Okay, i thought i was on top of the whole honda scene... but why does someone come to my house and claim there selling there 250r to save for a new one which will be released in a few yearS??? They came to look at mine, which i had outside for sale, and they went into this long deal about how honda was under some contract saying they couldnt build a 2-stroke fourwheeler for X-amount of years... and that the contract ends soon... is this bs???

 

That would be wicked if it was true, does anybody know about this?

 

i also heard about that contract i think it is still a couple years yet.

 

I think your friend is mis-informed. The contract he referred to is probably the agreement that the manufacturers had with the government to not develop any new hi performance machines for ten years. This was a deal they made to help bring an end to the endless lawsuits that were being leveled at the atv manufacturers. That was up in 98(I think)
Honda may be working on a new machine, but it is at least 3 years away in my opinion. They just came out with the 250ex, on the street bike side they have a couple of new models or completely re-designed ones,and they just came out with the XR650. Next year (2002) they will release the new sport cruiser, and maybe the 4-stroke motocrosser. 2003 they will release the 4-stroke watercraft. They always play it close to their chest, so they could suprise us next year, but I really doubt it. Thier off road R&D team has been pretty busy so I don't see where they would have had the time. (Remember they also just released the Rubicon this year and the Rancher last year. That is a lot of new machines)
I think the most likely new atv from Honda is going to be a liquid cooled 650 with a motor borrowed from the XR. It is counterbalanced, so it is a perfect candidate. I honestly believe that Honda is a little leary about making such a big machine though. The 400ex is selling well, is a very good racer and is competative with any thing out there right know. They are not in a hurry.

 

By the way, where in AZ do you live? I am in Tucson. Maybe we can get together and go tear up some desert.

 

I dont know for sure but building a hi-performance 2-stroke seems unlikely in the distant future with all the anti off-road movements & EPA B.S. going on,although I would be one of there first customers when it hit the dealer.I will never sell either of my 250Rs {'86&'87}.