hi im 15 and im about to purchase an 86 lt 250r[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] is there anything i should know before i buy it any help would be appreciated.

 

Check the frame over REAL good. The motors in the 85-86 aren't the fastest 250 two strokes, but they are a pretty simple and durable design. Make sure to factor in the price of any expendables that need replacing(i.e. brakes, tires, clutch) Also, you may want to invest in some counseling for that 250EX, she is going to lonely sitting home all the time [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Most of the factory parts are no longer made. They were only around 16hp. A good runing ATC200X would out run them. When we ran the flat tracks it was common for a Powroll or Sparks 200x to just blow by them in the straights that is if the LT250R could even finish the race. The frams and swingarms broke, The transmission and clutches were always giving us problems, They handling stunk for MX. Out of the five new 1985 LT520R that a group of us bought new only one lived past three mounths. Your 250EX is better than the LT250R could ever be.

 

you may be right on the 85 - 86 years...but any year after that they were awesome. With the powervalved engine, and the frames not cracking as much, they are awesome. I have an '87, and i love it more than anything. I would consider passing up the 85 or 86, and waiting it out for an 87 - 92 model. I picked my 87 for 1500...not too bad considering how fast this thing is.

 

I have an 86 lt250r, and I would kill a 250ex. Come on now, there not that slow. Its nothing like my banshee, and my friend on his 92 lt250r beats me on my 86. I have beat stock z400's on the LT before , so I know its not that bad.

 

thanks for the info guys but i think im still gunna get it man that 250ex is getting boring i need the extra speed and power plus it has a fmf pipe and silencer new top end bored 40 over port polish new plastic nerf bars renthal bars new tires and brakes for 1000 bucks i think thats a good deal

 

Come on now, the 85 and 86's weren't as bad as Harw is stating. I had an '86 and it would blow the doors off of the 250EX I own now. The ATC 200X wouldn't even touch it! True, I much prefer the '92 that I have now, but the 85 and 86's can be made to run. True, the frames do break and the motors aren't as potent as the later year models, but they did run well if properly maintained.
If you do get one check it to ensure the frame isn't cracked. The footpeg area is really weak on those models as well as the frame near the upper shock mounts. The swingarms can crack also and the accentric housing style adjustment can get really hard to adjust if they are not properly cleaned and maintained.
I too would recommend an '87 on up, but the older ones are OK too.

 

does anybody know if an 87 moter would fit in an 86 frame and does anybody know the top speed of an 86 lt 250r

 

The 87 motor wont fit without considerable modification. I’ve got an 86 and a 91. The 91 is a lot faster than the 86 and I would not get an 85-86 again for that reason but they are otherwise a very good quad. Mine had a shaved head and a FMF silencer with stock pipe K+N filter and no air box lid otherwise stock and it would take my friends 350X pretty easy on pavement and crawl away from him on sand. It would also take another friends stock 84 250R by a little until about 60mph where I hit top end, his didn’t run that great though and was geared high for top end. I lost to a 250R quad all stock but a FMF pipe by a few quad lengths. The same friend who had the 350X also had a 200X before that. My LT230 Quad sport was faster than it, it would have been a joke if he tried to race me on the Quadracer. It definitely has more than 16hp, I would guess more like 25 stock and 30 easily obtainable. The frame on mine is fine. I don’t catch big air, but I do weigh 240lb and the guy who sold it to me was 300+lb so I’m sure we put it to a fair test.

My 86 did 60.5 on GPS with 12/42 gears, 20 inch tires and a 240lb rider. I think they do around 65 stock and the 87+ models do low 70's.

 

someone told me that the 85-86 only had 5 gears and the 87-92 has 6 gears is that true?