An interesting report, which I'm still digesting.

The mileage puzzle is certainly connected to the rpm's you report. My 650 turns 5000-5500 rpm's at indicated 70 mph (which is more like 65 mph actual). It gets 45-50 miles per US gallon, depending on load. Your 250 is turning over a lot faster ("7000-8000") at that speed, which would concern me in the long term. Maybe it shouldn't.

As I just wrote on another thread, I've had mileage from mid-twenties (fully loaded, very strong headwinds, bad gas in Patagonia) to mid-seventies (very sedate pace, no baggage, calm winds, flat gravel road in B.C,). From your description, the 250 does better, but not really that much better. Purchased new, it costs about the same, but I wouldn't expect it to last as long in high-mileage touring due to the rpm issue--my 650 has 95,000 miles on it.

I assume the 250 is far superior away from pavement or in true off-road situations, but again I'm not sure from your report whether this is much of an issue once you're heavily loaded, therefore somewhat insecure no matter what you do. It remains intriguing, particularly since I think I'm through with 6 month and yearlong trips for a while. On shorter trips with minimal baggage it would sure be nice to lose a hundred pounds of machinery.

Thanks again for the report. If you're ever down this way maybe we could do a trade.....?

Mark