Kawasaki KL250 Sherpa, Looking at buying one for the wife?

[Monstaman]

Kawasaki KL250 Sherpa, any info as to reliability, issues, funnies bonuses etc.

Wife is taking up riding so we want something like that or a Yamaha Tricka or any other sorta kinda thing.

Cheers gents.

[junkmanjoe]

i think Rosie rides a sherpa, she been all over the place and big red on her bike...
good on her i say...

JMJ

[JATZ]

What about an SL 230 ?

[topo]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn175/topo-t-south/ktm%20build/P2110070.jpg

One lady owner (in nz)

[Monstaman]

What about an SL 230 ?

Haven't thought of one of those .. will chase them up too!

[dino3310]

pm Rosie she can fill ya in on all the sherpa stuff, shes got a larger XR(me thinks) tank on it as well. Top little bike

[Monstaman]

pm Rosie she can fill ya in on all the sherpa stuff, shes got a larger XR(me thinks) tank on it as well. Top little bike

Ha, we were talking to her about her bike at the Fuckengruven Rally with Clint.

Shoulda had a better look back then eh, only ever owned one kwaka out of 36 bikes that have owned me.

This is Ellen on the Tricka

[Padmei]

OK silly question here what kind of bike does that fall into? Small trail bike or something left of centre? never seen one before but looks weird - in a good quirky way.

[Monstaman]

Kinda like a trials bike with lights, groovy wee machine and lite as, perfect for learning and maybe even for riding cos she is only 5'2".

[blackdog]

yam xt250 worth a look too, and i think theres the odd 225 around, same dynamic, just abit cheaper than the tricker

[alane]

All you ever want to know about them ,(with an American slant ) is in the Super sherpa section of ADV RIDER.
Don,t hesitate------BUY ONE---
I have two,one a farm version (Stockman 02) ,the other a 97Sherpa,both bought after a hard life by other owners.Both bought on Twademe for around $1500.:yes:The stockman,used so much the serrations worn RIGHT OFF the leading edge of the footpegs.:shit: Both go really well.:love:Someone told me if you cut the muffler & take the baffle out they go much better. My stockman has a broken baffle (rattles) & its much more stokey than the Sherpa.----I,ve yet to cut it.(Sherpa) Brake pads wear quickly on the farm,but they,re small & light,as is most everything on them,that,the lightness, is what makes them a delight to ride.
Repairs-----Starter clutch packed it in once--just a spring broken.Hit gearleaver on a stump :blink:& broke casting on motor----luckily it is a bolt-on side plate.(replaced.) Recomend upgraded sump gaurd for rough ground. Put new swingarm & shock linkage bearings in one $300 from "ALLBALLS" .Should realy grease them periodicly.Easy to break plastic drive in front hub for speedo when removing/replaceing front wheel.My Sherpa has had the spark plug screwed in crooked ,so does,nt thread right in ,verry occasionaly it fouls up. (Not that easy to get plug in & out with the tank on)
In summery----mine have stood the punishment on the farm & trail rides verry well. But They dont get used on the road @ high rev,s for long periods ,so ROSIE would know more on that one.
Hope its a help--- ALANE.:bye:

[Monstaman]

Great info ALANE, sounds like you torture them.

[Rosie]

The sherp isn't a bad wee bike. But they don't sell them new in NZ any more :( The XT250 looks almost identical on paper, and has a similar seating position/geometry (I've only sat on one, so I don't know how it would compare to the sherp).

My sherpa is coming up to its 48,000km service after the CCA, and I haven't had too many problems with it. The countershaft seal isn't a terribly tight fit and I've had it pop out a couple of times, but that equates to about once every 20,000km, so may not be a problem if it isn't doing big kms.
The main reliability problem I have is that no-one else seems to have done bigger k's on their sherpa, so I have no idea what is likely to wear out next :mellow:

I tour on mine, it gets pretty maxed out on the highway, and overtaking is hard, but if you are happy to cruise at 95-105-ish it's comfortable. I'd probably make a little screen if I was doing a big trip like australia again. It's quite capable on lower speed twisties, and the stock tyres give a lot of grip on the seal, even in the wet.

I'm starting to get to the limits of the suspension off-road, especially on lumpy surfaces like rocky riverbeds. But for gravel roads, and easier off road riding it's fine.
The sherpa has quite a big gear spread compared to other dual purpose bikes. It has a nice low first gear, which is confidence inspiring when learning.

[CRM]

Selling an XL250 Degree very similar to Sherpa etc - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=277745911

[NordieBoy]

Nerdneh rode his stock Sherpa in the Nelson 6-hour X-Country race a couple of years ago.

Watching Rosie put the pass on a couple of cars, trying to get to the start of the Takaka Hill before them, was brilliant.
They were sitting at 105kph or so and it took forever for a Sherpa pilot in a racing crouch to get past.

[clint640]

yam xt250 worth a look too, and i think theres the odd 225 around, same dynamic, just abit cheaper than the tricker

We had a go on a XT225 before Rosie bought the Sherp, it was OK but not as nice as the Kawasaki, & they were $1K more to buy new. The last of the old model were sold as an XT'250' but are just the old 225. In 08 the all new XT250 came out which as Rosie says, is very similar in spec to the Sherp & would be well worth a try.

Cheers
Clint

[Monstaman]

Cheers Clint, this one on TM at present, down in Invers so only a coupla hours away.

Will look at Yammies to, need a smaller bike as you know Ellen is no monster.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=275434185 what's your take on the price given its a 2007?

[clint640]

I'd jump on that one, it's basically a new bike. They didn't really change through the years so age is irrelevant - km's & condition are what matters. If there's an XT250, or an SL230 for sale in your neck of the woods have a look at one of those too & compare, otherwise I'd say grab that Sherpa.

Cheers
Clint

[Monstaman]

Checked out the tech specs, the Sherpa is 40 mm higher in the seat than the Tricker, not much you may say but for a 5"2" adv rider than is a lot, we have ruled out a 990 Adv R :shit: :D

Will prolly have a look and see anyway, hey Clint how much could the forks be reasonably/safely lowered through the clamps on Rosies bike?

Dude from Kwaka said we can get longer dog bones for the rear (will make these) so we could lower that with ease, maybe a combo or forks through , rear lowered and slight seat chop we can set her up.

I just wonna see her learn to ride when she can put both feet down with relative ease as this will build confidence much easier in the longer run.

[Rosie]

Checked out the tech specs, the Sherpa is 40 mm higher in the seat than the Tricker, not much you may say but for a 5"2" adv rider than is a lot, we have ruled out a 990 Adv R :shit: :D

Will prolly have a look and see anyway, hey Clint how much could the forks be reasonably/safely lowered through the clamps on Rosies bike?

Dude from Kwaka said we can get longer dog bones for the rear (will make these) so we could lower that with ease, maybe a combo or forks through , rear lowered and slight seat chop we can set her up.

I just wonna see her learn to ride when she can put both feet down with relative ease as this will build confidence much easier in the longer run.

I'd at least have a sit on the sherpa, seat height vs. ability to touch the ground can vary for different bikes. Also, it is possible to take some of the foam out of the front of the sherpas seat, and replace it with something thinner and a bit firmer, to make it a bit lower and skinnier.
I don't know anything about lowering, but there is a super sherpa group on yahoo that has most of the useful technical information on sherpas, they should have something http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Kawasaki-Super-Sherpa/

I agree that being able to touch the ground comfortably is very important for building confidence while learning.

[Monstaman]

I agree that being able to touch the ground comfortably is very important for building confidence while learning.

Thanks Rosie, great info, will read through the stuff on the link and yes Ellen being able to at least touch the ground instead of biffing has to be good for her confidence.

What size tank and what breed etc did you fit to yours?

[Rosie]

Thanks Rosie, great info, will read through the stuff on the link and yes Ellen being able to at least touch the ground instead of biffing has to be good for her confidence.

What size tank and what breed etc did you fit to yours?

It's a 15 litre IMS tank for an XR650L. Installation report is here: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=425502&highlight=sherpatanker

[Monstaman]

It's a 15 litre IMS tank for an XR650L. Installation report is here: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=425502&highlight=sherpatanker

Mint thank than you.

[mazz1972]

Checked out the tech specs, the Sherpa is 40 mm higher in the seat than the Tricker, not much you may say but for a 5"2" adv rider

I just wonna see her learn to ride when she can put both feet down with relative ease as this will build confidence much easier in the longer run.

I had a Sherpa for two years and 11,000 kms. The height shouldn't be a problem - I'm 5"4 and my feet were pretty much flat on the ground. A friend of mine had one too and she loved hers also....and she is a little shorter than me.

The bike is nice and light, and very easy to handle. I guess you could say t's underpowered but as Rosie says, 95-105kmph is good cruising speed. Fantastic in the twisties too....I really really miss that about it!!!

Tyres are cheap - I stuck with the Bridgestone Trailwings that came with it and had only just put the second set on just before I sold it.

I have lots of photos of it, taken when I was selling, if they would be any help to you, please PM me your email addy.

I would highly recommend a Sherpa.....a great little bike.

From what I know, as long as you keep the basic maintenance up, they go and go and go and go.....

Dunno how much you want to spend but there is a nice one with only 3000 kms on the clock in Dunedin on TM http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dual-purpose/auction-278067259.htm


200793

200792

[Monstaman]

Heya mazz1972, good info, there is one in Wellington which I have just put a post up for, better priced etc that the one down here.

Thanks for your picks and info.:niceone:

[mazz1972]

I got mine new from Motorad. That is a good price for that one. I sold mine for $3850 (from memory). Wellington Motorcycles have one for $1500 more.

The Sherpa motor does take quite a bit of warming up.....so if someone looks at it for you that hasn't seen one before, they should bear that in mind!

You've got me reminiscing now :rolleyes: and I could rave about the Sherp all day! If I lived in the city I would definately go and look at it for you. If you get really stuck let me know....as I will be passing right by Motorad next Thursday arvo.

It is a seriously good bike for a shorter person, especially if they don't want to ride like a demon.

Good luck :yes: