Trail Bike Adventure Magazine

Tom's XR250

Tuesday, 30 September 2008 23:30

I've been getting a few e-mails about this bike, so I'll chuck up some info and try and save everyone a lot of time.

First up, a disclaimer: Both this bike and I are getting old. The build started in 1997 (I think), so my memory is far from perfect on all the intricacies. Don't bother sending me abusive e-mails if I have something wrong. All polite enquiries will be answered as best I possibly can, and I'll check queries whenever I can.

The bike in this pic is in motocross trim, with the exception of the pipe. The two FMF pipes are interchangeable. This enduro pipe gives a little more forgiveness in the bottom of the rev range. The other pipe is too loud for any ride of any type these days, and virtually cancelled any bottom-end drive completely. It did, however, give more horsepower, but meant the bike had to be ridden on three-quarter to full-throttle at all times.

Here's the rundown according to my faulty memory, and bearing in mind bringing it up to 2009 race spec is a work in progress. You can track how that's going in my blog. TF

• High-compression piston (bike is currently running on Avgas)
• All ports and manifolds matched
• Snorkel removed from top of airbox
• 38mm Mikuni flat-slide carb
• Has had Several different pipes. A whopping straight-through FMF inverted megaphone with a 100mm exit for motocross, and a quieter FMF enduro pipe (currently fitted) for cross-country. The current pipe runs at around 106dB. An FMF Q2 has been imported from the US for 2009, meeting the new restriction of 94dB
• Renthal CR-bend 'bars
• All gauges removed. The stock wiring harness is used to run headlight, taillight and rear brake, bringing the bike to enduro spec for the 2009 season. In motocross trim the bike ran no lights and the regulator/rectifier was removed
• Footpegs are Ballard's items, and will destroy a pair of boots in about two meetings
• The fork brace is from Summers Racing Corporaton in the US, and necessitates the fitting of the odd-looking fork protectors
• Front and rear guards are CR250 plastics
• Headlight is a Polisport
• Rear-guard extender/brake light/tail light combo is Polisport
• Wheels and brakes are standard
• Gearing varies with intended use