What model year was the best?

[JDMThoughts]

Just curious as to what model of the 250R was the best, as chassis and frame setups, or had the bike stayed the same for the few years it was built?

[beobe99]

JDM? you into the car thing?

the R quad was made from 86-89. no MAJOR changes so its hard to say which is best.. Either way you would be getting a solid bike. Im sure others would be able to go more into detail.

[deathman53]

88/89 was the best for the chassis and motor. The footpeg placement on 88/89 isn't like by alot of people(including me), however many of the pro-pegs bring the pegs -1" back and lower, to a 86/87 position. In general, you can't go wrong with any year 86-89, as not many are stock anyway. With a 86/87, if you put a -1 swingarm on, its pretty much the same as a 88/89. 86 had the strongest frames, 88 and 89 had the best spindles, 86/87 spindles were the strongest, but tended to hit the a-arms when aftermarket a-arms are used. Don't be too worried about the year, just the condition and mods. Many have a mixture of year parts on them.

[Scott-300ex]

88 and 89 were the best years.

86 motor was like the atc's and 87-89 were alike.

Minor tranny/gearing mod in I think the 88/89.

88/89 had shorter swingers.

Headlight placement on bars 86/87. 88 headlight on hood red plastic 89 headlight on hood white plastic.

Then you got small things like jet size, fuel/mixture screw, plug numbers, idle, needle clip. Damn near different on all years.

[mineralgrey01gt]

I have an 86 frame with a bunch of different year parts. My frame is pretty stout from the feel of the bike. I like the fact that the 88/89 is easier to find parts for and the rear motor mount placement is really good.

[redrooster310r]

88 or 89 , big difference from the earlier ones.... lotta good changes

[beerock]

the 86 frame is not stronger!!!!!!!

the 88-89 frames were gusseted around the front shock stay and a rear motor mount was changed form removeable(86-87) to a part of the frame, which also added rigidness.

the gear ratio was changed on the 87-89 models on 5th and 6th gear.

the 89 had a clutch update (a needle bearing and pressure plate change) and it is the best clutch setup, they changed the clutch pushrod every year until they nailed it in 89.

the seat on the 86-87 are lower then the 88-89

the ignitions were changed a bit form eyar to year

the swingarm was changed to aluminum in 88-89 the 86-87 have a steel swinger

thats all i can think of off the top of my head

[JDMThoughts]

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it, I am contemplating on waiting on finding a nice 250 sometime in the next 6 months or so, I am just trying to keep my eyes peeled for a really nice machine. And yes I am into the honda scene and have a flock of those as well as my 400EX and Banshee.

[atvmxr]

my fav is the 1994 model :devil:

[beerock]

Originally posted by atvmxr
my fav is the 1994 model :devil: did you mean 2004?