The 1985 Honda ATC200S
The ATC200S was made between 1984 and 1986. The ATC200S evolved from the 1981-1983 ATC185S. Although the name would have you think it came from the ATC200 - it is more closely related to the ATC185S. The 1984 model was nearly the same as the 1983 ATC185S with the exception of rear fender design and a trunk. The ATC200S remains a favorite to many 3-wheeler enthusiasts because of its powerful engine packed into such a compact trike. The 278 pound unit has 14 HP which makes it a powerhouse when comparing it to an ATC200M, ATC200 or ATC200 Big Red. The relatively low center of gravity and favorable horsepower to weight ratio makes this model fun and easy to ride. Whether bombing tight technical trails, mud pits, snow covered fields, or climbing steep hills, the 200S is always up to the task.
Tionesta Trike's 1985 ATC200S is very special to us, as it has very deep roots engrained into our life and hobby. Back on Christmas Eve in 1984 my brother Bill and I got brand new matching 1985 ATC200Ss as Christmas gifts. We loved them! We rode them so much, any where and every where. Unfortunately I was not at an age of responsibility, so maintenance was the furthest thing from my mind. I used and abused my ATC200S so badly that it was basically scrapped out. Meanwhile, my brother Bill's still was in fair running condition. As he went off to college, I had his ATC200S at my disposal, which ultimately lead to no good. Once I moved away from home for schooling the old ATC200S was parked and forgotten about for about 5 years. It was then in 1999 that we had started to get back into 3-wheeling again. Brother Bill pulled this machine from the garage and dusted it off for a closer look. The machine needed lots of TLC. Brother Bill decided to make the investment to bring this machine back to life. He got the motor rebuilt, added a plastic gas thank and front rack, and replaced important things like brakes, tires, and cables.
As we progressively got more and more involved back into the 3 wheeler hobby, we both collected other machines. In 2005, my brother and I took a Saturday and tore it down to paint the frame and clean it up a bit - kind of a weekend restoration of sorts. Then in 2007, my brother graciously donated his originally owned 1985 ATC200S to the Tionesta Trikes collection where it will be forever a part of museum's line-up. It still gets out on trail rides from time to time, as it is a real blast from the past for both Bill and me.
