Hi all,

I am looking to downsize (from my 2001 Transalp) for serious motorcycle travel. The main reasons are handling on the crappy tiny roads and trails that I like and fuel economy.

My wife has just bought a honda NX 250 and it is a fantastic little bike! Light, easy to manouver, reputably indestructable, will go everywhere slowly and easily does 130 km/h - 75 mph on the highway all day. Add to that an amazing fuel economy of 1:33 km/l - 93 mpg (uk) - 77.6 mpg (us) and I'm happy...

but it is FAR to small for me. I am considering a Yamaha WR 250R and a Kawasaki KLX250, the kawasaki being a lot cheeper. It also gives me a better feeling (no justification, just feels more me...)

I would however like to put on a larger tank. For the yamaha a 12ish liter tank is available and I think a larger one is being made (?). For the KLX 250 there is a larger tank, but it doesn't fit so well on the newer model bikes. Aparantly you have to move some electronics and the choke can't be used anymore... Not really a problem since the EU KLXses have fuel-injection.

But will a non-fuelinjection tank fit on a fuel-injected bike? Do I need to add a fuel-return connection to the tank, and is that something that I could do myself on a plastic tank?

Does anyone have any experience with this? Or does anyone know why I should dish out an additional €1000 for the WR 250 R?

Kind regards,

__________________
Consider a trip from the Netherlands to Singapore and back by plane...

You can ride your motorcycle twice around the world and you would still not have emitted the same amout of Green House Gasses...

If you take that into account, we are all GreenRiders!

No reason other than the WR is the real mccoy. Both sets of owners talk very highly of each bike and you won't be disappointed with either. The WR threads that I follow now have some serious mileages on them, which is encouraging - I'm taking mine to Russia next spring and I can't wait. If you can pack light you'll have a bike that can do roads adequately but is an absolute breeze to ride offroad. I admit its quite heavy for a 250 but this is a 250 adventure bike at heart with a modern twist (Revy R1 inspired cylinder, FI for altitude and consistent fuelling, 350W stator output for just about anything you want to run off it). When I say heavy, remember that it's quote weight is wet (298lb). It's also quite tall but can be lowered easily without too much sweat. Tanks can be an issue. They're smallish and have to have the fuelpump inside to cool it/because the bike is so small and it needs to go somewhere! Aqualine do a 3.5usGal tank and IMS are working on two tanks a 3usGal and a 4.5usGal - both the larger tanks have a secondary vacuum pump to lift fuel out of the wings but even the 'complexity-phobes' will have to admit that there is no evidence on the 'net that this has caused any problems in any high mileage bikes (back to your 'carbs, lads). I like my bikes stock but those that have fiddled report fantastic results from pipes/airbox mods. Not so relevant for the overland in me.

I've done a 1000mile long weekend up to Scotland on mine without any problems (with AndyStrapz panniers in my case) and even the rather sparse seat didn't cause any problems (I will be getting it widened a little for Russia though - don't want to take the risk). I am also changing the bars because I've noticed a bit of vibes creeping in but nothing some fatbars and a throttle-tamer-thing won't cure. I still find myself forgetting that it's a 250. It pulls more than adequately low down and still finds the enthusiasm for a lovely, revvy top end, more like sports-bike at times. Fit as a butcher's dog.

Honestly, go and see one. Spend a few moments soaking up the detail and the quality and you might find a space in your life for one...

__________________
Find out details of my 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike:
www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk

oh, and any questions, just ask...



This is on the Scottish border. Probably the most loaded I've had her (on way back from a wedding). No bashplate in this pic. Funnily enough I've also owned an XT660R, like the one in the picture, and I would take the WR over the XT anyday. The XT was buzzy and heavy where the WR is light and breezy.

__________________
Find out details of my 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike:
www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk

Looks good with luggage!

I have so far only seen WR 250 F's in the flesh. I am sceduled to testride the KLX this week and a WR-R next week so I can feel the difference.

What mileage do you get? What range out of the stock tank? and is that while taking it easy or riding hard?

regards,

__________________
Consider a trip from the Netherlands to Singapore and back by plane...

You can ride your motorcycle twice around the world and you would still not have emitted the same amout of Green House Gasses...

If you take that into account, we are all GreenRiders!

Yeah, the WR-F's are totally different (barring the sprockets which are compatible). On my Scotland trip the best (imperial gallon mileage) was 74mpg and the worst was 62mpg. Usually that means the 1.75ImpGal stock tank gives you at least 100miles of blasting along the motorway at 75mph. Lower the speed into the 60's gives you late 60'smpg easily. People in the States report getting into the 50's on hard offroad outings but it's hard to compare when loads use powercommanders/FMF pipes and open the airbox for more performance.

__________________
Find out details of my 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike:
www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk

It may not be that popular in Europe but I recommend also a Kawasaki KLR650. Still you don't miss the TransAlp power underneath, with something lighter, practical and versatile.

Cheers from Izmir, Turkey.