Were bikes cooler in the 80's??
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- Опубліковано 11 січ 2023
- 1985 Honda released the Honda Elite 250. At the time this was the biggest scooter released in North America.
I've always been attracted to its DustBuster good looks, but the question was always in my head, is this actually a highway capable scooter?
In this video we will explore that question!
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Thumbail pic @streetshrk - Авто та транспорт
Bought a red one in 1989. Awesome after you learn to respect those tiny wheels. Rode it 300 miles one way on it's first ride. It is currently on it's 4th owner and still going strong.
300 miles is crazy
nothing better than using the left turn signal and then going right lol.
Never let them know what your next move is!
Cool video, thanks! I have two 1987 Elite250's, just for fun runaround's with my wife and son, and love them dearly. I don't think I'll ever sell them, and I don't think they will ever fail.
I have a 2001 Honda Helix (same engine as the elite 250 but with a longer case), and I love it to death. It's the cruiser of scooters with its reclined riding position and super long wheelbase. Massive windshield is awesome too!
I also have a Helix. Love it very much. I tested mine also on the Nürburgring :D Does not make sense there but still was alot of fun
Fantastic. So many bits that had me chucking. Beautifully filmed and refreshing.
Generally when you ride the elite there is much chuckling so I feel like it just came naturally through the video.
Fantastic video! Great videography and even better narration. I've got a Honda Helix, and now I want to ride it cross country. Thanks for the entertainment.
Thanks for the kind words! You should, that would be an awesome adventure.
I had the pleasure of owning a CH250 several years ago. I did the shock upgrade, brakes, and mounted the stickiest tires I could find. I think they were Pirelli's. I replaced the broken speedo cable with one from an early 80's Gold Wing, and cleaned and painted the wheels. Hi temp Rustoleum was a perfect match. I had the OEM windshield and tail trunk, with the clever 2 stage locking top. I rode the wheels off my Elite, but never thought to venture off road, since I owned a 520EXC. Once I got used to the floor mounted brake pedal and learned to trust the tires, I could scrape the floor boards with ease. The CVT was flawless, allowing me to concentrate on smooth throttle and brake control. Good memories. Bob P.S. I now have a Honda Silver Wing 600 Maxi scooter. My wife loves it, which is all the justification I need to own it. It'll run all day two up at 80, and not break a sweat.
I found your channel from F800GS review you did and just subbed after watching a few more videos. Your channel has information, entertainment and cinematography all mixed really well! I hope you keep at it because I'm loving it. Safe ridings
Hey thank you very much! That’s super nice to say. Definitely plan on making more, have some in the works. I’m just pretty slow.. quality over quantity or something like that :P
That was epic and cool - don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
I loved this video.
Thanks Dead Nought! Had a blast making that one
ME too. +1 for this comment. Congrats man!
crazy good quality video. love the way you narate it, smooth and soothing to listen to. cinematic ws on another level. hope to get an update from you soon. this video made me want ot get an old scoter
Thanks for all the kind words! I had a blast making that video. And you should definitely get an old scooter!
You make amazing videos, thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching!
I'm about to buy one of these. OMFG I can't wait. Thanks for the video, radical!
Oh dude that’s awesome!! It’s such a unique machine. I love them
This video convinced me to get my own Honda Elite 250. I love it to death. What a great video!
Thanks for watching! The Elite is a really fun unique machine, I hope you enjoy it!
@Range Road Moto I do have a question though. Which mount do you use for phone and where did you place it? Can't really use any bar mounts since it's covered in dashboard cowling.
@@roygethechicken2775 haha I was actually hoping no one would ask.. it was the absolute cheapest standard handlebar mount I could find on amazon and I just kind of stuffed it onto the mirror support. I think some electrical tape was involved.
It was a terrible solution and shook all over the place. 10/10 would not recommend. I was eying up the threaded hole that supported the windshield mount but didn't have time to make something work for that. But some sort of mount you could thread into the windshield mount would probably be ideal.
it's definitely a difficult bike to mount stuff to thats for sure.
Well this is just one of the best things I've ever seen in my life. Would you be willing to write a review of this model 🤣
Thank you! And yes 100% absolutely let’s do it!
Love it.
When I had a trail 70 as a kid I would put it on the centre stand, build up some wheel speed and lean back for the most terrifying wheelie experience ever. 😂
Hahah oh my god that is amazing
Absolutely amazing like others have said it had me laughing and a huge smile on my face the whole time. Makes me want to take my Honda spree on an adventure, now if only it could go faster than 28mph 🤔
Let’s just find a big hill to push it down.
My 2010 Honda Elite 110cc can make 53 mph top speed. It's ultra reliable for off road adventures. You can probably find a good used one for less than $500. I had a windshield installed and is quite helpful when the temp dips.
Why did that stop you!
I have fallen in love with scooters for touring. There is nothing better. I have owned a helix, a yamaha morphous and a yamaha majesty 400. The 250 morphous has been the best.. multiple 2000 mile trips and bunches of 400 to 800 mile trips. I can give details if you want. But I can't tell you how great touring on a scooter can be. Reliability is great, comfort is wonderful.. love it! In wild love to find an elite 250 for a second scooter to go with my morphous
Love the video and glad to have a 1986 ch250 in pearl too. One day I would like to do a fun trip like this.
Oooh I really like the pearl, hard toss up between the pearl and the gold.
You totally should take it on a trip! Just plan a quiet route and take your time, it’s lots of fun.
@@rangeroadmoto The gold is great as well. I finally took out the gopro and scoot but a bit sketchy on mountain roads :)
Please more great review content like this :)
I will try my best!
The original super scooter.
I own frame #24. They are named Spacy 250 in the UK and came with a front disc brake over here. Fantastic machine from Honda's golden age of innovation in motorsport, automotive reliability and day to day practicality.
YeeHaww!! Absolutely awesome Blake 🤠🏍️
Thank you Riley! yeeehaww indeed!
Great video thanks
Well done!
Thank you for watching @belowzero!
Took my Helix on the highway a couple of times and it was scary as hell could not wait to get off.
I have an 86 and love it!
Fantastix cooter! Great job! Elite 250 is a fun and looks awesome!!!
btw me is Rebuilded an Honda Tact AF24 part by part =P but for long ride bought brand new ADV150 xD to be sure not to repear and fix this type of adventure scooter =P to be able only focus to ride, not a service)
Hey Fortnine, that you? I see through that mustache. Lol, great video budd. Makes me want to get out there... Sssllluuurrrrrrrrp. Aaahhh
Do it! Get out there and slurp!
The Elite looks very cool, I love it. I am on 20 years old Kymco 250 for 3 years now, done 10k km.
Scooter in that mid range class are gaining popularity for light touring or just for people that big bike feels too serious or intimidating. Therefor the new wave of adventure scooters with long travel suspention are here. I am thinking myself for the new adv350.
You must not be in America
@@ramonfigueroa1234ify Europe
RR-Moto, THANK YOU for investing so-much Professionalism into your videos.!
I am shocked that you Rode from Edmonton to Banff / Lake Louse. Obviously you took the back roads, did you every touch Highway 2A.? That's what I Ride when I go to Edmonton. Can I ask you long did this MotoTrip take you.? Speaking of MotoTrips, I am going eMail you today. 🙂
You are very welcome!
Never went on 2a, I head west from Edmonton and went through Rocky Mountain house to Nordegg then to Banff.
Very cool.! Nordegg is the back way into the National park. 🙂 I just eMailed you about a MotoTrip I am planning ;-) But maybe read the end of the eMail 1st. LoL
0:57 I want some of that invisible body armor.
It’s gonna cost ya bud.
Nice video. I have a Helix. Love it.
I’ve never seen a helix in Canada. Apparently it had to be imported from the US
There were highway capable scooters going back as far as the 1950s: Maicoletta 250, Triumph Tigress 250, even Vespa Rally 200, P200 and Lambretta TV200, SX200 and GP200 and they were actually quite nice looking. By 1985 two stroke scooters over 50cc were banned from being sold new in many states, so the Honda and Yamahas were some of the only available new scooters, ugly as they were. Riding a '79 Vespa P200E on a freeway and being passed by a rider on a Honda Elite 250 is what started me on my long journey of riding tuned Italian scooters. Today, riding a vintage, tuned Lambretta that can sit at 70 - 80 mph all day is pretty typical and there are some that can accelerate very quickly to 100 mph or more. I wonder if a similar experience is what compelled others to tune their vintage Italian scooters. Fun times! 😃
Great vid
Thank you Mr.Trump!
I'm impressed with the recent advances in invisible body armor.
Honestly I am too, it’s definitely worth the investment.
I have a silver 1988 Elite 250. I love it around town, but I never do more than 1 exit on the highway.
That’s probably smart hahah.
I have not had an elite.. but I had a helix and currently own a yamaha morphous. (Think helix by yamaha) 250cc is a "goldilocks" size. Big enough to do almost everything you need.. but not so big that it is awkward around town
I've been riding a Honda Helix since i was 14, they are also a 250cc, It could easily cruise at 65 and probably topped out at 80 with my 135lb body, maybe higher i never tried or cared to try. Scooters in general are a ton of fun and when you get into the Honda big scooters, they are the easiest thing in the world for someone to ride, I think the Elites and Helix are easier to ride than my Spree and it's tiny. I don't have a big scooter not but i've been looking, i'd love to roadtrip one.
Yeah I could see that. A couple of friends have sprees and they are so so tiny, probably more twitchy than the bigger elites.
I know Edmonton and so I recognize many of the building in the opening sequence, but where are you at1:06.? How did you get to Amsterdam.? Hee hee
Haha, that’s a relatively new commercial place on 107ave and about 120st
Really.? That sound close to that cemetery you rode though. I cannot picture it, guess I better come visit eTown again this summer.
Yup! Right across the street. It is used to be a Brick furniture store.
I know that old Brick Clearance Store.! It's a cool strip mall style set of buildings, but it's such a copy-cat look, eh.? How do you feel about it that strip mall.? BTW: Did you see my email yet, sorry it's kinda long. 🙂
I think it’s kind of silly looking. But lots of other ppl seem to like it.
I did and I replied
I had a Helix, so comfortable even at 75mph
That’s awesome! I would love to try one of those
GOOD SHOW!
Trying to research ch250's and surprisingly youtube is full of distractions.
To bad those aren't/weren't more common.
UA-cam is terrible for distractions!
And yes I agree. I wish there were more Elites around and others like it!
Anybody know where I can find a speedo cable?! I miss knowing how fast I’m not going.
Ebay! Got a used replacement speedo cable for my helix when mine broke just like your elite's.
where did you go camping? it looks amazing
That’s a spot on the David Thompson highway in Alberta, Canada
At 10:25. Ahh... poor momo. I hope you little buddy didn't suffer too much. ♥
Little buddy did good! I don't think it hurt the scooter, the weird thing with the CVT is that it wont go into really high rpm it just sort of lugs along. Just slow and steady :)
@@rangeroadmoto It sounded like he was crying, worse than Thomas the Train going up a mountain. At least he's OK now. Hopefully he got a good engine clean and nice wax job when he got home. Don't forget to shine the tires too!
I wonder the last time the valves were adjusted. That would help.
That was the one thing I kept putting off, but I was definitely thinking about when I was on the highway. Just a bit more power would make a big difference on the highway
I love all things 80's, but I'm glad that i went with a 2016 Honda Forza 300. It's been a great all-rounder, and I'm planning on taking it out west this year or next from Ontario...don't worry, I'll wipe my feet and be sure not to contaminate Western Canada with Eastern Canada liberalism. I've never ridden a bike across this country and that scenery looks amazing.
Hahah that’s gonna be an awesome trip! Scooter trips are so fun.
Awesome
I had one , it got to 60 in about 15 seconds. Your's needs some work. I also had the elite 150 deluxe with the famous pop-up headlight. Great around town scooter
That’s awesome! I love the pop up headlight!
Looks fun
So fun
You can make it go faster with a Malossi overrange CVT kit, and make it launch harder with stiffer clutch springs. There’s a surprising amount of tunability to scooter CVTs.
I’ll check that out!
I did end up changing out the variators on the scooter, I installed ones that were almost like “cammed” for lack of a better word. They claimed to help acceleration/top speed, but to be honest I didn’t notice much if a difference over the round ones.
@@rangeroadmoto oh, you mean the variator weights? Yeah, the improvements, if any, with sliders is marginal at best over rollers. But weights are only one part of many on a CVT to tune.
Gummy, who I saw comment earlier about his Helix, has the Malossi overrange kit. I’ll let him know to comment here how much of a difference it made for him. The Helix and Elite 250 have pretty much the same engine, so his results should be roughly the same as what you’d see from it.
@Range Road Moto I have a 01 Helix 250. IIRC the Helix uses the exact same engine as the Elite 250, except the case is slightly longer on the Helix. They should share all CVT components except for the drive belt.
On the stock CVT it ran out of ratios around 50mph, and faster than that the RPMs climb linearly. With the Malossi CVT kit I purchased (includes new variator, roller weights, contra spring, belt, and I also got a Malossi clutch) it feels like the CVT never runs out of ratios and the RPMs sit right in the powerband all the way up to my 75mph top speed. The "kickdown" is much faster and more aggressive too, overall the scooter feels much less sluggish with fast throttle changes. Acceleration is improved too but I forgot to get a 'before changes' baseline with a GPS speedo.
I have a forum post about the kit and the install process but I dont think i can post links here.
@@chE3z1where can I buy these parts for mine?
You can always fix cvt sluggishness by tuning it.
I did put some variable weight variators in there. Had a hard time telling if it might it much quicker. But was smoother after.
i love these things and was going to get one to match my 1982 Hymer motorhome for the perfect retro combo , but in the end I went with the Vespa GTS250 which can cut it on the highway !! surprisingly powerful in fact
I looked up the Hymer, can definitely see how that would have been a great combo!
I’ve never ridden a Vespa but I’m sure it’s awesome to ride.
The weights and your variator might be sticking. The drum of the centrifucal clutch maybe glazed. Good times. Thank hank you very much.
You’re very welcome! It did have slightly flattened variators when I bought it, I switched them out for some new variators that were “cammed”.
I didn’t see any glazing on the drum, but I’m defintiely no cvt expert!
Ran really good just struggled with top speed and mountains.. I am not a small guy and I had a full load of camping gear with me. Probably around 260lbs combined
@Range Road Moto My thinking was the honda Elite 250 is supposed to be the exact same power plant as the Honda CN250 Helix/Spazio. The only reason the Elite has a lower top speed is aerodynamics. Anyways, I really enjoyed your trip and hope you have many more fun journeys. Thanks again.
I have one, not running, that I got for $100. I would love to get it back on the road, but I have too many other bike projects ahead of it at the moment.
I know that feeling! Hopefully it doesn’t need to many parts, they are getting hard to find
A neighbor is selling me a 1984 for 150 but needs work, im gonna think about it tbh
@@diecubo just figure out which parts it needs first, some of this things are getting hard to find!
I JUST GOT TWO I LOVE THEM I HAVE A 84 and like a 89 or 91 can’t tell LOL BUT I LOVE THEM
That’s awesome!! They seem to come in pairs.. I got two of them as well from the same guy. An 85 and an 86
You still out there bud? Just found this baller channel but it seems like i might be a little late to the party.
Hey buddy! I’m still out here!
@@rangeroadmoto well hey man, I hope you're doing well today and if you do happen to have anything in the works, I've subbed to make sure I hear about it. Be safe out there my dude.
Me and the wife took my Helix from Zion national park to Bryce Canyon. 400lbs lol Fun / windy and butt numbing experience. Her idea.
That sounds amazing! Haha I love those kind of adventures
10 out of 10 would do it again. But with a full windscreen.
I bought a 150 and 250 Elite back in the day.
$1795 and $2495 in 1986
I still have the 250 Elite.
That’s awesome, do you have lots of miles/km’s on the 250
@@rangeroadmoto The 250 Elite has 12,000 miles on it and still runs great.
I put 18,000 miles on the 150 Elite.
@@cardiffchris man thats awesome!
interestingly enough, that's roughly the value of a well-maintained 250 today.
@rangeroadmoto I can't afford a elite 250, but I did buy a 2023 burgman 400!!!!
Vintage Hondas are the best man.
They are so good. Have proven to be so reliable over and over for me
Man, my CH250 gets looks from everyone on harleys when i'm out
I know right! I’ve never had so many looks as when I’m riding the elite. It’s wild
I had a 87 pearl white 250 elite n loved it so much I'm buying two this week, the reason why it has no balls climbing hills its because of the govener, bypass it n you will gain top end
How does one bypass the governor?
I heard you mention kenya ❤
Yeah, I was there last year, beautiful country and amazing people!
I have a honda HELIX 1999 rred and honda elite 1985 rred I love the 🛵 scooters
What is the topspeed of this amazing machine🙂
The fastest I ever had mine was about 118km/h (73mph). Fully tucked down with no bags or extra gear. It’s not a confidence inspiring machine at that speed.. but it did it!
If you are going down a steep hill, about 82-85-ish.
These things were built as an economic, reliable ride that can go distances without any concerns (i.e. cross-country). They were purposely over-engi eered for that express purpose.
68 mph
Never seen 70 ever.
2 different 250 Elites.
The Helix would do 72 mph
He is wrong on the acceleration.. he had it full of camping gear.. run lighter weights in variator and its quicker zero to 60 than most cars. Also stip trashing the Elite off road and dumping it intentionally.. them plastic parts are impossible to find replacements for now.
Hello it is me aka“He”.
It has aftermarket variators that I installed.
Never once dumped a motorcycle or scooter on purpose. This scooter was in far better condition than when I got from the previous owner.
None of the plastics were damaged.
So in Alberta it’s 110kph on the highway, so does she pin out at 100 or 110?
Yeah our main big highways are 110, secondary highways are 100. With no camping stuff on the bike I can get up to 115 - 120 depending on winds, what I ate for breakfast, position of the moon in accordance to the tides etc. Fully loaded with camping gear it’s happy around 90-100
The Elite 250 should not accelerate as slow as that. It should hit 60mph in around 10 seconds. This bike must have some bad engine issues or worn out parts that need replacement. Have you replaced the clutch rollers? They wear out in as little as one year of use, and can severely affect acceleration, feel, and speed.
Hey there! I know that does seem like something was wrong. But I really think it was because of how heavily loaded up I was. Around town it was way more peppy. I am over 200lb without riding gear, I had an extra fuel bladder saddle bags full of camping stuff , and a top bag fully of camera gear. I think I just overloaded that poor little donkey.
I did replace the rollers, new auto choke, carb rebuilt, new plug.. etc. I think it was running pretty alright. Just too heavy that day, should have redone the test after when it was empty.
@@rangeroadmoto ah ok, yea if you had around 100+lbs of gear and stuff on board, that would slow down acceleration, kind of like when you tow a passenger on the back. Also if the road was slightly incline for the test. I personally have a honda 125cc Airblade. its basically half the Elite engine, but makes like 12bhp stock and 70mph. It used to take like 9 seconds just to reach 50mph stock, but I currently have it down to under 6 sec seconds to 50mph after a few gentle mods like 25% lighter clutch weights and getting a few clutch parts replaced (none of them high-perf parts, just better than stock, such as better clutch springs, which regulate what rpms each gear does). It goes about 78mph now. I did let the mechanics choose what springs to install, as they know the sciences how to increase speed and power with such parts... Happy journeys, mate! Good to see people enjoying scooters. I love them.
Yeah, I do think it was mostly the weight. I had similar performance with my wife on the scooter. It didn't want to go over 50mph. Which is fine with me! It's amazing a scooter can do so much in the first place.
Thats an awesome speed increase! This was the first thing I have owned with a CVT so there was definitely a learning curve with it. I tried some of those variatiors with different heights, almost liked a cam on mine. Honestly didn't notice much of a difference other than less vibration over the ones that were starting to get flat spots.
That bike definitely made me like scooters a whole lot more than I already did!
@@enochthewitness-2023
@@rangeroadmoto thats great, scooters are awesome and practical, and they keep your feet dry doing through puddles etc. and yeah, clutch weights are tricky in terms of finding the best weight ones for your bike - I have found that you need a total weight difference of + or - 25% from stock to notice a difference. You can even outright buy complete clutch kits for scooters, especially Hondas. Either semi-race or full-race clutch kits. They can be the whole front or rear clutch assembly, springs and all the components. Where I live they cost like $250 for semi-race and about $350+ for full-race (probably half that price overseas). That way you know the whole assembly is good-to-go when its slapped on. Anyways, nice chatting, sorry for such long posts. I dont get to talk to many scooter people online lol
Did he really just drop that 250 on the ground like that?
I really did. Not intentionally. Kinda tripped up on that pole and dropped it. Clearly too much bike for me to handle.
@@rangeroadmoto oh ok. This may sound silly but I thought it was a skit
I'm looking for an elite 250 now, I have a 2019 bmw c650gt and would love to get my hands on a 250,.. I had a dark red 85 250 back in 87 and I knew a guy that had one exactly like yours and he bought it new back in 85,..I hope I can luck up and find one
Yeah i could see how it would look like a skit.. but just my stupidity. just decided to roll with it and keep going.
I hope you can find a good one too! They are such cool bikes. Loads of fun
I too once lost my wood, when she took off her clothes.
If you want good wind protection get a helix.
Is it better than the elite? That’s hard to even imagine!
Way better
Love those scoots, great value for money. Rode lots of them even tho i'm 1,92 mtr. Best highway capable one: Piaggio MP3 500 hpe( too expensive, high maintenance and unreliable). Traded it for an older Transalp, still starts every first try. P.s. great 70's porno stache🥸
That’s awesome! I’ve never tried any of the Italian scooters, don’t have many other than Vespa in Canada. Would be cool to try one sometime.
How you like your TransAlp? That’s another bike that is really rare to see here, don’t know if they weren’t available here or if it just wasn’t popular but they seem like great machines from everything I’ve seen and heard online.
And thanks, the stache is still going strong!