Honda isn’t just known for its incredible line of two-wheelers, or even the – gasp – “deadly” line of three-wheel ATVs that we’ve seen here on Barn Finds. They also made a popular four-wheeler ATV known as the Odyssey beginning in 1977. This 1985 Honda Odyssey FL350 is posted here on craigslist in Santee, California and they’re asking $4,300 – a bargain if I do say so myself. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
Add $200 to $300 for new tires and you’re ready to roll. Well, shipping from California for a lot of us is pretty expensive, so there’s that, too. Or just take your pickup out there and get it yourself, there are a ton of areas to ride on the way back through the various deserts in the southwest. Honda made the Odyssey from 1977 through 1984 in the FL250 model in two generations and then came the FL350 for the 1985 model year. This model was replaced by the Honda Pilot ATV in 1989 and 1990. After 1990, Honda got out of this market. They still make ATVs but not this “dune buggy” rear-wheel drive style.
I’ve never tried one of these things but I would love to someday. Believe it or not, I’ve never owned a Honda that had more than two wheels. Independent front and rear suspension gave riders a bit of a break from off-road trails but I’m sure it was still a jarring ride being strapped into that single seat and bouncing around.
The seller says the original plastics are in great condition. There aren’t a lot of photos but the seller covered the bases and that’s nice to see. The yolk steering “wheel” looks good and appropriately faded as it should be after almost four decades in the sun. Switches for the lights and one for high/low are on the left side, along with the run/off switch in red, and electric start. The gear selector is at the bottom right partially cut off, but it’s forward, neutral, and reverse, nice and simple.
The engine is Honda’s 342-cc two-stroke single and the seller says it could use a tune-up and carb cleaning but that should be easy enough for the next owner. It sends power to the rear wheels only in this series of ATVs. With just over four gallons of gas on tap, a person could ride for quite a while and I’d love to own one of these someday. Have any of you had a Honda Odyssey ATV?
About 10 [15?] years ago I had the chance to buy one that was just a little rough for a few hundred dollars. If I had only known where the prices for these were headed!
I had a yellow one 18 years ago (I was 16). Got it for a couple hundred bucks. Ran it around our property and mining roads for a while, rolled it a few times and then traded it for a 920 Yamaha Virago. Parents didn’t like me having a street bike because I was a bit reckless with it to say the least. Ended up trading that up for something else. The odyssey wasn’t ideal for the mountains, dirt bikes had more of a place here. Was fun on the flats but we didn’t have much of that… the pilot was the one to have with these but they were always more sought after.
My cousin had one of these and I loved it, Would let him ride my RM 125 and we’d switch. was great memories
gotta have (or be ina) particular place for these for work or rec (not much into ’toys’) I no longer am so could not “earn” it’s place here.
WoW has THIS segment grown in the 1/2 century of development. Not sure if there’s a ‘lill guy’ like this one any more but every other place (‘ranch’ in 3/4 the country) has a Side.B.Side. Some even 4 up. Many here use the dogs to get in the sheep/other stock but a big place might like 1 of these (again, 4WD is close to necessity).
Had a yellow 250 back in the 90’s that bought for my 10 YO son. Lived in MN. and neighbor had about a 3 acre lot that he mowed for us to put a course in. Straight away, then 180 curve, then S curves, and back around again. They built these with a tall roll bar to keep it from rolling on top. A friend, my son, and I would spend several hours having fun. Son lost it in the S curve and rolled on side once. He killed it and we went out to turn it back over. He was grinning like a Cheshire Cat. Moved to Pa and ex had a farm. Took it there for him to use. Finally the recoil broke and couldn’t get parts, and found a newer one with reverse. It was the best $300 I ever spent.
30 years ago(or so) I bought one that was 6 miles from my home. I waited till night and drove it home all but a mile when the police gave chase, I did not stop, I knew them and they were idiots. I made it to my house and fortunately had my Cadillac out of the garage and I zoomed in and closed the door. They cruised around for 3 hours, nothing better to do.
The price on these blew up during COVID. This one’s “somewhat ” reasonably priced.
I had the first gen that didn’t have a suspension just low PSI in the tires for cushion. Hit the opposite side of a wash ditch going at a high rate of speed and the resulting whiplash lasted for years of pain. couldnt get rid of it fast enough
I had the fl250 in the 1980’s. Fun machine, but it seemed like I had to pull the head and fool with rings several times. It bounced over every bump without rear suspension. Good times though