If anyone knows the changes that Honda made could you please tell me cause i am looking to buy a 250R and dont know which year to get I have heard that the 88-89 are alot faster than the 86-87, but i am not sure, So if anyone knows the changes could you please post them. Thanks for any info. If interested in buying my Blaster tell me it is very fast $2800.00

 

Here are the differences that I know of, for sure...

-'88-89 swing arm is of different design and is -1in compared to '86-87
-'88-89 rear shock is different than the '86-87
-'89 has the best clutch set-up
-the a-arm set-up changes almost every year, from '86-87, '88, and '89
-'86 cylinder is different from the '87 cylinder, which is different from the '88-89
-the obvious difference is the front plastic and headlight different of the '86-87 vs '88-89

Those are the only difference that I can think of, off the top of my head. I also remember that the carbs are different as Honda progressed through production, but I'm not sure what differences there are. I'll have to get out my Honda 250R manual at home, if you want to get technical.

 

the engines arent different..the front of the frame is, the spindles are better on the 88-89.. you wont have to buy new spindles if you want aftermarket hubs.. the swingarm is different, because its solid all the way across at the swingarm bolt... thats all i can think of

 

86-87 Had a higher Ratio 5th and 6th gear then the 88-89.
Round slide to flatslide carb
tires and rims

SOrry if I repeated anyone.

 

The engine IS different.
It has a different bore/stroke.

-Matt

 

ALL years have the same bore and stroke. The '87-'89 have a 5mm longer rod, this DOES NOT change the stroke, as the connecting point on flywheel is the same, and a long rod can be put on a short rod crank. The piston was changed to compensate for this.

The bore is the same all years. Jugs are fully interchangeable.

Gear ratios for 5th and 6th were changed to lower ratios in '87. However, you can put '87'-'89 gears on the '86 without any other changes, many people have, including myself.

This gear difference make the '86 theoretically faster in top speed, but they also make it a little harder to ride, they'd "fall off the pipe" when going into 5th under high load (sand, climbing) using a stock motor.

Stock '86 motors do rev quicker and have a more noticeable "hit". This is a result of the shorter rod. Later motors feel "torquier".

'89 got a clutch update that changed the rod and ballbearing deal to one with needle bearings, makes for longer life and easier (some think) pull. It's a direct retrofit to the earlier years, just get the parts separate, or the complete update kit Honda part 06220-HB9-305.Otherwise the clutch is the same and interchangeable.

Head stays are different because the frame changed a little each year. '86 are heavier by a few lbs, but the frame is beefier and takes more abuse before failure.

'86 swingarm is steel, later swingarms were aluminum and 1" shorter (frame really changed after '86).

List of complete changes per year are listed at MacDizzy's place.

 

Thanks for all of your replies and I will have to check out Macdizzy, and so does it really matter what year i get , and is it really that big of a difference?

 

Pappy pretty much has everything right, The 86/87 has a steel swingarm and the 88/89 has aluminum.
If I were you I would get an 86 or 87. The 88/89 frames and swingarms crack easier.
Basically find one you like and buy it! There is no "bad" year 250R!

Go here for more TRX250R info!

ERIC

 

I'd also like to add that the carbs are the same stock year to year.

 

There are no round slide carbs in the Fourtrax line, the 3 wheelers had some but the quads never.

The clutch lifter/assembly was the best in 89. You can buy this kit and install on any year. Fibers/steels were the same.

The 86-87 have adjustable camber a-arms, the 88-89 don't.

They all have the same bore/stroke and in stock form are all 246cc. I don't know why people keep saying otherwise.

The carbs changed slightly every year, from PJ5 to PJ7, etc. They are interchangable.

Any year cylinder will work on any year bottom-end. Any year head will fit any cylinder.

There is no key-switch on the 86. All other years have them in stock form.

There is no bad year; they're all great!