Newbie growing wiser - XR250 what to look for

Many thanks to helpful responses from last post.

Just got my Open bike license - today (at 35yo!), and looking to get
into some dirt bike riding, want a bike that can be registered. Dont
know a lot about what to look for in a second hand bike - so would
appreciate some pointers. Pretty much decided on a Honda XR250 - seems
to be a good reliable all rounder, well praised from all i talk too

Looking at spending around $4000, which from What i have seen so far-
buys be a 2000 to a 2003 Model with around 4000 to 7000km. To me that
doesnt seem like a lot of mileage - what should I be looking out for
when looking at these bikes?

Cheers

Newbie Zane

 

Didn't you already ask the same question last week ?

Anyway, given an XR is $8K new according to the Honda website, 4K sounds
reasonably cheap for a couple of year old one. XR250R or L btw ?

Either way, it's a 4stroke 250 single so I can't see why it would be
problematic after that few a Km's, should be fine. Look for obvious
leaks or damage, assuming it's not been badly pranged I can't see why
you'd have any trouble with a low K one.

Note, I've never owned one though, take with a grain of salt.

JL

 

With good reason. Good trailbikes, those things.

1 dirt km is equivalent to about 8 street km. There's a reason they
nosedive in value the way they do.

- what should I be looking out for

Signs of neglect and abuse or overly hard use... the latter isn't too
likely as few people race them any more. The motors, being air-cooled
singes, make noise like World War 3 as a matter of course, but any
overly loud clatters, knocks or rattles could be a bad sign.

Ride a few, get a feel of what the gearbox action feels like (notchy if
you're cruising, very slick if you're on the gas) and how hard the motor
pulls. If you get one that feels below average, skip it.

Since riding dirt involves a lot of clutch-slipping, pay attention that
the clutch doesn't slip on the gas when fully engaged (sign of worn
friction plates-or a misadjusted cable-if it does) and that it doesn't
have a narrow takeup (possible warped steels.)

Dirt brakes always cause white knuckles in people used to streetbike
brakes, but you're coming into this new, so you shouldn't have that
problem... the lever shouldn't come back to the bar, but it should be
squishy; early takeup, then heaps of travel to modulate the actual
braking power.

If you can help it, don't get one with dings in the headers or the
engine cradle tubes, or with chunks of engine cooling fin missing. Dirt
bikes fall over, and sometimes, they land on hard stuff like rocks, logs
and other dirtbikes.

 

IK,

Great thanks for the detailed tips! Excellant. What are your thoughts
on buying from a dealer over private?

Z

 

Buy private. No two ways about it, not least because a lot of dirtbikes
get sold not because the skint owner needs the money, but because the
owner's either too busy to ride much, realised bikes aren't as much as
they seemed, or bored with bikes and needs the room in the garage for a
wakeboard or a jet-ski or some shit.

 

as per IK

most important is buy on condition rather than what is on the speedo

check the brake disks closely for wear dirt bikes chew up disks

quiz the owner about maintenence , oils etc

check the air filter and air filter box , 3 x deusz clips pull off the side
panel

check the oil that it has some and is clean

chain and sprockets

dents scratches etx

www.ballards.cc for all thinsg XR and lots of other bits and pieces
ask em to send you a cattledog

 

Anyone know rough idea what the compression should be on a XR250?

 

On kickstart bikes, that's easy; get it near TDC, then try to kick it
over without using decomp. If it doesn't put up a bit of a fight,
there_could_be a problem.

If a bike's suffering from low compression, it's going to feel sick to
ride. It's much easier to just gas the thing up through a few gears than
to faff around with a compression gauge and what will you.

Have you ridden any XR's yet?

 

Ik,

Ridden 2 so far, one 2003 model that was ridden by a 14yo, that was
totally thrashed - which was a good excersie in what to look for. The
other is my cousins 2002, well maintained machine, but that was over
12months back (in Longreach).

How to i know if the stroke is at TDC?

 

the lever should get hard to kick

one thing though is that XR's have an auto decomp system, most have been
disconnected though

 

In aus.motorcycles on Thu, 4 Aug 2005 17:53:24 +1000

Horrible idea auto-decomp. especially on a 250. No way to know when to
kick just keep trying and hope....

Zebee
- who has two big singles and neither has a decompression lever. Are
dirt bikers supposed to be wimpier than middleaged ladies then?

 

Lads,

I purchased my first bike today, 2000 Xr250, 6000km,s. New tyres, New
brakes and Rotars, Engine has just had New Rings, valves done,Cam
chain etc (and reciepts for work) Guy also thru in a spare set of
plastics (to use while I get the hang of it) The bloke guarantees a
safety certificate - no matter where i get it done. Only fault I could
find on the bike is the stand has snapped off at some point and been
welded back on (professionally)- which I gather is common (from
standing on the bike and kick starting with stand down). I rode three
different bikes today, including a R1 and a 2003 XRL, this bike was by
far the best ride. And I though great Value - it looks nice to!

Thansk for all your help.

Now for soem safety gear - what ya reckon for armour plastic over the
top variety or softer under the top sort? I reckon the ones you where
under your top would get hot?

Zebu