stock for stock a 250r/400ex put about the same hp to the ground and will be close in a drag (on a track the R will wave goodbye easily), with the R winning in the end, especially the 86 model due to its taller 6th gear. however add a pipe, a few little bolt on goodies like mine and you will leave them sitting there and will be eating raptors. the 250r is a great quad. it only took the oems almost 20yrs to make a competent bike to rival it.

mine shifts butterly smooth even after 20yrs, not as much vibration as the banshee had> the 250Rs are counter balanced to help this issue and i have no complaints with the vibration level. handling to me is better than the 450R. maybe its personal preference but the older R is a good 20lbs lighter, has a lower center of gravity, is better balanced, and makes about the same power (slightly modded) and has a very precise feel to it; the 450R doesnt have this precision, sorry i have both and have ridden them back to back - it just isnt there yet. if you want a new bike that is a 450 and has near 250R handling - get the YFZ.

as far as what yr to get- the 88 is the most sought after b/c that was the yr of the major redesign. 89 is the rarest and actually has some of the 86 parts back on it if you go look at the microfiche on it. it is the one that most people reccomend and b/c its the newest possible one you will fine as it was the last yr they made it... but i have been very happy with my 86 model. i bought it when it was 17yrs old, im the 3rd owner, its still in near mint condition, its only been rebuilt once, and like already said- it runs like a top with plenty of power and shifts exellently. the only thing it really needs is new shocks, but i have some ELKAs in the garage im about to put on it...but i love that 6 speed tranny! wish the new bikes would go back to that...

mainly check for what the others said- frame cracks, etc... ebay has some nice ones recently..thats how i found mine...and now they are a little cheaper than when i got mine.

any yr R if it is good shape is better than no R!

 

is the head light in the plastic in both 1988 and 1989?

 

yes on the 88/89 it is mounted in the plastic and is no longer on the handlebars like the 86/87.

the red 88 model was prob one of the best looking quads ever, IMO. you would have to see one either fully restored or at the dealer back then to really aprreciate it.

not that you care b/c every oem has this now but intersting trivia - the 88 R also was the first ATV with radial tires; at least thats what honda printed on the brochure. i still have one somewhere.

some on ebay right now....check these out:

MINT 88
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA...QQcmdZViewItem

GOOD 88
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/fourt...QQcmdZViewItem

1989 with 310 kit. this would rock.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda...QQcmdZViewItem

 

thanks i was pretty shur it was like that i will most likely restore it so it should look pretty sweet

 

i love my 88! wrong on the wheelies. it's hard to keep one down.you will spend alot on a 400 just to keep up with a piped r . drumpro this is a honda forum. go play some where else kid.

 

 

what? i dont know if you are talking to me...

i never mentioned wheelies in any post. if i did quote it. they are pretty good on wheelies actually. when im accelrating pretty good the front end 'lifts' on every shift and could wheelie at ease- but not in an annoying way like a 450R's light front end. 250Rs have perfect balance. thats what i like about it - it does what you want it to and handles with precision like it is on rails and is totally flickable.

 

i replyed when i did'ent want to

 

is it hard to swich from 4 stroke to 2 stroke?

 

twenty,
i wasn't talking to you about the wheelies. raptor guy was talking about the wheelies.