Best Year for the TRX250r/250r!

[NVMYRC]

I am looking to pick up a 250r three-wheeler or a TRX250r quad and want to know the best year so I can narrow my search. I primarily ride on sand and want a two-stroke to go along with my other bikes. Thanks.

Craig,

[250r4life]

go with the quad....

i firmly beleive in the 88s or 89s, but...

i'm sure you'll get all kinds of people in here talking different frame strength and yada yada, and then you'll get the short rod people, and then...

[NVMYRC]

Thanks for the response. I knew it would pretty much come down to personal preference but I just wanted to see if there was a concensus at all.

Craig,

[jon370r]

88-89 is considered the best by most. There a bunch of small changes that were made from the 86-87 modlel years, such as the shorter aluminum swingarm and the slightly different frontend geometery that made it handle a little smother.

[zedicus00]

the best yr of the trx R is quite simple... 86-89. hands down, nothing better.

personal preference determines what you do with it... im building an 88-89 chassis with a shortrod 310 motor and an 86 style flatrack swingarm...

[250Renvy]

I personally like the 88/89 models best because of the headlight in the hood and the aluminum swingarm and the long rod, but for sand you may want to go with an 86-87 cause of the swingarm and they are usually cheaper. You'll likely get wider a-arms and longer swinger anyway so that may be best.

BTW oregon had tons of duner's already built. I'd buy one with the goods already done.

Check craigslist.

[deathman53]

I have a 85 and 86 250r trike, had a 86 250r quad, and I am building a 88 250r. If you can get one I would get a 250r trike, they are a blast to ride and can be just as fast and stable with the right riding style. I rode a 88 and the front end feels more planted than the 86 I had. I am bent upon what years 250r quad to go for, 86/87 can feel like a 88/89 with +1 forward arms and a 1" shorter swinger, some say the pegs are more rearward on the 88/89. Some think the longer swingers on the 86/87 are better suited for the sand and 88/89 is better for mx.
Don't ignore a 250r trike, they are a blast in the sand. I'm torn between a trike or quad as I own both and ride both, the trike will run you about $1500-2g's and the quad will be about 3-4g's. I personally think a trike is more fun on the sand, where turning isn't as important as mx(yes, I mx my trikes).

[NVMYRC]

Thanks guys, you have provided some good info.

[Scott-300ex]

Yeh 88-89 are the best.

86 has 85 trike motor and that has weaker ports cuz its 1 port instead of 2 for strength.

I think 86 and 87 and 88 and 89 have all differences in the frame.

But if you can find an 88 or 89 in good shape, then jump on it.

[deathman53]

86/87 were basically the same and 88/89 were basically the same. 86 had different front motor mounts than the other years, 88 had a solid aluminium swingarm and rear motor mount in the frame, 89 is nearly the same, but it has a shorter swinger and has mount for the stock heal guards. also 86/87 had the in on the left of the subframe on the bottom and 88/89 was in the front on cross member of the frame. 86/87 had pegs that bolt on, 8889 had pegs that fit into a mount on the frame. there is is more differences, but don't worry about the year to much, they are all good.