should i go for it? (tecate)

[x200x]

someone offfered to trade a 1985 kawi tecate 3 for my 200x the tecate needs a piston and rings thats all... should i go for it? he just called me a little while ago... havent seen pics, or anything... what should i do? i spent 700 on my X and put about 150 into it in parts

[QCR77]

what kind condition is the tecate in? need more input

[Xpress]

Please avoid posting the same general thing in new threads. It can get on peoples nerves, especially moderators/admins, and if that happens, the result usually isn't good.. ;)

[x200x]

not sure what kind of condish its in, the guy just said "a 85 tecate 3 needs a piston and rings everything else is great"

[hang&rattle]

Seems you're x runs good and is a daily rider (as mine) and (you) are into a good machine for relatively cheap. The Tecate's are fantastic, but cost 3x's more for maintenance, repair, etc, than a 2oox. Yours is runnin'. The Tecate is not. I'm jus' sayin'. (Then again you have another X to ride.)

[NINJA]

And in usual Tecate fashion, after you install the fresh topend you'll discover the stator is bad.....

[fabiodriven]

If the Tecate is in good shape you would be silly not to trade. It's a much better trike and worth a lot more than a 200X. So you'll have to get a stator. Boo f-in hoo. OK, base your decision on a $100 dollar part. :crazy:

[JayBone]

Look it over and make the call when you see it. If you have to put $300 into it to get it running well then get it. Like what was said 200x's are a dime a dozen. You can always get another one 200x.

[TheRealFatShady]

I think that same guy offered it to me, talked, but then stopped answering. Then a month later offered it again. And had it posted in the classifieds here as a part out, but no one had heard from him.

[thestud25]

Pics are always a plus. Is the motor apart? If so, I would mic the cylinder to see if it has been bored. If so, what bore is it on? I would also check the play in the rod to make sure that it is tight and that you do not need to do a complete rebuild. Check the cylinder walls for scoring or damage. I would also check the head for pitting and what not. Be very thourough.

If it is together, make sure that there is fire. I would also check the compressions as well.

The Tecate is a better and more desireable trike in my opinion, and if it is in good shape and a cheap fix it would bring more money come sale time. Your bike plus $300.00 to have a running T3 is a good deal.

[fabiodriven]

If so, I would mic the cylinder to see if it has been bored. If so, what bore is it on? .

Tecate cylinders are Nikasil, unless it's been sleeved.

[thestud25]

Tecate cylinders are Nikasil, unless it's been sleeved.

Good to know. I have never owned a Tecate before. I was assuming(incorrectly) that they were just like other cylinders.

[x200x]

what if the engine is together and i cant see if the rod bearings or crank bearings have play or anything like that... i guess ill call the guy and have him email me pics of the engine and stuff thanks for the input

[tecat-z]

It's all part of the 25 y-o trike experience. Nothing is a guarantee regardless of make or model. My way of thinking is, it's all part of the challenge.....

[x200x]

yeah, i agree, ive bot a lot of 3 wheelers but never 1 that doesnt run... well, i guess ill find out sooner or later

[T3 LOPES]

you can take the stator cover of and see if theres any play in the flywheel. if so it has bad main bearings.

[NINJA]

Here's the way I see it, you have a nice, dependable, good running 200X. They are worth on average about $700. Then you have a first gen 250 Tecate, needs a topend, isn't running, what caused the burn down? How much money do you need to spend before it's running? What else is wrong with it? A running 84-85 Tecate is worth on average about $900 right now, consider that. Consider to, that parts availability is much more scarce. I usually never trade a good running machine for a non-running machine unless it is something very rare.
A non running 84-85 Tecate is not worth much unless the rest of the machine is in great shape or has some rare goodies to go with it. I'm talking around $350 if the machine is complete but is used and abused.

[Yamaha_Rules69]

What kind of riding do you do / plan to do with the tecate? Remember, the tecate is not a trail friendly machine by any means. The motor will scare you at times, even if you have ridden it 100 times before. The Tecate was basically designed for racing only, and was designed to destroy the 250R. They are not pretty, and they are what they are - brutal power machines! One ride on a Tecate, and you will know right away what that one was designed for - FLAT TRACK. It is kinda hard to trail ride them, because they have a light-switch power band, and not much of a low end. One second its all good, then you give it a little more gas, and then WHAM - light comes on, and front end comes flying up. If you really enjoy trail riding, and especially woods riding the 200x would be the best bet. If you have a more open area to ride, the tecate would be okay. The tecate is real easy to work on, and believe it or not, very reliable if you can do some minor maintance. I hope I helped. Good luck, and post some pics if you get it!

[z400guy28]

If it was an 86 or 87 i'd say go for it cause those look sweat. The 85 and older just look weird to me. My buddies 85 is fast but he's starting to have a hard time trying to find new parts and not ebay parts for it and his 200x no problem finding new and used parts. Sorry if you have an 85 or older Tecate just my opinion.

[tecat-z]

86-87's look cool.......... But, are otherwise completely overrated. Dollar for dollar, no other 3wheeler will come close to the early Tecate from a performance standpoint. It boils down to.... "A" enjoy what you currently have. Or...."B" if you are mechanically competent, and have some time to invest. Get the Tecate and have fun.

[hang&rattle]

Ninja and Yamaha_Rules69- That's what I was trying to say, but didn't explain very well, sorry everyone. Now a Tecate would be perfect to round out you're stable, you're 200x is a better ride (comapared to a 'needs work' Tecate). Most Tecates bought not runnin' or torn apart are like that for a reason. Seem's the violent power of the Tecate is accompanied by a violent life, and most are rode hard and put up wet. And listen to what Yamaha_Rules69 is sayin'. Tecates aren't for b-bopping around. Wide open spaces, violent throttle power, even more squirrelly than a dirtbike. Get a Tecate (you'll love it), but not for this trade.

[fabiodriven]

86-87's look cool.......... But, are otherwise completely overrated. Dollar for dollar, no other 3wheeler will come close to the early Tecate from a performance standpoint.

I couldn't agree with that statement more. Well put.

[fabiodriven]

A non running 84-85 Tecate is not worth much unless the rest of the machine is in great shape or has some rare goodies to go with it.

Wrong. Tecates of any generation bring in top dollar. I should know, I buy them a lot.

[fabiodriven]

What kind of riding do you do / plan to do with the tecate? Remember, the tecate is not a trail friendly machine by any means. The motor will scare you at times, even if you have ridden it 100 times before. The Tecate was basically designed for racing only, and was designed to destroy the 250R. They are not pretty, and they are what they are - brutal power machines! One ride on a Tecate, and you will know right away what that one was designed for - FLAT TRACK. It is kinda hard to trail ride them, because they have a light-switch power band, and not much of a low end. One second its all good, then you give it a little more gas, and then WHAM - light comes on, and front end comes flying up. If you really enjoy trail riding, and especially woods riding the 200x would be the best bet. If you have a more open area to ride, the tecate would be okay. The tecate is real easy to work on, and believe it or not, very reliable if you can do some minor maintance. I hope I helped. Good luck, and post some pics if you get it!

My 85 Tecate is my favorite trail machine. It does just fine in the woods and it has more than enough low-end grunt. I have never ridden a first gen other than mine, so mine may be better due to the porting and the particular pipe I have. The power is like a light switch but that's OK for me so I'm sure it would be OK for other people as well.

Bottom line is this X200X- If you get the Tecate I can promise you will not be disappointed, unless you don't like being out front. If that's the case, stay with the X. If you keep the X you are going to feel slow when we get together for a ride. :D

[dcreel]

I've ridden my Tecate on all types of terrain, wooded trails as well with no troubles. What it all comes down to is do you want power windows and cupholders, or do you want to go fast? Wherever you ride?

[Tecate 50]

I've ridden my Tecate on all types of terrain, wooded trails as well with no troubles. What it all comes down to is do you want power windows and cupholders, or do you want to go fast? Wherever you ride?

I agree....I ride mine everywhere unless its a complete mudbogg or areas where I may tear up my pipe n huge rocks! I think the Tecate is the best handling 3 wheeler out there for trails, hills, ice racing, drag racing, and running in the sand! I say roll the dice for a change. You cant go wrong with the Tecate experience.....if you dont like the machine, get another 200x if need be, but dont get rid of the Tecate....

[NINJA]

Wrong. Tecates of any generation bring in top dollar. I should know, I buy them a lot.

You're wrong. Yes 2nd generation Tecates bring in top dollar, 1st generation does not. Show me 84-85 T3s selling for what 85-86 250Rs go for. I can comb CL or the local classifieds any day of the week and find an 84-85 T3 for less than $1000. Maybe over in the east it's different, but even $1500, which I've yet to see one sell for here, isn't "top dollar" in my book.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm not trying to be biased, I own an 85 T3. They are cool machines when they're running and they also have a great ride compared to most trikes. I'm also going to disagree with you guys saying that they are "violent" and suck for trail riding. One of my riding buddies has a bone stock low hour 84 T3 that he rides occasionally in the mountains. I've ridden this one plenty too and consider it to be pretty controllable. He sold his 85R because he didn't like it near as much for the trails. He swears the T3 rides better.

[fabiodriven]

Some people like violence.:D

[3wheelmecca]

Nik? I always thought they were Pro-Lite or Chrome, thanks for clearing that up.

Tecate cylinders are Nikasil, unless it's been sleeved.
As for the T-3, I would get it, due to rarity and FUN factor.
The Uni-Trak on the T-3 is smoother and more adjustable. I lowered mine way down and it handles well for jumping and cruising around. After riding that, the R seems like a monster truck, so tall. Even Newrider can out perform on the T-3 instead of the R.

[x200x]

i called the guy yesterday... i thought all rong... it is all together, and all origional. it needs a carb rebuild ( it leaks but still works) that is why the guy stopped ridin it he was gonna get a rebuild kit. well it sat for 2 years, and a few weeks ago he turned it over and the cyllender scraatched a little (been dry for 2 years) any way he had put a new sator and flyheel in it 2 weeks before parkin it. so it has insane spark... he said it will run as is (WD40 down the jug) but HE would put a top end in it... so it doesnt really need it now, it will soon, but it runs! and it has a brand new stator and topend (ricky or rickety) or whatever and it has new boyenson reeds everythgin else is stock and origional what do you think now?

[x200x]

o and i am moving to a place with 5 acres of field and 5 of woods (i have 2 bulldozers and plenty of chainsaws too) lol

[hang&rattle]

Some people like violence.:D That's what I was talkin' about, hear!, hear!, well said. I'm not very good at helping decisions (expaining what I mean), don't trade the x, but buy the Tecate outright?. I wouldn't use my Tecate in some situations, too rare, that's what an X is for.

[fabiodriven]

i called the guy yesterday... i thought all rong... it is all together, and all origional. it needs a carb rebuild ( it leaks but still works) that is why the guy stopped ridin it he was gonna get a rebuild kit. well it sat for 2 years, and a few weeks ago he turned it over and the cyllender scraatched a little (been dry for 2 years) any way he had put a new sator and flyheel in it 2 weeks before parkin it. so it has insane spark... he said it will run as is (WD40 down the jug) but HE would put a top end in it... so it doesnt really need it now, it will soon, but it runs! and it has a brand new stator and topend (ricky or rickety) or whatever and it has new boyenson reeds everythgin else is stock and origional what do you think now?

I think if you don't do it you are seriously learning-disabled.

[T3 LOPES]

i would say go for it. you might need a few things for it like a rear shock carb chain and sprockets mabe a plus 2 swinger and a few other things to make it safe and reliable for your riding conditions. there are a few rare parts for them but before you know it you will b buing extras just in case needed. when i first bought mine there wherent to many guys out there with them and everyone thought they were junk. i wish it would go back to the way it was so there were more part to b had. id say buy a r. haha!

[NINJA]

It sounds like a better deal now. See if he'll pull the head for you to see what shape that cylinder is in. I mean hey, what's he got to lose if it needs a topend anyway?

[thestud25]

If the Top-end will need rebuilt soon, it is better to do it. I can't tell you how many times over the years when I worked in bike shops that someone knew they needed the topend done and waited. The problem being that sometimes when the topend goes it trashes the lower end as well. Broken rings, piston, etc go down into the case. Just my opinion though.

[dcreel]

I think you need some inspiration...

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w182/dcreel/Riding%20pics/trackpics049.jpg

[fabiodriven]

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r275/fabiodriven/Tecate%20250/fabio3.jpg

[hang&rattle]

http://027.jpg(253.kb)

[200XMichigan]

You should go for it. I wish I had gotten a Tecate this spring when I had the chance. Still regretting it.

[x200x]

the guy still needs to send me pics, he said hed send them last night, but i think he got my email rong and for all the "dont get it, its to powerful" people, i know how to handle power, and i have ridden a tecate, yes it is like a "light switch" and a "punch in the face" but i am smart enough not to pin it every time (until i get used to it at least haha) i just hope he sends me the pics and doesnt sell it on me i am gonna call him again tonight

[x200x]

well, i just called the guy and aparently he sold it on me..... it sucks

[NINJA]

Tough break man.

[Jeepermc]

If there is any advice I can give on sweet deals it would be.....Jump on it ASAP...Deals get sold out from under those who wait or can't make the decision. It happens all the time...Too bad that it happened to you...

When I bought my Tecate I told the guy I would take it, offered to send him the money and when I would be there to pick it up..It was a 7 hour + drive and I had to wait a few weeks. He told me no need to send money, it would be there when I got there...... He called me a day before I left saying he had another guy chompin at the bit and wanted to make sure I was still coming to get it....I lucked out because he was old school and a friend of a friend...It hardly ever works out like that though.