Opinion on a late 80's XL250
 

Hi all,

I know it's not an ATV strictly speaking, but it's a honda. I have my eye on a pair of mid-late 80's ('86 and '87 specifically) XL250R dual purpose bikes. Both, from all I can read on the net are identical save for color perhaps and listed in excellent condition. I haven't actually seen them yet as I'm away from home, but I was just wondering if anyone has any advice / tips about what to look for when I do go to see them. They're both asking around CDN$1000 for the bikes, which fits nicely into my budget requirements.

Thanks for any and all replies.

Opinion on a late 80's XL250
 

K, thanks

Opinion on a late 80's XL250
 

good bikes. just a heavy xr250r with a steel tank and taller gearing.

Opinion on a late 80's XL250
 

you're close JRM, this is for the 86

-----------xl---------xr
forks-----37mm---41mm
fr trav---7.6"------11"
rr trav---8.7"------11" (adj dampening)
fr brk----drum----disc
rr brk----drum----drum
carb-----dual-----single (pretty sure)
wt--------257.9---238
tank-----steel----plastic

I think the XR has additional oil cooling. Pretty sure the rake and WB are different. They are tuned (cams, muffler, carb, etc) differently too.

I would look at the miles, the lower the better, but they should run well over 10K miles without an issue. I would be concerned with gaskets and seals. The gaskets on the top of the carbs can dry out and shrink when the bike isn't used for a while and it will run like crap. The two carbs will make it a little more difficult to troubleshoot, but my 86 XR600 had more off the bottom than any of my later ones with the single carb. Of course the XL will have all the blinkers, speedo, etc. Not sure when they switched to single carb and disc, but I think 86 was the last year for 2 carbs. I've had over a dozen thumpers (mostly 600cc or larger and at least one from each of the Japanese MFGs) and the XR/XLs were unbeatable in most areas.

Excellent, dependable bikes as long as the oil/air filter stuff was done regularly and they weren't overrevved for long periods or overheated. Rather have the disc on front, but the engine works as a pretty good brake for the rear.....

I was able to ride a friend's KLX300 and I forgot how much fun it is to ride bikes, how much you can challenge yourself, and how much skill/reflexes it takes to ride well. Really thought about dumping the ATV and getting a new KTM525exc with blinkers. Then I remembered I'm too old to be wrestling a 300lb bike and sit on a 4" wide seat. ATVs are for old people and people with no balance.....how depressing I ride an ATV now. I don't care what ATV you ride, it isn't as challenging or fun as a bike. Good luck.

Opinion on a late 80's XL250
 

oh thats true, he is looking at a xl250 and not the newer xr250L my bad, but still very much alike and fun. I know the 84' and 85' XR250's where dual carb models with soft valve springs, but they fixed this with the new 86' single carb model. I am not sure if the XL250 was the same RFVC engine that the 86'xr250r got as the XR250 engine was not changed at all from 86-94
The front drums and less travel on the forks do indeed take the price down though, id offer no more than $1k US
Joe

Opinion on a late 80's XL250
 

Thanks for the feedback guys.