86r vs 88-89r

[treadway47025]

What is so different between the 86r and the 88-89r ??? I have 89 that needs a new frame and left side engine case thats in parts. I am thinking about redoing it or picking up an 86 that is in extremely good near stock condition. What is so bad about the 86?? I have an older friend who runs a side business selling atv parts and doing repairs and he likes the 88-89 better. Any opinions?? Info?? Thanks

[cdrookie]

do a search. there's tons of info about the differences between years and everyone is probably sick of explaining it. favorite year is personal preferance

[treadway47025]

I searched and didnt really find anything.

[cdrookie]

real quick search and this was the best i found

http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?threadid=61381&perpage=13&highlight=250r%20year%20differences&pagenumber=2

[quad9]

i have had 2 86 250r's and a 88
both of the 86 models had frame issues on the lower left engine mount,
but i never had a issue with a 88 frame.
some exhaust pipes dont inter-change with the different years.

[deathman53]

86 frames do have issues with the motor mounts in general. On mine, I had the front left and 2 bottom mounts crack and almost break off.

[Dave83]

I have had the same motor mount issues with an 88 frame.

[79vwrabbit]

Actually the '86 frames are pretty rock-solid in my experience. The '88-'89 crack near the footpegs. I have welded my '88 behind the left footpeg and near the right front motor-mount. If you get into a lot of jumping and twisting around on the '88-'89 frames, they will crack.

There is nothing "bad" about the '86. If it's stock, it will have the short-rod motor (with the 125.3mm connecting rod). This is considered to be more of a "hot-rod" engine due to that feature. It allows development of more peak power, sacrificing range of that power just a little bit. The '86 engine has a more open intake design than the later years. This allows for better breathing, but piston wear is accelerated in that area. Interestingly, the Honda CR bikes share that intake design.

Supposedly the CDI units are different too, and the later years have better maps than the early ones. I do know that the '86 CDI is smaller than the '88, but they are otherwise interchangeable.

Also, the ATC250R and 1986 TRX250R share a very similar engine.

When I was originally looking for quads, I wanted the '86, but had to settle for the '88. As fas as looks, I guess I do like the '88 red plastic and "250R" stickers.

In the end, it's just preference, really. Any year 250R can be built into a very mean quad with the right combination of carburetor, porting, head, and pipe.

[Honda 250r 001]

the biggest changes is the 88-89 is around 50 pounds lighter. the swingarm is shorter, and they had higher compression than the earlier ones.

[cdrookie]

i think 50pds is a bit of an exaggeration...

[1promodfan]

Originally posted by treadway47025
What is so different between the 86r and the 88-89r ??? I have 89 that needs a new frame and left side engine case thats in parts. I am thinking about redoing it or picking up an 86 that is in extremely good near stock condition. What is so bad about the 86?? I have an older friend who runs a side business selling atv parts and doing repairs and he likes the 88-89 better. Any opinions?? Info?? Thanks

To answer your question.........there is a few minor changes between the '86 and the '89. But really when it comes down to it, its just a personal thing. The '89 may have a few "upgrades", but you can make a '86 look and run just as good as any other year. Just my 2cents worth.........

[Honda 250r 001]

Originally posted by cdrookie
i think 50pds is a bit of an exaggeration...
to be exact its 34 pounds.

[Honda 250r 001]

the 88-89's handle better. All aftermarket frames are based on 88-89 geometry.

[Honda 250r 001]

Originally posted by 79vwrabbit
Actually the '86 frames are pretty rock-solid in my experience. The '88-'89 crack near the footpegs. I have welded my '88 behind the left footpeg and near the right front motor-mount. If you get into a lot of jumping and twisting around on the '88-'89 frames, they will crack.



ive cracked my 86 and i have only raced mx for 1 year.

[All250R]

Originally posted by Honda 250r 001
ive cracked my 86 and i have only raced mx for 1 year.
But your frame is not brand new. It's stress history makes a difference as to how soon it will crack under the same load.

Are the a-arms really moved forward 1 inch like posted in the referenced link? I always thought the arms were in the same location and that people made a +1 forward change to the arms to compensate for the stock +1 swingarm (moving the weight bias rearward). Can someone who has both frames take a quick measurement on that? That would be cool.

[rockingkfarms]

88-89's are the preferred model. They have a one inch shorter swingarm and slightly different camber/caster and handle better. 86's have the short rod motor. 89's have the clutch update. In my opinion, 88-89 frames crack more often around the footpeg area. I still prefer the 88-89 though. Graphics, headlight, and plastic and wheel color are other changes.