250 dual-purpose comparison?

[Coyote]

Can anyone tell me how the DR200, SL230, XT250 and the Kawasaki Super Sherpa rate in a comparison? I'm interested in a bike that can cruise on the highway but on the trails is also reasonably light and easy to handle. Are there any other models worth considering? I am presuming the lower seat height helps on the difficult trails. Any thoughts?

These are my Dad's words, though I'm keen to find out as well.

[CrazyFrog]

What is your budget? This will probably be the most important deciding factor, as you'll want the best bang for your buck after all.
If your budget will stretch, how about looking at the new Yamaha WRF250, good powerful 250, cruises well on the highway, reasonably good suspension.
Zerax is selling his XR250 at the moment, also a great little bike, very capable evrywhere.
How tall are you, do you actually need a lower seat height? Lowering the bike means less travel with your shock, not neccessarily better offroad, it somewhat limits your bike's capabilities.

[thommo77]

OK, call me biased, but why not consider the KLX250 (certainly in place of the Sherpa)?
I read a comparison test recently online between the KLX, XT & CRF230. The KLX won hands down in all depts - both on & offroad.
Yep, I'd love a WRF but at 11 grand vs $7500 for the greenie, I couldn't justify the extra $3500 for what I want a dual purpose 250 for.

[CrazyFrog]

OK, call me biased, but why not consider the KLX250 (certainly in place of the Sherpa)?
I read a comparison test recently online between the KLX, XT & CRF230. The KLX won hands down in all depts - both on & offroad.
Yep, I'd love a WRF but at 11 grand vs $7500 for the greenie, I couldn't justify the extra $3500 for what I want a dual purpose 250 for.

Yep, good call. $7500 for a brand new bike is sweet, from what I hear the KLX does a pretty good job. Maybe he'll get lucky and find a good second hand one a bit cheaper...

[Paladin]

OK, call me biased, but why not consider the KLX250 (certainly in place of the Sherpa)?
I read a comparison test recently online between the KLX, XT & CRF230. The KLX won hands down in all depts - both on & offroad.
Yep, I'd love a WRF but at 11 grand vs $7500 for the greenie, I couldn't justify the extra $3500 for what I want a dual purpose 250 for.

I read the same test too; it's an intersting read:

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2008-lightweight-dualpurpose-shootout-87657.htm

If it's of any interest, I am fairly short in the inseam department, at 31" ish, and the KLX doesn't cause me any undue problems on the trails! The KLX with stock D605 tyres is fine on the roads and will corner nicely for ya on twisties! Obviously with DS tyres you are gonna get some road noise at higher speeds but that's the trade off. Offroad the KLX is great fun!

[.chris]

Yep, good call. $7500 for a brand new bike is sweet, from what I hear the KLX does a pretty good job. Maybe he'll get lucky and find a good second hand one a bit cheaper...

Another vote for the KLX, am loving mine to bits.
Will be for sale in about may if you can wait that long.

[clint640]

The new 08 XT250 (not the old 225/250) & the Sherpa are definitely the pick of the low seat bunch. Anything smaller will struggle on the highway.

As above, the KLX looks pretty good if ya can stretch to a taller seat.

The Sherp & the XT both have pretty basic soft suspension so could be improved greatly offroad by having the springs (& valving if possible) set up for the riders weight.

Cheers
Clint

[Coyote]

Thanks for the feedback. The new KLX250 looks just about perfect but unfortunately my budget is 2500-4500 approx. My impression has been from what I've read that the lower seat height bikes are more user friendly when the going gets tough (easy paddle power). However being 5'9" others may well suit. Also does anyone know what the Xingyue/Cavello 250 is like?

Again, my Dad's words, not my own.

[CrazyFrog]

The Xingyue is a Chinese copy of a Honda XR250R, almost identical apart from from rear brake set up. The XR is again a great bike, but don't know how good the Chinese built replica is.....look very closely at the frame weld quality and parts availability.

[Coyote]

The Xingyue is a Chinese copy of a Honda XR250R, almost identical apart from from rear brake set up. The XR is again a great bike, but don't know how good the Chinese built replica is.....look very closely at the frame weld quality and parts availability.
My Dad was wondering if the parts would be interchangeable with XR Honda parts. Is that possible?

[thommo77]

With your budget, I'd be scanning the likes of TradeMe for a tidy XR.
They are dependable as hell and it's no wonder they have been one of the best selling DP's for nigh on 30 years. XT's are also pretty darn good.