Best woods trike?

[Afrothunderkat]

Since 350x's without $2k price tags and flames/black plastics are hard to come by in NH, what would be the next best thing in terms of trail/back road ridding?

I don't need too much bottom, just a strong mid. The air fooler 250r's have more bottom-mid than the liquids?


T3s are too peaky, and i heard tri-z's are expensive when things go wrong. I considered a 200x, but then i road a 200s. Not into utility trikes. But it seems Honda has the largest following so, clearly the best choice. Can a 83, 84 250r compete with the 350x power wise?




-Thanks

[adcotton]

A 250SX is a sweet compromise. Fully suspended, Lights, shaft drive, Auto clutch, Reverse, Electric start. Sporty looking.

I know i would like to have one!

[Escanabajosh]

I have a 1986 sx and a 1985 350x.....my woods machine is the sx

[Yamaha_Rules69]

A 200x is far different than a 200s, and a 200x is not a utility trike. They are the best woods bike imo, super nimble and light, decent suspension, even for a 200 lb rider, and with a little modification, can be pretty fast. Parts are very easy to find, (83-85 years) and they are just a awesome reliable bike. The 86-87 200x are very nice also, updated everything over 83-85, but parts are a lot more expensive, and in most cases, a lot harder to find.

[torker]

I tend to favor the 85-86 ATC 250R. Great bike for woods when its not wildly modified. Mine has a stock engine with only exhaust, a UNI air filter, 37 Keihin PWK and reeds. It's great all day long. The TRI-Z it's another great bike, again, the more stock, the better. A bit softer suspension than the R. Both are easy to ride all day long and won't beat you up. Relatively easy to find and good prices as well. 2 strokes are easy to repair/overhaul as well and parts are easily obtained. Althought if buy a basket case or have a catstrophic engine failure it could become expensive. As you can see I like well suspended bikes with relatively stock engines. But there are lots options out there. 350X's and 200x's are great trail machines as well. Their 4 stroke engines makes them great, but its increasingly harder to find one with a good, unmodified engine. 350's you need to check on the cam journals and the frame. Finding a good 350x head (in case you have problems) it's both rare and expensive. I find their suspensions are a bit harsh when compared to the 2 strokers. All the bikes mentioned above, if keeped in shape will run for a long time trouble free. Basic checks and maintainance is important on any machine, old or new. This is only my experience and opinion, I'm sure others will chime in as well. Hope it helps.
TORKER.

[userj8670]

The 350x hands down. Its got plenty of torque, power on tap, and great suspension. I also have an sx and I love it dearly (the reverse and elec. start are GREAT) but there is just something about the power of the 350x that i love. In addition its bigger and better suspension and more stable. Just my 2 cents...

[dougspcs]

Personally I don't like the 250r, having owned one for a short time, I found it to be a bit spooky for me. Kinda like riding a crazy horse. But then I'm a 45 year old pleasure rider, not a 20 year old adrenaline junky!! Also the 250r have a higher price tag, both for purchase and repair so I'll leave that model for the younger riders. We all have different tastes..

I have been a long advocate of the 250SX as being a sometimes forgotton machine..it has the versatility of being part Big Red, part sport trike. Fitted with the right tires it can hold it's own on the muddy or rocky trail as much as open trail. I have taken mine away for a challenging spring ATV ride and run against 400+ quad riders..never once being out-classed by the bigger machines. One of the best things about this machine is the afforability factor..I often find them in my area for $600-1000 depending on their condition.

Now I recently acquired my 1st keeper 350x, as a keeper pack addition..I had been 'shown the light' by another member as to the true capability of this machine. As an open trail rider, hill climber and even an challenging trail machine..the down side, the price!!

So bottom line if I could only own one, it would likely be a 350x..but the 250SX would be a close second. Thankfully I have the good fortune of both..

Maybe start with what you can afford or is locally available, then plan for future expansion. There is always room for another..if not now then in the future.

[Husky250]

bfgshsstsryafhsh

[dougspcs]

Husky, there are alot of people that would consider the ear splitting 'brapppp,dingy,dingy,dingy' of a 2 stroke more irritating than the 4 stroke. There are tons of 2 stroke exhaust mods that put the sound output well into the offensive range..

To say, I prefer my 2 strokes because they produce more power per decibel is an argument that could go all day long..

You buddy showing up at your place with his tricked out thundermaker is just an conflict looking for a place to happen..he should take it to the track to ride it. In the end it's you that has to get along with your neighbours and you that should have been you telling him to shut it down or put a muzzle on it!!

[Husky250]

I'llshut up!

[Blown 331]

My first suggestion is drive a few 100 miles to get a better deal on a 350x. My next suggestion is an 86 200x. And 1 more thing, my 84 250r will beat my 350x in a drag race.

[torker]

Plenty of suggestions here. Oh, please don't hi-jack the thread. Let's keep it as it should be. Suggestions and NOT a this -vs- that thread.
We all have our liking, lets respect everyone else's.
TORKER.

[fabiodriven]

I ride in Afrothundercat's trail system a lot and I'm telling you the absolute best bike for that boulder-strewn mess is a 250SX. All the other guys ride 250R's and 350X's there and they do fine.

An air cooled R will beat a 350X in a drag race if that really matters to you.

Any R, X, or a 250SX will be the way to go in that place. Full suspension is a must and I prefer balloon tires there as well.

[110klt]

OK you said best woods trike. If you are talking lots of tight areas, I would say 250sx. If your talking trail riding where you are not feathering a clutch all day? 200x hands down, like said above light, nimble and alot of fun to drive.

[yaegerb]

200x or 350x for me.