Educate me on 250 dualsports

[primate]

Originally Posted by TwoSmokeDS

Modern 250 DS are so heavy. Might as well get a DRZ400. Weights about the same. Don't have to rev to the moon for power.

Wouldn't say the weight is similar, my DRZ seems heavier, plus it is much more powerful, and much taller in the saddle. Two fiddiys are more fitted for a gal.
EDIT... Jack, went back and reread your first post. On second thought...DRZ is a great Bike, I love mine, just a bit pricier tho.

[Jack Giesecke]

Originally Posted by primate

Wouldn't say the weight is similar, my DRZ seems heavier, plus it is much more powerful, and much taller in the saddle. Two fiddiys are more fitted for a gal.
EDIT... Jack, went back and reread your first post. On second thought...DRZ is a great Bike, I love mine, just a bit pricier tho.

Yeah, pricier, but there's always USED. Heck, I'm not sure if I'll ever buy any motorcycle NEW again. Get it a few years old and save some depreciation.

[SwampFox]

Originally Posted by primate

... Two fiddiys are more fitted for a gal.

Us short fellows just can't get any relief.
The Harley dudes say my Sportster is a gal's bike, now my KLX is a gal's bike.

[Jack Giesecke]

Originally Posted by SwampFox

Us short fellows just can't get any relief.
The Harley dudes say my Sportster is a gal's bike, now my KLX is a gal's bike.

I was told by one grizzled old Shovel Head rider that Sportsters were "dirt bikes". It's my favorite HD only because "Bronson" (Then Came Bronson..Michael Parks) rode one. I watched every episode of that as a kid. Bronson was a man's man, a cowboy on a steel horse.

then came bronson openning - YouTube

then came bronson openning - YouTube

[Jack Giesecke]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=JTf3Tp-RNMw

[JTM]

Originally Posted by TwoSmokeDS

I don't think Honda make anymore 230 L. They're just leftover from 2009. If you look at Honda's website, the 230 L is listed as 2009/2008 model. Once they are gone, they're gone probably forever. Sad. It's one still made in Japan. I guess that's why the 230 L is so expensive. The 230 F made in Third World Countries.

The 230F is made is Brazil to be more specific, and mine will run just over 70 with offroad gearing (13/50).

Considering the CBR250R and the CRF250 are sharing the same motor, it'll probably get aftermarket support a little quicker.

[sodapop]

Originally Posted by JTM

The 230F is made is Brazil to be more specific, and mine will run just over 70 with offroad gearing (13/50).

Considering the CBR250R and the CRF250 are sharing the same motor, it'll probably get aftermarket support a little quicker.

Aftermarket support is coming on fast for the CRF250L. It's getting easier and easier to spend thousands of dollars upgrading the bike.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[jimhaleyscomet]

Check out this link.

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77808

In it I compare my new 2013 CRF250L to my 2009 KLR650.

I have not ridden the DRZ yet BUT I have ridden other more lightweight 450 dual sports (specifically my now disposed of 2011 KTM450exc and Joel's CRF450X). The weight in a larger engine bike feels much different. I am not sure if it is because of the gyro impact of the engine, the hight of the engine or what exactly.

The CRF250L (and every other 230/250 I have ridden) feels VERY different from a 400+cc bike when it comes to tossing it around, even if the 400+ bike is lighter. On the CRF250L the punch is immediate down low (probably better than the WR250r from what I remember test riding it a month ago). The WR regains the punch up high (according to my son who rented one for a day in TN). However, I have not really wound out my CRF250 yet as still am breaking in so I can't be sure how it will feel at high revs. Still a 400+cc bike will often have punch both down low and up high and for that you pay in momentum against changing directions and/or preventing a fall.

A 250 is not a 400+ bike. It is MUCH easier in the dirt but less comfortable than a 400+ bike above 45mph. That is why I have both.

For what it is worth I am 6' and weigh approximately 250 pounds with all my gear.

[Jack Giesecke]

Originally Posted by jimhaleyscomet

Check out this link.

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77808

In it I compare my new 2013 CRF250L to my 2009 KLR650.

I have not ridden the DRZ yet BUT I have ridden other more lightweight 450 dual sports (specifically my now disposed of 2011 KTM450exc and Joel's CRF450X). The weight in a larger engine bike feels much different. I am not sure if it is because of the gyro impact of the engine, the hight of the engine or what exactly.

The CRF250L (and every other 230/250 I have ridden) feels VERY different from a 400+cc bike when it comes to tossing it around, even if the 400+ bike is lighter. On the CRF250L the punch is immediate down low (probably better than the WR250r from what I remember test riding it a month ago). The WR regains the punch up high (according to my son who rented one for a day in TN). However, I have not really wound out my CRF250 yet as still am breaking in so I can't be sure how it will feel at high revs. Still a 400+cc bike will often have punch both down low and up high and for that you pay in momentum against changing directions and/or preventing a fall.

A 250 is not a 400+ bike. It is MUCH easier in the dirt but less comfortable than a 400+ bike above 45mph. That is why I have both.

For what it is worth I am 6' and weigh approximately 250 pounds with all my gear.

Great points. Yep, flywheel affect has a LOT to do with changing direction, on road racers as well as in dirt. Yet another thing to consider is that the 250 is closer to the ground which, for what I'll be doing with it, is a good thing, easier to save a front end push in the mud and such with a 50 lb bag of corn on the back. Things are a little dicier when you go putting loads on the motorcycle, talk about your HIGH C of G. I know my 200 is a lot easier to toss around in the dirt and especially the mud than my under 300 lb (modified) XL600R was, a LOT easier. It's more fun play riding on it even if it don't have half the motor, heck, probably 1/3rd the motor. That bike is air cooled and closer to a XR200 in weight, though.

Okay, +1 for the 250 idea.

[swoody126]

200, 225, 230, 250, 350, ALL FUN SKOOTS TO RIDE

i've had/ridden tw200's, an xt225, ttr230's, a dt250, a dr350 & a coupla klr650's

i weigh 260+ & have really enjoyed all of them, for different reasons

size, weight, simplicity, power & sophistication

personally, i enjoy the air cooled simplicity of the xt225 & the dr350 for dual sporting

i feel water pumpers, like the drz's, klr's & dl's, more suitable for adventure riding

fuel injection would be a nice feature if i were intent on doing both Texas & Colorado, on the same ride

you should find someone, close by, with each of your possible maybes & give them a ride

just 2¢ worth from an old fat boy

sw

[1TallTXn]

As always, the ADV guys have already hashed this bike to death: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=740737

A quick google turned up several places making racks for the 250L. I'm sure more will come.

[humanrace]

Jack, I have a DRZ 400SM that you can test ride for a week or 2. It's not for sale though, if you like it you'd have to look elsewhere to buy.

[diontx]

Not mine, but is for sale locallly, i looked at this bike very nice shape,panniers,heated grips,billit rear rack,2 seats,2 http://www.southeasttexas.com/autos/...?id=1183113bmw heat controllers

[Jack Giesecke]

Well, heck, before I buy ANY bikes, I have this Husqvarna lawn/garden tractor I really want, 2800 bucks. I did own a Husky once, 60s, didn't have a 54" cut deck on it, though. But, I'm still mulling this move over.

If we ever get together and you still have it, Dennie, I might try a short ride. I've heard the seats on 'em are a board, but that's about all the negative I've heard on 'em. I mean, I doubt I'll ride it to Arizona or something. That's what Motototes are for. There are used ones about, too.

[shanedman]

This DS topic of "what to buy" has been done to death, by alot of folks, including myself, being uneducated on the DS side of things...
But now that the idea has had time to marinate in back of my head.... if i were to get a DS, i think i would want one with electric start(most comments i see seem to be complaining about kickstart being hassle) and i think i would want water cooled, not just the old fashioned air cooled.
As i mentioned in one of my own threads on the DS topic, i would want something i could hit the roads with fairly frequently.
I have also decided that DS would have to be secondary to my main bike being street.....
EDIT: i also would want the "rack" mounting ability as some have mentioned. being able to carry a small load would be nice in certain situations. Someone earlier in this thread said
" it would have to work..."

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by Jack Giesecke

Well, heck, before I buy ANY bikes, I have this Husqvarna lawn/garden tractor I really want, 2800 bucks. I did own a Husky once, 60s, didn't have a 54" cut deck on it, though. But, I'm still mulling this move over.

If we ever get together and you still have it, Dennie, I might try a short ride. I've heard the seats on 'em are a board, but that's about all the negative I've heard on 'em. I mean, I doubt I'll ride it to Arizona or something. That's what Motototes are for. There are used ones about, too.

Get a couple of sheep, they keep the yard trimmed and won't eat your tires. Spend the rest of the money on a bike.

[Jack Giesecke]

Originally Posted by DaveC

Get a couple of sheep, they keep the yard trimmed and won't eat your tires. Spend the rest of the money on a bike.

Naaah, naaah, naaaah.

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by Jack Giesecke

Naaah, naaah, naaaah.

And once they are good and fat, you call up Trice Pilot and M38A1 and have a bar-b-que!

[1TallTXn]

Originally Posted by shanedman

This DS topic of "what to buy" has been done to death, by alot of folks, including myself, being uneducated on the DS side of things...
But now that the idea has had time to marinate in back of my head.... if i were to get a DS, i think i would want one with electric start(most comments i see seem to be complaining about kickstart being hassle) and i think i would want water cooled, not just the old fashioned air cooled.
As i mentioned in one of my own threads on the DS topic, i would want something i could hit the roads with fairly frequently.
I have also decided that DS would have to be secondary to my main bike being street.....
EDIT: i also would want the "rack" mounting ability as some have mentioned. being able to carry a small load would be nice in certain situations. Someone earlier in this thread said
" it would have to work..."

As far as I know, most of the DS bikes are still air cooled. The CRF250L and the WR250R/X are watercooled, but they're fully-new bikes. Most of the others are left-over designs from the '80s (and earlier) when nearly everything was air cooled.

Despite being 'old-tech' they're very reliable engines. Very little maintenance and what there is, is very simple.

I like water cooled, but it adds weight and complexity. Neither are something that you want off-road.

The BMW R1200GS/A is just now getting away from air/water cooling for 2013.

Don't avoid a bike simply because it's air cooled.

[Jack Giesecke]

Originally Posted by 1TallTXn

As far as I know, most of the DS bikes are still air cooled. The CRF250L and the WR250R/X are watercooled, but they're fully-new bikes. Most of the others are left-over designs from the '80s (and earlier) when nearly everything was air cooled.

Despite being 'old-tech' they're very reliable engines. Very little maintenance and what there is, is very simple.

I like water cooled, but it adds weight and complexity. Neither are something that you want off-road.

The BMW R1200GS/A is just now getting away from air/water cooling for 2013.

Don't avoid a bike simply because it's air cooled.

Well, when ya get right down to it, what I REALLY would like to have is an updated DT250 Yamaha..... Maybe they'll nix the EPA, would be nice. The old two strokes could kick big time dust on the old 4 strokes. It's only with water cooling and 4 valves per that a 4 stroke 250 can run the speed limit. Well, I don't know, you can multiply cylinders and get one that will, but a water cooled 4 stroke single is lighter than, say, an SL350.

250cc seems to be at that displacement class where highway utility is in question. The more refined the engine, the better power and the more capable it becomes. In THIS case, I kinda prefer the water cooling and 4 valve head. I do know, though, you pay a price in weight. Like my grandma, Nana Rosanadana once said, it's always somethin'.....



Dimensions
Curb Weight 129 kg (284 lb)
Fuel Capacity 9 litres (2.38 gallons)

Engine
Engine Capacity (Displacement) 246 ccm (15.01 cubic inches)
Engine Type 1 cylinder
Bore x Stroke Ø70.0 mm x 64.0 mm (Ø2.76 inches x 2.52 inches)
Bore/Stroke Ratio 1.09
Stroke 2
Timing System MEMBRANE
Cooling System Air


Performance
Max Power 20.00 HP (14.6 kW) at 6500 RPM
Power/Weight Ratio 0.16 Hp/Kg
Top Speed 137 km/h (85mph)
Acceleration (dart, speedup) time
0-100 km/h 9.2 seconds
0-60 mph 8.7 seconds

How far has engine performance come in 40 years, I mean, really? Yeah, I'd want a modern chassis and CDI. Setting breaker points through a slot in the flywheel was a major pain back in the day.