Honda Elite 250 '89-'90

[JerseyBiker]

Hey All -

I've taken a liking to the looks of the Elite 250 - the rounded look from the '89 and '90 models. So, I'm asking for some help and opinions -

1) I'm in NC and will be checking all the standard sites to find one in good shape but if you should run across one, I'd appreciate a heads up.

2) I understand not only the styling changed in '89 but the engine as well. If anyone knows any reason why these aren't good years for the Elite, please let me know.

If any of you have one of these and would like to post some photos or comments about them, that would be good too.

Thanks!

[D0N]

the digital dash was also changed for the cheaper analog version. I like the digital dash better.

I've owned 3 ch250's and agree that the newer swoopy look is nicer but the 87 and newer CH250 scooters are extremely rare. You'll be lucky to find one in the uSA.

I'm pretty sure the engine didn't change. The ch250 engine is the same engine used in the CN250 (helix) since it first came out in 1986.

I did see a 1990 ch250 on ebay in Florida about 6 months ago. Before that, I'd never seen one in the uSA.

[JerseyBiker]

Ah, I was wondering why I'd never seen one. Well, guess I'll be lucky to find one but will still keep looking.

Thanks

David

[TrashCan]

1985 Honda Elite 250 - $700 (Sweetwater, TN)


Knoxville,Tn craigslist.

I had a 1984? 10 years ago. Damn good scoot.

[hexnut]

Here it is...

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/mcy/2235913839.html

[Warney]

In the past year I have seen more '89-'90's for sale than in 10 years previous. Seems many would buy one in the right condition/price. Body panels and year-specific body parts, trim, and various other items are pure unobtanium. The CDI seems to have more frequent failures then on the '85-'88. The '89-'90 reportedly has a higher top speed.
This fellow has owned several 85-88's and bought this one last year.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...ght=1990+elite

[btcn]

Actually the engine was changed a bit. Instead of the 244 cc vertical engine, I believe it uses a 249 cc horizontal engine. It has slightly more power, but not a whole lot. It is a very similar engine if not the same as used on the Big Ruckus and Reflex.

The 89'-90' Elite 250 is a nice scoot. It is a bit more expensive than the regular Elite 250 though. I saw a couple in the $1400 range for sale around here on CL. They are not impossible to find, but they are much more rare and harder to find than the regular Elite 250.

And as for CDI failure, all the older scoots are prone to CDI failure I never heard of this year having particular problems, but its no big deal as many CDIs will work on these.

[JerseyBiker]

Originally Posted by Warney

In the past year I have seen more '89-'90's for sale than in 10 years previous. Seems many would buy one in the right condition/price. Body panels and year-specific body parts, trim, and various other items are pure unobtanium. The CDI seems to have more frequent failures then on the '85-'88. The '89-'90 reportedly has a higher top speed.
This fellow has owned several 85-88's and bought this one last year.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...ght=1990+elite

Yeah, I saw that thread and I think that's when my interest started.
Just love that body style - the red one is the bomb!

[fullmetalscooter]

http://www.searchtempest.com/ well help you find one . you can search all of cragslist. Godd luck finding on they aren't that common.

[tbone99]

Originally Posted by JerseyBiker

Yeah, I saw that thread and I think that's when my interest started.
Just love that body style - the red one is the bomb!

That red one is a 1987 Elite 150. I just love the looks of the newer body style. The thing I love most about my 90 Elite 250 is the underseat storage. I can fit a full face helmet, leather jacket, gloves, etc under there.

[JerseyBiker]

Originally Posted by tbone99

That red one is a 1987 Elite 150. I just love the looks of the newer body style. The thing I love most about my 90 Elite 250 is the underseat storage. I can fit a full face helmet, leather jacket, gloves, etc under there.

I didn't realize the 150s had that body style too - that's good news since I can look for one of those too!

If by chance you know what years have the new body style, could you post it for me? In the meantime I'll check google and see if I can find it that way.

Thanks for the info!!

David in North Carolins

[tbone99]

Originally Posted by JerseyBiker

I didn't realize the 150s had that body style too - that's good news since I can look for one of those too!

If by chance you know what years have the new body style, could you post it for me? In the meantime I'll check google and see if I can find it that way.

Thanks for the info!!

David in North Carolins

David, the elite 150 only had the new body style one year 1987. The 250 had it for two years 89-90. Below is a very helpful link. Check it out.

http://www.motorscooterguide.net/page1/page1.html

[btcn]

Yes, the Elite 150 only had this body style for 1987. But only minor changes were made for 1987 to the Elite 150. Manly the fairings, body panels, instrument cluster, seat, etc were changed. But under the plastics, there is really little to no difference between the 85-86 and 87 Elite 150. Same vertical liquid cooled engine, same frame, shocks, etc.

They have the same performance. Some have said the 87 has slightly better aerodynamics, but I am not sure of this and if so its not much of a noticeable difference.

If you don't care if its a 150 or 250 as long as it has this style, its MUCH easier to find a 150 with this style. Their all over Craigslist. The 250 with this style can be found though with a bit of searching.

[JerseyBiker]

TBone - thanks for the info and the link - great site!

BTCN - thanks for that info. Either a 150 or 250 would do so, I'll look for both. Thanks for that info.

All- see the thread on the 250 stolen in NY State? That thing was a beauty! Hope the owner gets it back in the same shape. 1600 miles. Such a shame some a-hole took it.

[btcn]

Originally Posted by JerseyBiker

TBone - thanks for the info and the link - great site!

BTCN - thanks for that info. Either a 150 or 250 would do so, I'll look for both. Thanks for that info.

All- see the thread on the 250 stolen in NY State? That thing was a beauty! Hope the owner gets it back in the same shape. 1600 miles. Such a shame some a-hole took it.

No problem! Yes I did see the thread. Thats the only bad thing about these is they look so much newer that they can be stolen!

Its not like the old boxy space-age 85-87 Elite 150s and 85-88 Elite 250s that no one would even consider steeling!

That was actually a 150. Perhaps the jerk who stole it mistook it for a rare 89-90 Elite 250?