Diffrence in 86' kto 89' 250Rs

[r-exrider0003]

Im looking into buying an R and i was just wondering what all was changed through 86 to 89... and is a 89 alot better than a 86? thanks

[Quadude32]

86 swinger is 1" longer then the 88-89.The crank is diff in the 86. The frame on a 86 is alomost undestroyable compaired to a 88-89. If you can find a good 88-89 you wouldnt be disappointed.I have a 88 250R in Mint shape if interested send me a PM

[r-exrider0003]

so would an 86' frame be better? , and could you put a 88 or 89 hood on a 86-87?

[wilkin250r]

I'm not the type to get really uptight, but seriously, use the search button.

[Iliketogofast]

I thought the tranny was different, as in gear ratios, in 86 -87/88/89?

[Quadude32]

As far as the frame goes the 86 IMO is better then the 88-89

I ve owned 6 R's 86(Sold),87(Sold)88(Sold)88 310MX(Sold)88(FORSALE)89(Sold) Go with a 88-89 and gusset it up if your going to MX Race it.Trail riding should be fine without.

MY opion on rating them
-------------------------------
86=Ok 1st yr made
87=Better
88-89=The best

[r-exrider0003]

how often do good running R's need re-builds? and on another 250r thread someone said that you could bore and 86'
.100 then you have to get a new cylinder? couldnt you just get a new sleeve? also how does the 250R compare, in power, with a YFZ or 450R ?

[Quadude32]

Originally posted by r-exrider0003
how often do good running R's need re-builds? and on another 250r thread someone said that you could bore and 86'
.100 then you have to get a new cylinder? couldnt you just get a new sleeve? also how does the 250R compare, in power, with a YFZ or 450R ?

Rebuild all depends on how hard you are on it.I rebuild mine about 2x a yr but i race mx"A" class also.All cylinders can be resleeved.Stock vs Stock a 450 will take it on a drag on a mx track it s the rider.Modded there closer and on the track it s the rider

[TheFontMaster]

Well lets see where to start. The chassis are two different styles, 86/87 and 88/89 It has already been stated thet the 86 had the most gusseting from the factory. The 86/87's have a swingarm thats made out of steel, and the 88/89's swingarm is aluminum, and is 1 1/4 inches shorter. The 86/87 250's have the rear motor mount that goes through the swingarm, the 88/89's rear motor mounts is a crossmember that goes across the back of the frame. The shock and linkage settings also vary through the years, you can make the rear of the quad higher or shorter by swaping out linkages. The 88/89's have a arms that are 1 inch forward over the 86/87. The seat pan, and the way the rear plastic mounts also varies from 86/87 to 88/89. The 88/89 geometry handled batter, and was the most desired for racing. The spindles for the 86/87 were 2 pieces, and the 88/89 are one piece, similar to the 400ex spindles.

The motor, the 86 had a short rod motor, that was simmilar to the ones used in the atc250r's. 87 and up motors used a longer rod, and the power was better. The 86/87 have a taller 5th and 6th gear than the 88/89. Stock, I've been told the 88 put out the most horsepower. The 89 motor had the best clutch, and is a common upgrade people do to the older motors.

I know there are other slight differences, but I can't think of them now, I covered the main ones.

[trx310]

correct, the 86 shortrod motor came with a different cylinder as well, it didn't have a bridge in the port. The wear quicker but run better, i have always run '86 engines in 88-89 frames. beautiful for MX or dunes.

[Buttermilk]

The 87-89 had the same tranny ratios (5th and 6th gear were slightly lower than the 86 model).

The cylinder on the 86 had an open intake while the 87-89 had bridged intakes. The main transfer ports were altered slightly on the 87, and the 88-89 also had the secondary transfers altered slightly (I believe they were produced with more of an arc).

[zedicus00]

85-86 engines r generally the same

87-89 engines r generally the same,

seriously, im not even gunna type it all out again. please search, and when u find a good one tell wilk so he can sticky it.

[beerock]

Originally posted by TheFontMaster
Well lets see where to start. The chassis are two different styles, 86/87 and 88/89 It has already been stated thet the 86 had the most gusseting from the factory.

GUYS, you have to stop it, the 86 is not the strongest frame, its one of the wekest out of all years.

the 88-89 have more gusseting then the 86/87

there is mroe gusseting around the front shock mounts on the 88-89 and the rear of the frame has a support bar going from one side to the other. how can you say the 86 is stronger?

[zedicus00]

dude.... i hate to say this but they are right, the 86 yr frame is the strongest. look them over closely and u will see. it also weighs more then any of the other yrs by a noticeable amount. 87 is second strongest. same design as an 86 without all the gusseting. 88-89 is the lightest, does hav the bar in the rear, in a place that it doesnt really need one, has less guesetting on the front end, but is considered to be the better handling chassis....

u guys r gunna make me type everything out again huh?

[250Renvy]

This question/thread has been done to death. If you want all the specs go to honda.com and sign in to the owners link.


But to make it really really simple.

1986 - Good/cheapest
- Most produced - easiest to find
1987 - Better/2nd cheapest
- Lowest produced - harder to find
1988 - Even Better/ More expensive
- ONLY red model - easier to find
1989 - BEST/Most expensive
- Low production - hardest to find


AS far as the frames either are good/strong, but for any racing BOTH need gussetting.

[beerock]

Originally posted by zedicus00
dude.... i hate to say this but they are right, the 86 yr frame is the strongest. look them over closely and u will see. it also weighs more then any of the other yrs by a noticeable amount. 87 is second strongest. same design as an 86 without all the gusseting. 88-89 is the lightest, does hav the bar in the rear, in a place that it doesnt really need one, has less guesetting on the front end, but is considered to be the better handling chassis....

u guys r gunna make me type everything out again huh?

NO they are wrong the 88-89 is gusseted more in the front and the bar acrosss the back for the motor is a huge inprovement for structural integrity. there are also oem gussets for the steering stem area as well.

ive looked them over very close, ihave gusseted a bunch of frames and the 86-87 is not stronger stock for stock.

[beerock]

here is the front of an 86 frame, notices the bar going across the upper shock mount area(from left shock to right shock...see how thin the bar is?
I am not refering to the gussets(welded areas)

[zedicus00]

the 88-89 doesnt even hav a full bar on the front for the chock mounts, its just a thin piece of bent sheet metal. i still think the 86 has the most stock gusseting. i do hav an 86 and an 88 i guess ill hafta look them over good this weekend.

[beerock]

here is a 88 frame notice the OEM gusset for the upper shock mounts AND the steering stem area(still red)

you can see as clear as day the rear motor mount with helps structural integrity.

[beerock]

Originally posted by zedicus00
the 88-89 doesnt even hav a full bar on the front for the chock mounts, its just a thin piece of bent sheet metal. i still think the 86 has the most stock gusseting. i do hav an 86 and an 88 i guess ill hafta look them over good this weekend.

its not a thin piece of sheet metal, it has the SAME bar as a 86 but with a GUSSET over the bar....

you should look your frames over because then you will see why I am saying this. First off why would honda WEAKEN there frame in the later years? they strngthened it, thats why they changed the motor mount area and front shock and steerign stem area. as well as the front motor mounts

[zedicus00]

i didnt think the bar was there on the front still. from 86 to 87 honda made the frames weaker. iether way they all end up about the same when gusseted properly dont they??

actually i think the front tubes on all yrs are guesseted, its just done a lil differently on eech types of frame... and all yrs still hav about the same week points anyways.