-strokes either way, great speed, but god I hate the noise lol 
for that statement 
Originally Posted by edog
