Mutt 250

[threesticks]

Hi All,

Anyone got any experience of the Mutt 250s?

Am considering one as a light, go-anywhere cheapo. They seem to suffer some easily-fixed electrical problems and are prone to rust, but to my eye they offer a lot of advantages: tires the same size; light; low; nimble; simple; good looking; excellent economy; fun off-road etc.

Am primarily concerned about engine reliability.

Any direct knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

Best,

Threesticks.

[mark manley]

I had not heard of them before your post but looked them up and the GN250 engine they use is pretty reliable if the oil is change regularly, I had a GN400 and enjoyed riding it. Chinese quality is variable but if it is built to Suzuki spec should be fine, my Honda XR125 is made in China and is Honda quality. For a little more money check out the Royal Enfield Meteor, different styling but a new long stroke engine which I hope will be reliable as I have just bought one.

[Turbofurball]

From someone who rides an aircooled 250 with 17" wheels on gravel roads, it's not going to be go anywhere ... but looks like it's be ok on unpaved roads.

A more long-term reliable solution would be what I've got, a CBF250 - decent ground clearance and can take some 50/50 tyres, plus you get real Honda reliability and parts support (also things like the air filter is nigh-on uncloggable in desert conditions, lol)

[backofbeyond]

No direct knowledge but a look at the brochure (I had to look them up like Mark) suggests you might want to do something about the front mudguard before tackling a wet road. Other than that it looks solid enough - particularly if the engine retains its 'Japaneseness'. Very retro but that's no bad thing. Plus, a two year warranty can't be bad.

[*Touring Ted*]

The place I'm working at the moment deals in Mutts.

I've got a bit of experience with them.

The motor is indeed a copy of the Suzuki GN. And up to now, there has been no problem with them. It's a tried and tested motor. Not much to go wrong with them.

The rest of the bike is pretty 'meh' though. The suspension is PAINFUL. It's simply awful. So hard. The seat is also unbearable. There's no padding at all.

The switches and general electrics are also SUPER cheap. Quite crap really. We swap a lot of them under warranty. But yes, they are simple. You could bypass a lot of the crap switches. But how long do you trust the fuel pump, injectors, starter motor etc.

I think if you brought a brand new one I think you'd get a decent trip out of one if you knew some basic mechanics and could work with simple electrics. But you'd seriously need to address the seat and suspension unless you're a sadist.

Service manuals and wiring diagrams ?? FORGET IT. As a dealer we can't even get them. As ones we do are in black and white and PDF scans etc.

[Hound_Dog]

Made in china. Says it all.

[threesticks]

Many thanks! Might stick with my old XT600e after all...