2018 Honda TRX250x Specs
2018 Honda TRX250x Specs If you take a long look at a Honda TRX250X, you won’t necessarily be captivated by what you see. Of course, the bodywork is attractive and looks sporting, but it is not a pure-bred machine. That does not separate us from the truth of the matter, however — the TRX250X is small but powerful and has been a superstar in the world of ATV when it comes to buying popularity, ease of use and pure fun. The humble $4,749 Honda is the last sports Quad of the company that continues to receive updates, at least in the Department of Aesthetics, which is very important for a rock star. We let the test pilots of all sizes put the 2018 TRX250X through their footsteps in the desert, sand dunes and mountain trails, and remained true to their reputation. As always, it was fun and reliable.
Honda creates some of the most durable engines and machines you can find, and this engine supports that reputation. It has had little review since its inception in the first model of TRX250EX in 2001. That has not stopped the TRX250EX from being the most popular unit for rental fleets everywhere. The engine is a 229cc, longitudinally assembled, four-stroke single-cylinder which is air-cooled, electric-started and carburized. The reason why the motor is mounted lengthwise is so Honda could use a shaft drive without having a 90-degree can-rob turn off the transmission. A chain drive to the rear axle would have run well with this much power, but the shaft reduces maintenance and lasts longer than a chain will. The transmission that this little Quad sport trusts is almost too easy to use. Honda designed its SportClutch transmission which is a five-speed with reverse that does not require the use of a clutch, yet the clutch is there if you want it!
You can run the playground without the clutch at all times and shift it with ease, however, if you are going into a twist and want to get sideways for the awesome slide to show your friends, you can pull the clutch , turn on and pop to get those butts spinning more. We will say that it is always a good idea to cut the throttle between the displacement just to make it easier and less stressful in the transmission. Did we mention that this sports Quad also has a reverse? How nice is that?
Honda usually designs fine-steering suspension systems that are not over the top but can also have some room for improvement. The TRX250X uses a dual one-arms at the front of the machine with a preload-adjustable gas shock that in combination provide 5.9 inches wheel travel. The front bumps are a little stiff until they break inside, and they are too soft for heavy riders. Front and rear shock absorbers are not adjustable, but the rear is paired with a swingarm to provide 5.7 inches of wheel travel.
The TRX rotates well thanks to its short wheelbase of 44.3 inches and a width of 41.8 inches of small size. You can fit this medium-sized patio on any path of 50 inches wide easily, and ground clearance is a reasonable 5.7 inches. The seat height of this machine is 31.4 inches, which is not too high, but since the sling is not so wide, it can feel tippy in off-sagging sections and in turns for the higher riders. The beginner rider who rode the 250X had little complaint about steering and thoroughly enjoyed riding the quad.
If you are a higher rider, you may feel a little wrinkled in the TRX250X, but that makes sense. It was designed to suit the smaller beginner cyclists. However, the Quad is also one of those buy-it-and-Ride-it-Forever machines that is still comfortable to ride on any size and skill level. We had a 6-Foot-2 and more than 200 pound rider put about 20 miles on the 250X in the sand dunes. The engine got a little hot with extended high speed, or at least high-rpm, running at 95-degree heat. However, the small machine never missed a heartbeat.
The handlebars are swept back, making it comfortable to turn the machine while seated, and the thumb throttle is not too stiff. Surprisingly, riders with small hands (size 4) wanted the thumb accelerator to be longer and not so hidden under the handlebar for easy use on long rides. The braking system is strong enough to handle heavier pilots, as well as all the speed that the small machine is capable of generating. The front brakes are hydraulic discs that are controlled by a single lever on the right handlebar. The rear brake is a mechanically sealed drum that is soft but surprisingly strong and is operated by a pedal.
2018 Honda TRX250x Specs
The first stage of our test was in Hardpack desert terrain with rocks. Our beginner rider got the fall of the SportClutch system quickly and was glad not to need to use the clutch lever while learning how to ride. The utilization of energy was simple, and the gentle delivery pleased new riders. The engine has a wide power that provides a good low torque for steeper terrain, however, it allows the machine to have a quick step through the higher gears. Actually it pulled five gears into the dunes with that 200-pound-more rider on board. The Honda has enough power to be playful in the hands of a more experienced rider, and you can get sideways and jump smaller jumps without problem.
The suspension was a bit rough on the rocks and ruts at first as the shocks had not had enough rides to take them yet. It would be good if Honda shocks were preload-adjustable. That would help them to adapt more to the riders for even more fun.
The second part of our test was performed in Glamis sand dunes in southern California. Glamis is the land of Monster Motors, but we still have fun. We were out of the big dunes, but the handling was surprisingly good in the sandbox-better, in fact, than on hard terrain.
