200M vs 250ES

[KDBCAPT]

Everyone, I've got a very broad question for you here... I am fairly new to the world of Trikes, just bought a nice 200M last fall and since then two of my buddies have bought 250es Big Reds. I've got a scorpion muffler and a K&N on mine, so power wise it seems to really blast off compared to the Big Reds. My question is this, since mine is a hard tail, have any of you taken these to the trails on a regular basis and how does it hold up with the Big Reds ? Does the suspension make that much of a difference ? mine being lighter etc.. does this offer any kind of advantage ? I want to ride it year round, up here in Canada we usually have a nice snow packed trail to ride on in the wintertime.

I guess I am just debating if buying a Big Red would be worth it...

PS- any advice you can throw my way on the 200M is welcome.

Thanks !

[longbedGTs]

I had an 84 200M that saw regular trail duty. It was light enough not to sink to the bottom(like an 86 250SX I had) and it was easy to get unstuck. Power was decent and I didnt get too beat up on the trails due to it having no suspension. Oh yeah, mine had no seat either! :welcome:
Search "having fun, 200M style" for some pics.
:welcome: to the boards! :beer

Oh, the closest thing Ive had to a 250 Big Red is an 86 250SX. For the trail riding I did, it sucked big time compared to the 200M. Weight was its main problem.

[bigred1]

:welcome:

i have taken a 200m and 200e both hardtails and have done alot of trail riding they are great machines and in the rare event you get too stuck they are very easy to get out. if your friends have 250es see if they will let you try thiers out. of the two though i think the big adv in the 250's are that they have rev. the susp. is realy just a luxary.

[piroguedog]

I have owned a 200m and been on many big reds and currently have a 250sx. for trail riding, you won't miss the rear susp unless your really cuttin up. The reverse is nice to have. THe M would be a better choice if you enjoy the performance mods and making it a bit spunkier. Lighter, chain drive, smaller. The BR is more of a utility beast like a tractor. Just depends on what you want. Big reds are more popular and plentiful because of their uses as a utility vehicle. I prefer the sx to the big red and wouldn't mind running across a nice M to play with. The only down side I have noticed about the m is that for some reason they have a few inches less clearance than the 200s and BR.

[McDerry]

The M is a nice bike. Bigger tires, and slightly longer and taller then the 200s but not over weight like the 250es. Essentially a sportier version of the early big reds. 2 ply tires are the key to keeping up with the 250.

[KDBCAPT]

Thanks everyone, I think I'll keep the 200M and give it a fair try on the trails before shopping for a big red. McDerry, you mention 2 ply tires, do you have any specific recommendations ?

Thanks !

[McDerry]

nankang formula wooly boogers or a set of there knock off turf tamers in the rear and a chengshing radial knobby in the front. Cheap, light, 2 ply(your suspension), high traction for a utility on multiple surfaces.