Click for pics
Finally posting pics of my new 1987 Honda Elite 290cc scooter. Word around town it’s one of the fastest scooters in the county. So far I haven’t met my match yet. Other than getting about 60mpg, some other features of the scooter are:
- iPod interface
- speakers
- heated handle bar grips for those cold San Diego nights
- small dash mounted clock
- good luck object braided by an exiled Tibetan monk (yes this is true)
- extra large under seat storage
So far riding the scooter has been great. Parking? No problem. Gas prices? Don’t make me laugh. I went from spending about $70 per week on gas to about $10. Not to mention nothing helps wash away the stress of the workday more than a scooter ride home on a nice sunny day. If you see me on the road I only ask one thing: please don’t ask me if I know what scooters and fat chicks have in common. Oh, and don’t run me over.
You have a Honda Helix, not an Elite. It is a 250 cc, not a 290cc. You could not bore out to 250 cc to a 290 cc without going through the cylinder wall. The Honda Elite is also 250 cc and you sat upright like driving a Vespa. It also had smaller wheels and drum brakes. A Helix uses larger wheels, a longer wheel base, disc brakes, and a lower center of gravity. The 250 cc engine was placed flat instead of upright as in the Elite. Driver position in the Helix is more like driving a sportscar with your legs stretched out forward instead of like sitting in an office chair,(Elite). The Helix is very stable at high speeds with a longer front suspension rake. The Elite is a very unstable over 30 mph.They are very different scooters.
The Helix also had an optional factory AM_FM_Casette available. N.A> on Elite.
hi roger,
thanks for your comment and for checking out my website! however, i must respectfully disagree with your comments. i have an elite and it is in fact a 290cc. the cylinders weren’t bored out as you correctly stated. but an after-market kit was added. also, no disc brakes (mine has drum), no cassette player (added the speakers and amp after-market). i service this scooter myself. also, i purchased the scooter from a scooter mechanic at the local scooter shop. the title also declares it an elite. so, with all of those factors weighing in, i must disagree.
best,
matt
Matt,
Thanks for the information on the Elite Scooter. I am look at purchasing an Elite 150cc scooter but have not seen alot of information of the Elite scooters over 80cc. I also thought they did not make the Elite any larger then 80cc. It appears they were manufactured in the 80’s. My question for you is how do you determine what a good price is for purchasing a Honda Elite Scooter(150cc)that no longer is manufactured?
Thanks Tom
“Yeah, you don’t really have an Elite”, Blah Blah Blah.
“Very Unstable at sppeds above 30 mph” NONSENSE
Someone who can’t tell the difference between a Helix and a second generation 250 Elite Needs new Glasses.
The Second Generation Elite 250 is very rare and an ultra cool ride.
My 1985 Honda Elite 250 has the factory installed Kenwood am/fm radio.
My Elite 250 is solid as a rock at 60 MPH.
Starts first time everytime.
Great scooter.
Rich
Hi I just picked up a 1986 Honda elite 250 in good shape garage kept but someone hit a curb and the front end is a little tweeked to the side as i have not had a chance to get it apart what usually bends? who would be a source for parts? or help? thanks for the help …..im in so california grich15@aol.com
I also have a 250 elite, I bought it for $50. bucks after it had set 20 years “with gas in it”. What a mess, but I managed to clean it up and get it running. It had six miles on it, I’ve put 2,500 on it and couldn’t more pleased. It purrs like a kitten, and goes like a scalded dog. It will run 65 and would hit 7o with a tail wind. It gets over 60 mpg. Also it was bought as replacement for a stolen scooter which was recovered minus the side panels and is now in storage. The lady said I could have it for parts, so if I can get her to go to the storage place and retrieve it I’ll have some spare parts for sale. If some one is interested, email me. Lew lew@swirvemail.com
ANYONE OUT THERE HAVE A BATTERY COVER FOR A 1985 HONDA ELITE 250? I ALSO NEED THE SMALL BLACK COVER UP ON THE CENTER TUNNEL TOWARDS THE SEAT. THANKS. heydad419@stny.rr.com
What 290 kit was used for the top end build ?
I have 1986 250 Elite I paid 1650.00 for it had 3500 miles in almost perfect condition original owner all the paper work and history even the original pamphlet for the 1986 elite scooter line-up tool kit never used the best gas mileage I got was 83 average is about 65.
I have a harley too but this scooter is the KIND I love it would love to know more about that 290 big bore kit for sure.
I ridden my scooter 300 miles on the freeway full throtle stop every 100 miles for gas as the tank only holds 2.1 gallons
i need body parts for an 85 elite. what have you got and how much? thanks richard
great ad. However this scooter isnt an ‘87. It’s either an 89 or a 1990 Elite 250 (with 290cc kit). These are the rarest and best of the older scooters. Parts can be sourced at the dealer (very expensive) or used on ebay. It would be great if you could give more detail about the bike especially the big bore 290cc kit. I would recommend either starting a dedicated scooter site for the second generation elite 250, or post to an existing scooter sight. Nice scoot, hope we can see some updates soon.
hi, would a 1985 honda elite 250 seat fit a 1987 honda elite 250 , and where do i get a reasonably priced storage for the back ,..joe
Hello…. Very nice “Flag Ship 2nd gen Honda ch250″ Top speed on a stock 250 is 70+ mph give or take in a tuck and tailwind. Whats your top speed ? I have a stock Yamaha Riva 180 Deluxe that may give you a run : ) 75-80 mph …If not I have to break the Vespa piaggio 200 two stroke 4 speed . 80+…. Stupid speed for such little tires!!! Very nice Honda I am jealous…its one of the finest scoots ever built.. Be safe out there.
I just bought a 1985 250 Honda Elite and its heating up on me. Is there a thermostate in the line. I’am not sure that the fan is working . I checked the fuse and its ok. Any suggestions?
just bought a 86′ 250 , 2600 miles sold by son after dad passed = pearl white, windshield and rear color match box === $900.00 terrific find / drove in snow that nite to see. Have a elite 125 [appox. 7000mi.]very good scott limited to 55-60 mph w/no windshield = very hard to find …so will sell the 125 red great condition. Have mx raced honda’s for years from 70’s – 2000’s, quailty in famous and engineering without question!!!!
Hello everyone. I have had many Elites and other scoots throughout the years. I would love to get my hands on another ch250 or a 90’s helix. I am interested in the 125 that was posted just a while ago.Brian Batterson just posted the comment recently.I have many trades and also have cash.I’m always in the market.Wouldn’t mind a riva 125 too. Thanks to all. I live in the Chicago area by the way.
hi .i have elite ch 250cc 1985 the faster scoot in miami beach go 85mph all day ja ja ja
elite 250cc i go 90mph all day faster scoot ever
Hey, I have an 87 Elite 250. It failed emissions test. After a carb cleaning and minor rebuild, my mechanic friend says it’s a choke problem, it is running way rich. Wrong choke, wrong wire harness, he suspects that there is something else that sends and receives a signal that actuates the choke.
Can anyone help with this problem? Can the chock be eliminated being that I live in a warm climate state?
Your help is appreciated
Gas prices these days are just getting higher, i think the government should focus more on alternative energy.`”;
The choke thingee is called a bystarter and it is kinda like an older automotive electric choke, in that a steady 12 volts turns off it’s “enrichening” effect and “leans” the carb mixture out after the engine warms. This thing can be ok but not getting voltage from the ignition “on”. Use a test lite to the neg. terminal of the battery and probe one of the wires for test lite to lite up. I actually cut both wires to the bystarter so I could test both the “feed” wire and the ground to the bystarter… I got no “juice” on either the yellow or green wire, so now I am working “back” towards the fuse panel and ignition switch. The bystarter should have five to ten ohms resistance, or hook it up directly to the scooter battery and observe the “pintle” for movement or the unit should get warm to the touch….good luck,Sincerely mm.
On my previous post I was trouble shooting the “choke”(bystarter unit) on my ‘97 Honda Helix because it is very touchy to starting up….it takes just a prayer and a magicians wrist on the throttle or the battery dies from over cranking the starter motor. I neglected to mention that the fuses must be checked 1st then the rubber “isolator” tube between the engine and the carb for splitting and cracks..these cracks can be filled with Permetex “The Right Stuff” as a mc Gyver until the part can be ordered. my “choke” unit is ok, just no juice from the ignition…I will keep you all posted when I get my cold starts easy and less tense. The Honda Helix is a svelte and sophisticated ride. When we think of our Honda scooters, we need to think of a one cylinder, two wheeled Honda Accord….same good design and superior build quality.
btw, let the “Right Stuff” dry at least 8 hours so it does not get sucked into the engine thru the cracks in the isolator…also, a small brace from the head bolts to the carb can prevent the shaking that ruins the isolator. Use a hose clamp at the carb end of the brace, over the inlet port of the carb (around the plastic airbox part) Hope I dont come off as a know it all? I just love scooters from Honda, ciao marty mechanic. 831 345 6000.
i need engin kit 290cc fos honda cn250 fusion(helix).i not know where take it….
Matt’s scooter is a 1989 Honda Elite 250 (MK2 design) in Starlight Blue metallic color. The 1989-90 Elite 250 was the 2nd and final design of the 1985-90 Elite 250 series run. The 1985-88 MK1 Elite 250 (and 1986-2001/2004-07 Helix) used a 244cc vertical cylinder engine, whereas the 1989-90 Elite 250 (and 2001-07 Reflex) used a 249cc “reclined” (horizontal) cylinder engine.
The MK1 & MK2 engines were very similar except the MK1 244cc cylinder can only be bored out to 262cc (75mm piston) MAXIMUM! (don’t believe any marketing hype claiming any different). The MK2 horizontal cylinder (89-90 Elite/2001-07 Reflex) is a little thicker and can be bored out to 275cc (78mm piston) MAXIMUM ! All the “Big Bore” kits on the aftermarket will only give you a maximum of these sizes – again, maximum.
An 80mm piston in either of these motors would have provided a true 300cc, but it simply cannot be done on either the MK1 or MK2 cylinders – there’s just not enough metal there.
I recently purchased my first and only motor scooter, and I am very happy with it. I typed the words scooter modification in Bing, and this website popped up. I will make sure I check back here when I can and see if I can’t learn a thing or two.
I have a 1986 Honda Elite CH250 scooter. This scooter is GREAT and has the factury radio (Kenwood) also. The only problem I have with it now is the front brake cable. The orginal cable (24 years old) needs replacing because is has stretched out. I brought the scooter used and do not know the history of it before I brought it from an pawn shop. Does anyone know where I can buy a new front cable for it because Honda has stopped making this front cable. They still make the rear cable but I think they feel people who ride these scooters don’t need to have front brakes.
well i bought one of these scoots off craigs list for 200 bucks. cost me 9 dollars for a cdi module and i am running around at 80 mph all day. will go faster but i am scared of it lol!! have fun with ur scoots
Hi,
I have a 1998 Honda Elite 50cc. (Don’t laugh) I saw an ad today for a 2006 Honda Elite, 80cc. Do you think there’s much sense in upping the cc’s? I only ride along the ocean and occasionally in the neighborhood. However, I do ride w/my husband (carefully!) who has a 1998 Honda Shadow motorcycle. Most of the time I go about 25 mph.
Sherry
ps: cool website!
i am looking to purchase honda elite 250cc scooter anyone who is selling let me know thanks
ralph 626-379-5951