What do you guys think of the 81 250R

[acellr8]

Just trying to see what you guys think of the early 250Rs. I always wanted a later one for the trails and to ride the mountain behind my house, but don't feel like spending a fortune on one. There is a clean 81 for sale locally and at a good price. Just don't know much about them.
I have been riding a 250ES big red and ATC 200 for a while and am looking for something with a little more performance.

Thanks
Ed

[fabiodriven]

Great machine if you ask me. The suspension is ancient technology, but if you're not racing it will do just fine. If it's stock there is a ton of potential for power improvements.

[acellr8]

Thanks for the info!

Well it sounds like it has been freshened up and he wants $700 for it. It is only 4 miles from my office, so I may go check it out.


You are looking at a 1981 atc250r atc 250r. You don't find these often. This is the first year Honda produced the 250r. I purchased this atv about a year ago with hopes of going out and exploring some trails and just having some fun. There is no where to ride where I live anymore so it is time to sell. I have replace every bearing on this atv with the exception of the steering neck which was disassembled repacked with grease and reassembled. This atv was COMPLETELY disassembled gone over and reassembled including the forks which have new oil and good seals. New rear tires. All new bearings in the swingarm and wheels. Carb was disassembled cleaned and reassemled. New O-ring chain. New seat cover. ATV runs good, pulls hard and Idles great. You can do wheelies in every gear!! New brake pads. New top end done professionally at a race shop in NJ. I am not sure if it was the original bore but all new piston, rings, gaskets and machining was done. New top end has less than 2 hours run time up and down my block mostly after I finished reassembly. The gas tank is coated internally and has no rust at all. Plastics have been zip-tie stitched but are very strong see photos. One of the rear fender supports is missing and the park brake is missing. Other than that it is in great condition considering the year. I have the headlight guard and it will go with the atv including some miscellaneous parts such as engine mounts and bolts. The decal kit is not correct for the year but it was only 14 bucks on ebay and I thought it looked good.

[k00leo]

lets see some pictures of it

[acellr8]

Here is the Ebay Link. Lots of pics.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1981-Honda-atc250r-atc-250r_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZalgoQ3dLVIQ26ituQ 3dUCIQ26otnQ3d3Q26poQ3dLVIQ26psQ3d63Q26clkidQ3d782 6221646315631190QQ_trksidZp5197Q2em7QQcategoryZ439 81QQitemZ160559113442

[acellr8]

Defintely not as cool looking as the later years, but still cool in its own way.

[matt86200x]

nice looking bike as long as the price is right, go for it

[fabiodriven]

That's a really good deal IMO. You may want to take that link down before somebody grabs it from you.

[sx250heath]

Just trying to see what you guys think of the early 250Rs. I always wanted a later one for the trails and to ride the mountain behind my house, but don't feel like spending a fortune on one. There is a clean 81 for sale locally and at a good price. Just don't know much about them.
I have been riding a 250ES big red and ATC 200 for a while and am looking for something with a little more performance.

Thanks
Ed

I was in the same boat when i got my 1981 250R. I love my bike and do not regret it at all.

[acellr8]

I just went and rode it and checked it out. Pretty cool machine and runs very good. Not sure if it would do well on the trails I normally ride on behind my house.

[bcredneck]

Defintely not as cool looking as the later years, but still cool in its own way.

what i think 81s are the coolest looking 250Rs cause the big front wheel

[fabiodriven]

what i think 81s are the coolest looking 250Rs cause the big front wheel

I'm not sure if I want to admit this, but I am going to have to agree with redneck to a certain degree. I like the way my personal R looks compared to the second and third gens, but mine is far from factory.

[TtownJoeShow]

it'lll definetly be more fun then your 4 stroker trike, i went through the same transition but was a YZ addict for 10 years then bought a 185m for pocket change, now i''ll never own a bike and not a trike!!!!!! trike comes first!

[bcredneck]

i didnt know they made a 185m you shure it wasent a 185s

[TtownJoeShow]

pretty sure it was a m..... it had no suspension front or rear.... i could be wrong but am pretty sure lol