Best hunting/fishing/muddin ATC?????

[bronzeback5]

What was the best all around utility type Honda. Got an 86 R but would also like to have one for cruisin backroads in the winter, icefishing, hunting. The R is fun, but would like to have a torque monster for the winter w/ electric start and reverse. Was Big Red the "Cadillac" of three wheelers?

[tecat-z]

Yep, but the sx, 225dx and even the prairie 250 deserve mention...... But the 85-87 big red is No 1.

[codemanlyons]

big red is the way to go for hunting fishing mudding

[dirtface]

I have to say from experience, 1985-1987 Big Red too.:w00t:

[mad]

yup bigred and the 250sx

[Shawn72]

I'm going to go against the grain and say the Yama 225 with elec start.

[thefox]

My vote would go to the 200ES, the 250ES is a very close second.

The 250ES is more of a Cadillac but the 200ES is a pure workhorse.

[atcquebec]

It has to be red.
It has to have rack all around, 25'' tire, suspension, electric start, reverse, so there is only one to buy....... the Big Red 250 ES 1985 - 1987.
Realy the best.

[aldochina]

I have both the 250es and the 200e bigreds, let me tell you the extra 50cc, and the rear suspension, make the 250es far superior. I have been riding my 200e lately with about 4 ather 250es, and I get smoked unless were in the tight trails. Plus the rear end is all over the place trying to keep up. Still fun as hell though.
Just put my rebuilt carb back in the 250, so its caddilac time for me:beer

[firefirefire90]

Must agree with the Majority. 1985-1988 big red baby

[bronzeback5]

So i take it the 250ES will go through some chit huh.

[BiggerRed]

85-87 Big Red 250es. I've ridden other utility trikes and nothing comes close to it. Our 85 has gone thru some serious mud and water and nothing could stop it. It's pretty unanimous here!:beer

[Macs]

For mudding the 250sx by far

[firehart]

I wish I had a Big Red.

[ATCeeya]

I missed out on a mint 87 big red off CL last week by just a few hours. He said he was desperate for cash and only wanted 350 bucks best offer. Man i would have liked to gotten that one

[Blown 331]

I agree on the 250 Big Red but I wonder how the Polaris 3-wheeler would stack up?

[oscarmayer]

i was thinking the 250es big red or maybe even the 250SX since he's wanting to do muddin.

[atcquebec]

i was thinking the 250es big red or maybe even the 250SX since he's wanting to do muddin.

250ES got 25'' tires
250SX got 22'' tires

Wich one will go trought mud the best.
I am not an expert, but i vote for the 25''

Plus, the big reg got better protection again mud from it's fenders, and it got larges luggage racks.

Honda made the SX for trail riding, and the big red 250ES is made to work, hunting, fishing and going thought mud.

:crazy:

[Macs]

The main diffrence between the two is the weight and ground clearance ( of course with upsized and suitable tires). I have owned both and i am an avid mudder. The 250es was to hard to handle sideways in the trenches. You would be completly worn out by the first hour. The sx is lighter and more nimble. Also when water wheeling the es was unstable. I am not sure what the cause for this is, but it was aggravating. We ride in very deep mud water etc. If you can see the tires your not deep enough.

[redneck250es]

250es all the way

[crashbang]

250 Big Red FTW


They are widely known as the toughest machine around here!

[coteya]

the 200es is my personal best. I have the 1985 250es and a 1984 200es

[Frankencelery]

I would vote for the 250SX, but that's because I have one. I've never actually ridden a Big Red. With all the votes, I might have to start looking for one! Some voted for the Yamaha 225, but for mudding, it should be the DR instead of DX, since it has reverse.

[bigreddaddy]

1985 Honda BIG RED 250ES


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v51/redstickwholesalers/pics031.jpg

[McDerry]

Theres only like one or two bikes that meet the qualifications specified.


As far as hunting and fishing go, a rear rack is all you need. Bolt, lash and strap stuff to it. Hell you can get a rack pack for cheap and then its all taken care of.

As far as mud, the 250es is nice, but its a friggen joke compared to a little chain drive 200. The 250 is just too heavy with too little horsepower to weight. 250 is 410 lbs with 24 lbs per hp and a 200s is 278 lbs with 23 lbs per hp. Even the 200m with its 328lbs is 27 lbs per hp, but it has the same amount of surface footprint as the 250 but at almost 100lbs less.

[atcmatt]

The 250es is a mud monster. My new 250es is quite good in the mud, the thicker stuff, but my old 84 200es was better in light mud/water. Floated much better because it was lighter. They are both top trikes. I would go the 85though because it is more comfortable and has more grunt.

Matt

[peco250sx]

the big red is a great trike for hunting and fishing but if you want to do any riding other than that like mudding, trail, or sand get the 250sx its got a little less cargo room but is alot more fun to ride and alot lighter

[oldtime3wheeler]

My vote is for the 250es. Goes through al,ost anything.

[Taiser]

85+ Big Red vote here too. SX a good second choice, but the taller gearing can make it little less suited for raw stump pulling power. The yamy 225 was ok, but the engine placement caused mine to wheelie a little too easy for serious work horse...but fun as hell mind you! :D

[longbedGTs]

Theres only like one or two bikes that meet the qualifications specified.


As far as hunting and fishing go, a rear rack is all you need. Bolt, lash and strap stuff to it. Hell you can get a rack pack for cheap and then its all taken care of.

As far as mud, the 250es is nice, but its a friggen joke compared to a little chain drive 200. The 250 is just too heavy with too little horsepower to weight. 250 is 410 lbs with 24 lbs per hp and a 200s is 278 lbs with 23 lbs per hp. Even the 200m with its 328lbs is 27 lbs per hp, but it has the same amount of surface footprint as the 250 but at almost 100lbs less.

Gotta agree with this guy. I had an 86 250SX that sucked hard in the sand and mud because of its weight. Reverse was great but the thing weighed too much. Plus, it was hell to get unstuck.

OTOH, my 'ole 200M was a blast and its only downfall was that the rear would lose traction in deep water. Im sure if I were a 200lb'er it would have been ok, but...
It was also easy to get unstuck since its so light.

The hardtails have my vote!

[peco250sx]

i think the tides turning here. ya i got the same trikes as longbed and the 200m is amazing with its ability to bounce over logs, stumps, rocks and the skid plate means theres nothing to get snagged on if u get hung up just lift the back end up and give r' a push the down side is the lack or suspension is killer on the back at high speed but if that wont phase you its the best just remember to stand up on the bumpy trails.

the reason i said sx before was because of the suspension but for hunting fishing and mudding you dont really need it.

[Name Brand]

SX gets my vote. Especially if it's set up like mine! You've got to build/customize to get what you want...

[Custom200]

I would have to say 200m or 200e. The Big Red was to heavy for me compared to the 200's. They were quick and tourqy and getting tham unstuck was nothing. Also I would choose the chain models. As long as you mantain your chain as it is supposed to be there are less parts to fix and less weight not to mention its cheaper to fix. Also if a driveshaft goes or rearend gear goes you getting towed home. If a chain breaks keep a spare link and your set to go again in 5 minutesWhen It comes to utility vechile suspension isn't all the big for me. Stand up and let the your legs take the impact. Well 200cc machine take my vote.

[outtaline]

:TrikesOwn Just got an 86 200x and it is bad even though it needs alot I paid $100 for it yesterday and road it hard today. This thing is a wheelie monster, and destroys mud holes. I need some parts if any one can point me in the right direction it would be most helpful.
Andrew
p.s. I live in S.W. Florida

[hawaiirider]

id take the 25 inch tire 250es, i ride a 22 inch kawi 185 hardtail and its terrible in the mud!!

[3wheelencowboy]

I'd take my sx over anything. I have had it places where 4 wheel drive bikes wouldn't go or even come close. And since it is a honda it can't be killed. It has been wrecked numerous times and just keeps going. The only problem with them in the mud is the rearends. You have to keep the oil changed.

[atcquebec]

I would have to say 200m or 200e. The Big Red was to heavy for me compared to the 200's. They were quick and tourqy and getting tham unstuck was nothing. Also I would choose the chain models. As long as you mantain your chain as it is supposed to be there are less parts to fix and less weight not to mention its cheaper to fix. Also if a driveshaft goes or rearend gear goes you getting towed home. If a chain breaks keep a spare link and your set to go again in 5 minutesWhen It comes to utility vechile suspension isn't all the big for me. Stand up and let the your legs take the impact. Well 200cc machine take my vote.

OK. First, i suppose you must be around 14 years old.
200M or 200E are garbage compared to a 250ES.
Driving shaft never broke and no maintenance.
And i an sur that if you would have enough money to buy a 250ES, your answer would been : A 250ES
200M or 200E are for kid...... no rear suspension, no reverse and they are chain drive......

[3wheelencowboy]

agree with you there I haven't ridden but they don't sound to comfortable to me. And the reason I say the sx is because I haven't ridden the es.

[Custom200]

OK. First, i suppose you must be around 14 years old.
200M or 200E are garbage compared to a 250ES.
Driving shaft never broke and no maintenance.
And i an sur that if you would have enough money to buy a 250ES, your answer would been : A 250ES
200M or 200E are for kid...... no rear suspension, no reverse and they are chain drive......

Nah man..not meanin to step on any toes.I wouldn't say garabe. I have driven and owned both 250's and 200's and I just prefer the lighter 200. I'm 18, not as old as you guys but I've had a few trikes. Like it was mentioned in a eariler post the power to weight ration. I have seen drive shafts break and a rear end fail. I was jut comparing the simplicty of a chaindrive. For a utility and mud bike I've never needed suspension. when towing The speeds are farily low. And in mud the speeds are fairly low so suspension isn't my main concern.With the lighter weight of the hardtail I've found better flotation in mud/snow and also easier to get ustuck. I'd love to have a Big Red and I can afford a big red but most trikes around here are welded, hacked up junk. I just gave my opinion about the subject.

[1984ATC200S]

OK. First, i suppose you must be around 14 years old.
200M or 200E are garbage compared to a 250ES.
Driving shaft never broke and no maintenance.
And i an sur that if you would have enough money to buy a 250ES, your answer would been : A 250ES
200M or 200E are for kid...... no rear suspension, no reverse and they are chain drive......

Id have to disagree with that for the most part, im 16 but a 200ES is all you need, 25inch tires, shaft and reverse, and low gear witch your all mighty 250ES dont have, But id rather have my 200S with a set of mudlites for mud, so much easyer to throw around and get unstuck. my view on it anyway.

[hawaiirider]

well from experience i can tell you ridin a non suspended bike you better pack your preperation -H!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MotorCity]

Just put on a new set of tire chains on my 1985 Honda Big REd. Put on the 1987 Carb I also bought. Started right up, chains went on fine. I had to let air out, put the chains on, air back in, tightened up nicely.

Picked up my brother and hit the local lake. Here in Michigan, it warmed up a lot, and there was lots of water and slush all over 12 inches of ice on the lake. Pulling my two person flip over shanty, 20 lb proprane tank, fish finder, poles, power ice auger, bait and oh yea, LOTSA BEER, my Honda Big Red made it possible for me to spend the entire day with my brother, who has never ice fished, out on the lake. We had a very memorable time together, lots of laughs, caught fish (had fish on the finder the whole time), just had a great time.


The Big Red pulled us no problem; I"m 195 pounds, my brother is 265 lbs, and all our gear another couple hundred pounds. No problems whatsover. The big red barely even wheezed. Then I had to pull the stuff up a bit of a snowy grade once we got off the lake - no problemo. Man, this thing runs great!!!!

It was my maiden voyage since I bought the big red a couple weeks back. The Big Red ran great without any issues whatsoever.

Thanks, Honda Big Red 250ES, for getting us out on the lake for a great day of fishing and having fun!!! My brother was thanking my over and over for a great day!

[McDerry]

OK. First, i suppose you must be around 14 years old.
200M or 200E are garbage compared to a 250ES.
Driving shaft never broke and no maintenance.
And i an sur that if you would have enough money to buy a 250ES, your answer would been : A 250ES
200M or 200E are for kid...... no rear suspension, no reverse and they are chain drive......

After owning both a 250 and several different 200 models. The 200 models win as far as utilitarian prowess is concerned. A utitlity doesnt need suspension or a driveshaft, and reverse only being a nice perk. The 250 is a trail cruiser. The 200m/e/es will out pull, pack, climb and mud the 250, it just does it slower.

[NewfieBish]

guys im going to have to go against you all... if you want tourque monster, my neighbour has a Taurus, which got a 650 or 660 CC motor, suspension, its automatic and belt drive, has huge racks and towing, reverse, dual headlights and to make it even better haha, it has a bigass gastank, in under the seat like a car! im going to get some pictures of that trike man, theres a few of those in newfoundland, however thats even possible, i'd say on the island you could count the number of ATC250R's on two hands, yet theres probably 5 of these badass taurus trikes!

[montess85]

I have a 250sx and it does really well through the mud but I also have a 200x front fork wich helps with weight, and 12 in wide Dick Cepek spyder tracks in the back, but I dont have racks on it..... for hunting I will try my polaris next year.....It rides better than any other 3 wheeler ive been on including my buddys 250es.....seems to do good in the mud.....lacks the low range of a 200 big red but the auto tran puts the power down really nice plus these old hard tails beat you up on a ruff trail.....has decent ground clearance also.....only downfall is the weight....., and is a chain drive so there is a little more matinace....but it doesn't weigh any more than a 250es....also alot quicker to.....