Upgrading older xr250?
Chris Moll
suited my purposes otherwise - that of a small and LIGHT 4-stroke
trail-bike to slide around on.
I know the xr250R was significantly upgraded for '96, including the
suspension (I gather the older xr250R was closer to the xr250L
[AKA xl250]). However 96+ 250Rs are running $4K+ around here - that's
as much as an xr400.
So I was considering getting an older xr250R or L (would it make much
difference which I started with?) and putting in cartridge emulators,
springs, getting the rear shock rebuilt (is that a reasonable list?
Would an L need a new [longer] rear shock, since it's lower? Or a
different dog-bone?)
Figuring all that at around $600, I'd still be way under a 96+ (though
a new rear shock would start pushing that up towards $1k).
Or would I be trying to polish a turd? (Apologies to current owners...)
Is the 96+ xr250R lighter than the earlier version? (In off-road-only
form). Is it possible the xr250L I rode (with a headlight but with
the obvious street stuff removed) was as heavy as an xr400 would be in
off-road trim? For claimed dry weights I see: xr250R-246lbs.,
xr400R-257lbs. Hmm, not a big difference..
I believe the xr250R engine was upgraded for 96 as well, how
significant was this? (Certainly I don't want to get into the motor,
at that point it makes more sense to get the newer 250 or an xr400).
Chris Moll
AFM #653
Peter Patton
Personally, I would spend the money and buy a Doug Henry bike (YZF 400).
They are much lighter and have better suspension than the XR's. If you
like XR's, go out and buy a new or a newer used one. My experience with
trying to fix up older bikes to be like the newer ones is that it costs
more than it's worth and the bike still is not even close to that of a
newer one simply due the yearly changes that are made on dirtbikes. This
holds more true for 2-strokes than it does the thumpers, but I would be
careful how much $$$$$$$$ you put into your old bike. Keep in mind what
you are going to get for you money as compared to buying a newer bike.
You want to be happy with what you do. This is just one person's
experience. Peter
--
http://www.primenet.com/~motoppl
mot...@primenet.com
Motocross Rules!!!
Peter 3 # 245
Peter # 739
MWeissen
Chris,
I don't know what year XR250L you're talking about - that would help in a
comparison. I have a '97 XR250 with modified suspension and slightly modified
motor. I really like the bike, now (didn't before the mods)!
A couple of weeks ago, I rode with a friend who has an older XR250 - an '89 I
think. We switched bikes for comparison. Here's what we found out in
comparing notes:
1. He thought my bike handled much better, but thought the suspension was stiff
2. I thought his bike handled slightly slower than mine, but though the
suspension was too soft (I weigh more than him, so I set up stiffer).
3. I was surprised how identical the motors felt, even though they're different
designs. His was more heavily modified, and I thought it might have slightly
more lower end, but not much. The newer motor would definately be better with
equivalent mods.
I'd say, go for what you can afford! New springs to suit your size and riding
style will work wonders on the 250L. And $600 for suspension mods is probably
pretty high - half that should be enough, depending on what you want to do.
See Racetech's web site for more spring info. They can help you out.
DirtCrashr
>Chris Moll wrote:
<snip>
>> Is the 96+ xr250R lighter than the earlier version?<snip>
Yes
>>For claimed dry weights I see: xr250R-246lbs.,
>> xr400R-257lbs. Hmm, not a big difference...
I think that's more to the credit of the XR400's design and part of the initial
hype of the 400.
>> I believe the xr250R engine was upgraded for 96 as well, how
>> significant was this?
My recollection of the magazine articles and reporting was that there was a
significant power increase, several Hp, as well as weight-loss program with
the 250, and making statements about the NEW best 250 thumper etc.
Dirtcrashr - '97xr400
Jay C
>Personally, I would spend the money and buy a Doug Henry bike (YZF 400).
>They are much lighter and have better suspension than the XR's. If you
No they are not. Don't get confused by DH's bike - you can't buy one.
Jay C
'98 XR400