Hey fellas, I am trying to figure out which year is the best. I'm building a 250r and I have an '87 frame I can get, just want to know the differences in them and which one is concidered to be the best. I'll be doing a lot of woods racing, possibly some MX. Oh, and I'm talking about stock frames.

 

Hey, I am in the same situation as you. I just bought an 87 frame. From what I understand the 86/87 frames are the same and the rear of the motor mounts to the frame via the bolt through the swingarm, and doesn't bolt that way on the 88/89. I believe any year motor can be used in either style frame. I went with the 87 because I found a frame in excellent condition. You probably can't go wrong with any year as parts are pretty abundant. I am sure some 250R owners will know for sure though.

 

I can think of 3 major differeneces from the 86/87 to the 88/89 frames. The big one is the rear motor mount. The 86/87 uses the the split swingarm and a brace for the rear engine mount. The 88/89 uses a solid swingarm and has a brace between the frame for the back of the engine. The other dif is the top of the rear shock mount is located higer in the frame. The last major diff is the mounting pionts for the a-arms. I have put 86 arms on a 89 frame, but it was not easy. Someone else might have more info on this. The rear motor is missing if you will be using any after market swingarm with your project. And then if you don't use the top engine mount all that you will have holing the engine is the front and bottom mounts, 2 instead of 4.

 

Get an 88 or 89 frame so you dont have to convert stuff such as the swingarm, clutch push rod stuff.