Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
250cc bikes 250cc bikes
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 28 Dec 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: the world
Posts: 87
250cc bikes
went from the uk to New zealand on a dommie now I'm planning south America my new girlfriends honda sl230 and her mates yamaha xt250 does everything my dommie does and more!!! Why do we see so few people doing trips on these smaller bikes? They can carry a pillion easy enough so they can carry luggage. Any views (I'm almost tempted to take one 107kg as opposed to 180kgs!!! amazing fuel economy chains last forever so do tires what more do we need
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Dec 2005
simmo's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: melbourne
Posts: 555
Freinds just used xt225 serows from Mexico to Moscow, only gripe was they were very slow at altitude above 2000m and a bit tiresome on long highway sections. Heaps better than a big bike across the Zilow Gap in Siberia and on National Park trails.
__________________
Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 29 Dec 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: the world
Posts: 87
These mates of yours wouldn't have an e mail would they I might like to get in touch or a web site thing as seems to be all the rage theses days
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 30 Dec 2005
DaveSmith's Avatar
Slacker supreme
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Sacramento, California
Posts: 410
You just need to realize you're on a small bike. It didn't bother me, but I'm weird like that.

------------------
Random attempts have
been made at RTW on
a '65 Ducati 250cc
__________________
Not Ted Simon since 1970!
http://nokilli.com/rtw
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Jan 2006
Moderator, Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lancashire England
Posts: 313
Hi There,

I wonder if I'm the only person in the World that replaced my trusty R1200GS with a new XT250 Serow?

Sure feels slow compaired with the Beemer but my God, is it light! One of my mates at work was giving the bike the once over and actually picked it up!

It can get to places that I'd have thought impossible.

They chose the name well!

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 3 Jan 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 13
Check out the XR250 Tornado, I believe it`s made in Brazil and sold around S.Am.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3 Jan 2006
simmo's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: melbourne
Posts: 555
Richard

this is a link to a Hubb thread Scott posted on the Hubb you should be able to grab his email from the profile.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000448.html

cheers
alec
__________________
Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 3 Jan 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: London, UK
Posts: 79
Hi Richard,
You've tapped into one of my favourite subjects - small bikes doing long distances!
I rode my Yamaha XT225 Serow from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego (about 19,000 miles) and it was great, except at altitude in the Andes. Have a look at my site www.loisontheloose.com Cheers,
Lois
__________________
www.loisontheloose.com
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 5 Jan 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 182
I'm looking at the Yamaha TTR250 Raid and the Suzuki DR250 Djebel.

My wife has a Serow but it is just too small (frame and seat height) for me.

------------------
Africa Trip web journal
__________________
Africa Trips web journal
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 6 Jan 2006
beddhist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
On long trips, whatever you ride, take two identical bikes. Makes life easier.
__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 6 Jan 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: the world
Posts: 87
Hey buddy we looked at the ttr raid and the xt and the dejbel but have a look and a ride of a honda sl230 wow not much info on them but what a bike to ride I was really impressed smooth motor and a lovely 6 speed box make long jorneys not too bad for a little bike
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 6 Jan 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 182
We are following the wise advice of the message above and will be taking the same bike. So my wife will be getting rid of her Serow.
I have to keep seat height in mind for her though. How would you compare seat height of TTR250 Raid and DR250 Djebel and the SL230 you mentioned?

------------------
Africa Trip web journal
__________________
Africa Trips web journal
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 7 Jan 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: the world
Posts: 87
The hieght is about the same as the ttr but you seem to sit more upright at the back of the seat rather than sliding forwards all the time if you wind the pre load on the spring up they sit up about another 2 inches. But you never know how a bike really is until you sit on one your self!!!!
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 9 Jan 2006
DaveSmith's Avatar
Slacker supreme
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Sacramento, California
Posts: 410
Nigel, moderator from New Zealand, showed me some small bikes that he was thinking of. 185cc I think.

Some sort of NZ farm bike that had lots of great features. My favorite parts were: side stands on both sides, brake & clutch locks so you can hop off when you open a gate (although I still don't understand why you'd leave it in gear with the clutch lock), and good steel protectors around the hand grips. Very nice bike that if I wasn't doing this on an old bike, I might've changed. Which would've helped since I seized my engine a few hundred Kms after Nigel's place.

A side stand on both sides was a little bit of heaven for me. If I can ever find someone who wants to go with me, I'll tell them about that bike. Kawasaki, I think it was.

------------------
Random attempts have
been made at RTW on
a '65 Ducati 250cc
__________________
Not Ted Simon since 1970!
http://nokilli.com/rtw
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 9 Jan 2006
Nigel Marx's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Posts: 798
Hey there Humpy! How's the eighth dwarf going? So you are leaving our fair shores? You lucky bugger, don't let Tom know you're going or you will have a R100PD to have to carry spares for!! But seriously, think lots about taking the same bike as our friend. Remember the hassles Chris and Erin
Rattay had, and in the end Chris sent his PD back to the States and bought a F650 here in NZ so he had the same bike as Erin.
And to Dave the Arch-Bishop, the bikes we looked at were DF200 Suzuki's and AG200 Yamahas. The reason for the clutch lever lock was that you didn't have to find neutral if you are in a hurry to get off the bike. The front brake lever lock is great too, for parking on slopes and in ferries etc. The factory made front and rear carriers are a great idea too.
Regards from NZ

Nigel

------------------
"The world is a book and those who do not travel read but a page"- St Augustine
__________________
The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:29.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top