Hello,
I know the '86-'88 models have lights, speedos, and taller, adjustable suspension. The travel for my '87 200 is 9.6" in the rear, and 10" up front. I got my '87 200 in '88 and it was my sole bike up until a few months ago when I got my '96 XR400. I'm about 6'0 190 lbs and ride in alot of thick sand here in NW Florida. She was easy to start, and ALWAYS got me to where I wanted to go, and ALWAYS got me back home. I put on an XR's Only pipe, jetting, and went one tooth bigger on the rear sprocket. It made a hell of a difference in the sand. She didn't have alot of horses, but she was a torque monster.
For your friend, at his weight, I would not recommend the 200. Even with the taller suspension, it would need stiffer springs. Otherwise, anything faster than mellow trail cruising would beat the heck out of the rider and especially the bike. The drum brakes do the job for mellow to brisk cruising with the help of the compression braking in the engine, but any faster and you can't slow down in a controlled fashion.
Your friend needs a MX 125 bike, or a 4-stroke 250 at the minimum. If he can't kick start his 80, tell him to practice, and to put some of his weight into the kick. If he still can't start it, he shouldn't be riding! Good luck.
By the way, if he does go for a 200, stay away from the '84 and '85 models with the 4-valve RFVC engine and dual carbs. They were very tempermental, and not dependable. That's why Honda went back to the 2-valve, single carb version, and have not changed a thing in the engine ever since.