Honda XR250R experience & wisdom?

[Michael FittlerMember]

Hey guys…I am currently looking at purchasing a second hand early 1990’s vintage Honda XR250R with low mileage and in good condition.

Is there anything in particular that I should inspect on the bike before buying?

Also, do they have any particular problems that I should look out for or be aware of after purchasing it?

I know TB is the “XR Man”…guys, please reply posting your experience and wisdom about this model bike.

Thanks, regards Mick

PS – how much do you think is a fair purchase price?

[GregMember]

I had a 86, 88 and a 90 or 91 either as a 250 or a 280cc the 86 was a twin carb setup. They are / were legend bikes in their day I remember watching Ballard race them they kicked arse and beat everything around. I read only a few years ago that Grabbo still has the one he won the A4DE outright on in 92 ( don’t quote me I think it was 92 ) yes an XR250 anyway in an article a few years ago he said he can lap his practice loop almost as fast on it as his race bike at the time !!!!!!! As for what one is worth now, well it’s only worth what someone will pay I reckon

Will watch with interest Mick cause I am thinking of getting one in a few years to restore (maybe dreaming but dreams come true)

TB

[Michael FittlerMember]

Thanks TB…a close mate of mine in his mid 60’s has an early 90’s year model XR250R and I have been “eyeing” it for a few years.
It only has approx 1,000kms and has been garaged in what appears to be in good condition.
He obviously hasn’t ridden it much and told me it scared him off once resulting in cracked plastic (damage) to the LHS hand guard.
Are there any issues that you can recall that they had, i.e. items that may have deteriorated or broken etc??
I would have loved one of these bikes 20 years ago however I couldn’t afford a new one back then, however they are a legendary bike that I would love to own now to restore and have for single track rides…I can’t use my XT660Z Tenere for single track and it’s too new and valuable to risk damage.
TB…who would you recommend for XR parts, e.g. Ballard’s or anyone else?…thanks, regards Mick.

[Matt BakerMember]

It was in 98 when Ben Grabham won the 4 stroke 250cc class in the ISDE held at Traralgon, he was only 16.

Shane Watts won it outright on a KTM 125

Good year for Aussie enduro!

[GregMember]

LC4skin wrote:

It was in 98 when Ben Grabham won the 4 stroke 250cc class in the ISDE held at Traralgon, he was only 16.

Shane Watts won it outright on a KTM 125

Good year for Aussie enduro!

Yeah that was the ISDE I was talking about the A4DE. That ISDE performance was against the worlds best on the worlds best bikes they have, some factory bike on a XR

Thanks LC I forgot about that tops mate

TB

[Matt BakerMember]

With all the new bike technology available to us not many people even have the skill to ride an XR 250 to its full potential.

[GregMember]

LC4skin wrote:

With all the new bike technology available to us not many people even have the skill to ride an XR 250 to its full potential.

You are a smart man LC very wise mate

[mikeMember]

A mate of mine had one of the first or second white ones, which he brought new. He lives at Wallaby Pt and we used to get it on the beach and do figure 8’s on the gas and crank out wheelies and stuff. It was heaps of fun too. It just had a pipe on it and chain and sprockets other than that it was stock. You could ride quick in the bush too. I remember thinking that I was giving it a bit to much but it just kept revvin out real nice. I once went riding with a group of blokes up Taree and a bloke had a 280 one and he was super fast on it. In my defence he new the tracks.HaHa

I reckon Honda done themselves an injustice when they stopped making em as they (XR’s) are/were so versitile right across the whole range. Good luck and hope find a nice tidy one mate.

[Brendon CarreMember]

They are a great machine!! In 1998 I bought a second hand one for $3200 for my brother in law who came from overseas and wanted to hire a bike for a big outback trip. We put new tyres and sprokets on it and after three weeks and 4800 k’s it never missed a beat even on the long transports the 250 was never far behind on regroups.
When we got it home I put the original tyres and sprokets back on and sold it for $3200:woohoo: The best hire bike we ever had and the cheapest!!
If HONDA still made XR’s and they put a electric leg on them, they would still go out the door IMO

[Alan HeatherMember]

One of the most under rated bikes ever made,I remember a guy racing one back in the day, raced against him several times the xr250 didn’t seem to have a lot of power but what it did have was very usable,had a chance to ride his xr great power and great handling,not long after that I brought a new xr 600 heaver but a great bike. bigger al:)

[DeanMember]

Yep Ive had a couple 82 200 82 500 84 250 85 500 and a couple of XL’s as well!! Very good little bike the 250 they do need to have the oil changed often as they dont carry much. I think most parts should still be readily available at the local Honda dealer.
I had my arse put on a platter by Tony Vickers before he went to TM. He was on a 91 280 and I was on a brand new 92 Husky 360. We were racing MX at Barleigh Ranch Raymond Terrace.

Ollie

[Matt BakerMember]

your arse is on a platter most nights when your at sea isnt it Ollie?:laugh:

[GregMember]

A much bigggggggggggggggggggggggggger platter the than in 92 :laugh:

[Scott SouthwellMember]

I’m another one with great memories of XR250 ownership. I bought a 97 model new and had it blinged out by Ballards with a 280 kit, suspension work and all the extra’s. Most of the work done by Nik Dole pre Teknik days when he worked at Ballards.

I use this bike for everything from commuting, trailriding, club mx/enduro, state enduro champs and even thumpernats where I had the privilege of racing with the likes of Andrew Mcfarlane and Ben Grabham. Still the best single track bike I have ever ridden. I used to love the way you could just hold the throttle wide open everywhere all day and the little motor would rev it’s ass off and never complain.
.
I certainly have better memories of that bike then I do of my ex-wife who would also rev her ass off all day complaining about everything.

[DeanMember]

Trailboss wrote:

A much bigggggggggggggggggggggggggger platter the than in 92 :laugh:

Hmmm I remember seeing some photies of a skinny TB racing at Cameron park just recently too:laugh:

you blokes crack me up:laugh:

ollie

[Author]

Posts