250cc options
 

Hi all ;)

:helpsmilie:
I'm looking for a light 250cc bike to take on our round the world trip. I fancy the Yamaha TTR 250, but they seem few and far between (second hand for sale...).

So what other options are there? (I'm new to enduro bikes and all the differences between the different years/models...) What are the pros and cons for each?

Thanks!bier

Thw Yamaha wr 250 r is a relatively new bike, came on the market in 2008. Lightweight (129 kg or so) powerful (31 hp) lots of different aftermarket parts to upgrade the bike available such as bigger gas tank, better seat, suspension, multiple luggage solutions. But is quite expensive and has it issues, such as fuel pump and needs much revs to pump out its power.

Honda Crf 250 L is a new bike on the market in 2012 I think. Honda quality on most parts although build in Thailand, a little heavy as it is 141 kg, not a lot of grumph (23 hp),not a lot of aftermarket stuff available but more and more are coming. Needs bigger gas tank, better seat, rear suspension, and luggage soultions. but very easy to handle, the bike almost drive itselves.... the grumph comes in early in the rev range so it doesnt need to push it. Feels solid and reliable to me. Easy on fuel, I rode 272 km on 7,7 liter fuel on backroads in Thailand and I wasnt holding back.

Kawasaki klx 250. Similar to both above mentioned but still carburated I think?
Rented one for a week 2,5 years ago. Very difficult to start (known problem i understood...) small gas tank (6 liter), terrible seat. Do need lot of upgrades for a long trip.

Honda cr 250 old school aircooled and carburated, but bulketproof. Is getting old now and there is probably difficult to get a hold of one in a decent condition. Had big gas tanks originally 13-14 liters? And where in general very sturdy.

In southern America they produce different 250s than elsewhere. Yamaha makes a 250 Tenere amongst others and Honda makes a 250 Tornado that I belive is similar to the old xr 250.

Google is your friend....

Sales/availability of TTRs seems to go in waves! Check regularly on www.ttr250.com - it's an excellent forum and if there's not one for sale, put a request in the ads - it might flush one out! Parts easily available for a ground-up rebuild should you so desire. I really love mine - comfy seat good suspension and enough grunt to keep you moving (although not as much as a modern watercooled bike like a wr r or a ktm, but then you don't get the comfort and the cost is higher)
Lois Pryce loved hers, and I think there are several rtw ttr riders on the hubb.
I think in this bracket (price, size, age/technology) for me it would be a choice of TTR250 or DR350. I was looking for one or the other. TTR came up on ebay first and I don't regret it for a minute.
Good luck in the search,
Simon.


Just realised I'm repeating myself, sorry! Just found your previous post.