Adventure/dual sport bike for a very short gal

[merv]

I have the 250L as you know and it is similar in concept to the 230 in that there are quite a few differences compared to the good old 250R. e.g. Milder tune, smaller header pipes, lower compression, vacuum carb, paper airfilter, different frame and taller gearing. The taller gearing is entirely from sprocket differences - 40T rear versus 48T, so easy to change, but you'd have to change the chain guide.

The vacuum carb gives it a turbine like feel where it kind of winds up and doesn't just snap onto power like the old R did. However power isn't too bad with a reasonable speed for a 250 and totally miserly fuel consumption - like 26km/l and better.

I bought a 48T back sprocket for it but never got around to fitting it because I use my Yamaha for the trail type riding. The frame difference meant I had to adapt some Ventura pack rack brackets for it because Ventura didn't make them.

As a bike, I like it.

Comments about the 230 not pulling 100 uphill into wind is typical when riding a small bike - I've spent many a time with small Hondas nailed to the throttle stop in whatever gear necessary to maintain the best speed possible. Its all part of the fun of riding huh! The good news for me so far is the motors never seemed to break.

[Rosie]

Welcome to KB Debbie!
Enjoy your new bike.

[timg]

Hi Tim,
I will be interested to hear about the comparrison between the CRF n Tracker.
I'm picking the suspension package on the Honda will win the day, as twin shock systems seem to struggle off road. (Kanny's Volty is cool, and handles gravel, but something like the Sherpa/DT/CRF might be better).
Oh, happy trails Hobbit Queen.

Hiya TB, yeah I reckon you are right regarding the CRF. However being a bit more trail orientated, it's suspension is a bit choppy/harsh on the seal and I expect the Grass Tracker will be a softer ride which will probably be more suited to her. It's also quite a bit lower than the lowered CRF which will be a plus for her... and she thinks the Grass Tracker looks styley. Getting her out onto the road is really all about what she's comfortable and confident with. It'll be an interesting few months. I'll update the thread as we go. Cheers, T.

[SDU]

Welcome to KB my Queen

Congrats on your new bike, hope you have a ball on it. Great time off year for mud plugging. Hope to see you & the bike in person sometime soon.

Ciao from another Hobbit

[_Shrek_]

You mean like this? Cheeky sod!

Hey there royalty welcome to KB
by the looks of the pic you need leg extensions

[timg]

Woohoo : It arrived yesterday. Absolutely immaculate with 1020kms. This thing is tiny, but perfectly sized for Debs. Rode it to work today and as expected it's a softer bike than the CRF but that's a good thing I think for her confidence. It'll be fun running them side by side for a while. The mirrors are styley rubbish, can't see a thing in them but that's easily changed. No trip meter is a bummer especially as the tank capacity is small too.

[NordieBoy]

Tidy 'lil beastie.

[cooneyr]

That beasty is cool. Looks tiny next to the tranny - just perfect then

Cheers R

[Padmei]

Tre cool.
Those protection bars onthe tranny look interesting. Did you make them pr buy them? Have they had a drop yet?

[timg]

Tre cool.
Those protection bars onthe tranny look interesting. Did you make them pr buy them? Have they had a drop yet?

No I haven't tested the calf bars yet & hope they are never needed. They came from http://www.norrus.com.au/ & are a Hepco & Becker product. Cheers.

[_Shrek_]

looks good Tim, has Deb tried it yet

[rok-the-boat]

Get her a cruiser and put knobbly tyres on it ...

[NordieBoy]

Get her a cruiser and put knobbly tyres on it ...

The front wanders too much.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I am reading this thread with interest. (being a shorty and all)

[timg]

It's been a while and we've been busy with various things.... one of which is the wee Grass Tracker. Since it arrived it has had;

1. The bars changed for some more suitable Zeta alloy competition bars - just wot seemed to suit best
2. A ventura pack rack. We bought a GN250 one hoping that it might fit or atleast be close but nothing lined up so it required extensive hacking and rewelding
3. A set of more adventure worthy Bridgestone Trail Wings fitted
4. Front guard raised an inch.

The bike goes really well for what it is. Runs well at 100kmh and runs out to about 115kmh flat out. Speed wise it's much the same as the CRF230L but the Grass Tracker has slightly more power (20hp vs 17) and maintains 100kmh with a bit of a headwind or uphill were the CRF doesn't have the power to do so.

Both bikes seem to consistantly do 29/30 kml. The Grass Tracker only has a 6 litre tank which is a bit of a pain and limit's it's range. No trip meter or fuel gauge is also a pain. I have a bike computer to fit which will provide a trip meter and clock functions. The final thing to do is to track down or make a small screen for it.

Compared to the CRF which is a small bike anyway shows just how tiny the Grass Tracker is. It has proven to be the ideal bike for the hobbit so far and she seems happy with her 'wee Pearl' so far. Now just gotta get out and use it...

The final pix is another new toy Canon G10. I anybody is looking for a smallish, robust and fully featured camera I can't recommend this highly enough. It's awesome. Small enough to fit in my riding pant's pocket and way more covenient on a bike than my DSLR.

Cheers.