How Honda made the Most Insane ATV Ever

Today we're looking at the Honda ATC250R and how it sparked a performance ATV revolution, and perhaps even killed its own kind

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[resinductelec]

I was a Honda technician for over 30 years, starting in the mid 1970's. It was a wonderful time to be alive and experience the technical advancements that rolled out every year.
I still play at age 64 on my Honda CRF 100 on a track behind my shop. Sometimes old friend's show up, and we have what I like to call the denture nationals.

[jamieblanton]

I still have a 200x, a 250R, & a 350x and still ride them like I stole them and I'm 68 years old !

[chrisscoleri]

My wife and I still have an 85 and an 86 250R. Both have FMF pipes, Boysen reeds, and CR 250 head gaskets. A little more go for something that was already pretty fast. Super freakin’ fun.

[johnspencer]

Bought a new 250R in '84. It was a riot. I went over the handlebars a few times and ran over my own legs with the back tires lots. Luckily I was 20 and invincible.

[bradn]

That picture of the 1985 250 still looks bad ass today!

[dennisatherton]

I still have my 86 250r that I got brand new and yes they were (are) very fast and had tons of power, I had a few times when I'd be in 3rd gear and punch it and it would instantly flip right over, you definitely had to learn how to ride it and give it some respect !! I'm so glad I got to ride mine when I was young and every once in a while I'll get it out and ride it around, I'm 58 now so I don't go full bore on it, these days it would take to long to heal up lol, I enjoyed watching this video, I also have my 1979 rm125 that was a screamer back then too, that's also been alot of fun, both of them warped me on the ground several times, but hey, if ya wanna play hard sometimes ya gotta pay lol

[deepbludude]

Man im so glad im a boomer got to experience these ATC, XR's, Toyota straight axles 4x4's in real time. At 64 I still ride an ATC, XR600 (When I can start it )and have 2 Landcruisers.

[productiontrimcarpenter]

I owned the 250R at 14 years old. Brand new. Had it 3 days, and we were taking turns seeing how far we could jump. My best friend made a jump, the bike flipped, landed on top of my bud. Luckily he was not seriously injured. The 250R sustained a bent rear axle. $190 to replace the axle. Man we had a lot of fun on that thing.

[alexcrudello]

I had a 1985 I believe 250 Hondamadic three wheeler with a reverse.loved it did everything imaginable, from dirt riding to being chased on a snow storm freezing night by cop cars on the street. Never cought me.🤠🇺🇸

[PizzaChet]

I worked at JP Racing 92-94 and made parts for them years before. Got to ride a loaner Tecate 4. The 250 R quad was their go to for modeling their frames and suspension parts. Such an even more niche sport now. Got to be in the pits as a team member on the floor of Seattle's Kingdome in 93. I really miss the Mickey Thompson Off-Road Gran Prix! 😢

[Hillbillypunk]

I've been riding an '85 250R for the last 27 years. I got nine lives 😅
Also have an '82 185s and an '84 200s. Used to have a 350x too.

[crxx]

Honda absolutely dominated the 80s. Had a ATC 110 and 350 X. Super fun machines.

[richardhall]

I started riding in '84. Started on a 200x, then the 250r. Then moved to the trx 250r, which I still own 2. Both '87 trx's. I'll never get rid of them. I still want an '88. That red color scheme was 🔥.

[ManiacRacing]

I spent many wonderful winters in Chicago riding a 200x and a 250 Odyssey. I even got a newspaper article about doing a donut around every single tree in our local park. Good times!

[IronMission]

I had a buddy do summersaults down a hillside on a three wheeler!

[tommc]

Dude you nailed it!!!! I grew up in this era and it was amazing and terrifying at the same time!!!!

[mytmousemalibu]

Grew up with an 85' 200X ATC, it was a blast. Naturally a few of us including myself got hurt on it a few times but it was a blast. Glad it was part of my upbringing!

[robzplace]

I still have my 86 ATC 250r. It's one of the coolest machines ever. I got it new when I was 14.

[Meat-head]

I had an 85 200X and an 84 air cooled 250R. They were both alot of fun, ill never forget those bikes. I recently got into the 450R quads and had 4 of those throughout the years. Raced hare scrambles for 10 years on them.

[stanstnstn]

Thanks!
Very useful to know how 3-wheelers were supposed to be ridden and why those did become popular.

As most of the moder videos claim: "those were unstable, too many injuries, bla-bla-bla".

Now we know why it gained a piece of market.