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It didn’t take long for Factory Kawasaki to sleeve down the Tecate’s engine and introduce lightning fast racers Jimmy White, Chris White into the 200cc class In 1984, Kawasaki released the high-performance, two-stroke, Tecate 250 to challenge Honda’s totally redesigned 1983 ATC250R. Honda marketed the 200X as fun and easy to ride with three-wheeled models for the entire family. Yet it still provided enough performance that even highly experienced riders couldn’t help having a blast riding one. In its time, it was the perfect machine for less experienced riders, younger brothers, or even the girlfriend. This began the trend of four-stroke sport ATVs lagging behind their two-stroke counterparts in technology and performanceĪt $1,698 the affordable 1983 200X was an instant success. The 83 ATC250R boasted between 8” and 9” of suspension travel at both ends and the new 250R’s performance surpassed the 200X in almost every way. Honda also released a completely redesigned ATC250R with a brand new and improved engine, chassis, and suspension. The 200X wasn’t the only new high-performance ATC of 1983. Despite its four-stroke engine design, at 282.2 pounds, the 200X was 15.5 pounds lighter than the 82 250R. The 200X was also the first four-stroke ATV to use hydraulic disc brakes front and rear. Light and strong aluminum wheels were used at both ends. The 23.5×8-11 front tire was 1.5” taller and 3” narrower than that used on the 82 250R to improved directional control and roll more smoothly through bumps. The X also received larger diameter forks that flexed notably less.Ģ2×11-8 tires were used out back. There were also a number of dirt bike based three-wheeler hybrids, like the Yamaha backed, YZ powered, 3B Lightnings raced by Steve Wright and Bob “Ace” Williams.Ĭompared to the 1982 250R, the 83 200X had 6/10” more front, and 2.4” more rear suspension travel.
#Honda atc 200x full
Two-stroke, Yamaha Tri-Moto 175s were being converted to full suspension by companies like 3B Lightning and Pro Tec. Mildly modified and custom-built 185s ran against custom-built, feather weight, full suspension ATC90s and 110s built to 180cc. In 1981-1982, full suspension was nearly mandatory to compete at a higher level and the stock 185s lacked suspension.
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Despite their success, the 185s didn’t really take the racing world by storm.
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![honda atc 200x honda atc 200x](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7p9lpT2LErk/maxresdefault.jpg)
Racers Curtis Sparks, and Tommy Gaian remained in the 180 or 200cc class in 81 and 82 cleaning up at major events around the country on custom-built Nick Nicholson ATC185s with full suspension chassis. With the release of the 250R, many top racers made the jump from the once dominant 180cc class to the 250s. Thanks to the release of the 250R, the racing scene rapidly grew across the country. For competitors, the 250R was a machine you could buy from your local Honda dealer and go racing in a sport currently dominated by custom built one off machines. For recreational riders, it provided a level of performance unlike anything else on three wheels. Its two-stroke engine wasted any other production ATV of the time and it was the first mass-produced three-wheeler with front and rear suspension. The R was the first mass produced high-performance ATV. In 1981, Honda also introduced the ATC250R, adding a high-performance model to their line of fun machines.