Which 250 is the best?

**Night Falcon** · 21st January 2013, 19:24

I have been looking at a smaller adv bike for some slowspeed trail/trials adventures. 2005 models seem to be at about my price range and happilly theres heaps to choose from. But as I've only ever owned XR's in that size I'm after some guideance on the other options. I'm looking for light weight, fuel range, ease of maintenance and RELIABILITY. I'm not keen on 2stokes so the options are:

1. DRZ 250
2. TTR 250
3. WR 250
4. TE 250
5. EXC 250
6. XR 250

For outright reliability I'm thinking either the XR, DRZ or TTR. I like the DRZ but have found a TTR which could be a goer but I don't know much about them? Any advise comments welcomed.

**Eddieb** · 21st January 2013, 19:28

Post '09 XT250. Cols Wife's did 280km on 6 litres today, and she wasn't mucking around. The DRZ would have better suspension though.

WR/EXC/TE is you want to be hard core and can afford the price to match.

**gav24** · 21st January 2013, 19:48

Will the price of these 250's drop now that the new LAMS list is out...?
They used to be silly $$$$ for what they are.

**Night Falcon** · 21st January 2013, 19:56

Originally Posted by Eddieb

Post '09 XT250. Cols Wife's did 280km on 6 litres today, and she wasn't mucking around. The DRZ would have better suspension though.

WR/EXC/TE is you want to be hard core and can afford the price to match.

defineatly not after hardcore

. Just for heading up river beds and the odd forestry track. I wanted to go for a trials bike but they are too expensive, dont have a seat and all have minature gas tanks. My idea is to get a reliable thumper, whip off anything that's not esential, change up the sprokets to give it as lower gearing as possible and go have some fun! The DRZ looks the best option but the TTR is a good price but I don't know how good they would be for my master plan?

**Night Falcon** · 21st January 2013, 20:01

Originally Posted by gav24

Will the price of these 250's drop now that the new LAMS list is out...?
They used to be silly $$$$ for what they are.

good point...hope they drop real soon

**Zamiam** · 21st January 2013, 20:02

You need to try them for size. I wanted a wr250 but couldn't touch the ground well enough. Nothing worse than getting stuck and not being able to get a foot down

**dino3310** · 21st January 2013, 20:05

Xr

.

but the new crfl looks hard to beat

**timg** · 21st January 2013, 20:23

Hiya, Just done the entire Dusty Butt including all the challenge sections on my 2005 XR250L which I bought just for the DB1K. Light and easy. Not the most powerful, fastest or flashest of bikes but did an admirable job of getting an old fella through. No issues what so ever, it just required fuel and chain lube for three solid days and a little over 1500kms in some pretty harsh terrain. Sits comfortably at 100kmh. Head winds and inclines will knock it back a gear and 90kmh cruising. Having done it's job, mine will be for sale shortly....
Cheers, Tim.

**pete-blen** · 21st January 2013, 21:02

My little 05 XR250 Tornado is a great bike.. relieable , never gives any trouble
sits on a 100k all day & dead smooth but the tornado has the air cooled DOHC
CBR250 motor in it... Only issue is the drum rear brake..but its never really been a issue
always works fine even after water crossing...
it gets 25km per liter has a 11.5L tank "250km'
Honda have taken this motor out to 300cc for there baby tenere style bike made in Brazil..
trying to find a piston/rings etc ...
The tornado is probably a slightly lesser version of the XR250L..

**cooneyr** · 21st January 2013, 21:13

I've owned a DR250 Djebel and a early XR250R. Bro owned a TTR250 Raid. Based on my riding of all three, I'd go a TTR, XR then DR based on what you are wanting to do. Suspension better than DR and has elec leg. XR has lots of torque but kicker only and handling was a bit average (was a 91 model though).

Cheers R

**Night Falcon** · 22nd January 2013, 17:24

Originally Posted by cooneyr

I've owned a DR250 Djebel and a early XR250R. Bro owned a TTR250 Raid. Based on my riding of all three, I'd go a TTR, XR then DR based on what you are wanting to do. Suspension better than DR and has elec leg. XR has lots of torque but kicker only and handling was a bit average (was a 91 model though).

Cheers R

Thanks thats exactly the help I was hoping for. I don't know anything about the TTR but it looks like a cool bike. I've owned lots of XR's over the years and while they are great bikes from my research they are the heaviest and least powerfull of the others. Unless anything else crops up its a toss up between the DRZ and the TTR....but which one

I love buying a new (to me) bike!

**Oscar** · 22nd January 2013, 18:12

Originally Posted by cooneyr

I've owned a DR250 Djebel and a early XR250R. Bro owned a TTR250 Raid. Based on my riding of all three, I'd go a TTR, XR then DR based on what you are wanting to do. Suspension better than DR and has elec leg. XR has lots of torque but kicker only and handling was a bit average (was a 91 model though).

Cheers R

Later XR250's (96ish on) were better in the handling and power dept. than most contemporary 4-strokes.
Simple, air cooled fun.

**whatastoner** · 22nd January 2013, 18:20

Hi, I did the Dusty on my 1993 TTR and it went great apart from one rear linkage coming loose. Not the bikes fault, I don't think I used enough loctite when replacing the bearings. The engine can be uncorked very easily, loves to rev and handles well. A big gas tank can be fitted easy as.
Visit totallyttrs.com or ttr250.com to convince yourself. The best $2000 bike you could buy IMHO.
But I'm biased