[Marqos]

Greetings all, I need help making a purchase decision. I’m looking at a 86 TRX350 that looks great, plastics in really good shape. There is also a 87 TRX350D, plastics are ok, will need tires, and has a popping/clicking sound with sharp turns.....think it will need cv joints eventually. Both run great and have been well taken care of.

What are thoughts on which is the better machine? I don’t think there is a lot of mechanical differences and I know both are reliable which is making decision harder.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[retro]

Well, there are a lot of (parts) differences between the 86 TRX350 Fourtrax and the 87 TRX350D Foreman. The 87 Foreman is unique. It is a one of a kind bike, very few parts will interchange from other years/models of 350s. The 86 and 87 Fourtrax models are also unique, so many parts can not be swapped onto either of them from other years/models. The 88 & 89 (& up) 350D Foremans share a lot more common parts between them. Which bike do you prefer?

If I were shopping for one of those bikes, I would require a bike with a complete set of original plastics in excellent condition, before I would buy. The reason being, I can buy new or used parts or rebuilt everything I'd need to on any of those old bikes.... but I cannot make bad plastics new again! And I cannot buy good plastics, new or used. It doesn't pay to be in a hurry... sleep on it for a while...

Those are tough, reliable bikes if you take good care of them. They ride like crap but thats half of the fun!

 

[Marqos]

Retro, thanks so much for the information!

Are there any pros or cons to either bike? I actually like both. I don’t plan on using either very hard just for hunting and tasks associated with hunting.

Are there any known issues with either year or model? Is the noise on sharp turns something I should be overly concerned with or possibly pass on the 350D?

Thanks again for your insight!

 

[Jeepwm69]

I would get the 86.

The electrical systems are the same on the 86 and 87 350 Foremans

The 87 350D has a one year only system

The 88-89 350D's have yet a 3rd system.

So the 87 350D is a one year only bike, and while a lot of the hard parts will interchange, the electrical stuff will not, and when you need a CDI the 87 350D is probably going to best the least common model and thus the hardest to find parts for.

And of course, it sounds like the 86 is in better shape, so that seals the deal.

 

[Marqos]

Thanks for your help!

Is there any performance advantage to one or the other? Do you know the changes made for the 87 production, what changed from 86-87 or are they identical besides the fuel gauge on the 350D?

 

[Jeepwm69]

Mechanically they are all about the same. I have an 86 and an 87 (non D) torn down right now and the only difference I see in the two is an additional crankcase vent on the 86.

The electrical systems are definitely different though, and the 87D model is the oddball.

Other than that and slight cosmetic differences (headlights and side vent colors) I think they are all pretty much the same.

 

[Marqos]

Ok, do you know if a fuel gauge can be added to the 86, and if so where can I get one and are they difficult to install?

Thanks again!

 

[Jeepwm69]

That I'm not sure about. I wouldn't think it would be THAT hard to put one in since the gas tanks are the same dimensionally, as are the fenders. Not sure how the wiring goes from gauge to sending unit though.

 

[PatrickB]

I have a 1987 350 non Foreman model. I added a fuel gauge to mine, but you have to find a gas tank with fuel sending unit from a 87 350 D model or later. Search my started threads on here and you will see one about it. If given the option and all things were equal as far as condition of the bike, I would go with the 350d foreman model as it has larger fender flares, fuel gauge, and removable headlight. I've also heard that the axles on the 86 model are smaller in diameter, they beefed them up in 87 going forward. Also I heard the carbs were improved on 87 models going fwd.

But like someone mentioned earlier, whatever model has the best condition Plastics may be the one you want to get because those are impossible to get (OEM). You can get Maier replacement ones for about 700- $800 but they do not work with the fender flares. As long as the fenders aren't all cracked up, you can sort of restore them as I did a few months ago. It takes a lot of work but it's well worth it... search my post history and you will see.

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[Marqos]

Thanks for the insight, great help!

So, they are not perfectly identical scenario. The 86 plastics are in good condition. 87 has 1 crack that has been tied up, it is also the rare blue but looks a little faded. 87 has popping noise when making sharp turns and has original tires so will need a new set. 86 appears to need nothing.

Was leaning toward the 86 due to possible parts issues if needed for the 87, but now am wondering if I should go for the 87 since it is more of a rarity. But i plan on using it not garaging.

 

[retro]

You'll need to find a set of used front axles for the 87 350D to fix those popping CV joints. The 87 350D is the first Honda Foreman model. It has a few additions and upgrades that the Fourtrax models did not have. It is a very nice bike for that era. I'd still buy the one with the best plastics if I could buy only one, because anything else can be fixed with $$$ except plastics.. Can you make a deal with the owner(s) for both of them? If so, problem solved.

 

[PatrickB]

There's also a complete decal kit for the 86 model on eBay if you would need that. If the 86 model is overall in better condition and looks like it was less abused throughout its life, I would just go with that one.

Do they both come with front and rear racks or just the 87 350 d one?

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[Marqos]

Both have front and rear racks

 

[PatrickB]

Okay that's good, a lot of 86s dont come with the racks. Do you have any pics of either bike?

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[Jeepwm69]

Yeah! Pics! lol

 

[Marqos]

Sorry about that of course pics would help you, help me!

Blue is 87, Red is 86

 

[rodp]

Only one answer to this .............. Buy both !!

 

[PatrickB]

After seeing the pics and everything you said, the red 86 one seems to be the better buy. Is there a difference in price for them or ?

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[Goober]

The 86 seems to be most complete the 87 Foreman looks ok too. Those are both great looking quads tho!
86 for me.
They ride tougher than a cob, but I have a blast on mine.

 

[Marqos]

Thanks all for your help and insight! I’m learning more and more about these great machines. I have several 300s( 88, 93, 99), does the 86 and 87 ride that much different than the older 300?