85 Honda 250R VS 85 Yamaha Tri-z 250...one last question???

[dougspcs]

I have been looking for a racer to add to the pack..

Now I have been and always will be a Honda guy..however something showed up on my local craigslist that I might consider. But since I have no Yahama experience I need to ask you guys..

I found a Yamaha Tri-z 250 in really great shape with lots of mods..nice looking trike.

But I need to know how they compare to the Honda 250r machine..

Please no 'DUDE, the Tri-Z kicks the 250r ass all over the track'..just some hard facts would be great.

Hopefully there are some out there who own or have ridden both to ask..

How do they compare on track/ on trail/ hill climbing..reliability, etc??



Pretty hot looking I think, somebody has been loving this machine!! Maybe someone recongnizes the bike from the pack you run with..it's located in southeast Michigan

One more thing..does $1400 seem like a good price for this unit? Condition is very good, mechanical has been maintained well with lots of add ons, driven by a mature rider who didn't beat the shlt out of it...

[Kfx-xc-racer88]

I've rode both and stock the honda is faster!!

[matt86200x]

I have driven both only owned a z tho. The tri-z feels like you are in a cockpit of a plane, really nice feel and sits a bit higher than a r. You would have great fun with both

[Kfx-xc-racer88]

Yeah i've had about 10 TRI-Zs and they are good fun!! but the gearbox is stronger in the R!!

[dougspcs]

Actually the I should have meantioned the extra height would be good also..I love riding my 250Sx and can ride it all day, but at 6'3" I kinda look like I'm riding a kids trike and it does require a bit more effort to move around because my legs are kinda cramped. Handle bars hit me in the knees and all that.

Thanks for that insight Matt..

Also, how are they at slow trail cruising..(20mph). Do they foul up or bog out?? Or are they just a 'full balls out' machine??

[Kfx-xc-racer88]

I'm 5' 11 and the Z is fine for me and my friend is 6' 2 and he doesnt complain about his 85' feeling too small..!!

[Itrike]

I've got alot more time on the r than the Z but I had a triz for a while. At youre stature I think you will be more comfy on the tri-z.

[keister]

The Tri-Z is bigger and roomier. I am 6' 200# and my 250R fits me very well.
Every Tri-Z I have ridden was a 5-speed, 250Rs have 6 gears.
Very different designs and "feel" to the rides. As with anything, it is personal preference which feels better.
Both are highly capable machines. Good luck and hopefully we will see you on the track this summer.

[dougspcs]

Ok so now next question..price.

Talked to the guy selling, quite confident that he is straight up. Machine has a lot of mods done (piston, reeds, exhaust, clutch...)

We talked $1400 and I thought it sounded good..is this decent in US for this machine?

[TatTooL23]

i have ridden both and felt so tippy and not grounded and stable on the tri-z. seemed to be very peaky and just not as refined and perfect. i would choose the R in every category. i also have the old dirt wheels magazine with the shoot out of them and they say the R wins in every category. suspension, gear box, power low mid and high, and stability.

[dougspcs]

One more thing..does $1400 seem like a good price for this 85 Tri-Z I found? Condition is very good, mechanical has been maintained well with lots of add ons, driven by a mature rider who didn't beat the shlt out of it...

[hillbilly 200x]

$1400 is a deal for that bike. I am in oshawa ont and I payed $1000 for an 1984 250R that needs alot of work. So that tri-z would be worth it in my books.

[Brockey]

As a Newfie, that is a steal of a deal if it's as good as it looks in that pic and works good.

[wisconsinite]

price sounds fair, if it's good mechanically and runs well. check out rear shock, if stock it's prolly blown or ready to blow. check swingarm over for stress cracks.
i'm 6'3" also and find my z to be a pretty comfy machine. depending on tuning and gearing powerband is like a light switch. i consider mine trail friendly, although at low speeds when i ride with the kids it does tend to foul plugs unless i keep it in a lower gear so it can rev a bit. i like the way it handles, but couldn't say how it compares to an r.
bought mine for $700 in pretty rough shape, around $2500 invested so far.
good luck!

[Mosh]

I have raced and trail ridden both, owned 3 Z's, and 2 3rd gen R's..The 85-86 250R and a 85 Z's..
Stock for stock, with a pipe and reeds and porting, being the only add ons, the Z fits a taller rider, and has softer suspension and is a better hillclimber/trail rider. The Z has way more low end grunt than a R, but way less top end. Getting the bottom end out of a R is easy..Getting top end out of a Z is hard to do. They just do not rev out like a 250R no matter what you do, and remain reliable.

The 250R, when I got on it for MX, basically put me from a 3/4 pack rider to a upper mid finisher in the pack. Both trikes were ported and piped..I just plain rode faster on a R than a Z, and I have MXed no less than 20 races on each.

The 250R has almost a infinte parts supply/options, the Z not so much for aftermarket parts, and takes a talented mechanic to keep running well through the year.
Plus a Z vibrates way more than a R motor does which hinders your longevity for agressive riding..

Suspension as far as agressive riding...The Z does not hold a cnadle to the last generation R's.

As fars as the price for the Z..I sold one with more add ons, and a ported cylinder with a Sprock Coolhead and clutch basket, for 1300$ a few years ago and it ran that guy for like 4 years before a top end job or major service.

BTW I am 5.6 205 lbs and both trikes fit me fine..