Pros and cons of a 250sx

[fixeruper]

I'm getting a 1986 250sx this weekend, and was wanting to know the good and bad things about them. From what I've heard, there a pretty good bike. Not only do I need the good and bad, but I need to know what and where to get a good exhaust system for it. I want to know anything and everything there is to know about a 250sx.

[Honda Junkie]

Friend of mine has one ,nice bike basicly a sporty big red
pros- faster than a big red ,very good power, good in the mud, back up kickstart
cons- I find the swingarm bearings go out often, rear seals suck ,
overall its a awsome trike!!!!!!!!!!!

[danteross77]

All pro's no con's I have had mine since 1986 and it has been one hell of a bike. I have never had any problems with it. Pretty fast, great handling, really fun in the mud!! Reverse!! I have never been inside the motor in 21 years, I have never had a problem with the swing arm or rear seals, The only problem with mine is I let it sit oo long and developed rust in the gas tank. I have a bunch of pin holes and need a new tank, but other than that it runs like a champ. I am sure you will enjoy. I mean if you want to race get a 250r, but if your looking for a versitle bike, dependable. fun on the trail the 250 sx is for you.

[fixeruper]

anyone else? Any information at all?

[ATC-Eric]

I agree with Dateross77.

Make sure you go through the bike, and completely oil and lube up the bike. Take good care of that differential! Empty the old oil, and refill right when you get it.

My brothers was one helluva bike! They will take whatever you throw at them. Some day we will own another.

[Huffa]

I have a complaint. I'm not sure if all do this but my brakes are not water tight and once they get wet, forget it, they are terrible.

Rear need frequent cleaning and possibly the front does too again.

Is this a common problem or does something need replacing on mine?

I'm positive the rear should be water tight but the front can't be because of the design, is that correct?

This is a pic of my 125M's rear brake, it had NO dirt in it what so ever and when I bought this thing it was not taken care of.

Is this how the SX's should always look?

[Tri-ZNate]

The '85 SXs do indeed have a crappy design where the seals only purpose is to keep out dust. That is the only con i have about my '85 SXs

[Huffa]

The '85 SXs do indeed have a crappy design where the seals only purpose is to keep out dust. That is the only con i have about my '85 SXs

Thankfully, we really don't need the brakes all that much but still, it sucks when you do depend on it and it's gone. :(

86 and 7's too, have this nice feature? :lol:

[Tri-ZNate]

nope '86 and '87 have an upgraded rear.

[mad_max]

Pros and Cons?

Pro is that IMO they are a great, if not the best all-around trike, good power, electric start, reverse, shaft drive, full suspension.

Con... all that stuff makes them heavy. They can get pricey to fix if things havent been maintained. Check for water/mud intrusion in the rear end, especially if the u-joint boot is damaged or loose.

Find a way to put a SX on a diet, loose 50 lbs and it'd feel alot more nimble.

[badasskfx]

poor starting in cold climate. swing arm bearing evrey three years. reliable as hell. great work/play rig

[chris200x]

poor starting in cold climate. swing arm bearing evrey three years. reliable as hell. great work/play rig

Hmm... I just dug mine out from under a snow drift (a few minutes ago) and it started right up. :Bounce I have heard of them being hard to start at times though. (try using the kicker instead) Maybe because mine is jetted up it starts better. idk..

other than that the brakes getting dirty is the only other compliant i have. but their geared in a way I hardly ever use mine. :naughty:

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e137/chrisr200x/boggers024.jpg

[Huffa]

Pros and Cons?

Pro is that IMO they are a great, if not the best all-around trike, good power, electric start, reverse, shaft drive, full suspension.

Con... all that stuff makes them heavy. They can get pricey to fix if things havent been maintained. Check for water/mud intrusion in the rear end, especially if the u-joint boot is damaged or loose.

Find a way to put a SX on a diet, loose 50 lbs and it'd feel alot more nimble.

Honda did that for us already, by making the 200X :beer

The weight doesn't bother me at all on the SX. Sometimes I think that is what helps give it that Cadillac/Contenential feel which I like. A great slow poke trike and not bad when you feel like cranking it on a bit also.

It's right smack in the middle of a Big Red and X I'd say. If you can only afford one trike, and need it to serve all avenues of riding, this is the one baby! :beer

[Huffa]

Hmm... I just dug mine out from under a snow drift (a few minutes ago) and it started right up. :Bounce I have heard of them being hard to start at times though. (try using the kicker instead) Maybe because mine is jetted up it starts better. idk..

other than that the brakes getting dirty is the only other compliant i have. but their geared in a way I hardly ever use mine. :naughty:

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e137/chrisr200x/boggers024.jpg

Mine can be finicky at times but it always DOES start, just takes some dicking around. The compression is a bit low on it but it runs great.

Chris's has better compression, what book says, but his is a ticker, mines not. I guess these SX's can tick/tock for years though without a problem and YES, we did ajust the vavles on his, it still is tic/tocker though.

.........and your verdict on the Mud lights towards the other ones you had on and used in the snow, Chris?

[chris200x]

Huffa, My SX I had a few years back (an 85) was the same way. no matter how many times you adjusted the valves it would tick. Never had a problem with that one either.

I left the trike outside last night during that snow storm. (that and the triz is all over the garage) :lol: but I went out this morning turned the key and it fired right up. I've never had a cold starting problem with any of my SX's as far as i can remember. :wondering

Hahaa.. the snow is a bit to deep for the mudlites or the boogers. :lol:

[Dirtcrasher]

My 87 motor is completely silent. If you can't get rid of a tick, something is worn. Most likely the cam chain,gears and tensioner.

The 85 starts fine in the cold as long as it has the updated starter jet installed. Some of them were done at the factory and some were brought back to the dealer to be fixed.

The 86/87 start perfect in any weather and have the best rear swingarm and brake setup.

But yes, they are just too heavy. I love mine to death but the 86 200X is just so much more jumpable. I have spent years gathering the best SX parts out there and now I'm only keeping my 85SX with the built motor. I have 4 of the 87 style rearends complete with diffs and I'll probably just store them for a few years as I'm selling my 87 SX.The 85 rear brake seal is useless. You have to find a real mint drum, replace the seals and always drain the drum backing plate after a wet ride. Once you let it sit with water in it, it's corroded and you'll have a water problem forever. I have one mint 85 drum if anyone is interested.

[viper]

i had a 85 a few years ago and i just loved that bike .. was probally the atc that has been my favorite over the years ..the damn thing would just take every bit of abuse that i would give it and keep going ..was awesome in mud and snow ..it had a cobra pipe and i thought it ran pretty decent for what it was .. but it just loved the mud and creeks ..i think anyone who trail rides would like a 250sx ..................just my .02

[bhartley]

My 87 motor is completely silent. If you can't get rid of a tick, something is worn. Most likely the cam chain,gears and tensioner.

The 85 starts fine in the cold as long as it has the updated starter jet installed. Some of them were done at the factory and some were brought back to the dealer to be fixed.

The 86/87 start perfect in any weather and have the best rear swingarm and brake setup.

But yes, they are just too heavy. I love mine to death but the 86 200X is just so much more jumpable. I have spent years gathering the best SX parts out there and now I'm only keeping my 85SX with the built motor. I have 4 of the 87 style rearends complete with diffs and I'll probably just store them for a few years as I'm selling my 87 SX.The 85 rear brake seal is useless. You have to find a real mint drum, replace the seals and always drain the drum backing plate after a wet ride. Once you let it sit with water in it, it's corroded and you'll have a water problem forever. I have one mint 85 drum if anyone is interested.



How much are you asking for your 250sx?
I just bought a 350x a couple months ago and I would love to add a 250sx to the garage.

Thank's

Bill