Hi all,

I know it's not an ATV strictly speaking but was hoping you guys could help out.

I posted in the Honda forum (feel free to beat on me) for some opinions and got nothing at all. I am calling on you, my brothers in quads, to lend me your thoughts. I know you guys won't let me down [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

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.

 

Because you have an LE and a snowmobile we will indulge you this one time[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] First you need to find out if and how many times the motor was reconditioned. Ask for receipts etc, next inspect the forks carefully as lack of maintenance shows up in fork oil around the outside of the fork. Next look at the chain and sprocket for excessive wear or cracks. Of course it should have an odometer if it is a dual purpose ie enduro type bike so mileage is a big issue. Remember you are looking at nearly a 20 year old bike. Even $1000.00 CAN I think is a bit much assuming it is in decent shape.

 

I guess some of the honda guys must have seen my repost over here because they all chimed in after that [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] .. pricing wise there are 1984 big reds for sale over here for 2500, and the sad part is someone will pay nearly that for it. You can't get anything in Newfoundland which is in decent shape for under 1k. I had talked to the wife about new (really interested in the super sherpa) but nuh-uh, no way jose, outta da question. So .. here I am. Those are some good tips though. Reportedly, the 87 has just had some gaskets replaced. I've been in correspondence with the owner and he seems flexible on his price, so when I see the bike I'll be in a better spot to negotiate. I only want something cheap to see if I even like the dirt bike realm. I'm sure I will, and perhaps in a few years I'll trade in the XL (would really rather an XR) for a sherpa or something else like it.