Found an 85 TRI-Z & 85 Tecate

[Blown 331]

Well the guy I sold my first 250R to just called me. He has an 1985 Kawasaki Tecate super nice, original tires, piston and all stickers, has the owners manual and the title. Plus a parts bike that is just missing the engine, everything else is there. He wants $1200 for all that

He also has a super nice TRI-Z, also has original tires and stickers. He wants $1000 for that one
He said the Tecate totally rips and thinks it's faster than a 250R. He said he will hold one for me until I have the money. I should have the money in a month. I told him I wanted the Tecate, what do you guys think?

[Dammit!]

I'd rather have a Tri-Z personally. They're sexy. :naughty:

Not sure what year 250R he was reffering to either but I don't think a 1985 Tecate is gonna take a 1985 or 1986 R (assuming stock for stock). A 1986 or 1987 on the other hand... :Bounce

[OldSchoolin86]

I say you can't go wrong with either one! Personaly, if I were to get another Tri-Z it would have to be an 86 again so I'd probably get the T-3 too.

[NICKG]

Not sure what year 250R he was reffering to either but I don't think a 1985 Tecate is gonna take a 1985 or 1986 R (assuming stock for stock). A 1986 or 1987 on the other hand... :Bounce
wrong, they are faster stock than a 250r stock. get it straight, i would suppose you have never ridden a tecate. 250r's are cool(and fast) but the tecate was faster stock, the 250r was a more versitile machine stock and had a smoother power delivery, but as i said it was not as fast

[Blown 331]

We are comparing all 1985 Machines. I've never ridden a Tecate so I wouldn't know but the guy who owns it says it's faster than a 250R and way faster than the TRI-Z. He didn't make the TRI-Z sound too impressive but I've never ridden one of those either.

[Blown 331]

I know a 250R is easily worth $1200 but is that too much for an 85 Tecate?

EDIT. I don't know if I really like the way that thing looks. Now if looked like an 86 that would be a different story. This one didn't bring much either.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4502515930&category=42590

[twgranger]

wrong, they are faster stock than a 250r stock. get it straight, i would suppose you have never ridden a tecate. 250r's are cool(and fast) but the tecate was faster stock, the 250r was a more versitile machine stock and had a smoother power delivery, but as i said it was not as fast
So you are saying that a 85 tecate can beat a 85 250R both in stock form? I don't think so. :wondering

[3leggeddog]

i dont think a air cooled t-3 is gonna touch that z,icould b wrong but our z hands down smokes ais cooled tecate,stock to stock

[3leggeddog]

anybody got a 85 t-3? i got a 85r we could just meet up sometime and resolve the issue

[Blown 331]

Wait a minute here. So out of a Tecate, TRI-Z and a 250R (all 85's) the Tecate is air cooled and the others are liquid? I have a 85 250R and my buddy has both a 85 Z and 85 Tecate so I'll be able to tell ya on Sunday which is faster. They are all stock but the R has a pipe. I think I'll go for the Z if the Tecate is air cooled. As you can tell I don't know much about them.

[VABCH350X]

To the best of my knowledge, Kawasaki never produced an air cooled Tecate.
-Paul

[twgranger]

To the best of my knowledge, Kawasaki never produced an air cooled Tecate.
-PaulYour right i was thinking of the older r's for some reason.

[Blown 331]

So they are all 3 liquid in 85.

Where are the radiators on this thing?

http://i7.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/ca/8f/07_1_b.JPG

[3leggeddog]

that was my mistake as well,i was skipping back and forth and got a little mixed,i'll be real interrested in the results so keep us posted.remember rider has alot to do with it aswell,so you shuold all swap bikes and take a average of your results

[3leggeddog]

i could of swore that it was one radiator mounted by the triple trees,maybe that was 84,not to bad lookin for a grand

[Jeb]

Man, these last few posts have been comical! :beer

The Tecates have never been air cooled. 84 & 85 KXTs have the radiator located on the front forks above the front fender.

The 84/85 KXT-250 motor made phenomenal top end power and would rev for ever. The 85 250R might have a higher top speed. but stock for stock the 85 KXT is going to get there first. If the rider can use the engine to it's potential, its a killer. NickG was right the 85 250R is easier to ride and looks cooler.

Dont rule out the 85 KXT just because it's ugly and not an 86. :D

[Curtis-Tecate3]

The Tecate's were all water cooled. The A1 models (84-85) had the radiator mounted in front of the forks where a headlight would normally go.

I would think the Tri-Z may be a beter deal unless it isn't in good shape.

Curtis

[Trike Dude]

If you do rule it out let me know where it is. I am not sure about the price but maybe I could get the roller from him. I just stumbled onto a bunch or 84/85 tecate parts.

As for speed I would say the Tecate is the fastest of the three trikes stock. I own an 85 and 86 r and an 85 Tecate and so far the Tecate has smoked everything it has come up against. I have not owned or had the pleasure of riding a tri-z yet but it is hard for me to beleive it could out run the T-3. If I remember right the R beats the Z. This is all of course assume the riders are equal.

[Derrick Adams]

I doubt I would ever pay $1200 for an 85 T-3. I would rather have the Z anyday. I think you would be good at $800 for a nice T-3 and around $1000 for the Z. That seems to be the average.

[Blown 331]

If you do rule it out let me know where it is. I am not sure about the price but maybe I could get the roller from him. I just stumbled onto a bunch or 84/85 tecate parts.

As for speed I would say the Tecate is the fastest of the three trikes stock. I own an 85 and 86 r and an 85 Tecate and so far the Tecate has smoked everything it has come up against. I have not owned or had the pleasure of riding a tri-z yet but it is hard for me to beleive it could out run the T-3. If I remember right the R beats the Z. This is all of course assume the riders are equal.


They aren't far from St. Loius and I think I'm gonna go with the TRI-Z so I'll let you know. I want to ride them both first.

[BigGreenMachine]

Man, you people and your Tecate bashing. lol The 85 Tecates are awsome bikes, only place you wouldn't want to ride one is real technical trails that you would have to climb over rocks and logs all covered in mud...but when would any twostroke trike be your best choice here. The 85's were the best flattrack bikes because the fat front tire makes them better sliders than skinny tired bikes, great in the dunes because of the high rpm power the bike makes, would be a great drag bike...I would pick the 85 over the Tri-z any day. And as for looks, they can be made to look awsome, take a look at ange's 84, that thing is beautiful.

The tri-z is still a great bike but not as fast as the Tecate or R but I'm sure its not far off. Anyway to each their own...

[markdb420]

The 86-87 Tecates do outrun the 250r's stock. The 85 and 84 tecates are not as fast and seem very unstable at high speeds as compared to the 86-87 Tecates. I have dragged a stock 85 R versus a 85 Tecate and top speed was all R and 85 Tecate was a little quicker due to the very narrow power band, but at 300' the R was out front easily. I hate the twist throttle on a tecate and would remove that for a thumb throttle, but the 86-87 Tecates were the hottest Kawi 3 wheeler! I think the Tri-z would handle nicely with the tank relocated from under the seat. My buddy is finishing that very conversion so we'll se if it helps the front to rear balance and handling.

Me personally, I prefer the 85-86 R and the 86-87 Tecates as well as the 86 Tri-z.

[BigGreenMachine]

The 25 inch front tire and 22 rears on the Tri-Z make it a poor handler compared to the great sliding Tecate. The Tri-Z has less power and often has trouble with the fuel pump which the Tecate doesn't have a fuel pump because it doesnt need one. After you relocate the gas tank to the common location you have very little fuel capacity. I think the only advantage you would have in buying the Tri-z would be the cool looks of it.

Don't get me wrong here, (TimSr please take it easy on me) I love the Tri-Z and will have one some day but it'll be modded alot to keep up with my Tecate both in handling and power, its just not the machine for me in stock form.

[Dammit!]

wrong, they are faster stock than a 250r stock. get it straight, i would suppose you have never ridden a tecate. 250r's are cool(and fast) but the tecate was faster stock, the 250r was a more versitile machine stock and had a smoother power delivery, but as i said it was not as fast

I've ridden two as a matter of fact (both 85's). The 85's were not faster than my '86 R but my R isn't stock so it's not really a fair comparison. It just wasn't close enough to make me believe even stock versus stock it would have been faster but I suppose it's possible. I'd just have to see it to believe it.

My preference in this case is simply for looks though. The Tri-Z is just a damn sexy trike (as are the 86-87 tecates and liquid R's).

[TTribaLL]

Tecate...or the Tri-Z... :D

If you get the T3, make it look as pretty as the one in my sig :naughty:

[p_hefe]

Buy the t3, sell the parts on the 2nd bike to make up the price difference. The t3 will spank the stock 250r. But not as nice a ride. My t3 is pretty rough compared to my zinger. And a lot faster. Both 85's. Let me know what parts you're selling.

[twgranger]

Buy the t3, sell the parts on the 2nd bike to make up the price difference. The t3 will spank the stock 250r. But not as nice a ride. My t3 is pretty rough compared to my zinger. And a lot faster. Both 85's. Let me know what parts you're selling.
You notice that this thread is almost a year old?

[BigAir660R]

84 and 85 tecs radiator is on the top of the forks below the handle bars, 86-87 was on the frame in front of the motor. just wandering but for you to be wanting to sell bike to get a new 450R you shure are always looking to pick something else up. guess you got the money to do it more than me anyways so i say go for it. id get the tecate also but i would like to have a Z too.

[thefox]

84 and 85 tecs radiator is on the top of the forks below the handle bars, 86-87 was on the frame in front of the motor. just wandering but for you to be wanting to sell bike to get a new 450R you shure are always looking to pick something else up. guess you got the money to do it more than me anyways so i say go for it. id get the tecate also but i would like to have a Z too.

BigAir, did you read TW's post or the date? The thread is 11 months old. I'm guessing he's not looking at picking them up anymore.

[BigAir660R]

guess not just saw that someone posted didnt look at the date my bad:wondering

[Blown 331]

My brother bought them all. Super nice TRI-Z, and 2 85 Tecate's. One doesn't have a motor. He got them all for $1200 then sold the TRI-Z for either $1600 or $1700 on ebay.