Which bike? [250 four strokes]

[dnalder]

I am looking to buy a new 250 four-stroke trail bike. I haven't ridden since I was a teenager (more than 15 yrs ago) and am looking for a bike that will be used for 90% sand/forest/mud, 10% gravel/road (i.e needs to be road legal).

I am tossing up between a DR-Z250, TT-R250, XR250 and (possibly) a KLX300. I've ruled out CRFs, WRs, RMs etc until my confidence and skills improve. KTMs, Husabergs, Huskys etc are too expensive at this stage.

I want something that will be strong, reliable and fun, but will also keep me excited as I get back into it.

I hear different things depending on which dealer I talk to (to be expected).

I'd really appreciate some view from those who are familiar with these bikes.

Cheers.
David

[crazyxr250rider]

Theres only one **XR250R**

[crazyxr250rider]

Nah just depends on what kinda thrills your after.
The DR-Z is an easy bike to ride and has the advantage of the electrtic leg.
The XR is slightly more temprimental (hard to start but has bit more grunt) and is lighter.
The TT-R is the same as the DR-Z but with a little more power AND weight.
The KLX 300 has the most staunch motor of the lot but is likely to have a more demanding maintenence load.
any thing else

[Motu]

When I was having similar thoughts I narrowed it down to the KLX300,being lighter and a more modern design,but the XR and TTR would be more rugged,the DRZ250 maybe more street worthy.

[Cary]

Why rule out the WR250F :scratch:

The WR will take you from beginner to Pro, sure there is a little more maintanance required but bullet proof just like the DR-Z's etc and will be just as easy to re-learn on but will save on hassle/up-grade costs further down the track.

The WR is the bike I would highly recommend to anybody starting in off road riding.

Get one, you won't regret it :niceone:

[Oscar]

You can't kill an XR250 (and I know, I've tried).
Simple, grunty (enough for a begginer) and good handling.
The only priviso - don't be stingy with oil (3000km 10w50) and oil filters.

[Sketchy_Racer]

im with Cary- the wr's are awesome bikes!!

[crazyxr250rider]

You can't kill an XR250..........OI! .I have .....................

[dnalder]

Thanks for the feedback - three things:

Re XR250 - I have been told that the only new XRs are the XR250L which is quite a different (and softer) bike to the old XR250Rs.

Re WR250 - the list price of a WR250F is $13,595 compared to $7,995 for the TT-R. Apart for more frequent and expensive maintenance, what else do I get for the extra $5k? Also I didn't think these were road legal.

Re KLX300 - I'm tempted, but as I never got my bike licence as a kid, perhaps 250cc is a better bet due to the size limit for restricted licence. Also I didn't think they came road legal....

.... maybe I should just trailer it around rather than bothering with a road legal trail bike - thougts?

Cheers

[kro]

Kiwi Rider had a long term test on the WR250, and spoke extremely highly of them. Apparently the best 250 enduro bike around.

XR's are pretty much a no risk sort of a beast, no trouble getting spares, and they go very well too.

DRZ's also very cool, prolly a bit lazier in the power delivery, but still a very capable bike.

KLX300, my brother just bought a brand new 05 one, and it can really haul arse, its light, and very very nimble, but if your license is 250 only, then this is out.

[Otis243]

I am looking to buy a new 250 four-stroke trail bike.

I am tossing up between a DR-Z250, TT-R250, XR250 and (possibly) a KLX300...

I want something that will be strong, reliable and fun, but will also keep me excited as I get back into it.

Hi

I had a TTR250 (white enduro model) and whilst I thought it was a great tough bike and I did enjoy riding it, I didn't keep it long. It was too heavy and underpowered. I changed it for a CRM250AR which had the extra power over the TTR but was still too heavy !

You can get more power from the TTR with usual exhaust & airbox mods, but I'd rather start from a better position.

I have ridden a KLX300 (with CRD exhaust & aftermarket camshafts) quite a bit, and it is great fun. The suspension on this bike is a bit soft and I am not sure what extra over stock the mods make, but from your list this is the one I would pursue.

[wil]

i had a 1993 xr 250 kickstart (not electric) absolutly great bike very rugged and mine was well cared for, the only thing i would advise is whatever you go for make sure it is elec start (i no most are now). its great when you go out in the morning all keen/full of energy, ready to get offroad, the only thing is that once you have been playing for a few hours you get tired and kicking the bike over becomes so tiring it takes the fun out of it and you allways remember the bad things. i have fond memories of the xr tho.

[FlangMasterJ]

A month after riding either an XR, TT-R, DR etc you'll be thirsty for more power and something lighter. The problem is a more powerful and lighter bike is gonna cost more and have a more rigorous maintenance schedule.
So you may have to bite the bullet and go for a 2nd hand CRF, EXC-R, RMZ, WR and so forth.

Another option is a larger capacity bike say an XR400R which is more powerful but just as heavy but you won't notice the weight as much cause you'll have alot more torque to flick the bike around.

It's up to you man. If you could get a cheap 2nd hand KTM450EXC or WR450 you'd be set.

Anyway good luck and keep us posted.

[NordieBoy]

You can't go wrong with a modern XR250.
Cruise on it, wring it out, it'll just come back for more.
Plenty of parts available.









By modern I mean anything from 1981 on.
:niceone:

[Adamski]

Another vote for the XR. I had a 600 which is a whole nother thing but the XR range is good. The ability to go anywhere (with a street legal but offroad-capable bike) means complete freedom. Sometimes you need the trailer (think Tennant Creek to Longreach) but the option to just jump on and ride after work every day is nice :sunny:

[crazyxr250rider]

it seems there has been some good and bad advice given.
RE;what do i get for that extra 5k.the wrong way up forks,two radiators and a whole lot of bendable aluminum.What it comes down to is that you do not need the top bikes UNLESS you are racing.....oh yeah in the morning I realy wish I had bought a TT-R250 or DR-Z (electric start Mmmm.....)but not when out on the trail roosting my mates on heavy-er electric starters......

[kro]

Electric starts aren't a whole heap heavier at all, in fact, you'd barely notice the difference, but your right leg would. :P

[Cary]

Re XR250 - I have been told that the only new XRs are the XR250L which is quite a different (and softer) bike to the old XR250Rs.

Re WR250 - Apart for more frequent and expensive maintenance, what else do I get for the extra $5k? Also I didn't think these were road legal.

Re KLX300 - I'm tempted, but as I never got my bike licence as a kid

.... maybe I should just trailer it around rather than bothering with a road legal trail bike - thougts?

Cheers

Think the XR-L has a steel fuel tank - not good for the odd spill in the forest and is aimed more for the road.

You get a Whole lot more and it is road legal although you wouldn't want to do more than the odd (short) commute to work on it.

KLX300 is just that little bit better than the 250 which is a good bike to.

None of these are really any good for other than a short road ride. The main reason they can be wof/reg is because they have to be in Oz to be ridden in the state forests etc so we get the same models.

If you plan to hang onto the one bike for a while go for the WR if you can afford it.

[dnalder]

Several people have said to me that the WR would be their bike of choice. However I understand that the maintenance for the modern high-tech 4 strokes is frequent and costly (compared to a TTR). What are peoples experiences.

The reason why a road legal bike appeals is to ride beach and forest tracks that I understand are classed as 'public roads'. Can you road legal a WR?

I had a look at a KLX300R on Saturday - $8k new with a pro-circuit muffler is a compelling price. Not road legal though. Electric start would be nice too...

What are the pros and cons of air vs liquid cooled. I believe the TTR/DRZ/XRs are air cooled while the KLX is liquid cooled.

Cheers

[Cary]

Several people have said to me that the WR would be their bike of choice. However I understand that the maintenance for the modern high-tech 4 strokes is frequent and costly (compared to a TTR). What are peoples experiences.

Can you road legal a WR?

I had a look at a KLX300R on Saturday - $8k new with a pro-circuit muffler is a compelling price. Not road legal though. Electric start would be nice too...

My modern 4 stroke has done 80hrs so far and the maintenance i've done.............change the oil(every 6 hrs), oil filter(18hrs), clean air filter every ride and keep bearings greased, just the basics, thats it.

It gets ridden hard but not thrashed.

You can wof/reg WR. True if you want a new bike and don't wanna spend $12-13, the KLX300 would be hard to fault.