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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Helmut Koch, Vivid sky with Northern Lights, Yukon, Canada

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Helmut Koch,
Camping under Northern Lights,
Yukon, Canada



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  #1  
Old 16 Jan 2017
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I'm a bit green here so can anyone enlighten me on oil change intervals of bikes of this size... I read on the TTR forum that the TTR250 should have a change every 600miles.

...Is this accurate and true of all 250's?
...Would this not be a royal pain in the arse on a RTW?

Cheers
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  #2  
Old 16 Jan 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny Gauguin View Post
I'm a bit green here so can anyone enlighten me on oil change intervals of bikes of this size... I read on the TTR forum that the TTR250 should have a change every 600miles.

...Is this accurate and true of all 250's?
...Would this not be a royal pain in the arse on a RTW?

Cheers
As mentioned, oil capacity plays a big role here. 250's don't hold much, so more frequent changes in order. But some other factors at play:
If just cruising at moderate speed/rpm the oil will not be stressed as much, so longer interval may be possible.

If you could always have access to quality synthetic MC oil, this too could extend change interval. Going RTW, don't count on this.
Only So-So no name oil means YOU MUST do more frequent changes.

Many 250's will use some oil if ridden very hard, under load and kept at or near
redline. Otherwise, very little oil should be consumed by most of the bikes listed so far.

The TTR's are good tough bikes if you can find a "fresh" one that can do a full RTW and get it set up right. Old tech but a good one.

But for me .... first choice is WR250R. 2nd CRF250L. The WR has more power over CRF, better suspension too. Both reliable.
Those two things alone put WR250R 1st in my book.
Yes, more money but for all round riding (especially off road) Yamaha WR gets my vote.
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  #3  
Old 16 Jan 2017
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The Australian TTR manual suggests first oil change at 600 miles, then every 6000 miles thereafter. The US one says every 1000 miles. In the US they were sold as off-roaders only (although they could be road registered) which would suggest an expectation of hard dirt road use. Common sense would indicate that the owner should vary the interval depending on usage and quality of oil available, and I think this probably applies to all makes and sizes of bike.
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  #4  
Old 16 Jan 2017
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Aint it sweet?
S.C.A.M.P L-wAm XT225 - David Lambeth 00 44 (0)1205 871945
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Old 16 Jan 2017
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Nice. Dave built my first ever bike. He knows his stuff. Not a big fan of that fuel tank and headlight rack. Had fuel on the back like that on mine too. Good if you just poodle I guess.

I'd still take a WRR over that.
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  #6  
Old 17 Jan 2017
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Go the Ttr. Totally ttrs in the U.K. Is the spot to buy everything to set a Ttr up. I am 6 foot 2 and 110kg of chubbiness and I love mine. You can get a lowering link to drop it 2'inches without really affecting the ride if you are short.

I got sick of picking up heavy bikes off road including two GS's a DR and a KLR. I like the Ttr more than all of them. Yes it's a 250, yes it's quite tall standard but these are things you can live with or adapt. I've owned 18 bikes now over more than 20 years and the little-bike-that-could Ttr has been the most grin inducing, reliable bike yet.

The Ttr has a pumper carb for great low down response. The suspension is way better than a DR. An XR fuel tank from acerbis bolts straight on for 23lt of fuel with a kit from zen overland or totally ttrs. Get a bashplate and rack and you're done. Totally fun, reliable and awesome little bike.

Can you tell i love mine?
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TTR250 - a very underrated adventure bike
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  #7  
Old 20 Jan 2017
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Thanks for all the information and bike suggestions, even the ones who suggested bikes outside my criteria, I appreciate yall have my well-being and best interest at heart while recommending a bike so I will give these modern bikes a good look over instead of hastily dismissing them. Likes all round!
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Old 4 Jul 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny Gauguin View Post
I'm a bit green here so can anyone enlighten me on oil change intervals of bikes of this size... I read on the TTR forum that the TTR250 should have a change every 600miles.



...Is this accurate and true of all 250's?

...Would this not be a royal pain in the arse on a RTW?



Cheers
From what my partner (who is an actual mechanic not an amateur) and I have been reading, if you are using what was originally designed as a race bike and change to using a good quality 10-40 Diesel Engine oil you can conceivably get longer service limits out of it.

We are rebuilding a KTM 450 and 525 EXC for our RTW trip. And this is the oil we have chosen to use. It's definitely going to and the bikes are going to get a workout in Australian conditions whilst we perfect them. And whilst they, especially my 525 had been hammered by previous owners by doing a total rebuild including valves, guides, the lot even trialling a 16T front and 42T rear sprocket to hear it down. They are light weight and even with gear will be manageable for us both to pick up and we are both short asses at 5'6" so have made custom seat bases with memory foam to lower, pulled the fork legs up higher in the triple clamps and softening the rear spring.

Sent from my CPH1701 using Tapatalk
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Old 4 Jul 2019
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"I certainly would look at the sorrow 250 its the TTR engine in a lower bike,"


Unfortunately not true. The DOHC 4 valve TTR250 engine is no longer in production, the XT250 Serow motor looks totally different to me, SOHC 2 valve. Not exactly going to be a fire breather...
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  #10  
Old 5 Jul 2019
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This website has some great information. Another couple of people on Crf250l's

One Road One World I World trip by motorcycles
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