Honda XR 200 vs XR 250
 

Greetings from Argentina!

Soon to arrive in Santiago I am looking to finally buy a moto! I was more or less set on a Honda Tornado 250 until I noticed you can buy the smaller XR200 which is almost a 3rd cheaper than the 250. Just wondering if any would advise me against this?

Saludos
RTW


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I would go for the one which best fits your frame, I made a trip on an XR125 this summer rather than my usual R80GS and found the smaller bike preferable, I am 5' 8" tall, if you are closer to 6' the 250 might be better.
Don't be put off with the smaller engine at altitude, just take it steady, I have seen a Chinese CG125 lookalike at the top of a 5,300 metre pass in Tibet, 2 up!

XR200 and XR250's have come in various forms for various countries over the years. Far as I know, original Made In Japan XR200R and XR250R have ceased production about 10 years ago.

You may find Brazilian made models in Chile (Falcon (XR400), Baja (XR250) and Tornado versions) Perhaps used ones are floating around in Chile? Brazil also make dual sport CRF150, CRF230 (street legal version made for export to some countries). The NEW CRF250 is made in Thailand. (you can't afford it!)

Early XR's Dual Sports (Made In Japan) can be OFF ROAD or ON ROAD models. On road can be called "XL" models.

No idea which were imported into Chile or not. Original XR250's are designated: XR250L (street legal) or XR250R (off road)
You may also come across XL250's and XL200's. XL models are ALL on road versions.
Not sure on the XR200, but Honda probably did a street legal version of this bike too. (XL200 or XR200L ?) IMO, the 200 is a real DOG compared to XR250R (off road models). I've ridden both quite a bit.

The Falcons, Tornadoes and Baja models may be around in Chile used? Maybe new as well, dunno? :innocent:
Expensive but good quality, but the Brazilian quality seems very close to Japanese.

EDIT: As Andy T says below, the Brazilian motors (and the bikes themselves) are TOTALLY different than original Japanese ones. But reports are generally good even though the Brazilian motors are cheaper to make and are not "race" bikes like ALL XR Hondas's originally were intended for.

If worried about money, why not go for one of these 200cc Chinese bikes?
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...761#post455311

These Danish guys are selling them cheap. ($1400 usd) They bought them in Chile. To me, they look pretty good. Read their ride report, see how the bikes worked out.

The original made in Japan XR250R (off road) was an incredible bike. My '02 did two major Baja rides and many many thousands of off road miles in both Sierra and Desert.

With it's wide ratio 6 speed gear box, (street legal "L" versions will have 5 speed) larger fuel tank, the XR250R was great in Baja ... as good or better than the two WR450F Yamaha's I rode with. The Yams' were better in deep sand where power really made a difference. The XR was much better on highway, cruising calmly at 60 mph all day long.
(with stock gearing!!)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E...64_Y78kZ-L.jpg
Baja on the XR250R
http://patricksphotos.smugmug.com/ph...-xcKfvms-L.jpg
Loaded up for 3 week Baja trip

The Latin American XR250 Tornado is a very different engine from the USA XR250R. The Tornado is a DOHC setup Vs. the XR250R setup with a single cam and canted rockers for the splayed valves. There are some other differences, like non removable subframe, and a drum rear brake on the Tornado.

In short the Tornado is higher spec than the XR200, but lower spec than the XR250R. As you know, the Tornado is taller with more wheel travel than the 200.

Thanks guys, apparently the 200xr is discontinued in Latin America anyway. The 250 it is!


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Its the xl200 that they still sell, but it has a smal 8 liter tank,
lower then the 250.:mchappy:
tornados everywere in Ecuador,nice bike, 6 gears.