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Posted by: HP500EFI
Without a doubt get the 85'. It is the liquid cooled motor. Has the chain and sprokets on the right side (83-84 had chain and sproket on the right side). The 85 'R' was a screamer and fun to drive, also very reliable.
Posted by: atc86r
flip a coin. the 85 has some unique parts on the swingarm and axle. so parts could be hard to find and expensive. the thing to do would be to get a 86 swingarm and axle and brake. the 83 can be fun and reliable but not as fast on topend. parts are readily available.
Posted by: PalmSpringsPolaris
I belive the 85 also has more HP and I know that front fors are bigger. P.S. I am selling my 85250R but I am in california
Posted by: Blazerone22
It depends on how much money you have also, wiggle room on the price, You may be able to talk the guy down a little for the aircooled R depending what kind of shape its in. they go for around $600.00 to a $1000.00and are plenty fast for most people. Parts are a little harder to find though. I have 2 of them and I really like the trikes. The 85 on the other hand a is a totally different machine. Parts are easier to find, they have a bunch more power. and they ride better. but its a racer, so you have to know how to ride them. Good luck! oh
compaqkoci I have a 40 inch axle for you R and a set of forks if your interested. I'm up in Gladstone, OR
Posted by: twentycharacters
get the 85. it has the updated engine and yes it is faster.
have you ridden a 250R before? be careful when you do get it b/c i see by your sig you are coming from a bigred. obviously, there is a VAST difference in speed and power between the 250r & 250 bigred. night and day.
Posted by: Yardbird
I would go with an 85 or 86 because of the HP, water cooling and better suspension. I've been looking for one myself lately. I've got two 85 350X's and I'm gonna sell one to my neighbor and try to get an 'R'. But what I would really like is a 86 or 87 Tecate trike. I want one just because they're alot more rarer than the 250R. The $1350 is a pretty good price for an 85 if it's in pretty good working condition and not all trashed.
Posted by: HELLBILLYAL
h]But are they really that mean of a machine?[/h]
You bet they are! Even stock they'll take you for a ride! Buy the "85" you won't be disappointed
Posted by: dork
the 85 is much improved, plus the resale is better. $1350 sounds good as long as everything works and its not trashed.
Posted by: thebutelr
I'm havin trouble decidin if i want to get a 83 250r for $850 or a 85 for $1350. I'm thinkin they're both good bikes but i like the 85 cuz it has a radiator and it has an extra gear. Is either one more reliable? Someone help me decide on what to get!
Posted by: thebutelr
Hey so you think i should get the 85? And is $1350 a good price for a 85 250r? The 83 has a D.G Pipe and Silencer.
Posted by: thebutelr
Is there much of a top speed difference between the two years?
Posted by: thebutelr
Hey, I'm not gonna ride like a crazy freak once i get it cuz i don't want to kill myself. But after i've gotten good at riding it i'll start to do some different stuff like jumping, wheeles, etc. But are they really that mean of a machine?
Posted by: compaqkoci
hey i see that you want to sell your atc? the 85' 250r. i am a little intrested in it though i can't buy it now i already bought a 84' a couple days ago but if your still lookin to sell it i will keep you in mind
Posted by: pinkelephant
go with performance, get the '85. at the very least you can say youve got the top of the line
Posted by: BeerSmurf
Lots of good posts in this thread.
The '83-84' 250Rs are not as fast, that is true.
However they are a little easier to ride being not as tall with a mellower powerband.
I have seen many hotshots get a watercooled 250R and really hurt themselves right away.
So it is important to be honest with yourself about your experiance and skill.
3 wheeler values have leveled out so you can always sell the the '83 later when you skills catch up.
Have fun, be safe.
Posted by: Bulldog250R
Quote
Originally posted by: thebutelr
...But are they really that mean of a machine?
Dittos to beersmurf- its mean enough that it will suprise you once in a while. Ive had my bike since early summer of this past year, i have put about 40 hours of ride time on it, and it will occasionally remind me that it is in fact a 250R- a bike with some serious teeth- especially if you are used to the powerband of the big red. use your head, be careful, but more importantly- have fun
Posted by: 85250ctracing
85 all the way!!!!!!
Posted by: 440exguy
my dad has a 86 atc250r he liked it so much he bought it new and still has it his is a fast atv it kills my 400ex and i keep up with stock raptors it really flys he was clocked by the cops at a drag race a 97mph so i would get the 85 liquid cooled it the was to go with 2 stroke and besides the 83 looks like sh1t
