Honda instructed that these bikes have their engines removed and the frames be cut in half before disposal. Production of the ATC 250R ceased at the end of 1986, though rumours abound that there was a 1987 model developed and a small number was sent to dealers. For skilled riders this wasn’t a significant issue of course, but the problem was that most three-wheelers were being bought by weekend cowboys with no training or experience. There were thousands of lawsuits proceeding through the courts in countries around the world challenging the manufacturers on the basis that these bikes were inherently dangerous. This new power unit was a two stroke with notably increased power from the same capacity, a 6-speed transmission was also added meaning the top speed of the final iteration of the ATC 250R was a hair-raising 70+mph.īy the mid-1980s the writing was on the wall for three-wheelers. Honda redesigned the frame for added strength and rigidity and perhaps most importantly they added a new, higher-performance liquid-cooled motor. Front and rear suspension travel was now 9.8 inches and it utilised the same Pro-Link technology from the previous generation. It would be the 1985/1986 models that are now remembered as the fastest and most extreme examples of the Honda ATC 250R. The next generation landed in 1983 and sold through 1984, it included improved suspension and brakes, now fitted with Honda Pro-Link suspension offering 8.7 inches front travel and 8.1 inches in the rear, with disc brakes front and rear as standard. Both the 19 models were fitted with front and rear suspension offering travel of 6.7 inches and 4.3 inches respectively. The first model in 1981 had a front four-pot disc brake and a rear drum, 1982 saw the rear drum replaced with a disc. The single cylinder two stroke motor had a balancer shaft to cut vibrations at higher RPMs, a 5-speed transmission, and what was essentially a live axle rear bolted to a swing arm with a fully adjustable monoshock.
Honda invested heavily in the model and its development, every couple of years brought significant upgrades to keep it ahead of its competitors and establish Honda as the de facto choice for aspiring racers. The first generation ATC 250R was the fastest three-wheeler in its class by a significant margin, it recorded a slew of race wins and established itself as the trike to beat in top flight competition.
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