Hey,

i did a lot of reading in the archieves and it appears that there are some differences between the '85/86 Lt250r and the later years. i was wondering what exactly the differences were? i know most people consider the '87 and later years to be the better of the bunch, while the '85/86 get mixed reviews. the problem is, the only ones i ever see for sale are generally an '86 model. so i was just trying to get a clear understanding if the early years would be suitable or not.

thanks,
bigmac

 

I used to have an 86 LT250R. They are guttless. This one was .020 over and not ported. It even had the original pipe, but had an artermarket silencer. It ran fine and was very dependable. The only problem was its power is not much more than a blaster. The clymer manual that I had showed the 85-86 engines to be identical. The 87 and up were totally different. Thats all I know about the 86 LT250R. Sorry, I am not trying to bash the old LT, but compared to the 86250R honda, there is no comparision.
The newer then 86 models make a bunch of power and a lot more fun to ride than the 85-86. Heck, the front shocks on the 86 that I owned were like 2 inches shorter than the stock shocks on the honda 250R. If you get the 85-86 LT250R you wont be jumping it very high, due to the front shocks.

" some differences between the '85/86 Lt205r " You are talking about the 250R, right?

 

http://www.offroadhaven.com/ltquad_details.htm

 

Hey,

oops, correction made. LT250R

later,
bigmac

 

I have owned a 85 and an 87. There is no comparison. Engine, suspension, dependability, seating position, everything is better on the later ones. Plus, parts are easier to get.

 

It is to my understanding that the early 85/86 year Lt's had Very weak frames.

JaMeS

 

I have an 86 LT250 and it kicks the crap out of any blaster. The only mod it had up until 10 months ago, was an fmf pipe. It would keep up with many not-to-modified 250r's. Also, I would jump that with no problem. Last November I went nuts and did a bunch of mods. I did the first top end job and put a wiseco in, then dumped the air box and put a K&N on. Added some works shocks, some renthal bars, other chrome and billet goodies, and swithched from a 36mm carb to a 38mm. Still have to finish tuning and jetting, but it looks promising. I would like to get a head mod to up the compression a little, since they are only about 8:1 compression. Anyways, the last trip out to Glamis, with the stock carb, I was keeping up with raptors. They can really get off the line fast. I am not saying that my quad is the best out there, far from it, in fact most the time I get beat, but I usually race banshees and modified R's since they are so common, but I can beat 400ex's and and ride all day long with no problems. My Brother has a 86 250r and he has rebuilt the engine 3 times, and we have owned our quads the same amount of time. He also has some porting done and a pipe, and he just barely beats me. I havnt had any experience on 87 and up LT250s so I cant compare. I am just defending my 86.

 

well to finally answer your questoin... it doesnt look like anybody did their homework on their LT's.
8 was theonly week framed year. 86 on the "core" frame was the same. in 87 (the fastest year build, also the most tempermental year) they introduced the powervalve! thats y thet r so much more powerful. they cahnged alot of ods and end over the years 87-92. also in 87 the changed the swing arm too. from 87-92 they changed the rear suspention i think 3 times. withis cahnge required the air box to change.i have a 91 the best rear suspention i think. the only way to realy find out all the changes is to do your hame work and get a parts manual... there u will find all of your answers. good day!

 

Also in 87, there was a reed cage and full reeds, as opposes to the case reed on the 85/86. Roughly, speaking:The 85 and 86 are pretty identical, 87 has a larger reed cage so it makes a little more power, and the 88-92 have pretty much the same motor. 85/86 are also typicaly about $500 cheaper than 87-92. Another difference is that the bolt pattern of the rear wheels changed from 4X130 to 5X130 and match the Quadzillas. A keyed ignition was added for security in 87 and the "T" seat was added. Those are the major differences.