ATC250R

The ATC 250R is a high-performance ATV produced by Honda from 1981-1986. Early models (1981-1984) used an air-cooled, 248cc single cylinder 2-stroke engine. Fuel was fed through a 27 mm ('81-'82) or 30 mm ('83-'84) round-slide carburetor and reed-valve intake. Power was accessed through a close-ratio 5-speed transmission with a manual clutch. Later models ('85-'86) used a liquid-cooled, 246cc single cylinder 2-stroke engine with a 34 mm round ('85) or flat ('86) slide carburetor and reed-valve intake. The 85-86 models were upgraded with a close-ratio six speed transmission with a manual clutch.

All model years were fully suspended, using air-assisted front forks and a single, remote reservoir gas-charged rear shock. '81-'82 models offered 6.7 inches of front suspension travel and 4.3 inches in the rear, '83-'84 offered 8.7 inches in front and 8.1 inches rear, while '85-'86 gave a staggering 9.8 inches of travel at both ends,they pushing about 40hp at the crank. All model years also used a gear-driven counter-balancer to reduce engine vibration. Dual disc brakes were used on all model years, with the exception of the '81, which used a front disc and a rear drum.

The 1981 ATC 250R marked a milestone in off-road history, as it was the first 2-stroke ATV designed specifically for racing. While ATV racing was in its infancy, racers had to rely on Honda's ATC110 and ATC185 models on the racetrack. Both of these 4-stroke models were sluggish and poorly suspended when compared to their screaming, 2-stroke baby brother.

The 1983 ATC 250R incorporated many improvements over the prior 1982 model, mainly with the introduction of Pro-Link suspension, folding foot pegs, a larger and more stylish fuel tank, longer travel suspension in front and rear, and a host of other improvements.

The 1986 ATC 250R was the last model year offered for sale in the United States, after an agreement between manufacturers and the Consumer Product Safety Commission to cease production on all 3-wheeled ATV's. This was the result of thousands of legal battles regarding safety issues and high accident rates. The agreement stated that production would cease for ten years, although no major manufacturer has resumed production since the ban ended in 1997.

The Honda ATC 250R has earned its place in off-road history, and remains one of the most sought after ATV's ever produced.

Most of these highly sought-after vehicles reside in a barn in Parma New York, and can be seen with hundreds of others once a year at Trike Fest, which is the world's largest annual gathering of three-wheelers, held at Haspin Acres Park in Laurel Indiana.