Hi All,

I am the proud owner of an FL250, not having reverse or electric start has gotten the best of me and I've decided to buy a Pilot.

I'm just looking for some tips on what to look for when i buy. Is there something that commonly goes bad but unnoticed? Missing pieces that cost allot to replace i may miss? Any advice at all would be great. I have decent mechanical expertise, i would rate myself above average.

Also, what would you think is a fair price for on in good condition?

you will need to decide if you want a long travel pilot, if you do then it would be worth paying the $750 to $1000 extra for that. you can find Pilots for about $3000 to $12000, I would think if you keep an eye open and ready to pull the trigger before Mudbogger sees it, you could find a good one in the $3000 -$3500 range and an LT setup $4500-$5000 maybe I'm way off? someone else will chime in.

I just picked up an 89 Pilot about 6 or 7 weeks ago with LT front suspension and a lot of ATV Racing work done to the Engine (not necessarily a good thing?) for $4900. It is in great condition and is amazingly clean for a 24 year old off-road machine. I'm having to do some work on it to modify the air intake system, which means I will also need to rejet the carb, but overall I am very satisfied with the purchase. It is a beautiful machine. I am a bit worried that Honda has decided to discontinue so many of the OEM parts for this machine, but I guess all good things must come to an end. I'll be relying heavily on the members of this forum when it comes to obtaining replacement parts in the future.

Several pieces of the plastic bodywork have been discontinued, so I suggest you make sure that the plastics are in good condition, especially the side panels and the floor/foot tub. Mine has a severely cracked reserve coolant tank, but it turns out that ATV Racing in Phoenix AZ now sells an aluminum aftermarket tank that mounts in the same location as the stock tank. They are pretty proud of it ($115). I suggest you find a Pilot that has lived most of its life in the desert or one that has been garage-kept. Like the one that I found, it will likely be almost completely free of rust. Well, that's my $.02.

Good luck in your search for the perfect Pilot for you.

Get a compression gauge if you don't have one already. Engine should have 148psi or more of compression at wide open throttle. Check the gas tank for rust. Make sure all front bearings are nice and tight by pulling and pushing the front tires side to side at the top of the tire, listen for knocks and creeks. Stock wheels and plastics are very sought after and are a big bonus. Make sure the roll cage isnt totally racked and bent, it might have some kick to it, at this point they have all been rolled. Other than that, use common sense and judgement, just like buying any other used vehicle.

Let us know how you do. Good luck.

Heres a couple good reads

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9563&hilit=Buying+Pilot

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10869&hilit=Buy+Pilot

I want to ask... Does anyone know why Mudbogger buys up all the pilots? Too much money?(lol) starting his own offroad park? Just curious why anyone needs so many?

Randy

I think only Mudbogger knows the answer to that question,my guess is because he CAN

That's kinda what I figured too!

Hi All,

Awesome, this is great info. I made a small checklist based on this info. Any other input would be great.

-Average price will be around $4,500
-Check plastics, especially the sides and foot tub.
-Check compression, should be at 149 or more.
-Look for Gas tank rust.
-Check tire bearings (wiggle tires).
-Roll cage straightness.
-Seat rips/tears.
-Parking break.
-Broken mounting tabs for plastics.
-Intake elbow to check dirt that went past the filter.
-CV boot crack or leak.
-Shock shaft for oil leakage.
-Make sure fan kicks in. (167-175* f)

Bonus:
-Stock wheels and Tires.
-Stock plastics.

You should be able to get a good runner for 4500, depends on seller. FYI My 90 Pilot had 136 lbs compression when I bought it, that was 40 hours ago and Im at 134 or 135 now, but I will be installing rings soon. The Pilots are tough,For everything on your list that is not up to par is a bargaining tool, you could talk the guy down a bit off of say 4500 for negotiation. Unless Pilots are plentiful in your neck of the woods I wouldn't let a rip in the seat or broken tabs on plastic scare me off but that's me. But the less on your list the better. Also check for leaks around the axle stubs where they enter the transmission. Test ride it with 3 or 4 long and hard pulls, then stop, get out and the fan should be running, at least here in Oklahoma where ambient temps are 90 right now. IMO you can tell how well the Pilot was maintained just from looking in the coolant overflow tank, if the cooolant is dirty and crap floating around, the guy probably let other stuff go like trans and motor (( Internal Combustion Engine ? )) oil etc. Good luck and post lots of pics when you get one!!

We should have a checklist posted as a sticky for "noobs" that are interested in keeping this hobby alive! Hoser??

Make sure it has brakes>

Good Stuff!

Best $-.02 I can give is find a pilot that is completely stock or at least with the Engine. Read the horror stories on the forum about ATVr's molestation and blow ups from their tinkerings.

Once you buy a pilot, you'll start to understand how many critical parts are discontinued! Although much needed parts are discontinued, it wouldn't stop me from buying another pilot (which I intend to do sooner or later). The beauty of this forum is that guys here are usually willing to help another piloteer find a needed part!

I think nickRNR said the best thing and that is to bring a reliable compression tester with you. Also, if the seller squabbles about the inspection you've created so far, I'd say walk away and be patient to find a well kept pilot.


I like stix's idea about creating a sticky about this topic. Besides "noobs" "probies" would be another good name!

You got 1 for sale? hehehehe
I love the machines, the hobby, the members, everything about them. I have for several years gathered them for parts,TO RESTORE, and I do a bunch of stuff for local charities with them as well, but that's a private matter and really don't want to elaborate on that(sorry).
I purchase them to help members here financially(spell check stopped working it seems)to fix them up so the hobby will exist for new members, and to help many who have helped me.
Do I have any addiction, mabye. Do I need now over 20 Pilots, no. Am I crazy-YUP!! .

Well.... I'm in need of a decent pilot sometime down the road to enjoy not strip! Livin the sh** outta my 350 for now! They just have so much of a better ride, etc. Not
Looking forward to finding irrereplacable parts though. Don't buy em all before I get mine...LOL

Thanks for all the help. I've been keeping my eye out for a good one in my area. Found 1 or 2 but they had issues or were over priced. I'm not in a huge rush, i can probably get a better deal in the fall.

I will definitely post a picture once i get one!

I think Throttle has a pilot for sale ... ya might want to PM him.

Vrroom