XR250R - What Was I Thinking?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- Hermit explains what the hell he was thinking when he bought an XR250R. We had all three bikes from the stable out this day. The DRZ400, WR250R and XR250R.
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DR-Z 400S (DRZ400)
WR 250R (WR250R)
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"Corncob" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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Nice. I have a DR650 but wanted a lighter, pure off road bike, so I just bought a '99 XR250R. I'm very impressed with it! Runs great and very easy to handle!
I rode mine a while yesterday. I really love that bike.
Update! I have now been riding the XR250R for one year. Also I have upgraded a few things (bars, pegs, tires, rear sprocket, fmf pipe, jetting, uncorking, etc). In the past year, I've ridden it in Colorado, Utah, California, and of course here in Texas. In the mountains of Colorado, this bike is great, torquey, easy to ride, and goes anywhere with little effort. In Utah I rode at Moab, and once again, it handled the terrain perfectly. In California I took it to Gorman (hungry valley ohv), and to Carnegie in northern California, where they have the most awesome hill climbs I've ever seen. The XR climbed those massive hills with ease. In Texas, the best riding is tight, technical single track and woods trails. The XR excels at twisty woods trails and single track. I keep the bike maintained properly (very picky about it), and so far, not a single problem with the bike of any kind.
I have a '96 model. Runs like a champ. 52t rear sprocket, removed exhaust baffle, foam air filter, one size bigger main jet and 1 notch richer on the needle jet. 6" LED light bar attached to front fender wired through a rectifier. 1.125" bar risers and an Al skid plate. All mods I recommend! XR250's are great woods bikes!Cheers
Sounds awesome. Tell me more about which bar risers you're using. I found some .5" but I'm not sure it's enough.
Dude Hermit you sound genuinely happy in this video... you can hear it in your voice. You're in love with that bike, and that's awesome :)
+eveRide ADV And I wasn't being chased by a man hugging maniac.
Bhahaha!
Ive had my 91 xr250r for about a week. Thing is freaking awesome. Its so lightweight.
Congrats 🤘🏻
Have one also love it but I hate to jump it ,the suspension is bad for that ,,hows yours? Have any suggestions?
Mines a 2002 by the way
In 10 years the XR250R could still be running. The others....
Can’t break an XR engine, unless you run it with no oil. Those things are bulletproof, people who say otherwise just don’t know.
My 14 year old rmz is still goin strong too
@@jimarmbrester1721 my 91 still goin strong XR is a tank
@@jimarmbrester1721 they survive without oil too I just picked one up that ran 5 miles with no oil the only thing wrong was piston rings and cam bearings
Completely wrong. Honda's RFVC motors including XR250 are notorious for top end problems. Completely opposite Yamaha TT/XT Suzuki DR and water cooled DRZ will be running 10 times longer than Honda.
Better keep your mouth shut then talk out of your ass
My XR250R just bucked me off last week when I let it down with my skills on an uphill rockface that I thought I had allready mastered. The bike is in perfect shape, the XR is indestructible and super reliable. I am bruised and recovering, I wear full armor, even made some of my own for my hips. The Xr is in my opinion a Tank on two wheels. I am 54 and after this last crash bought a new helmet and gloves. As for the bike that smashed down the rockface I washed in the trailer for next week!
I'm really enjoying this cool little project. I'm trying to get a few friends to take the plunge and try out dual sporting, so I'm using this project to show them that is doesn't have to be too expensive
And that's exactly why I'm doing this. In fact I'm kinda hoping one on my buddies will buy this bike off me for $1000.
Hermit DaVlog still have the bike for sale?
Jacob Shepard same with me. A friend of mine convinced me to go DS instead of road. Trying to get a couple other guys to go for it! Including my father!
I have a 2016 yz250x I've been riding for a year. LOVE the bike. I ride in wood and high desert in Oregon. Been on the dunes once too. They definitely have done more to change it then how you made it sound they are treating the Motocross platforms that have been turned into trail bikes. That being said for me it's just fine that it's still very Motocross-esque. I feel that anything else would lose the spirit of two stroke that I'm going for. I've ridden my buddies 426 and can't stand how freaking heavy it is, I like the challenge of always having to be in a power band and not being able to lug my way up anything. For a non plated trail bike I think it's the epitome of do it all. Most importantly it has a kickstand! A very expensive kickstand
I agree, lighter more simple bikes are nicer to have on trails. Especially in very remote areas. Those DR250 always sounded nice too. Looking forward to the longer term reviews.
Thanks. I'm looking forward to doing them.
I fully hear that. I've got an XR250r I'm currently ironing out the gremlins in the carburetor to get it's tune right. Recently got a WR450f. What he says is true I think. The XR's were designed and built as trail bikes first and foremost. People tried to Motor-cross them, but you basically have to build another bike, lest your suspension bottom out violently enough to crack the frame. But I agree trail riders love 'em for these stated reasons.
The WR on the other hand... exactly like he says. When compared to the XR's, it's basically a wild beast with a muzzle & short leash slapped on it lol. That may not be everyone's cup of tea on a rough as guts trail, but on the other side of the coin it's pretty much a carby and suspension tweak away from a motor-cross track.
Personally I like the WR because it's easy and I'm lazy. Kick it twice cold. Boom done. Push button it when warmed up. Done. Ride it... then maintain the ever-loving-shit out of it lol. But I like the way the old Honda feels when it's being asked to do some slow windy finicky trails in first at bugger-all kph. And I like how when you're done, it's a lot more forgiving of pooh 'she'll be right until next time' maintenance. Judge me harshly. I'm a bad, bad (Honda murdering) man.
John Doe You’re exactly right. Some of the toughest and most capable bikes ever built. You can putt around on them, or run the shit out of them, they’re happy either way.
I've had a 94 XR250L for about 6 or 7 years now. That's the street legal one. I'm very happy with it. It always starts in two or three kicks, even when it's been sitting all winter in an unheated shop in Spokane where it gets pretty cold. When I'm riding it and stop to talk to the boys, I just leave it in first gear. When it's time to start it again, I just pull in the clutch, give it a quick jab on the kick starter, let out the clutch and I moving again. So I have no plans to mess with the carb. If it ain't busted, don't fix it. I used to have a 87 XR600R. Nice bike. Kinda heavy and harder than hell to start when cold. I thought that was rare for a Honda, but it seems that is the norm for these from what I have read. Anyway, the 250 is a lot lighter and just about as fast. This bike is in great shape and is not missing any original equipment and low miles. I can't take it anywhere without someone trying to buy it from me.
Recently brought a 95 xr250, slapped a 400 mudguard and a cr rear guard with a few touched and it runs beautifully, starts first luck on cold with the choke off
I like the older Trail bikes too.
+hillbillydualsport I know right
+Hermit DaVlog I learned to ride on late 60 early 70 trail bikes they have changed.
i love my XLR 250, but i have to say getting the Carb out isn't as easy as the old Yamaha 2strokes. to get to my carb i have to take the seat off both side panels and the air box cover and then drop the air box… two hose clams then 3cables…the Yamaha DT just undo the tow hose clams and pull one back and turn unscrew the throttle slide bamb. but i love my xlr, so reliable so much traction, value for money with a pumper stock!
I just do the clamps and cables. This might help. Use the handles of some channel locks like a fork around where the airbox clamps to the carb. Pry against the frame to push the airbox back and then pop the carb out. Do the same thing backwards to install.
+Hermit DaVlog mine is a 86 MD16 so maybe they made it easier as time went by, but they are super reliable mine is 30 years old and still strong and will pull 135kmh with out a head wind.
+Hermit DaVlog i commend your choice
this is why I went with an 89 klr250!
Nice pick.
Bought a Dr 650, so excited to dual sport it up!@
+Scooby Rex Sweeeeeet!
I have a DR350R from suzuki and parts are hard to find, i also want that speedo you got hermit but they only make them for XR's :( still the bike is veeeeery awesome, dees aircooled trail bikes are what the manifacturers should have been working on, putting more tech into these things while they are cheap, i think they would sell like biscuits
Man I bet that speedo would work. I don't see anything model specific except for the length of the cables and they make extensions for all of them.
thanks
Hermit what helmet intercom set up do you guys use please ? It’s brilliant.
that's a really good explanation
+Wes Buhr Thanks!
I'm looking to buy a 2000 xr250r for $1650 on craiglist. All original. That a good deal? Great post buddy.
Great video !
+The Steel Horseman Thanks!
No point in the WR250R existing. XR250r already has that job covered. No point in the DRZ400S. XR600R with a USD fork swap is a better bike in all regards. Lighter. More power. More durable. Although the kickstart DRZs are cool.
You should do a meet in Denver like in city park
+Dan The Bike Hooligan Hmmmm.
+Hermit DaVlog you should it would be awesome
That drz is so much less capable than the XR lol.
I wish you many trouble free miles on the XR. I was amazed that they don't make a old reliable type motor larger than the 230 in trail bikes when I was looking. I was looking at the 230 closely but ended up buying a leftover model crf450x for 4300 plus tax, really it's more than I needed but for the same price as the 230 I went with the 450x. I know for me personally the air cooled carb. type bike is what attracted me to the XR650L and would not have thought about getting a trail bike if it wasn't as heavy as it is and was more nimble than it is. So when you say lighter and shorter I fully understand where you are coming from. I know I pick on folk and all but to be honest I think as long as the guy or gal is happy with their purchase who cares what others may think about their bikes or whatever. A bike is just like a wife what's ugly and fat to one is a dream come true for another. I guess now that CDS has a AT he's trying to map yalls rides around StarBucks. stay safe
I think we should amend the constitution to make it illegal to be married to a KLR.
Hermit DaVlog That's how they made it legal for a dude to marry a dude. Stay safe
So did you buy an XR 250 just to do a bash video?
I got 2 Xr400s
I have nitrogen. I would be happy to share!
Lucky.
Come ride your modern crap with me and find out why the xr 250 is top dog on the trails, thats if you dont run out of gas or have a coolant leak.
man you have been out of the loop for like 5 years on your reference on trail bikes, ktm and husqvarna 350xcf all the 2 stroke, yz250fx and tons others. like your videos but sell all your bikes and buy a ktm
+Brian Patterson Good point, but then them other two fools would have nothing to ride and I'd be just talking to myself.
The KTM and Husqvarna fall into the same category that Hermit was talking about with Motocross bikes... They are great bikes, but they aren't really "trail bikes". They are mainly enduro racing bikes, and the dual sport versions are the same just with license plates
Sounds like Beavis and Butthead
give me a money sir..i restuor my motor bike.
The XR250 is my favorite of the Japanese non-performance 250's. Has the best low-end and least weight out of the WR250R, KLX250, and CRF250L.
When I was in the British Army I used the Honda lightweight (XR250R with the acerbic extended tank) for racing in the army enduro championships. The best I did was to place in the top 10% of the race(47th out of over 500 riders including civvies). The best part was overtaking an XR650 and a KLX 650 in the air. The XR250R is a very capable little bike!!! Awesome buy...
That's a rad story. Thanks!
LOL your smarter than your partners. For the type of riding you guys do anything more than a 250 is a waste. Light, maneuverable and bullet proof!
Yep. Though my one hour on the XR400R was the most fun I've had on a bike. Going to be an interesting summer going back and forth on the XR250 and XR400.
Hermit DaVlog sooo... which one do ya like best?!
xr 250 is a great all round bike why would you need anything bigger than a xr250 you cant beat a honda i just bought a 2002 xr250 that runs great for 1000
I don't know if I want it for my only bike, but that being said, I think if anyone owns at least two bikes, that should be one of them.
hell yeah i love mine and only had it a week big enough to do just about what ever you want yet light and easy to ride
About the part support - YES. Also.. there is TONS of information out there for the XR250R and XR400R. That is probably the most valuable thing about that bike!
Yeah, it's crossed my mind to just have three or four XR 250/400 bikes in the garage. Then I wouldn't have any problems getting parts or swapping parts around as I need to, to keep at least three of them running. Also super easy to work on.
I rode a 1979 XR250 this afternoon and it was fantastic. I think it's going to come home with me...
I've ridden dirt bikes for 50 years this year. My first ever 4s bike was a leftover new '90 model XR250R I purchased in '91. I modified it to be street legal in my state, tagged/insured it, and rode it as my dual sport and/or trail bike. I owned it and rode it as my primary ds/trail bike until 2012 when I purchased a new WR250R. I must have put on 16,000+ miles on that thing. It NEVER left me in the woods. It ALWAYS got me home. It had more travel than my WR250R, weighed something like 245 lbs compared to 300 lb for the WR, was air cooled (no boil overs, no thermostats to fail, no waterlines, etc), carb equipped (I could work on it) and most importantly NO EFI with its attendant FUEL PUMP. (If a fuel pump goes out while riding and you're DONE right there.) I would still be riding it today if it had electric start. (I'm spoiled to electric start, and at 67 years old, I like electric start!) I've owned something like 35-40 bikes and I can say that when all factors are considered, the XR250R was absolutely, positively, the best trail bike I've ever owned. You done good Hermit.
Theres a fully rebuilt xr250r here in Aus for 500 bucks negotiable. Good bike?
take the deal?
Bying a honda XR is like bying land... you can grow corn, you can farm, you can build, you can cut tree's, you can hunt, you even dynamite the hole place... nothing will really happen to it... you can still pass it to your children's children, or sell it and get your money back after all that fun you've had to the next owner so he can do the same thing till the end of the fuckin universe!!! Go get a honda XR... you'll never regret... Hello from Greece!!!
Oh... i bet that honda still run after ten year's... how about the other bikes???
Xr250 is the perfect bike
Is the XR250 ok for someone who weighs a little over 200 lbs that road dirt bikes as a kid, but basically starting over?
I have a 93' XR250R with a 280cc piston kit and a upside down front suspension from a Husqvarna TC 350.. I can say that I created the perfect bike haha
That sounds awesome!
How much hotter does your engine run with the bigger piston? Were there any over heating problems?
Hernan Palacios good point! Better suspension and ya have a lil monster!
I'm bout to snatch up a mint 88...fingers crossed.
Good luck🤘🏻
1982 XR250 Dual Sport Motorcycle
That CDS feller got his Africa Twin and got addicted to horsepower. Time for a new hard enduro video to convince him.
+OverlandX Damn straight.
Xr250l here. Upped the jetting, opened the intake and exhaust. Set the valve clearance. Easy to start with 1 or 2 kicks. Rocks the trails and can do 80 on the road, but is comfortable at 65 unless a semi blows you sideways, but that's what you get with a light bike on the road. Love it!
hey wat were u guys using to talk with eachother that is fantasic
I have a wr250r, kick only DRZ400 and an 03 xr250r. For trail riding I have the most fun on the xr250r and getting to the trails is much better once you swap out the stock rear 48t sprocket for a 43t. It does not have the modern feel like the WRR but its so much lighter and easier to maneuver. You cant beat the XR fun factor and simplicity for trail riding. I just do not get why they are no longer sold in the US. I had a crf250x for a few years, great bike but for the rider that puts 3000+ miles on it a season - not going to handle the job at all. C'mon Honda the XR250 still lives on in other countries bring em back to the US.
Awesome comment. Those are the same three bikes I ride so it's particularly helpful to me. My XR250R has a 50 on the back. I thought about going to a 47/48, but I'm concerned that I'll give up too much fun on the trails. I don't need to go over 50mph to get to my trails, but it's still tempting to play with that gearing a little to see if there's a better balance. I really am enjoying this bike and you're right they need to get back to selling simpler bullet proof fun bikes in the US.
I bought mine for 25 bucks lmao
Wow You guys are spoiled for trails and vistas over there. I wish I could go over and spend a year just riding around USA.
+Jenkins Bradbury Yes we are.
XR250 is the ultimate off roader. You cant go wrong with XR ! In here Asia there is electric start model as well. Late ones come with inverted forks digital CDI, Which I ride everyday on road and offroad. Basically everywhere I take my XR :D
Ok, I want one of those.
+Hermit DaVlog but they are never $999. goes for $3000+ most the time. you can research md30 xr250. also its big brother ND08 xr400 which is electric start 400cc.
Thanks. I found some pictures on tumpertalk. Pretty damn cool.
not the 400 is les maneuverable, i drover them, is not hard to start, i switch bk to the 250r and the more power are for fat duds and harley brains. Sorry but is the same shit my harley guys say, they ride it and want one, lol. the 250 has plenty of toque for me 245lb guy on the trail 15 to 25 deg climbing, is just skill. the heavier the bike the worse. different tools for different jobs.
i wish i lived in Colorado, i was there and went ATV riding in the mountains and it was so awesome, if i could ride through trails like that so much that would be sweet
I felt the same way 10 years ago. Make it happen.
I totally agree with you. I prefer a basic trail bike over a MX-based bike. Light weight, simple and reliable. Are you listening Honda and Yamaha?
I don't think they are.
I have one. Get your brake light fixed. No the bike is not cheap. And easy to work on ? No, shock Reservoir is in the way of carb removable ( bad but I did I it ) You forgot to mention that you can see your front end and the newer bikes the front tire is under you 😁
my first trail bike was an 89 xr250r...I'm 6'5 and 280 lbs and it toted me all over the place, it was great, practically no maintenance needed!
Exactly. Such great bikes. Really enjoying it.
and if you have it geared right, you could point it at a tree and it wouldn't quit climbing till it ran out of bark to chew on!
Had a XR250R in Florida. Great bike. Moved to Colorado. Bought a KDX200. Another great bike. Unless you race. I don't think a more powerful bike is needed. Most people will never use the extra power of a 450 or 300 2t on the dirt. In my opinion.
Bad Gumby I have both a xr250 and a kdx200 right now lol
what awesome scenery and trails to ride on. ☝
+Noofy Inc Thanks. We like em.
I had an 86. rode it long and hard.
I have a yz450f now. 4 strokes are not what they were,
Meyp.
Tim Henry same bike i have! Man it runs great. XR250
You guys are going so slow, what does it matter what bike your riding? 10hp would be overkill at these speeds.
The XR400 is pretty cool, a friend of mine had one years ago and I rode it a few times. It has really great low end torque. But it was a bear to start, not hard to kick, just took a lot of kicks, very cold natured(pilot too lean). Handling was good but you can feel the weight, not bad though. Very good suspension, jumps well. I really liked it but never got one, it just felt a bit large to me. I never tried, or owned, an XR250R until 18 years later (this year), and I was blown away at how well it handled and how light it felt. Every time I ride it, i still can't believe just how good this bike really is.
I rode both yesterday. They really are nothing alike and I like them both.
XR murders WR in every category
Been watching a bunch of older videos, reading a bunch of older articles. One thing keeps surprising me - the cost of bikes. At least in my region, they have gone way up. You mentioned getting that XR250 for a 1000 bucks. That's a fantasy today. Even older bikes are more expensive. Or you can't find them at all. I am a bit new to the bike shopping scene... but wow the prices are definitely not what they used to be. Thoughts?
Post covid. Over covid lots of guys bought up old bikes as quarantine projects. I got my bike for 1500, could sell it for 4500 now. There just are not as many good unrestored old bikes around as there was before.
(I also think eighties and nineties bikes are finally getting the appreciation they deserve)
I hear the xr only tops out at 65 is this true , that being a street trail bike
Yeah anything above 50mph and you feel like you're tearing the engine apart. At least with my ME06 XR250R. You can do it, but it isn't comfortable.
Put a 14 tooth sprocket up front with the stock rear and you can easily cruise 55 mph and can even run 65 or 70 for short sprints
I agree with you Hermit, I got back into riding about a year and a half ago with a 96 dr350SE. I absolutely love the bike. Easy to wrench on durable as iron and surprisingly good power after a few mods of course. The suspension is a little soft but will be resprung soon. Also was a little on the heavy side but I put both it and me on a diet and droped the package weight almost 65 lbs 20-25 from the bike alone. I love the old bikes.
Thanks for the video
+desertghost Love the DR350. Thanks for watching.
Hey dg, I have a '98 DR350se and enjoying it, as well. Agree with you on the suspension being soft - rear shock, especially. What mods have you done to make yours perform better? Mine came with some upgrades - carb, I believe. Am spooning a new front DOT tire on it now (Shinko 244, to match the rear).
Man i love my xr so much, she tooks me wherever the ktms, wrs, etc etc bikes goes
Yeah, they're awesome aint they.
7:37 imho you could consider the AJP PR4 240cc extreme or the AJP SPR 250 or the PR7 as an option. ✌
Got me one but i can not find partd, any help from new xr250 fan, it runs so gooood.
XR's are great bikes. I still have my 1987 XR200R I got brand new.
Yeah, and now that you can buy them for $1000 it's not worth ever selling them.
mlr06121974 I wanted an XR since I was a teenager. I was 20 in ‘87 I’m 51 now and just got an XR 400!! Can’t ride it until spring but I can’t wait! Got the 400 instead of 250 so my lady can ride with me. Chances are I’ll have a 250 as well!
the old xr series are superior trail bikes. good usable power, decent weight for a trail bike, incredible reliability, and low maintenance. the CRF series is a dealers dream. they get to sell LOTS of parts and service with the exception of the CRF 250l which weighs as much as a DRZ 400 with nowhere near as much power. you made a wise choice Hermit.
+Randall Pauley Totally agree, thanks!
Well said! The new 4 strokes are just a racket putting loads of $$ in companies pocket
Still got your XR250R? Thinking of getting one myself.
I've just "invested" 900 English pounds on a 97 model that has electric start as well as a kickstarter. Not completely original but seems to be in great condition and a capable machine. I can't wait to get it muddy.
That's awesome! Congrats!
longkeith diablo what’s it take to put E start on an XR? Is it expensive?
I love that bike Hermit , never mind the hater CDS fella lol .
+IRON MAN Yeah he just got a bike that weighs 200 lbs more and can't jump.
hermit is this bike comparable to the Wr in terms of fuel economy?
im looking for a dual sport that has a fuel economy like the Wr the power like the Wr but cheaper
I get about 60 MPG on both. That's with a lot of trail riding and taking the time to tune for the high altitude I ride so your mileage may vary. The WR has more power, but it's also heavier. So on trails I usually have no issues with the power of the XR. When I need to go 65MPH the WR can comfortably cruise but the XR is working hard.
Osimnod,
I still have the stock cv carb on mine however, I do have air box mod, "t vent" mod,fmf exhaust, re jetted carb for mods, 14/43 gearing, kenda parker dt tires..(awesome off road and dot) new plastics low profile turn signals and lights. check out "jmoto78" on yt. Em ride and Em razorback vids. you can see my bike there in action.
Thanks. Not enough XR250R videos on the TubeYous.
WR450F and WR250F are the only purpose built trail bikes IMO.
Lol
I'm not sure if you covered this or not but, what is your cruising speed on the freeways?
I shot the video but haven't a made a good video to fit in the footage yet. I went about 65 for a mile and it was too high RPM for me to call it cruising. I'm running a 50 tooth in the back (stock is 47) and it feels like it wants to cruise at 50mph in 6th gear. I don't think it'd be a good highway commuter and I wouldn't want to do more than a few miles at a time going 65.
I get it Hermit. I sold my Xr400 after 3 years of completely refurbishing it to like new, because i loved it, except for the weight, the height of the seat, and I got REAL tired of kick starting it. so I solved my problem by going with new version of school with the CRF230F and a dual sport conversion. Same reliability, lower seat height, and a magic button to start it up.Frickin' Jim knows whats up too, I believe he did the same thing
+Scott Knoch Dr Dual Sport has one too and he speaks very highly of it.
love my Honda's I have a 2005 cbr600cbr600 f4i and just bought a old 1987 Honda xr250r back in march. awesome bike I have had a 87 xr80r and a 91 xr100 and never had any issue with them change oil /filter and will run for ever.
Purpose built trail bikes are still being built. The XR250 is deflecting everywhere and keeping you reacting to the trail minor undulations that these purpose built bike would be flying through.
Kinda right, but in single track through the trees I think the XR250 is better than most. Rocky trails, you're right it's nothing special.
That was a really cool overview into why you got an old XR250r . My Dad bought a old 82 XR250r really cool bike sold it and regretted it ever sense. I have some picture's of it i will post them some time i mean if you want!
Everyone should have an XR250 in the garage. Just in case of a zombie apocalypse.
Thanks for the quick reply. Does this bike have any type of steering lock or key ignition? Sorry, I don't know too much.
No, but check this out th-cam.com/video/fENgFVJbYWA/w-d-xo.html
It was in 98 I think, one of the dirt rags was reviewing the XR lineup and everybody loved the 250. They said it was the sweet spot as far as power, weight, and handling went. All of the test riders were just as fast on the 250 in the test trails as they were with the 400 and 650...or 600... whatever the big bore was back then.
Oh, man. I'd like to find a copy of that article.
I found an ebay copy of the January 1999 issue of Dirt Bike magazine and it has a shootout like I described, the different engine sizes trail/offroad tested. Sorry I couldn't be more help, I've been looking since you replied. lol Sparked my own curiosity. :) link- www.ebay.com/itm/JANUARY-1999-DIRT-BIKE-MAGAZINE-250-SHOOTOUT-KTM-HONDA-SUZUKI-YAMAHA-KAWASAKI-/252453518325
+The Sick Horse Ranch Awesome, thanks. If I find anything else I'll let you know.
I understand, small old school trial bikes are more fun to mod. and ride fast then let say a modern fire breathing yz450. you're in control then it controlling you
Never considered a tials bike before. But I am now.
Over here in Ecuador they still make the xr250 to this day one of the most bought bike in south america due to our crappy roads and what not lol.
It's like the Toyota Helix of motorcycles.
I have an 86 xl250r. Ive been riding it off road on fire trails. Starts first kick with no choke every time cold. My problem is that once its hot after 25 minutes of 30 mph riding off road. Hillclimbs and straights the bike bogs and dies. It will not kick start with choke or without it. I can only bump start to get it going again. After I bump start it, if I come to a stop with clutch pulled in the bike dies after a few seconds being stationary. Air filter cleaned, oil chained, spark plug changed, new gas. Previous owner said it sat for almost a year. The spark plug was black, meaning its running rich correct? Any ideas on what to do?
Yes. If you can start it cold with no choke it is rich. Rebuild the carb and get it jetted so that you need choke to start cold and not to start warm. Also, (and this is probably most of the problem) I think that carb might have an air cut off valve. When those get tired it's hard to start the bike when it's warm. I couldn't find one for an 86 xl250r but here's a link so you can see what they look like. www.xrsonly.com/k-l-supply-air-cut-off-valve-crf230f-03-12-xl250r-82-83-xr250r-86-04-xr350-1985-xr400r-96-04-xl500r-1982-xr600r-88-00-xr650r-00-07
Great! Thanks a lot I appreciate you taking the time to send a link and reply! Ill give it a shot. On one of the carbs on the side of the bike without the battery the "rubber waffle cone tube" that connected to the carb has a rip near the gasket. This could possibly be contributing to the issues.
@@HermitDaVlog thanks for that link. I have the same problem.
You have not found the Bike you Like, Yet... :-)
I might have, but I need to try them all, just to be sure.
just sold my xr400 - I'm an idiot
I have a pair of street legal, '96 XR250R's with IMS 4 gal tanks and SeatConcepts saddles. Excellent lightweight ADV bikes (240 lbs.). Perfect for 3-4 day camping trips on the forest roads around Yosemite! It's not about power, it's about usable power. These bikes never fatigue you. Great all day in the desert sand too.
Yo, could you describe the suspension a bit more, what did you mean by underpowered? Well you did mention the yamaha being plush, so maybe you mean the xr is harsher/stiff? Well, of course it's more complicated than just that since it has to work well both with slow and fast bumps, so with that in mind what are the details about your perceptipn of the xr's sus? ^^
+billieguitar It has smaller tubes so if feels like it deflects and isn't pushing as much oil through the valves. It's not sprung for my weight so I'm compensating by setting the compression dampening high. Just feels like a small bike suspension compared to the WR. That's about the reality of it.
Oki, thanks for the exhaustive answer!!
That is an excellent 'theory'. The Honda 250x and the 450x are perfect examples.
Myep
I've been thinking about getting my wife an old trail bike to learn on. Would you recommend an XR250? Keep in mind my wife is pretty tall at 6ft...
I'm 6ft and I can flat foot it and that makes learning much less intimidating. It's easy to kick, but not nearly as easy to kick as something with a magic button so you might want to think hard about that. You have to really know how to talk to it when starting it cold or really hot, but once you know the dance it's never a problem. A DR250, CRF230, or XT250 are probably also worth a look as bikes for learning. They might be a bit small after that.
Really liked your video. The scenery was spectacular!!! I think your right older Tech. Can't be beat sometimes.. I always wished I could ride a bike. I did try. But I guess I'm to Impatient. But love off roading video!!!!! THX
Well said mate I'm buying one I haven't had a bad review I did actually of a mechanic of a motorbike shop I replied why because it wont brake down and u wont have work off me
The Yamaha XT250 comes to mind as a nice middle ground between old school trail bike and new school technologies.
Yeah they're ok, but they seem to be made to be more entry level where as the XR series you could buy on Saturday and race on Sunday if you wanted to.
+Hermit DaVlog I hear ya man.
XT 250 is junk compared to the XR. The XR is tough. The XT is not.
Back in the day my friend bought an XT250 brand new. I bought a XR250 at the same time.
His bike was junk after 2 years. My XR still runs like the day I bought it.
Well Hermit, I agree with getting a purpose made older bike because you can apply new technologies to it.if ya want plush get a KLR,if you’re only on pavement long enough to find more dirt,an XR is a fine choice! Just got myself an XR 400!! ‘97 . If I love it as much as I think I will for dirt, I’ll start looking for a DRZ E ( they already have the pumper carb, better cams) if it’s too heavy for the trails of Vermont I’ll look for an XR 250 and get a DRZ for longer trips. By the way I really like what you did with TRIGGER! I’m blacking mine out too! Black and red! Great vids! Thanks happy trails!!
I sold my WR250R after buying an old 1992 XLR250 Baja Japan model. It's very light no battery kick only and the motor has balls, handling is great etc. I would have kept both, with the WR for visitors but costs a lot to keep both insured and registered and I got a good price for my mint WR, cheers.
Where is this excellent trail?