Tri Z 250 Yamaha two stroke three wheeler YTZ 250 ATC 250R Honda tecate

Post from TimSr. a Tri Z expert at 3Wheelerworld.com:
"As far as 86's handling any better than 85's, yes, the changed tire sizes work better, but since tire selection is matter of basic setup, I dont consider that a better handling trike. The bigger forks are stronger, but they have the same rake, and same length, so again, they have no effect on handling. Stiffer spring in the 86? Maybe it does, but again, they are sprung for the riders weight, which is also a matter of basic setup, and a lighter spring is better for a lighter rider. If stiffer= better, than an ATC110 has the best suspension of all. For a 150-160 lb rider, the stock 85 Z has excellent front suspension. For a 170 lb guy like me, the 86 might be better, or you drop in a set of $80 progressive rate springs from DK. I see no engineering changes between 85 and 86 that affect handling at all. They simply put a little more thought into basic setup.

Without changing frame geometry the Z will never corner like the R or the T3, which is what we usually mean by "handling", but the longer wheelbase is a handling asset for jumping, and straight lining.

All awesome machines, but top speed is Soooooo irrelevant. How fast you can do 0-50 is the name of the game. I dont know where the heck all these guys are riding at 60 or 70 mph, but my guess is Ive rarely, if ever hit 50 on a race track, and I cant remember the last time I found a field big enough to wind any of my two strokers all the way out. The drag strip at haspin ends before I can be totally topped out on my Z,even with its super low gearing. Geez, I had an old Honda CB175 twin that would do 75. Does that mean its "faster"?

Once again, if you can ride my Z, which has no major modifications, puch teh throttle and shift through the gears, and tell me its noticeably slower than whatever youve got, then I am dying to see what you are riding."

Here's a post from Denn at 3Wheeler World.com about the 250cc Shootout:

"If any of you follow ebay you might remember a month or so ago, there was a 250cc shootout from an old newspaper called the ATV NEWS for 86 being sold on there. This was the most thorough shootout I have ever seen and I have the dirt wheels and 3&4 wheel action ones also. They had clocked all three bikes, the top speeds were as follows TRI-Z 70mph, 250R 68mph and the tecate 58mph. They had printed everything, like the gear ratio of each gear, number of teeth, and how fast each bike went in each gear. The degree of rake and trail for each bike. Everything technical about those bikes is listed. Here's my favorite part!! The TRI-Z was the winner of the shootout. They tested each bike on actual motocross tracks and flat tracks and the TRI-Z had the fastest times and was the best handling. Not like dirt wheels and the others that test everything in sand as if everyone lives around the corner from GLAMIS! They said the motor had the most useful power band out of the three meaning it had something to offer in each stage from low, mid and top. I will gladly make copies and send them out to whoever wants one. It is a three page article and really the most interesting one I have ever read regardless if the TRI-Z won or not. I would also like to add as a current owner of 3 Tri-z's . That the 85 tri-z was a piece of crap compared to the 86. The engine in the 86 has a broader power band and the suspension is completely different. It is extremely difficult to bottom the front of the 86 tri-z. Most people give tri-z's a bad rap cause of the 85. Most people can't get a hold of a refined 86Z. They really are a totally different bike."

Tri Z 250 Yamaha two stroke three wheeler