What's the best trike to buy for a build up?

[K5ride]

I'v got a Kawasaki KLT 200-C2 and that Lil' sucker will do 50+. The only thing's I'v done to it was replace the fuel filter and pull out some of the old burnt fiberglass stuffin' and carbon build up. I think 50+ ain't to bad for a guy my size ( I'm 6'2 265lbs ) riding it. I'd really like something a little bigger with more power and a full suspension. ( Mine's got front only ) I play on sand a LOT. I live on the Colorado ( In Texas ) and 50ac sand bars are not uncommon. When the river's low I can go right behind my house and drive down to the sand bar. You can ride sand for a good mile or so. My friend and I are the only one's around here with trikes so there hard to find. My KLT was givin' to me by my neighbor who got it for free. He couldn't get it to run. He gave it to me and in 15min I had it goin'. It just needed the carb cleaned. What's the best trike to buy? What's the easiest one's to find hi-po parts for? What's the best one bone stock? Any info ya'll got would be a big help!

[Darius1502]

What part of Texas ya from??

I am from Houston...welcome to the board!!


I would say that parts for the 200x, ATC 250R and ATC 350X are pretty plentiful.

[ATC crazy]

The 250R and 350X would have to be the trikes with the most available parts to them. I would choose one of these machines to build up/restore. And the reward when finished will be great.

[350Xccelerator]

85-86 250r for sure. you can find parts for them easier than any other trike.

[rippn250R]

the 85 86 atc 250r use the same engine as the fourtrax, so it easy to buy aftermarket parts for it. Its definely the best trike to build up.

[bbechtel16]

Sounds like you need a 2-stroker (if you like them of course). I agree with the 250R. Also you may want to consider a Tecate, I hear they are made to be more of a top end screamer than the R and tri-Z which would be suitable for playing in the sand. But there's no question there's 10x the parts availible for the R.

[250rmanfmf]

yes, the 250r, or go with the Tri-Z or Tecate but the 250r, There are 1,000 times the aftermarket parts for the 250r's than the tecate and tri-Z

Tyler

[3WheelHouston]

That depends on what level of build up you are planning to do and how much $$$ you plan to spend and how skilled of a rider you are. For comparison's sake, I'll assume you're as good as I am (lol). (If you're not very skilled, the 250r or Tri-Z would probably be more forgiving.) Back on subject. The top two for duning, (sorry Tri-Z fans) without question, are the T3 and the 250R. The 250R has the best suspension, and the T3 the best powerplant. If you're going to just build up the current engine, my trike would be a T3 because they're not so common as the R and they're just better looking in my opinion. There was also a T4 to help with parts, just like there was a 250r quad, although they're not as common. However, if you're going to go so far as to replace the powerplant and completely restore the trike, I'd get a 250r rolling chassis and start from there, with a CR500 powerplant. I don't think anyone here will question that this is the best all around setup. (I don't think). You can do the same thing with the Kawi (KX 500 powerplant) but then you don't get the R's suspension for the kind of air you'll get with that amount of power and the increased weight of the bigger engine.

No matter which trike you choose, Tri-Z, 250R, T3, or 350x, you're on the right track. 86-87 two stroke 3 wheelers rule the dunes, and the 350x will be great all around. It's worth noting that if you will be riding in mud also, and pulling deer ouf of the woods when hunting, the 350x could be a better solution for you. It's got big suspension and the torque you'll need for those things, along with and comparable performance to the two strokes.

Now this is all opinion of course, so some may disagree. But there's my .02.

[K5ride]

Hey 3WheelHouston. I like trailprotrailpro 250R rolling chassis/ CR500 setup. Just off the top of trailprotrailpro head what's tha least amout of green u can spend on a setup like that? Does taking a KLT 200C2 through mud and sand so deep you can't walk through count as skill?

[3WheelHouston]

I don't know about prices. You'll have to talk to someone who's actually done it about that. As far as skill, getting out of mudholes isn't what I'm talking about. That takes know-how and skill too, but this is different.

[NOS_350X]

if you want pure power get the 250r/tecate (or converson to a 500) but if your looking to get a trike thats a head turner and can keep up, the easyest would be the 250r. but i think you get somthing thats a little diffrent so i think you get a 350x (pluntiful aftermarket parts) and polish powdercoat the he11 outa it along with the mods so it can back up its looks. its not going to be the fastest thing but it will be a big suprise to alot of people.

[ScottZJ]

I would say a 350X. Mainly cuz you can get them pretty cheap and still in great condition. The 250R would be great cuz there are tons of parts out there for them and many mods you can do. But the only problem is they are alot more money even in bad shape. There are alot more parts bikes out there too.............peace

[Jeb]

Hey, where at on the colorado do you live?

86/87 Tecate 3 wheelers are great. I like the 84/85 too, but they don't have the looks of the later generation. Both models are screamers. If you do go with a Tecate 3 Wheeler, You can count on the Tecate-4 to provide you with minimal to no help on parts. #1 they are way more rare than the three-wheelers and #2 they are way different. The motor is a counterbalanced motor, the swingarm, rear-end axle setup and shock linkage is different. Motor-wise, both Tecate 3 Wheeler designs have way more in common with similar year KX250s than the 87/88 Tecate-4. Also, the 84/85 Tecate 3 Wheeler is very different from the 86/87. Realistically, Your best bet for parts is an 84/85 KXT. They look the worst but run great and there seems to be plenty left out there.

For sheer parts availibility both on-line, at the dealer, and aftermarket, I'd recommend you go with an 86 ATC 250R. Parts are plentiful thanks to the success of it and the TRX-250R, especially when compared to getting parts for a Tri-Z or Tecate. Or that's been my experience as I recently picked up and started rebuilding a basket-case 250R. I've owned both design Tecate's a long time and a Tri-Z a couple years now. And as bad as it hurst me to admit it, the attention to detail and engineering on the ATC250R seems excellent. It is a more intricate machine than an 86 Tecate 250. 86/87 KXT250 Tecate will always be my personal favorite ATV of all time though!

Good Luck! It's cool to read someone else post good things about a KLT. :-D

[K5ride]

Around Glen Flora. Know where that's at? Where about are u at? I'm kinda screwed for the moment when it comes to buyin' 3wheelers. I'v gotta fix my truck. All the info I can get on trikes is a BIG help though. I damn sure want one thats EASY to find parts for. It's a pain in the trailprotrailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro to find parts for my KLT. Thanks for the info, to u and everyone else.