I would like to ask yall a few questions about these beasts. What is the best year model? What are some of the most common problem areas, and what kind of prices should I expect. Did any models have a power valve, or did they have a piston/port design like the older CR250's? I ve herd a lot of myths I am looking for some truth. :-) Thanks in advance for any help.

 

The trx250r was produced for only 4 yrs between 86 and 89. The 88 and 89 250's were the best years to buy just for the suspension but all run about the same. The 250r motor has been around for a long time. It was introduced in 1981 on the atc250r which was discontinued in 1986 and rebadged as Hondas first high performance 4 wheeler now known as the trx250r. The 250r motor has tons of performance mods to make it lethal and still one of the fastest production 250cc 2 strokes made to this day next to the Tecate 250 and the suzuki lt250r. The motor was a piston port motor with a reed valve induction. You can however install a power valve which most like to do.

You might get lucky to find a decent 250r for about 3k but they are very hard to get. Most ones you see are built for mx and can go for about 15k.

 

Diligently inspect anything that old for frame/swingarm cracks.

 

if your looking to buy one i know of a guy on another forum that has a 330 big bore 250r he`s talked about getting rid of.he lives in west virginia.

 

My neighbor has a 330r and that thing is sick! Where can I post my videos of his 330 eating up 450's and zillas?

 

youtube.com is the easiest.

 

The trx250r was produced for only 4 yrs between 86 and 89. The 88 and 89 250's were the best years to buy just for the suspension but all run about the same. The 250r motor has been around for a long time. It was introduced in 1981 on the atc250r which was discontinued in 1986 and rebadged as Hondas first high performance 4 wheeler now known as the trx250r.
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well actually the engine was redesigned in 1985 in the ATC. the 86TRX was sold right alongside the ATC with a few internal changes but still very similar. the 87 cylinder was changed along with some other parts. 88 saw another redesign of the bike (a great one at that) with porting /cylinder changes, differnt CDI, etc. suspension travel was actually more on the 86/87 models, but the components/geometry were refined on the 1988/89. but ALL years handle GREAT! also, little known fact is that the stator on the 89 is different and the official specs call for a different spark plug than the other model yrs.

1989 saw even more changes (and white plastic) and some of the parts from the 86TRX was actually put back on the engine. the 89 is the rarest (and was the most expensive) and best one to get as it has the best of the yrs. the 88 red is still one of the best looking bikes ever made. none were OEM powervalved (interestingly the tecate-4 and quadracer 250 were), though if the market wouldnt have p!ssed around in the 90s we would have seen even more incredible performance from this and all bikes.

the TRX250R is not a legend by accident. it still is the measruing stick by which all sport bikes will be jugded for a long time in regards to balance, geometry and handling. the closest one so far is the YFZ450. it is a better 250R replacement. yamaha admittedly 'studied' the 250R extensively. i think honda should have done the same thing. its not abad bike and has its good points but the handling still is not where it should be yet on the TRX450R.

and yes inspect everything. the 86/87 frame has gussets on it from the factory.

 

the early model 250r 3 wheelers were air cooled and the later were water cooled.they did change stuff on the 250r motor over the years.