...a very good bike aside from the clutch feel not being progressive. I had the 85 KX, so essentially the same in 86 though the rear brake and mud guards were different. The 86 KX 250 will always remain one of my favourites.
Love the new opening graphic👍👍👍👍. Great year shootout pick (I love any 70’s-80’s shootouts/reviews, my years😂). The first and only year I raced 250’s; I decided to try the 250 class and rolled a brand new KX250 out of my dad’s shop. I also spent a few months on the KX500, which was hilarious; I weighed about 135lbs with my gear on😂😂😂😂
Thanks for the vid Tony! I, like you, were in high school at that time and could not afford these bikes, but I too want one and bought all those mags. You’d make my week if you did the 1985 shootouts. Thanks again.
I made $1.00/hr part time, (because I was in grade school), and bought 3 brand new bikes while I was in Jr. High and High School. Because of the production rule in 1986, the price did start to shoot up though, but I was making $4.00/hr by then flipping burgers,---and bought this bike and later a 88 CR250. I paid $2,300 for it, (about a grand more than a 1984 bike costed. The 88CR cost me $3,200). For the next 10 years, bikes got to about $5,000,---then the 4-strokes were forced on the industry,--tripling the cost of a bike again. This is why the sport is almost dead today,---government intervention costs money.
@@TheMotocrossVault agreed sir.. Its all opinions and not to be taken as gospel truth.. Even though I'm aware Yamaha had some real turkeys in the mid 80s I'm STILL and ALWAYS will be biased towards Yamaha. Lol.
1986 YZ 250s had weak frames which would stress crack as well as the foot pegs would break off the frame on hit landings. My older brother raced one back in the day, so I know.
I had and raced the bike and so did a couple friends of mine. We had no such problems like that with the 86 YZ250. I bet your brother has broken a few bones back in the day. :)
Plus, this was 1986, the first year of the production rule and elevated bikes prices due to FIM regulation, (the production rule tripled the cost of a bike in short time). All the pros in the USA had to use production plastic, production engine cases (and cylinder I believe), and production frame. I don't remember anybody breaking frames and pegs in the pro ranks in 1986 on the YZ250 when racing SX and MX.
No doubt the motor mounts and/ or rear suspension bolts were loose, but people without tools or mechanical skills always blame the machine. "This truck sucks it blew up '.......never changed the oil in 50,000 miles
I was 13 but i loved my 99 cr125 lol shows what a 13 yr old kid knows about what they want out of a bike. I had been racing for a few years and wasnt exactly slow or fast.. but had a lot of fun on that bike and learned a lot!
Lovin the channel ! Ever considered maybe doing a rider profile/style/history type video on some of the great personalities that helped shape the sport ?
Please do a review of the 60cc bikes of the 80's. At one time there was yz, cr, rm, and kx 60s. These old bikes were fast for their size and alot of pro riders started on them. I would love that. Thanks! You always do a great job.
Wasn't 1986 when the AMA went to the production rule for all manufacturers? I just remember RJ and David Bailey going at on these amazing machines! Honda for life.Again Blazier, another top notch video. Could you maybe do one on the 1996 250 shootout? Had a 1996 KX250 and loved it. Thanks.
It's funny, I had that 86 RM (stock) and beat some established pro riders on it back in the day at some local races in the UK before I got badly injured and was forced to call it a day. I gave that bike some serious abuse and not once did it ever let me down. It probably suited my riding style at the time.
Like I said in the video everyone has different experiences. I have owned many bikes that I hated that others loved and vice versa. Plus, motocross is 80% the rider anyway. RC could have probably won in 2000 on Bob Hannah's '86 RM. Guts, will, determination and talent will trump superior equipment every time and that is what make motocross so great.
Where are your returns to/from "Comments" outputs? Oh, thats right! You think your gonna be the "Be all, Know all" "commentator that just sells".....You should go and hit up "Whiskey Throttle": d'em guys get the real deal stories from da real deal guys!....
I think Tony is sharp, and he has the moto equivalent of the Library of Congress for all this great historical information. I am not sure why he hangs out with Mathis,---but how did you like the Ping interview with some rapper loser from some local band near him? Or pushing that snake oil salesman robb beams, and even electric bikes the EPA is forcing down our throats? Ping has interviewed some great racers for sure (With Grant, he has a brain, was the best), but the loser, (the guy earns 2nd in a 125 SX series, the best he ever did, and quits like a baby), has the intellect of Bevis and Butthead. Rap on dude!!!!!!
Honda completely raise the bar on what modern 250cc motor cross bikes should be. The 86 and 87 Hondas were said to be like showing up for a knife fight with a nuclear weapon
I'm not a Honda fan at all but I have to give them credit. They completely revolutionized what the buyer should expect off the showroom floor. The 86 and 87 Hondas are not only great motorcycles I think they are arguably the greatest off-road bikes ever made. This is coming from a KTM rider...
@@derrickzenner9300 Im not trolling. I've ridden both of them and newer Honda 250's. The best by far is the 1994 cr250r. The 80's idk what the hell they were thinking back then but the powerband is bland and hollow. It fels like the 1987 Yamaha yz250. Just a overall broad powerband but nothing to be supriced of. It never ''hits'' you so to speak. The 1994 atleast gives you a slap in the face on top end powerband for that extra 2 stroke feeling. I felt non of that with the older bikes.
Still got my 1986 since I was 17. Best looking mx bike ever
1986 what?
I like 1989 cr look the best
@@jeremykirk1334 great looking bike
The 86 Honda motor was PERFECT.
love all them pick a color hopefully RED ..love this stuff ...tony keep it coming ,,,
I am fortunate to have a ‘86 CR250, and it is still a blast to ride, and an amazing dirt bike for being 34 yrs old. Great review as usual Tony B!!
Thanks!
Had the 86 CR. My favorite MXer ever.
I love the video, Tony. I had an '89 YZ250W (bought December, 1988), but I still personally feel the '86 was the best-looking YZ ever made.
KX 250 was the best that year. My rear disc alone made it better than my CR that year.
...a very good bike aside from the clutch feel not being progressive. I had the 85 KX, so essentially the same in 86 though the rear brake and mud guards were different.
The 86 KX 250 will always remain one of my favourites.
Love the new opening graphic👍👍👍👍. Great year shootout pick (I love any 70’s-80’s shootouts/reviews, my years😂). The first and only year I raced 250’s; I decided to try the 250 class and rolled a brand new KX250 out of my dad’s shop. I also spent a few months on the KX500, which was hilarious; I weighed about 135lbs with my gear on😂😂😂😂
Thanks for the vid Tony! I, like you, were in high school at that time and could not afford these bikes, but I too want one and bought all those mags. You’d make my week if you did the 1985 shootouts. Thanks again.
I'm sure I can make that happen
I made $1.00/hr part time, (because I was in grade school), and bought 3 brand new bikes while I was in Jr. High and High School.
Because of the production rule in 1986, the price did start to shoot up though, but I was making $4.00/hr by then flipping burgers,---and bought this bike and later a 88 CR250. I paid $2,300 for it, (about a grand more than a 1984 bike costed. The 88CR cost me $3,200). For the next 10 years, bikes got to about $5,000,---then the 4-strokes were forced on the industry,--tripling the cost of a bike again. This is why the sport is almost dead today,---government intervention costs money.
Love to see a 500 shootout
1986 wow what a year, the year I graduated.. Awsome video as always!!
Year I graduated too, it’s just not as iconic a year for Mx bikes . Much like we can’t claim an 86’Iroc Z will ever be as iconic as a 69 Z/28 .
I had a 1986 kx250. I loved it. I would like to see the 1989 kx250 and the 95 kx250. I had both of those.
Loving the channel Tony, helping me get through lockdown.
Thanks
@@TheMotocrossVault agreed sir.. Its all opinions and not to be taken as gospel truth.. Even though I'm aware Yamaha had some real turkeys in the mid 80s I'm STILL and ALWAYS will be biased towards Yamaha. Lol.
You do a great job Tony... yeah the CR was top dog back then. Total nostalgia, those were great times for the Japanese bikes.
Thank you!
My dad has an 86 M-Star 500. VERY fast bike. Insane stupid power from idle to the top, but incredibly controllable too.
1986 YZ 250s had weak frames which would stress crack as well as the foot pegs would break off the frame on hit landings. My older brother raced one back in the day, so I know.
@@dreyn7780You do that, dumb dumb.
I had and raced the bike and so did a couple friends of mine. We had no such problems like that with the 86 YZ250. I bet your brother has broken a few bones back in the day. :)
Plus, this was 1986, the first year of the production rule and elevated bikes prices due to FIM regulation, (the production rule tripled the cost of a bike in short time). All the pros in the USA had to use production plastic, production engine cases (and cylinder I believe), and production frame. I don't remember anybody breaking frames and pegs in the pro ranks in 1986 on the YZ250 when racing SX and MX.
No doubt the motor mounts and/ or rear suspension bolts were loose, but people without tools or mechanical skills always blame the machine. "This truck sucks it blew up
'.......never changed the oil in 50,000 miles
Rick Melon qualified for the Dallas SX on that '86 YZ250.
tHiS iS bEaR mOuNtAiN!!!
Distance not height... the key to conquering the Himalayas!
Like reality television shows, it started out good but it ended cheesey. Winner takes all that is. Not MXV of course.
I was 13 but i loved my 99 cr125 lol shows what a 13 yr old kid knows about what they want out of a bike. I had been racing for a few years and wasnt exactly slow or fast.. but had a lot of fun on that bike and learned a lot!
Great video.By memory I think ADB our dirt bike magazine here in Australia went Honda,yam and kawi tied for 2nd,Suzi last.
I'm a Yamaha guy but the Honda 86 line from the 80 All the way to 500 is my favorite bikes of all time.. I would love to own one...
That intro..with the smoke effect..max gnar my dude!
Lol thanks
Nice vid! Maico had a 5,6 and 700 2stroke single called the intimidator. Nasty bike from what i have heard and they are a bear to start.
I have 86 yz 250 with the red frame 👍
Lovin the channel ! Ever considered maybe doing a rider profile/style/history type video on some of the great personalities that helped shape the sport ?
@@dreyn7780
🤔always has to be a troll in the group. I think we've found you
Please do a review of the 60cc bikes of the 80's. At one time there was yz, cr, rm, and kx 60s. These old bikes were fast for their size and alot of pro riders started on them. I would love that.
Thanks! You always do a great job.
That is a good ideal. I will see what I can pull together
@@TheMotocrossVault Thank you! Love your videos.
Wasn't 1986 when the AMA went to the production rule for all manufacturers? I just remember RJ and David Bailey going at on these amazing machines! Honda for life.Again Blazier, another top notch video. Could you maybe do one on the 1996 250 shootout? Had a 1996 KX250 and loved it. Thanks.
I will do 1996 for sure and yes 1986 was the forst year for the Production Rule in the USA
what are you talking about Dreyn 77
Great review thanks
Thanks for watching!
.....I had that issue. Epic. Cheers from Oz.
@@dreyn7780 What are you on about ?
@@dreyn7780 ...I'm talking about that Issue of the Magazine with that shootout.
It's funny, I had that 86 RM (stock) and beat some established pro riders on it back in the day at some local races in the UK before I got badly injured and was forced to call it a day. I gave that bike some serious abuse and not once did it ever let me down. It probably suited my riding style at the time.
Like I said in the video everyone has different experiences. I have owned many bikes that I hated that others loved and vice versa. Plus, motocross is 80% the rider anyway. RC could have probably won in 2000 on Bob Hannah's '86 RM. Guts, will, determination and talent will trump superior equipment every time and that is what make motocross so great.
Can you do a 1998 250 shootout??😍😍😍
How about a history of the yamaha wr video please. Would like to hear your perspective. I love my 96 wr.
I will be doing one on the WR for sure.
1983 cr250 review/shootout next plz
What a lineuo Honda had in 83..all modern mx bikes took their cue from that line up
Craig Steinman exactly, the real start of Honda domination in the 80s
The YZ scoring a 2nd in some mags... gee, that's surprising. I did ride a T (87) and I didn't like it at all.
Have you ever driven CZ motocross 250cc?
I bet $ he hasn’t but I’m confident he’s aware of vintage Mx and the popularity of Cz
....and don't the Euro bikes look great. 😁😎
Where are your returns to/from "Comments" outputs? Oh, thats right! You think your gonna be the "Be all, Know all" "commentator that just sells".....You should go and hit up "Whiskey Throttle": d'em guys get the real deal stories from da real deal guys!....
I think Tony is sharp, and he has the moto equivalent of the Library of Congress for all this great historical information. I am not sure why he hangs out with Mathis,---but how did you like the Ping interview with some rapper loser from some local band near him? Or pushing that snake oil salesman robb beams, and even electric bikes the EPA is forcing down our throats? Ping has interviewed some great racers for sure (With Grant, he has a brain, was the best), but the loser, (the guy earns 2nd in a 125 SX series, the best he ever did, and quits like a baby), has the intellect of Bevis and Butthead.
Rap on dude!!!!!!
Honda completely raise the bar on what modern 250cc motor cross bikes should be. The 86 and 87 Hondas were said to be like showing up for a knife fight with a nuclear weapon
I really dont get the Honda fanboys.
The 125 feels slow. The 250's are mediocre.
I'm not a Honda fan at all but I have to give them credit. They completely revolutionized what the buyer should expect off the showroom floor. The 86 and 87 Hondas are not only great motorcycles I think they are arguably the greatest off-road bikes ever made. This is coming from a KTM rider...
@@Dashriprock4 he has to be trolling 🤷
@@derrickzenner9300 Im not trolling. I've ridden both of them and newer Honda 250's. The best by far is the 1994 cr250r. The 80's idk what the hell they were thinking back then but the powerband is bland and hollow. It fels like the 1987 Yamaha yz250. Just a overall broad powerband but nothing to be supriced of. It never ''hits'' you so to speak.
The 1994 atleast gives you a slap in the face on top end powerband for that extra 2 stroke feeling. I felt non of that with the older bikes.
@@swemx7403 maybe the ones you rode were worn out.
they were very good except two major flaws, HEADSHAKE and the the shocks would fade quickly and would ware out.