is 85 250sx as good as 86 and 87??

[bigred1]

possibly getting me an 85 250sx and wondering from you sx owners what you think from a stock stand point are they pretty same/interchangeable or big difference between the 3 years? and also do you think i will see a big difference between my 82 and 85 200 hard tails vs the 85 250sx?

[Name Brand]

Besides the colors, the only big differnece in the years that I know of is the rear swingarm is a much easier design to work on on the '86-'87 models. I wouldn't worry about it too much; you just have to dissasemble alot more stuff to take the '85's swinarm and driveline apart. This isn't a reason not to get an '85. The SX, any year, is a good machine.

The SX will be a vastly different ride over a hardtail. I went from the 125M to my first SX; it was really amazing.

[tecat-z]

I love my 85sx. Super comfortable and has proven very reliable in the 4 years i've owned it. It goes with me to every TF and is perfect for the technical backcountry riding, and quiet for the occasional casual night ride.

[Tri-ZNate]

they all interchange and there are no real differences like stated

Each year had a different carb (Part numbers from Honda)
'86-'87 had a more water tight swingarm
Different colors

You cant go wrong with an SX

[keister]

Get the '85SX!
You can't go wrong with it. I would trade my 250esBig Red any day of the week for an SX in the same condition (and I love my BR). It's as close as trikers get to perfection in rear suspension, maintenance free motor and shaft, racks, and trunk space.
There is only one better 4-stoke (350X); BUT but it (most of them anyway) can't haul a tent, cooler, hot country girl, her clothes / sleeping bag / pillow, extra ice, steaks, fishin' rod, lawnchairs, skillet, hatchet and chainsaw all in one trip to the campsite.

[keister]

do you think i will see a big difference between my 82 and 85 200 hard tails vs the 85 250sx?

i love my 85 200S hardtail too, but now it sits on the trailer in case of triking emergency. Once you hit the trails with rear suspension, you'll never go back.

[Bo0YaA]

There was a day that I asked the same exact question and was convinced to go with the 250sx and I have loved it ever since. Im a bigger guy at 6'3 230 and it lugs me places I never thought it would. Plus it does it in comfort.

[Itrike]

I know may 85sx had regular type hub bolts and my 87sx had lugs more like a car. I also thought there was a diff in the carbs and wire harness.

[Dirtcrasher]

There as a huge difference in the 86/87 rear end from the 85.

I once had 6 250SX's and every 85 had a rear diff that water had gotten into it. The drum seal is completely useless on an 85 and very water tight on an 86/87. To me it most certainly IS a big reason to avoid the 85 model. Other than that, there is no difference that you will notice or that made huge improvements over the 3 year run.

Differentials run 150$ and up to find in decent shape used and the axle bearings and crap can run another 100$. And they aren't easy to rebuild either. You can easily dump 300$ into the rearend of an 85 250SX thats why I was selling 86 rears for 400$ on EBAY and sold a few of them with no hassles.

[the great gazoo]

There's also the difference in carbs, the 86 & 87s have a series of hoses to alleviate the cold start problem the 85s had. My '87 came w/ the hoses misrouted and/or missing, they're kind of a PITA, but workable. I should just slap an '85 carb on my '87 & be done with it.
Also, the 2nd Gens header pipe's got a heat shield, at the first bend there, supposed to protect the fender? a lot of good it does though, see pics.....

[the great gazoo]

Sorry about that, here's the pics.

[Dirtcrasher]

The hoses don't do crap.... It's the starter jet that made the big change. The 86/87 Keihen 08 carb has a threaded starter jet that is sized right for cold starting, the 85 has a pressed in jet that doesn't like to start.

[the great gazoo]

Really? I didn't know that. So what's up with the hoses? Somone told me once they just took them all off, & his trike ran fine, whether or not he was telling the truth is any one's guess, though.

[the great gazoo]

I'm new at the pic posting thing, sorry for the doubles.

[the great gazoo]

WTF is that? Oh, I know, it's where the top hose connects......

[Huffa]

Another very small difference is the 85 choke switch at bars does not have 2 notches to hold it at two setting so if you put it on full choke it ends to slide it's way down to 1/2 choke sometimes, depends where it slides on how well your cable is lubed to.

Just thought I'd point it out even though it's not a big deal at all.

Also there is some sort of plate back at drum that protects something on the 86/7 model, 85 doesn't have it.