XR 200/250 best model?

**Scratch72** · 12th March 2012, 19:24

Ok guys what is the best model XR200/250 model to buy it is to be used as a second bike something my father can come on a few rides with us not going to be used much but needs to be reliable. Would like an early 80s but do know that there are some to watch out for (not sure what years these are) also the later ones i dont know much about. My first bike was a double shock XR200 then upgraded to a 1982 XR250 frame which i put the 200 into wish i still had it. There was a thread on here somewhere about the XR models but cant find it

. Cheers

**nzspokes** · 12th March 2012, 19:31

I believe the 81/82 were the ones people wanted. The 83/84 RFVC motor didnt work out so well but after that they improved.

**Coldrider** · 12th March 2012, 22:31

Originally Posted by nzspokes

I believe the 81/82 were the ones people wanted. The 83/84 RFVC motor didnt work out so well but after that they improved.

I had xr250a times 2, XR200RB prolink, XR250RE with the hand grenade head, but mine was thrashed in enduros for two years and never faulted. I think the XR250RG was OK onwards, they went back to single carb and oil cooler, that would be 1987.
edit the XR250RE and possibly RF had a smaller diameter (by one inch) rear wheel which can limit tyre choices.

**Lawrence** · 12th March 2012, 22:55

here are some good links with info on the XR models.

http://www.motorera.com/honda/h0200/xr200r.htm

http://www.motorera.com/honda/h0250/xr250r.htm

http://www.4strokes.com/articles/honda/

I believe from 1986 to 2003 the XRs were pretty much unchanged apart from colour & graphics & few tweaks.

**grantman** · 13th March 2012, 21:12

Mine is a 1990 XR250

Any of them are great if you can find a good condition XR
As posted they really havnt changed a lot for a long time.

I have had mine for 6 years now and only put petrol in it and changed the oil a few times
(regular oil changes is the key )

I got mine to follow my son around on a CRF50 ...then a CRF70 & now a CRF80 ....soon to be a CRF150
and the XR250 keeps on going ....one day I will upgrade

The XR loves the tight twisty trails, but my fav XR would have to be the XR400
My mates got one and its just so much fun to ride.

My advice would be look around for a good XR400

**barty5** · 14th March 2012, 05:09

be careful of the 400s give the lower frame a real good check over they where really common to rust out badly other wise as long as its not a twin carb model 200/250 you should be ok good strong and reliable not nothing once they where disc brake and single rear shock changed much.

**Taz** · 14th March 2012, 06:01

A DRZ400 would be a much better bike all round. Especially with electric start. Just sayin.....

**nzspokes** · 14th March 2012, 06:41

Originally Posted by Taz

A DRZ400 would be a much better bike all round. Especially with electric start. Just sayin.....

But they are much more expensive and a lot heavier. I guess electric start is good for girls.

**Scratch72** · 14th March 2012, 07:30

Originally Posted by nzspokes

But they are much more expensive and a lot heavier. I guess electric start is good for girls.

Yes the heavy bikes are out not bothered about electric start as will only be used as second bike, seems to be some good buys on trademe. Cheers guys for your input helps a lot.

**ktm84mxc** · 14th March 2012, 08:17

Best years for the XR200's 1981-84{rb-rd} 1987-1995 some of these had a shorter rear shock fitted with only 200mm of rear travel, easy fix just fit the longer shock from a earlier model.
Best years XR250 1981-84 1987-2005 the latter years had an oil cooler fitted and disc brakes front & rear [from 1995] normally with a white tank this was changed to a red tank around 2000.
Avoid the 1985-86 twin carb models as these were a known problem machine usually caused by lack of servicing.
A Yamaha TTR250 from 1995-2012 is also a great bike with the bonus of electric start these can be had for 2.5-3g.
A DRZ400 is a big heavy bike the DRZ250/350 would be a better option.

**Tony.OK** · 14th March 2012, 11:03

Originally Posted by Scratch72

Yes the heavy bikes are out not bothered about electric start as will only be used as second bike, seems to be some good buys on trademe. Cheers guys for your input helps a lot.

Have I got a deal for you!

**nzspokes** · 14th March 2012, 11:23

Non Disk ones are better, you learn to not need to stop.

**merv** · 14th March 2012, 11:29

XR200/250 are great bikes and came with very good wide ratio gearboxes, something neither a DRZ400 or DRZ250 ever had. DR350 was OK from that point of view though.

Only thing about the XRs now is that old XRs are that - old!! So gotta look hard for a good one.

**barty5** · 14th March 2012, 16:40

Another good option would be the old TT250 or 350 both ran the same cam set ups as do the yzf so you get very little cam noise unless the chain is worn ive had a few of each and found them to be very reliable little harder to find but a well balanced bike all round.

**Scratch72** · 14th March 2012, 19:00

Originally Posted by barty5

Another good option would be the old TT250 or 350 both ran the same cam set ups as do the yzf so you get very little cam noise unless the chain is worn ive had a few of each and found them to be very reliable little harder to find but a well balanced bike all round.

Yes one of each of these in ChCh im watching on tardme, adds a bit to get a bike up though.