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

**Monstaman** · 15th March 2010, 19:34

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** · 15th March 2010, 19:37

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** · 15th March 2010, 19:40

What about an SL 230 ?

**topo** · 15th March 2010, 19:47

One lady owner (in nz)

**Monstaman** · 15th March 2010, 19:49

Originally Posted by JATZ

What about an SL 230 ?

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

**dino3310** · 15th March 2010, 19:49

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** · 15th March 2010, 19:54

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 15th March 2010, 20:16

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** · 15th March 2010, 20:21

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** · 15th March 2010, 20:26

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

**alane** · 15th March 2010, 21:45

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.

The stockman,used so much the serrations worn RIGHT OFF the leading edge of the footpegs.

Both go really well.

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

& 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.

**Monstaman** · 16th March 2010, 06:47

Great info ALANE, sounds like you torture them.

**Rosie** · 16th March 2010, 07:29

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

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** · 16th March 2010, 07:31

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

**NordieBoy** · 16th March 2010, 07:39

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.