Thoughts on 250 offroaders? [Archive]

neels

7th March 2012, 20:55

Yep, another one of these threads.

I'm tossing up the idea of getting another toy and thinking a road legal trail bike would be good for a giggle, aiming for a reasonably low budget under $3k.

I've currently got an old XL250 which is fun, but it would be good to skip the loading it on the trailer part of going for a ride, and instead getting out on some gravel back roads that require road legalness. I'm not planning on any huge missions involving carrying a lot of gear, or travelling huge distances on tarmac, so was thinking a 250 would probably keep me amused enough.

I've had a sniff around on trademe, and on offer at the moment are a KLR, XLR, XR, DR, XT for around the money I'm looking at.

Any thoughts on what's good and what to avoid like the plague, opinions in general on if a 250 will be up to the job, and (assuming a good service history) what a resonable mileage is?

Any suggestions on spending the governments money from my red zoned house appreciated....

dino3310

7th March 2012, 21:03

my vote goes to the XR
light with good suspension, good toy for the rough stuff.
i am bias:whistle:

is the DR a se or the DRZ.

JATZ

7th March 2012, 21:12

250's are a little "lifeless" :sleep:

I may know of a road legal 350 that could be on the market.... if I can keep the boy off it :rolleyes:

cooneyr

7th March 2012, 21:18

Get the best condition bike for what you can afford. Very little between any of them. The XT - double check the CC's cause before the current model XT there was a XT250 that was really only a 225.

Cheers R

timmehpwr

8th March 2012, 06:42

Yamaha TTR250's are good also, check out www.ttr250.com for common issues like the sprag clutch bearing, basically if its making a loud knocking sound while cranking you need to replace the bearing before it destroys your starter gears and starter motor spline :argh:

Had a 1994 model and was a good wee learner bike, sold it for $2400 reg and wof last year... front and rear disk brakes, electric start etc

NordieBoy

8th March 2012, 06:45

An XL 250 should be road leagalable...

unstuck

8th March 2012, 07:00

An XL 250 should be road leagalable...

Not if it is in the same condition as my XL 250.:spanking:

pete-blen

8th March 2012, 07:14

I like my one...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-454749489.htm

neels

8th March 2012, 17:02

250's are a little "lifeless" :sleep:
I was kind of wondering that...

I may know of a road legal 350 that could be on the market.... if I can keep the boy off it :rolleyes:Let me know the details I could be keen on that, was partly thinking 250 so the boy would have something to ride when he sells his bike, but I guess he can wait until October..

The XT - double check the CC's cause before the current model XT there was a XT250 that was really only a 225.
Yep, have ridden an XT225 and it was slow and painful, that's kind of why I'm wondering if the 250's are any better.

An XL 250 should be road leagalable...
Not if it is in the same condition as my XL 250.:spanking:

Same here, mine would need new clocks to replace the ones that got smashed when it fell off the trailer, indicators, mirrors, tail light, and it has no rego history. It also leaks oil out the final drive seal which isn't a problem out playing, but riding further afield could be iffy, and I can't be bothered splitting the crankcase to fix it.

Or this has turned up on tardme...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-452961227.htm

NordieBoy

8th March 2012, 18:36

Or this has turned up on tardme...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-452961227.htm

Nice.

:2thumbsup

warewolf

8th March 2012, 18:50

The 250cc bikes are noticeably stronger than the near-250cc bikes like the DR200, XR200, SL230 and XT225. They'll do, especially solo without luggage on loose surfaces. Just remember what the gearbox is for, and that they are robust jappers designed to be flogged IF they are maintained.

Compared to their 250 siblings the 300/350 class bikes usually offer more torque for similar weight and peak horsepower. Quite nice bikes actually.

The XR (and maybe XL) and until recently KLX are kick start only. DR/DRZ/TT/TTR are all much the same as each other, and have an electric leg. Suspension improvements through the years are more significant than engine improvements.

KLR, XLR, XRL, XT are all a step milder than the XR/KLX/DR/DRZ/TTR. The former have lower seat height, less capable suspension, softer engine tune. The latter were enduro weapons back in their day.

neels

8th March 2012, 19:06

Nice.

:2thumbsup
Worth a look then?

I could be up for a trip to oamaru, and maybe stop and buy the cool rolltop desk I saw in a secondhand shop in timaru, possibly the valve radiogram with a cupboard full of 78's that was sitting beside it as well.....

Lots of informative stuff.
Cheers

roadkillnz

8th March 2012, 20:17

250's are a little "lifeless" :sleep:

I may know of a road legal 350 that could be on the market.... if I can keep the boy off it :rolleyes:

Not if it's a 2-stroke :)
Like my RMX
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-448820570.htm

JATZ

9th March 2012, 18:49

I was kind of wondering that...
Let me know the details I could be keen on that,

I'd like to do a couple of weee jobs on it before selling too. Just little things I've got used to and new issues, as the boy is doing about 120k's a day going to tech. Not sure of k's but it's been reliable and starts first kick 99% of the time, it has a larger tank and some pannier racks

Not if it's a 2-stroke :)
Like my RMX
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-448820570.htm

Come back when it's done 40,000 + k's without a top end rebuild like the 350's

roadkillnz

9th March 2012, 22:55

I'd like to do a couple of weee jobs on it before selling too. Just little things I've got used to and new issues, as the boy is doing about 120k's a day going to tech. Not sure of k's but it's been reliable and starts first kick 99% of the time, it has a larger tank and some pannier racks

Come back when it's done 40,000 + k's without a top end rebuild like the 350's

That's great and all, I was merely pointing out that not all 250's have to be slow or gutless. It's also incredibly light, which is nice for the times you're offroading. What 350's are you referring to? DR350's, or the newish KTMs?

fridayflash

10th March 2012, 16:54

i owned one of those rmx 250s like yours and have also had a couple of dr350s back in the 90s
bothe great bikes, the rmx isnt high maintainence like an rm250...im certain theyd do 25 to 30
thou before a topend rebuild (in road trim/gearing) and be bloody ace on the offroad sections

dr350 i must say tho would be an ace adv'er.....what saize tank is on yours mrs jatz?
all the post '93 models start real easy too....by hand even ;)

clint640

10th March 2012, 17:01

Worth a look then?

I could be up for a trip to oamaru....

Totally, & if you want some more snap the RMX would be good too, but maybe a bit more buzzy on the highway. These sorts of bike haven't advanced much in the last 20 yrs so km's & condition are what you need to look at.

Cheers
Clint

JATZ

10th March 2012, 19:52

That's great and all, I was merely pointing out that not all 250's have to be slow or gutless. It's also incredibly light, which is nice for the times you're offroading. What 350's are you referring to? DR350's, or the newish KTMs?

I was reffering to the 2 DR350's in the shed :D I'm sure the RMX is a hell of a lot of fun for shortish trips and when the going gets tough, but I'm not sure I's like to do 5-600k days on one day after day. I reakon it'd be a weapon with some motard wheels too :yes:

dr350 i must say tho would be an ace adv'er.....what saize tank is on yours mrs jatz?
all the post '93 models start real easy too....by hand even ;)

Both the 350's have Clarke 14l tanks, running 15/41 gearing to give em some legs on the road, takes about 10 mins to change to a 13 front for the rougher stuff. Decent suspension and a good low maintenance motor. However it is nice having a leccy start now though :baby:

The guys in the movie in your avatar convinced me...

roadkillnz

10th March 2012, 20:19

I was reffering to the 2 DR350's in the shed :D I'm sure the RMX is a hell of a lot of fun for shortish trips and when the going gets tough, but I'm not sure I's like to do 5-600k days on one day after day. I reakon it'd be a weapon with some motard wheels too :yes:

Both the 350's have Clarke 14l tanks, running 15/41 gearing to give em some legs on the road, takes about 10 mins to change to a 13 front for the rougher stuff. Decent suspension and a good low maintenance motor. However it is nice having a leccy start now though :baby:

The guys in the movie in your avatar convinced me...

A friend recently replaced his DR350 with the DRZ400, but was sad to see it go, and you're not wrong about being able to clock up big k's on them. He's toured the South Island quite a few times on it, he's also finding the 400 seat to be nowhere as comfy. As for the RMX, I'm lucky to hit 130km before hitting reserve lol ... Definitely fun short range k's. Well unless you keep it off the power, but that would defeat the point of that bike.

Oscar

10th March 2012, 21:29

DT230

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery%20%20A/Yamaha%20DT230%2000.jpg

Where's Motu?

pete-blen

10th March 2012, 21:43

:rolleyes:Honda's new offering.... XRE300
http://espaciomotos.com/wp-content/honda-xre-300.jpg

dino3310

11th March 2012, 14:14

:rolleyes:Honda's new offering.... XRE300
http://espaciomotos.com/wp-content/honda-xre-300.jpg

:sick::sick: looks like a chinese commuter

NordieBoy

11th March 2012, 14:32

:sick::sick: looks like a chinese commuter

It looks very Husquvarna'ish.

fridayflash

12th March 2012, 13:29

A friend recently replaced his DR350 with the DRZ400, but was sad to see it go, and you're not wrong about being able to clock up big k's on them. He's toured the South Island quite a few times on it, he's also finding the 400 seat to be nowhere as comfy. As for the RMX, I'm lucky to hit 130km before hitting reserve lol ... Definitely fun short range k's. Well unless you keep it off the power, but that would defeat the point of that bike.

great movie eh! have you seen 'terra circa' ? the next dr350 epic

JATZ

12th March 2012, 20:18

great movie eh! have you seen 'terra circa' ? the next dr350 epic

:yes: Of course.... watch them both every so often

Dumruat

21st March 2012, 20:57

Not if it's a 2-stroke :)
Like my RMX
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-448820570.htm

Ahh. so thats who owns the RMX i have been eyeballing !!!!
I have a cbr400 that has been sitting in the garage collecting dust for past ten years. I'll head out clean it up and throw it on trade me .

I'm after a road legal bike for when i am stuck down in chch on the farm .My last one was a 93 RMX the one before your model . its still going strong so i have heard , but no reg.
My baby ktm can stay here.

I have "starred" in one of your you tube classics. i was bulldogging down a muddy hill , you flew past. I got to say to the wife look i'm on tv.

She just huffed and shook her head. " but you werent riding it"

alane

21st March 2012, 21:38

Gotta put a word in for the little Kawa.

People think its just a girls bike--but I don,t care. Its COOL to ride.:woohoo: Light --smooth & just SO easy. Derestricted exhaust helps the power a bit. Limiting factor is the suspension over rough ground.:eek5:

pete-blen

21st March 2012, 22:55

These little buggers go bloody well....
smooth on the road..Double height suspention..

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-454749489.htm

roadkillnz

22nd March 2012, 08:39

Ahh. so thats who owns the RMX i have been eyeballing !!!!
My baby ktm can stay here.

I have "starred" in one of your you tube classics. i was bulldogging down a muddy hill , you flew past. I got to say to the wife look i'm on tv.

She just huffed and shook her head. " but you werent riding it"

Hehe, I get the same treatment from my partner. She's very ho-hum about seeing my latest footage lol.
What ride / video did you star in?

Glad to see others getting noticed in my vids. I try to include footage where there's others on the track.

george formby

22nd March 2012, 09:25

DT230

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery%20%20A/Yamaha%20DT230%2000.jpg

Where's Motu?

Oy! That's my bike! :woohoo::love:

I've been eyeballing that RMX too, selling the family silver as we speak.

Padmei

22nd March 2012, 14:00

I wouldn't even have considered a two stroke <250 as a viable adv bike till I had to try to catch XF650 on his one. Goes like stink:yes:

george formby

22nd March 2012, 14:12

I wouldn't even have considered a two stroke <250 as a viable adv bike till I had to try to catch XF650 on his one. Goes like stink:yes:

I concur, my DT is a huge amount of fun almost everywhere. It's indecent how quick it can be ridden on gravel, only bike i have ever worried about speed cameras when I'm on the forest roads.

neels

4th April 2012, 23:01

So quick question,

How's $3300 for a 2000 DRZ400E? 17k's, reg & wof, 2 sets of brand new tyres and brand new chain and sprockets.

NordieBoy

5th April 2012, 06:50

So quick question,

How's $3300 for a 2000 DRZ400E? 17k's, reg & wof, 2 sets of brand new tyres and brand new chain and sprockets.

Bloody good deal.

unstuck

5th April 2012, 06:57

So quick question,

How's $3300 for a 2000 DRZ400E? 17k's, reg & wof, 2 sets of brand new tyres and brand new chain and sprockets.

Im with nordie, sounds like a bloody good deal.:yes:

george formby

5th April 2012, 09:42

So quick question,

How's $3300 for a 2000 DRZ400E? 17k's, reg & wof, 2 sets of brand new tyres and brand new chain and sprockets.

:facepalm: Sounds good. I'm so trying not to get another bike at the mo & this is exacary what I'm looking for. I can resist everything except temptation.