12/12/2023 0 Comments 1987 honda 200x![]() While the dirt bike’s motocross success was good news for Honda, it also led to the spiral of doom for the Honda TR200. Its unrivaled 4-stroke power and exclusively commissioned high-traction Ohtsu tires gave the Honda TR200 a huge advantage in competitions. On the contrary, the Honda TR200 (TR200R to be specific) dominated the motocross racing scene during its two-year run – and AMA-champ Ricky Johnson can attest to this. These changes may have taken away from the dirt bike’s power delivery and handling but not enough to deem it worthless on the tracks. Similarly, bodywork material was changed from carbon fiber to plastic to prevent shattering during hard landings and injuring riders. The frame had to be changed from lightweight titanium to heavy pig iron, as the former was incredibly prone to pinging. The two-wheeler would exhibit the latest racing technology.īut as luck would have it, not all of these sought-after qualities translated into the actual production model.It would have a power output of at least 45 hp.The bike would tip the scale just a little over the 200-lb mark.It would have TR (short for Totally Radical) in its name.Honda started working on the TR200 as early as 1984 and with a list of specific attributes going into the bike: Sadly, the majority of off-roaders are only acquainted with the production models of the Fat Cat, which already underwent significant changes compared to its pre-prod version. The former was produced at the same time but was mainly prevalent in racing scenes. And as special as this cat was to Soichiro’s son, so was the Honda TR200 dirt bike.Ĭontrary to popular belief, the TR200 was not Honda’s response to Yamaha’s BW200/ES or Big Wheel. Few people know this, but the Honda TR200’s nickname Fat Cat was derived from someone very close to Hirotoshi Honda’s heart – his fluffy and cute pet feline. To truly appreciate a creation or work of art is to understand the inspiration behind it – this applies to all types of vehicles, and the MX-style minibike is no exception. Not convinced? Learn more about the Fat Cat’s specifications, quirks, and competencies in this article. Whether in race-ready or basic form, the Honda TR200 is undeniably a radical, one-of-a-kind thumper. Even so, these flaws do not make the dirt bike any less of a prime choice for first-time riders and in-training racers. ![]() Produced from 1986 to 1987, the TR200 boasted an electric starter, a 4-stroke engine with Uni-Cam technology, ATV-style tires, and a compact racing design.ĭue to the 1986 “production rule” of the AMA, Honda made unfortunate changes to the TR200’s original design before rushing it out to production – resulting in substantial shortcomings with stability and overall handling. Fat Cat) is a mini motocross bike considered a detuned version of the ATC200X and an excellent entry-level dirt bike. This guide uncovers the truth behind the Honda 200’s short-lived production run and unwarranted demise. Many off-roaders only recognize the dirt bike’s inadequacies as a race-oriented machine, unaware of its design process and the unceremonious restrictions it suffered after launch. Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.Ī notable forerunner of the 4-stroke revolution, the Honda TR200 Fat Cat, is among the rarest and most downplayed two-wheelers from the ’80s.
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