I want to get a quad my the end of the summer....i was goin to get a 400ex but i think it would be cool to buy a 250r and fix it all up. I think for the amount of mods i was going to put on the 400ex i would be better off puting those mods on 250r. I found a couple 86 250r where i live under 3000. I need some suggestions on what to do. We have a motocross track and some trails around me. I grew up riding 2 strokes so this is why i kinda think that a 250r would be more my liking. My question is then, how does the r compare to the ex in terms of jumping and trail riding. I read an article somewhere that said that the ex jumps better but this makes no sense to me since all the pro riders race with some sort of r frame. Last question, whats the differences between the 86 r's compared to the 89 r's.....like was there any big changes through those years..?? Thanks guys....

 

Differences in Rs. . .so many and mostly minor.
All 250Rs have a 246cc displacement in stock trim. All have same bore/stroke and about the same horsepower (36-38 at the flywheel).
Engine changes; the 86 is different from the rest in that it's connecting rod is 5mm shorter than other years and the wrist pin is located 5mm lower in the piston. You can't use an 86 style piston in other "stock" R engines without using a cylinder spacer.
The 86-87 have steel swingarms and are gold; the 88-89 have aluminum and silver and are 1" shorter than 86-87.
The 86-87 have camber adjustment on the a-arms; the 88-89 don't and are configured to be 1" forward of 86-87.
Of course, the headlight was moved in 88, 88 was the year of the polished wheels, 89 had the clutch actuator upgraded.
As far as jumping, the R is supreme.
If you can get an 86 for under 3Gs and it's all there and straight (like no bent a-arms or axles, all the gears work, decent tires, all the plastic in reasonable condition, no major frame cracks[stand it up on the grab bar and check the bottom of the frame carefully, use a flashlight if you need to]) that seems like a good deal.
Personally, buy any year of R, they're all great!

 

yep we think they are great too!!! I rode my first one last weekend and oh man I was totally impressed and what a BLAST!!!! If I had a you know what I would of had a you know what!!!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img] LOL In fact we just pick up a 250R 3 wheeler for $50 and the motor RUNS!!!! We plan on making it into a race quad eventually but couldn't resist that deal!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

That sounds like a plan....I think i will get an R and fix it up. It sounds more fun that spending alot of money and buy something that isnt as good. Plus i dont think i can get used to the sound of a four stroke. That winy pitch of a 2 stroke as i fly through the gears is too tempting to pass up. The only thing i am worried about is how the R handles on the trails??? any help?

 

I ride mine in the dunes, change tires and ride trails, jeep trails, dirt roads. Handles superb everywhere.
Now, I gotta admit,
They really suck at mudding, climbing logs and swimming.

 

Is another difference on how the foot pegs mount? I thought I had a '87 with the pegs welded on, it does have the aluminum swing arm, but thought that was just added on. About the welded on foot pegs, I couldn't see any bolt holes so I'm thinking i have a '88 or '89? Here is a pic of the pegs.



Foot peg 1

Foot peg 2

 

I have an 87, the pegs are not welded on and the swing arm is steel.

As for trail riding, they are fantastic. For a two stroke they have tons of torque and will get you over anything. They are also light enough that you could whips them around turns with easy.

 

I think the 250R handles way better than my 400EX. My 250R is almost stock besides the motor, exhaust, axle, and rear tires. I put my old 400EX front shocks on it and it rides a little higher in the front. My buddy has a Raptor and YFZ with decked out suspension and I can keep up with him on the trails. THe open road he is faster.

The 250R flys better than my EX also. I was going to peformance my R before my EX, but the EX had some problems and then I had stripped almost all the way down to the frame, so I fixed it up first. The R will be this summer I hope.

I bought my R for $1,000. bucks with a new rear axle and carrier bearing that I had to install. The best buy I ever made in my life. Parts $680.00 Bike $220. Cant beat that. Cleaned the carb air filter and put the axle on, and rode it.

So buy a 250 R, If you could, buy the 88. I hear that it is the best year of the 250R's.

 

I realize the pegs arn't supposed to be welded on. I thought maybe the early ones were bolted, two bolts per peg, then the '88/9's had the brackets factory welded, and the only way to remove the pegs was to take the pin out??? Anyone have any close up shots of '88/9 foot pegs on a quad?

 

The 250R is a great trail machine. Granted because it is a 2-stroke you will have to work a little harder to keep it in the power band but you stated that you grew up on 2-strokes so that shouldn't be a problem. As for which year you should buy that depends on what type of riding you do. I say that because the '86-'87 R's have an inch longer swing-arm than the '88-'89's. If you will be racing motocross get the latter years. I own an '86 with a stock length Lonestar swing-arm and I love the extra stability the '86-'87 R's have because of it. Even on a motocross track I have no problem making tight turns but everyone swears that the later 250R swing-arms are better for motocross. So really any year 250R will be great.