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.
My 1985 Honda Elite 250 has the factory installed Kenwood am/fm radio.
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
My Elite 250 is solid as a rock at 60 MPH.
Starts first time everytime.
Great scooter.
Rich
“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.
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 ?