I desperately long for a Suzuki DRZ400s, yet at my age that ship has likely sailed. These small light weight bikes are about as much fun as you can have on two wheels off road. Congrats on the Yamaha. Looks like a fun ride.

While for my use a 250 is fine (because I have other larger motorcycles) I've always felt for almost the lightness of a 250 a 350-400cc to be the sweet spot for light weight yet enough power for hills and passing on the highway.

Suzuki has that nice water cooled DR400 but why in the world they haven't given it some upgrades over the years is a head scratcher? If they modernized the engine with fuel injection, gave it a wide ratio 6-speed, and a little more gas capacity they'd have a winner and then they could drop the DR650.

Yup, there is a Yamaha WR 250 in my near future. The Super Tenere is just to much weight for real off road anymore.

The idiot grew up on a kz 100 and a butchered Harley sprint for dirt adventure...VI

quote:

Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
Yup, there is a Yamaha WR 250 in my near future. The Super Tenere is just to much weight for real off road anymore.

I know what you mean. I never took my GS's off road other than maybe riding across a field or short ways on a decent trail just to get to a camping spot because they're just too heavy, geared too tall, and in my case didn't have off road tires. I stayed on roads from dirt and gravel to Interstates, and everything in between. From a 1200 Tenere' to a 250 is a pretty big change though but if you're not riding on roads much any longer it could make sense.

Speaking of off-road this is a nice article on riding an XT250 through and around Death Valley, much off road. From a guy that used to have a Gold Wing.
https://ridermagazine.com/2019...e-on-a-yamaha-xt250/

I had a 1972 Suzuki TS250 Enduro that I bought new. I had more fun on that thing than any bike since. I rode the wheels off of that bike. 325 lbs wet with a 2 cycle engine that needed close to zero maintenance. Add gas and oil and tighten the chain every now and then and that is all. It was love at first ride.

Jim

I know, these little bikes are fun! Are you still riding, Jim?

My first motorcycle was a lightweight Honda dual sport. Probably saved my young 17 year old ass because I worked it hard off road instead of on road. There were some hard collision lessons with massive boulders, dirt, gravel and trees, one which split my expensive Bell helmet down the middle, but none of them involved other cars. The other kid I use to off road race against later died racing motorcyles.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
I know, these little bikes are fun! Are you still riding, Jim?

No, I've had to give it up due to health issues. I still have my Yamaha V-Star 1100 and need to sell it but it's tough to let it go. At 71 I've had a bike of one kind or another for 55 years. Today I'd be a danger to myself and others. I gave up off road riding when I got a Suzuki TS400 and got way too over confident on it and damned near killed myself more than once. I traded that in on a Triumph Bonneville and it's been road bikes ever since.

Jim

I have a 2013 XT250. It’s basically the same thing the op has. Great around town bike. I just did a 10 mile trail ride yesterday, good times.

I had a late 70's Honda XL 250 that I sold to buy my first car. That was over thirty years ago and I still miss it.

I learned to ride on a Honda Trail 90, then moved to a Suzuki SP250, then a Honda XR250, KTM’s RXC 620 and KTM LC4 640 were next. Currently, I have a late 90’s Honda XR250L with just over 6k miles that looks brand new. I’d really like a 200-250 cc dual sport with a lower height/weight and a dual range like the old Honda Trails and the Suzuki 185ccs from the 70’s. I’m more of a trial (technical mountain trails) type of rider than a fast/jumping style so a large bike with a lot of power is not as fun as smaller/lighter bike with the gearing to crawl up and down steep trails.
This picture isn’t my bike but the same model.

[IMG:left] [/IMG]

Back in 2005, my wife gave me the green light to buy a Suzuki Hayabusa. At the time, I already had a streetbike, so I wanted a dual sport. Then I talked myself into just getting a dirt bike, to avoid paying additional registration, insurance, etc...

I wanted a basic air cooled 250. Got a Yamaha TTR-250, still sitting in my garage. It needs carb work, and every year I “almost” get it done. This thread makes me think now is the time.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:

No, I've had to give it up due to health issues. I still have my Yamaha V-Star 1100 and need to sell it but it's tough to let it go. At 71 I've had a bike of one kind or another for 55 years.....

Jim

I understand Jim, when motorcycling gets to the point it's difficult, or not fun any longer, time to look elsewhere for a hobby. Probably a sports car is the closest thing to motorcycling but fishing/boating, wood working, whatever.

quote:

I have a 2013 XT250. It’s basically the same thing the op has. Great around town bike. I just did a 10 mile trail ride yesterday, good times.

I believe exactly the same bike as I have other than color. Good getting out on mine this afternoon, as soon as I finish my chores and mow.

quote:

I had a late 70's Honda XL 250 that I sold to buy my first car. That was over thirty years ago and I still miss it.

Funny you mention this because I sold my 1972 XL250 in order to buy a 1973 Bonneville. However my father convinced me to buy a nice used Fiat 124 convertible that was fore sale locally by contributing $1,500 toward it if I wouldn't buy the motorcycle. I took his bribe and went "bikeless" for two years.
Sounds like you want a little dual sport again.


I don't know of any little dual sports with a dual range? I Emailed Honda last year suggesting the next bike they bring out in their "125 Retro" series (Monkey and Cub) be a Trail 125 with dual range, or at the least a low-low creeper gear. They thanked me for my suggestion, then likely just deleted it LOL.