ATV Drag Race: TRI-Z VS TECATE 3!

It's the Yamaha TRI-Z vs the Kawasaki Tecate 3 in an epic vintage 2 stroke ATV showdown! Watch as these vintage ATVs go head-to-head against each other in a classic drag race! We pit these classic 2 stroke performance 3 wheelers against each other in this 6-race video! If you love old school ATVs the video is a MUST WATCH! It's father vs son in this epic 2 stroke performance vintage ATV battle!
www.themapledude.com

[@506curtis]

Dang man! What the heck. A tecate 3 and a tri z, together riding in 2023, that's just wild in itself. Your collection is amazing.

[@TheMapleDude1]

Thank you for watching. We just appreciate guys like you who remember these great machines and times.

[@paulmazzola398]

Absolutely the best looking trikes back in the day.

[@jeffalleshouse9783]

Love seeing them race never seen them race together thanks for that good old days!

[@TheMapleDude1]

We can go back in time if only for a few minutes.

[@stevestpierre6041]

So awesome! Classic trikes still drag racing 37 years after they were made. Thanks for sharing these beauties with us!

[@TheMapleDude1]

No problem we'll keep it going.

[@brentcloud8364]

I had 1985 Tri-Z it was yellow. 370 kit. Super crazy.

[@TheMapleDude1]

Nice

[@creek_made]

Good memories here, thanks for the vid, guys!

[@TheMapleDude1]

Yes our pleasure to do it.

[@jaimerubio5091]

Cool stuff guys love your videos got my tri- z new back in 85 black and red one still have it today love it big thumbs up to u 😊

[@TheMapleDude1]

Thanks man good to hear you've had it all these years.

[@ryooperdude3144]

Awesome machines!! I love that these are not just sitting in your basement like most people would do with such beauties. You run them like there made for. You guys rock.

[@TheMapleDude1]

Thanks man! That's what we do. We like to ride em!

[@AdamDowns-ic1ew]

I just wanna say thanks. Also, my 13 year old saw this and said he needs a Tecate. Claims he knows he can beat me on my Tri-Z. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤣 Awesome videos dude🤘🏻

[@TheMapleDude1]

Thanks well watch out cause my son always seems to bear me now!

[@matthewblank214]

So much hype on the 86 T3 being so bad ass, i would have thought it would win no matter who was riding it. That Tri Z is sure cool! Nice work

[@TheMapleDude1]

Thanks man!

[@Levisnteeshirt1]

There is something wrong with the T3 ,, they were so much faster than a 250r in the drag race ,, a 250r usually ate a triz ,,, I want to know what's been changed from stock on each

[@stanmerck8242]

Yeah I had a atc 250r 1985 and it would kill my friends 85 triz, both stock ​@@Levisnteeshirt1

[@jimmymckay73]

This is win on so many levels and I love it.

[@TheMapleDude1]

Thanks brother

[@madhatton40353]

I was 15 again if only for a little while:) awesome machines, awesome videos and awesome Dad!!!!

[@TheMapleDude1]

Thanks brother... you get why we do this.

[@Boomer703]

Both awesome machines

[@TheMapleDude1]

Thanks boomer!

[@mattwedig2655]

Something to keep in mind, when the fuel pump starts to fail on the Tri-Z it will still run fine except on long WOT pulls it will lean out and can cause piston damage if run WOT long enough. Had a buddy back in the late 80s replace 2-3 top ends before the fuel pump went out completely. If you have not already rebuild the fuel pump, cheap insurance.

[@TheMapleDude1]

Good tip... I've never yet rebuilt it.

[@ChadEffinMiller1013]

Clearly a big weight difference that caused. Great video and great father-son bonding time.

[@TheMapleDude1]

True on both.

[@stanmerck8242]

Both are awesome and thanks for the video guys, so many variables but i had a 1985 honda atc 250r and it was definitely quicker than my friends 85 triz no matter who was riding it. But yeah always heard the power valved tecates were king but never saw one to run against

[@TheMapleDude1]

One drawback to the Tecate is 5 speed.

[@paulgardner587]

I don’t see how anyone could complain on this I would like to k ow how you find these pristine pieces of history nothing like the 80’s I was happy as hell growing up in the 80’s. I had a blast being a kid in the 80’s it was a lot different than the kids today worlds apart

[@TheMapleDude1]

I just keep looking online mainly for them. I've found them all over the country.

[@petergutknecht7586]

Great stuff. You are truley livin the dream of all us 80's teens. Ive driven quadracer, trx250r , yt125, 200x, big red, 110, bw200, own 1987 Xl600r, 1980 cr80, 1982yz100, 250r with 300kit. Grew up collecting brochures and magazines. Wishing and dreaming andsome of them came true. Then i had a successful stint racing karts at dousman. And road america. Its not easy to do anymore. Seems like you haveit figured out. That is my goal now. A very happy goal.

[@TheMapleDude1]

Thanks man. Yeah I grew up in the 80s a bit too young to own these back then. All I had was a suzuki 125 three wheeler!

[@publicdefender77]

This is awesome! Both those machines are amazing. Great video!

[@TheMapleDude1]

Thanks man!

[@joebarrett5310]

Well after seeing the whole vid, I can say I'm pretty surprised. I've ridden a Tri-Z as well as a Tecate, granted only a couple times on each. But always felt the Kawi pulled a little harder. I think differences between riders played a factor here. That said, it was always close between the Tri-Z, Tecate, and 250r. I recall an old Dirt Wheels or 3-Wheel Action shootout article where they found there was only 3mph that separated the fasted of the three from the slowest when they tested top speed. Truth is, all three represent the pinnacle of high performance 3-wheelers of the day and all three manufacturers brought excellent machines to market. Again, very cool video. I still ride trikes to this day and I love seeing the old war horses I dreamed of owning as a kid still out there tearin in up!

[@TheMapleDude1]

Thanks for watching. Yeah, I remember that magazine as a young kid. I could never have owned these machines back then. Now im basically reliving that era with my son to a degree. But I was always told the Z was slowest. But it runs well. Riders definitely can play a difference between what happens. We'll, do more of these.

[@cruzgonzalez7024]

Good memories......major balls to control three wheelers.....props for that!!!!🎉🎉

[@TheMapleDude1]

Word to your mother.

[@Fireballsocal]

Excellent series! That tecate is clean! Hard to believe it's way up there. We rarely see them here in Southern California and almost never as clean.

[@TheMapleDude1]

Yeah I've never seen another one riding anywhere in WI. Thanks for watching.

[@travishaynes1180]

Hell yeah !! I love it when people film themselves breaking the law !!

[@TheMapleDude1]

Haha

[@glennski007]

Well done! That TRI-Z surprised me!

[@TheMapleDude1]

Thanks brother!

[@ianmangham4570]

Awesome Vid 👌 🤟⚡

[@TheMapleDude1]

Thank brother

[@travishaynes1180]

On the sound alone , the Tecate 3 sounds like a completely different beast !!

[@TheMapleDude1]

It's not easy to ride.

[@anthonynicholich9654]

Kawasaki Tecate 250 was always beating honda 250R so expected same with Yamaha because Yamaha is the most reliable and longest lasting of the three so didn't expect it to be the fastest also

[@TheMapleDude1]

Tri z is my overall favorite.

[@speed6407]

I had an 86 250R My Brother had a 85 Tecate and friend had the 86 Tri Z. From our experience the 250R and Tecate were close but the Honda won more often then not .My friends Tri Z might have been tired based on these races.

[@TheMapleDude1]

Great that you got to try all 3.

[@scottcasner9344]

"CLUTCH DOCTORS" u need to trade mark that. It sounds like a 90's alt band

[@TheMapleDude1]

It's clasic... you're right.

[@chumps7974]

Mannnnn these machines are awesome. I would love to see the 250r race both

[@TheMapleDude1]

We can do that.

[@acetomatocompany]

Thank you guys for providing many entertaining documentary videos. You always use 1/8 mile. Are the speed of all these machines maxed out in that distance or could be faster on a 1/4 mile distance ?

[@TheMapleDude1]

I think we would get a higher top speed going over the 1/4 mile.

[@Thesaurcery4U2C]

Call us all ladies and explains the illegal road racing that we are about to witness. I mean? come on, how can you not love this guy. Lol. And those in the comment section going on about clutches and shifting, are just the owners or fans of the loosing bikes. We See You. 👀 👇 Bring up tires and traction for your excuse for goodness sakes. 😘 Awesome content gentleman.

[@TheMapleDude1]

Haha love it. Soon we will be making more videos.

[@jasoncraig5921]

I’m a Honda guy but I appreciate these 2 beasts

[@TheMapleDude1]

Thanks man

[@ianmangham4570]

DAMN THAT SHIFTING 😮🤠🇬🇧🙏⚡🤟

[@TheMapleDude1]

Word

[@RJL1983]

I rebuilt a 1985 Kawasaki KLT three wheeler and didn't feel safe on that, I couldn't imagine on those beasts LOL

[@TheMapleDude1]

They are wild machines!

[@camgooden5345]

That Yamaha sounds good man

[@TheMapleDude1]

This one always seems to run the best.

[@camgooden5345]

@@TheMapleDude1 them tri-z’s are the truth

[@joebarrett5310]

Just started the vid. I predict the Tecate takes it 🙂

[@TheMapleDude1]

That's what I thought too.

[@kennybeaudrie9021]

I broke my collarbone on an 86’ Tri-Z back in the same year. We were at a Family reunion I hit a set of monkey bars down the road from my Grandmothers house that my own Mother played on when she was a child lol Took them out at about 35 MPH Thank God I had a full face helmet on too. Saved my life for sure.

[@TheMapleDude1]

Geezz man now thats a story. Wow! Back in the 80s 2-stroke 3 wheelers were bound to get ya twisted up!

[@ls1_cammeroh]

I assume there was alcohol involved?

[@kingtitan2051]

Put some gear on that kid.. Other than that - very Awesome races LOL!!

[@TheMapleDude1]

Thanks man.

[@tysonernst9657]

you got to let that kid win anyway

[@TheMapleDude1]

It's what dads do.

[@matthewblank214]

Any 250r honda vs the Tecate

[@TheMapleDude1]

Not yet, will do in future.

[@vintagetrikesandquads4012]

I think the dad is short shifting while the son isn't. These machines make max hp in the 8000 rpm range. If you shift early and often you're not getting into max hp until the very end.

[@TheMapleDude1]

You're probably right.

[@rcrobturbo9433]

I miss my tri z so much

[@TheMapleDude1]

In my opinion the best 3 wheeler.

[@ronbradshaw7404]

Letting your kid ride without a helmet, indeed YOUR clutch is slipping.

[@TheMapleDude1]

Ron bradshaw

[@JBlinky67]

Yeah, people believed the Tri-Z was slower, but it wasn't. I spent a lot of time on all these back then, and the Honda was always the slowest, heavy-feeling trike. The Tecate was always the fastest, and felt lightest when riding it. Plus, a KX500 engine bolt right in. 😉

[@TheMapleDude1]

I agree the thing surprises me with how fast it is. It's actually my favorite to trail ride among all 3.

[@matthewblank214]

I agree, my two Tecates felt light and nimble, they carved corners with ease. My 84 with the Klemm Research motor was the most brutal three wheeler i ever rode, my brother rode it for a minute, got off and said forget that, it’s too much

[@sjcproductionsandmedia]

Cool shit man! Is the Tri that fast or is that Kawi that week?

[@TheMapleDude1]

Not sure. The T3 seems slower than I expected.

[@sunnyray7819]

Jack needs 38 pounds in a backpack on him when you guys race to equal out the weight difference. Maybe wear it on the front side instead of the back for weight distribution. Lol. But seriously, it would eliminate the difference in weight advanced.

[@TheMapleDude1]

We actually did that in another video. Check out the ATC 200x video.

[@sunnyray7819]

@@TheMapleDude1 Cool. I always enjoy your videos. Take care!

[@darrenwalker2365]

Tri z ain't no joke got a 86 tri z

[@TheMapleDude1]

Nope they ain't.

[@paulgardner587]

I bet Kawasaki don’t have one that nice

[@TheMapleDude1]

Haha

[@brentcloud8364]

Son is a better rider.😂

[@TheMapleDude1]

Ouch

[@noduh736]

The z looks better I think it will win

[@TheMapleDude1]

You were right.

[@Trench_God_93]

Seems like dads a little scared of the throttle 😊

[@TheMapleDude1]

Terrified

[@centralscrutenhagen5267]

Which ever one the kid rides is the fastest.

[@TheMapleDude1]

He is lighter.

[@ls1_cammeroh]

The tri z is faster than what they always made it out to be. I used to have an 86 tecate and the results were similar. My tri z was faster all the way through

[@TheMapleDude1]

It's a great trike. My favorite of the 3.

[@ls1_cammeroh]

@@TheMapleDude1 I believe is was 3&4 wheel action magazine or dirtwheels or something said the tri z was the worst in every way. I say that’s bs. I had a friend who used to test dirtbikes for magazines he said they would pay the riders off to say which bike was the best even if they thought it was a different bike

[@TheMapleDude1]

@@ls1_cammeroh I don't doubt you on that. Nice information.

[@ls1_cammeroh]

@@TheMapleDude1 did you ever get a chance to watch that 350x exhaust video I made?

[@TheMapleDude1]

@ls1-cammeroh648 no I didn't see it. Can you send the link?

[@darrenwalker2365]

Now ya need a mint 86 honda atc 250 r

[@TheMapleDude1]

We have a nice rider 250R.

[@darrenwalker2365]

@@TheMapleDude1 atc

[@TheMapleDude1]

@@darrenwalker2365 yes

[@darrenwalker2365]

@@TheMapleDude1 I got all 3 plus a 92 lt 250r quadracer. But I have a 83 red Tecate radiator on the bars.86 250 r and tried plus an 85 triz to boot love them all

[@TheMapleDude1]

@darrenwalker2365 nice collection. Check out our other atv videos we have many more models too.

[@myviewsmatter4041]

Y’all need a tree are someone to arm drop

[@TheMapleDude1]

I agree.

[@benschlack5814]

oh jezz you girls are going to stop up traffic for miles

[@TheMapleDude1]

That guy!

[@fernandoperezpliegoo.8763]

so its not the machine, the kid is better

[@TheMapleDude1]

He could be yes.

[@user-id3bu8ce1h]

Tri-Z won that....take out the Tri-z fuel pump and make it gravity feed or Reverse vise verse....then split the race 5 times 50/50!

[@user-id3bu8ce1h]

Weight of the rider was also an isuue....that man 21/2 times bigger than that kid/teen!

[@TheMapleDude1]

We did switch riders.

[@TheMapleDude1]

Yes weight plays a factor.

[@kingken5395]

👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽💪💪💪

[@TheMapleDude1]

Boom!

[@ItsJokerZz]

the kids a better rider lol or your too heavy he beat you each time on either machine

[@TheMapleDude1]

Yeah he should be... he gets to ride these as a young guy and learn eraly. I had to wait till.i was in my 40s cause I couldn't buy any of these as a teen.

[@mikeschneider2161]

Dude, I’ve never been here before and I don’t know any backstory about your shifting habits but holy crap you suck in shifting😂 Drive it like you stole it brother and be careful🙏🍻

[@TheMapleDude1]

Do you have 11 vintage machines that you get to drive like maybe a couple times per year bc you are a busy person and business owner. I'm just trying to have fun with my son, and that we did. And no need to try to beat these machines. Go find another channel for that my guy.

[@johnvaughn2878]

The one dude is afraid of it ..can't ride Wortham shit

[@TheMapleDude1]

Oh Jonny is triggered cause he's in his mom's basement and wishes he had the money to buy one of these.

[@68cutty]

[@TheMapleDude1]

Yeah