In America, we tend to fixate on "est" machines—that is, those that are the biggest and fastest, with the "most-est" in terms of power, technology and performance. However, the most significant "est" is usually that which is "best." When Honda introduced the FourTrax® 200SX in 1986, it immediately proved to be a top choice with ATV enthusiasts simply because it was so much fun to ride!

The famous four-wheeler of the day, the two-stroke Honda FourTrax 250R, had also been introduced in 1986 and it was busy grabbing headlines by winning race after race—even down in Mexico where it faced legions of factory-supported, specialized and purpose-built four-wheeled trucks and buggies in Baja.

Meanwhile, the FourTrax 200SX was quietly raising the bar in its own right by carving out a new niche for four-stroke sport four-wheelers. The first TRX200 introduced in 1984 was more a utility-type of vehicle, so the sporting 200SX was immediately welcomed with open arms. It quickly earned the admiration and loyalty of uncounted recreational riders, thanks to its ground-breaking blend of performance plus user-friendly features.

The familiar four-wheel stance of the FourTrax appealed to many ATV enthusiasts who wanted sporty four-stroke performance. The 200SX also boasted two valuable assets that won over many non-riders: an electric starter to get the rugged and torquey 199cc OHC engine perking with just the touch of a button, and an automatic clutch that simplified operation for those not familiar with motorcycle-type controls.

Without the clutch/throttle interplay to master, beginners could just drop the 200SX into gear and press the throttle to start riding—no muss, no fuss! With its wide powerband and low-maintenance nature, the four-stroke 200SX was remarkably easy to live with, a boon for enthusiasts who enjoyed riding rather than tinkering with their machine. To top things off, an easy-to-use reverse gear made it a snap to back out of tight spots—another bonus for off-road newcomers who were still gaining their riding skills.

At the same time, a healthy dose of horsepower awaited sport-riding-oriented owners who really wanted to row through the five-speed gearbox, and a full suspension front and rear smoothed the transition from mild-mannered recreational riding to more aggressive sport use. In short, the FourTrax 200SX proved to be a classic because it could meet a beginner's most basic needs, then see him or her through to more advanced riding levels; it was a beginner's machine that a new rider never had to outgrow!

In time, the FourTrax 200SX was phased out of the Honda lineup, but the overall concept was too appealing to stay dormant for long. The 2001 model year sees the 200SX revived in the form of the Sportrax™ 250EX, a modern four-wheeler that offers the contemporary sporting technology of the Sportrax 400EX, while still retaining the electric start, automatic clutch and five-speed gearbox plus reverse that helped make the 200SX such a hit. It's a classic, reborn!