Best Used 250cc Adventure Dual-Sport Bikes - AdventureMotorcycle.com

Best Used 250cc Adventure Dual-Sport Bikes Published in: Bikes Don’t be discouraged by small displacement motorcycles. Many of these adventure/dual-sport models are beginner friendly, fun for experienced riders and won’t let you down. These bikes were chosen because they span the versatile middle of the dirt-to street-friendly spectrum and we feel they have exemplary characteristics like ease of ownership, reliability and performance while used examples still fit within a wide range of budgets. With options for simple, air-cooled motors that take little more than oil changes to keep alive, to more powerful liquid cooled motors that are still easy to take care of, there are lightweight options for many applications. All have relatively low weight, helpful aftermarkets, plentiful online resources and the capability to take you almost anywhere. The small dual-sport adventure class bikes have so many choices that not all from this competitive field could be included, so additional options for liquid- and air-cooled bikes at equally varying prices are out there for your exploration. • Yamaha WR250R While it may be the most expensive budget used option in this list, you’ll be happy to know that the extra money goes to tangible differences in performance. The WR250R is the most powerful 250 in this class, including the competitive Honda CRF250L. However, because this fuel-injected engine makes its power higher in the rev range, you will want to keep the revs up and shift more diligently to take full advantage of its power. Still, for the near-300lb. weight that is normal for modern liquid cooled 250s, the power is acceptable for a beginner yet more experienced riders will still enjoy rapping it out. The suspension may be the most modern out of this group, including the bigger bikes, which makes a big difference when the riding gets spirited. The high ground clearance hides the low center of gravity that helps make this fairly tall bike—taller than some 650s at 36.8 inches—a great fit for taller riders in the stock configuration, however, the available lowering links can make it more manageable by dropping the seat height two inches. Lowering the seat also means lower ground clearance, so consider a skid plate for added protection from obstacles. More basic instruments that lack a tachometer, and ergonomics better suited for dirt riding lean this 250 solidly towards the dirt side of the spectrum. On the highway, the WR250R is still a small, light bike with limited wind protection, just like the other 250s. Still, followed closely by the CRF250L, this Yamaha has the highest stator output in this class at 350W—allowing for easy use of a GPS, auxiliary lights and more. With a handful of modifications, such as an aftermarket tank and a luggage system, you can turn this dirt-friendly dual-sport into a fully kitted lightweight adventure bike. PROS CONS ▲ Biggest small bike stator output at 350W ▼ Small gas tank ▲ Excellent inverted compression/rebound damping adjustable cartridge forks and fully adjustable piggyback shock ▼ Tall seat height ▲ High power for a street legal 250 • Kawasaki KLX250S The KLX250S is a slight step below the WR250R in terms of performance and components, but this change comes with a very considerable drop in price that still includes modern, adjustable inverted forks and liquid cooling. Part of the lower price means a carburetor instead of fuel injection, which may appeal to the riders that value being able to service a carb on the side of a trail. Still, the suspension travel and 297-pound weight are similar to the WR250R, but at 35 inches the seat is an inch and a half shorter. For 2009 the most noteworthy changes to the KLX250S were revised gear ratios and slightly less suspension travel with new valving to increase stability, as well as new cosmetics. Any years of the KLX will be reliable because the motor doesn’t put out enough power to wear itself into frequent maintenance jobs. The KLX250S sits comfortably in the middle of the street-to-dirt spectrum with entirely acceptable performance in both fields. Both on- and off-pavement, the early torque and consistent power curve make the motor easy to use, but it won’t be ripping lugs off your tires. The low center of gravity is the compromise for medium ground clearance that may require a better skid plate. Putting out slightly over 200W, the stator isn’t breaking any records compared to bigger adventure bikes, but it’s enough to run a few accessories such as more powerful lights. If you’d like more engine power there are options to re-jet the carb, add a free-flowing exhaust, and even bore it up to 351cc, so this can make an excellent starting platform for a serious modern dual sport adventure bike. For a full review, check out the ADVMoto Kawasaki KLX250S Review. PROS CONS ▲ Modern inverted compression damping adjustable cartridge forks and fully adjustable piggyback shock ▼ Carb means harder cold starts than fuel injected 250s ▲ Good mix of modern components with carbureted simplicity ▼ Small gas tank ▲ Accurate 50/50 street/dirt balance • Honda CRF230L/CRF250L While it has normal dirt bike sized wheels, the lightweight CRF230L has a low seat height under 32-inches and a low center of gravity that makes it a very versatile beginner dual-sport. It’s got a docile, air-cooled motor and ergonomics that follow slightly more traditional trail bike proportions than the Yamaha TW200, but can still be extremely attractive for shorter riders. Complacent stock suspension will take a beating, but can get pushed to its limit in very spirited trail riding. The bulletproof 223cc motor won’t pull you up to interstate speeds, but it can handle 55mph country roads without many issues and with excellent gas mileage. An aftermarket seat for comfort, taller bars and a skid plate will go a long way in turning this into a lasting, easily maintainable adventure/dual-sport bike. If you grow out of it, or find yourself looking for something different, you will still be able to sell a well-kept example for a good price, so it is an excellent starting point for many riders. However, with a slightly bigger budget for modern liquid-cooling, fuel-injection, newer inverted forks and better highway characteristics there’s the CRF250L. The bigger ergonomics will suit taller riders better than the 267 lb. 230L, but at 320 lbs. wet it’s on par with the DRZ400S while still making 250cc power. The stock suspension on the 250L may not be as adjustable as the other liquid-cooled 250s, but it’s significantly better than what’s on the less expensive air-cooled options. Your travels may require auxiliary lights, heated gear, a GPS and more, and the big 337W stator can handle it. More luggage options than the 230L will also make it better suited for long distances, as Steph Jeavons has shown with her 250L world ride. If you’ve got the budget for a brand new 250, the 2017 CRF250L Rally is a full-fledged small-bore adventure bike with a fairing and available ABS. It’s hard to go wrong with either version of the CRF-L series as both are proven and well liked. For a full review, check out ADVMoto's Honda CRF250L Review. CRF230L Pros and Cons: PROS CONS ▲ Low seat height and weight ▼ Low power means limited speed ▲ Simple, two-valve air cooled motor with six-speed trans ▼ Limited suspension capability ▲ Considered more capable off road than the XT250 CRF250L Pros and Cons: PROS CONS ▲ Low seat height for modern liquid-cooled 250 ▼ Heavy for a small bike ▲ Big stator output at 337W ▼ Only suspension adjustment is rear preload ▲ EFI gets great fuel mileage: 60-70mpg • Yamaha XT225/XT250 Further options in the lightweight, air-cooled, small displacement class of dual-sports are the proven XT225 and XT250 platforms. A few years after its introduction in the late 1980s, the XT225 got the addition of an electric starter in 1990. In 2008 Yamaha replaced the XT225 with the XT250, and the changes made with the introduction leave both models with different but desirable characteristics. Both are found all over the world, and while the aftermarket isn’t as saturated as it is for some other bikes, replacement parts are readily available and inexpensive. Like the other small bore dual-sports, the lighter 267 lb. XT225 is no powerhouse, but it has a user friendly six-speed gearbox and very convenient stock skid plate. Grease fittings on the XT225 suspension linkage make it easy to re-grease. Further advantages include the common Mikuni carburetor on the 225 which is easier to re-jet for power modifications than the less common Teikei carb on the 250. The XT250 has a slightly more limiting five-speed transmission and it’s heavier at 291 lbs., but it’s got a slight advantage in power and a rear disc brake instead of the 225’s drum brake. The XT250 also has more durable hubs than the 225, on which you should regularly check the spokes for proper tension. For 2013 the XT250 received fuel-injection to replace the carburetor making it one of the few fuel-injected air-cooled dual-sports, which can benefit riders who ride to very high and low elevations on a regular basis. Both the 225 and 250 have simple stock suspension and surprisingly tall ground clearance given the very low 31.9-inch seat height. Lois Pryce, proving it’s realistic to take an inexpensive route into the world of adventure riding, has shown how capable the XT225 platform is for long distance travel, which it does with light weight, compliant ergonomics and reliable powerplants. These two Yamahas offer inexpensive routes into the world of adventure riding, and they do so with lightweight, compliant ergonomics and reliable powerplants. For a full review, check out ADVMoto's Yamaha XT225 Review. XT225 Pros and Cons: PROS CONS ▲ Low seat height and very low weight ▼ Spokes have a tendency to loosen ▲ Simple, two-valve air cooled motor with six-speed trans ▼ Soft stock suspension ▲ High ground clearance for such a low seat XT250 Pros and Cons: PROS CONS ▲ Low seat height and low weight ▼ Five-speed transmission and limited power ▲ High ground clearance for such a low seat ▼ No aftermarket oversize tank options, uncommon carburetor ▲ Late model fuel injection (2013+) • Yamaha TW200 Don’t be fooled by its limited suspension travel, unique wheel sizes and small motor because this is likely the closest you can get to a mountain goat with a street legal motorcycle. The big tires offer so much traction that when you’re in the first gear it feels like you could crawl up trees. Relatively low weight of 278 lbs., a very low center of gravity and 31.9-inch seat height make this an excellent choice for riders who don’t want to hike over seats as tall as an NBA player’s inseam. Introduced in 1987 with both a kick and electric starter, little else changed in 2000 aside from a different carburetor, losing the kick starter, gaining a disc at the front, and the stator output jump from 180W to 240W. Some would consider the combination of kick and electric starting the ultimate setup for adventure riding because a dead battery won’t leave you stranded, but this small motor bump-starts easily. Because of the long-standing following, parts and support are readily available and almost everything about this bike is inexpensive. On the road, the TW200 struggles to get up to interstate highway speeds and is most comfortable under 60–65 mph. At a relaxed pace it gets phenomenal gas mileage. When the pavement ends, the limited suspension works with the big tires to manage the terrain better than most expect. The low power is offset by loads of traction, so sand and other challenging surfaces are quite manageable. Of course, the small proportions might not be as comfortable for taller people, but bar risers and other ergonomic changes can make it work quite well. Parts like a big luggage rack, auxiliary fuel storage and a high fender will turn this already practical dual-sport into an easy bike to cooperate with on adventure rides. For a full review, check out ADVMoto's Yamaha TW200 Review. PROS CONS ▲ Low seat height and weight ▼ Low power means limited speed ▲ Massive traction ▼ Limited suspension capability ▲ 1987–2000 models have kick and electric start Fianlly, this is by no means a comprehensive list of the best lightweight adventure/dual-sport bikes available on the used market and only covers what's available in North America. Instead they’re the bikes we feel offer excellent value in the world of dual-sport adventure riding. The merits and drawbacks discussed above should prompt further exploration into finding the right bike for you, so please let us know your suggestions in the comments below! http://ift.tt/2kqkYIa
 
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