What do you think was the best year for the Honda TRX250R? 86? 87? 88? 89?

 

I don't know if there was a "best year", but the 88, 89's seem to be more sought after, and more expensive. They were also slightly lighter due to the Aluminum swingers.

 

I love my '89, but have built the motor with mostly '86 parts (for my riding style). I prefer the '88 or '89 model frame's and swingarms. Can't go wrong with any of them!

 

Yup, it's a well known fact that 1988 and 1989 were the best years for the TRX 250R.

I recently saw an IMMACULATE showroom condition 1988 TRX 250R on eBay. It's probably the last brand-new 250R on earth. The bike had never been ridden, and the chain wasn't even installed on the quad yet. (Seller claimed it was still in it's plastic bag). I saved the pictures of this particular quad, which ended up selling for over $12,000. Private message me with your email if you want to see the pictures.

 

Send pics. acschnitzerm5@msn.com. I'm waiting to see this.

 

It all depends on what you want it to do. I prefer the 86's: they rev faster (short rod, different gear ratios for faster top-end) and have a longer swingarm for less wheelies while dragging (less rear weight percentages), and are overall shorter in length and height. The 87's are kind of an in-between year, with the older chassis and swinger, but with the long rod engine and the least productive cylinder design. The 88-89 have a bridged intake cylinder which is the best for porting and a better clutch: which can be adapted to the 85-87 for $50, have more forward swept (+1) a-arms and a shorter swinger. They definitley like to wheelie better, but to be seem more unstable at higher speeds. The weight difference with the aluminum swingarm is negligible: I believe the 86's weigh 328.4 lbs, whereas the 88-89's weigh 324lbs. dry. Basically it comes down to which one you can find in good shape for the right price, or whether you like white/red or red/white...

 

Not to turn this into another "differences between 250R years" thread, but the 87 intakes were also bridged. The 85-86 were not bridged.

 

The 86s are said to have more power. They also have a few extra gussets on the frame that the 88-89s didn't, so are a little stronger. Not sure if these make tremendous differences, but when you are racing every little bit counts. I have a lonestar swing-arm on my 86 and I kept it stock length. I have motor work done to mine and I find that extra inch helps control the extra power nicely.

 

Pictures sent.

 

Not to turn this into another "differences between 250R years" thread, but the 87 intakes were also bridged. The 85-86 were not bridged.[/quote]

Last time I looked 1986 was the first year for the TRX250R