1996 Honda XR250R review

wr250f95 · 09-01-2007, 04:49 PM

Why review an old xr? I mean they are very very reliable, but they dont hold a candle to a modern bike right? We should review them because they are quite possibly the purest honda there is. Mr. Honda started out this way, a fun reliable and cheap to run motorcycle. Now the breed is almost extinct, so lets review one of the last.
The following mods have been made to this bike:
air box snorkel removed
Yoshimura slip on
suspension revalved by Devol Racing

Hop on the bike and you will quickly realize the short seat height and the narrow feel. Kick the starter and the motor roars eagerly to life, and a smile comes to your face. Put it in gear and away you go, the suspension is not the best when compared to modern bikes, but for its age and class its certainly not bad. The bike handles best at low speed, when you start to ride faster, things get a little hairer, not to say that the bike cant be ridden with agression, its just not its strong suit.
The motor is very torquey and lively, and can with stand abuse that would make most other bikes lay over and die. When climbing big technical hills, you have to keep her a thumpin, no letting off which you can do with the xr400, wr's, and crf x's. However the bike is forgiving, and if you do fall, you will be amazed that in most situations the bike can still carry you home, mine has never not made it home.

If you want a bike that is ease of maintence, fun to ride, and invincible, than perhaps the xr is for you. They can be picked up relatively cheaply. I would reccomend picking a 96 or up, as this the last time the bike was updated before production ceased.

JThompson · 09-01-2007, 05:24 PM

One of my first bikes was an XR loved it!

wr250f95 · 09-01-2007, 05:36 PM

ya i love mine also, its old and slow, but i still love it.

wr250f95 · 09-01-2007, 05:40 PM

what size was yours? what year?

JThompson · 09-01-2007, 06:47 PM

Rode me a 1988 XR 80

Java · 09-12-2007, 10:34 PM

The first bike I ever owned was a 1971 XR 75. Rode for many years before being stolen.

As time went by, I really missed the freedom of blazing trails in the middle of nowhere. Wanted another bike and considered the CR family, but did not want the hassle of a 2 stroke so I stuck with the always reliable XR, but this time went up to the 96 250. Absolute bullet proof tank. She was a solid performer and always kept up with the bigger faster bikes.

Oh, how I miss her. Had to sell her when I wanted to buy a house. However, she ended up at a good home with a good friend of mine that used her to teach his own teenage sons how to ride.

Well, now it is time to pick up another bike, looks like CRF is my next beauty!

wr250f95 · 09-12-2007, 10:44 PM

have you considered the brp?

Java · 09-13-2007, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wr250f95

have you considered the brp?

BRP?

Sorry, been a few years since I sold my XR. Have not kept up with technology and terminology.

wr250f95 · 09-13-2007, 08:33 AM

big red pig
xr650r
I would try to find a used xr for what your doing, I love mine even though its just a back up bike for my wr.

Java · 09-13-2007, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wr250f95

big red pig
xr650r
I would try to find a used xr for what your doing, I love mine even though its just a back up bike for my wr.

Did not want something that big and heavy. I am thinking of either the CRF250 or the CRF 450 if I go Honda and the equivalent cc if going Yamaha.

My XR 250 was a fun bike that gave great performance. Just looking for something similar with just a tad more punch.

I tend to be a big Honda fan. Between cars and bikes, I have owned more than 7 Honda products that have all been rock solid including my current toy (my S2000, woohoo).

09-01-2007, 04:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
wr250f95 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 7,657	1996 Honda XR250R review Why review an old xr? I mean they are very very reliable, but they dont hold a candle to a modern bike right? We should review them because they are quite possibly the purest honda there is. Mr. Honda started out this way, a fun reliable and cheap to run motorcycle. Now the breed is almost extinct, so lets review one of the last. The following mods have been made to this bike: air box snorkel removed Yoshimura slip on suspension revalved by Devol Racing Hop on the bike and you will quickly realize the short seat height and the narrow feel. Kick the starter and the motor roars eagerly to life, and a smile comes to your face. Put it in gear and away you go, the suspension is not the best when compared to modern bikes, but for its age and class its certainly not bad. The bike handles best at low speed, when you start to ride faster, things get a little hairer, not to say that the bike cant be ridden with agression, its just not its strong suit. The motor is very torquey and lively, and can with stand abuse that would make most other bikes lay over and die. When climbing big technical hills, you have to keep her a thumpin, no letting off which you can do with the xr400, wr's, and crf x's. However the bike is forgiving, and if you do fall, you will be amazed that in most situations the bike can still carry you home, mine has never not made it home. If you want a bike that is ease of maintence, fun to ride, and invincible, than perhaps the xr is for you. They can be picked up relatively cheaply. I would reccomend picking a 96 or up, as this the last time the bike was updated before production ceased. __________________ "LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE SAFELY IN A WELL PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT, SHOUTING'...HOLY S**T... WHAT A RIDE!" this, is why I ride.

09-01-2007, 05:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
JThompson Administrator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bellingham WA Posts: 4,819	One of my first bikes was an XR loved it! __________________ Tired of ads? Become a member for an almost ad free site! Also we give away monthly prizes just for posting! Register today! Looking for places to ride! Want to review a riding area? Check them out! PRE-ORDER MOTOTIPS Stickers now. Help keep mototips running! Get your order in today! Buy NOW! Special Discounts for members only! Check out our new discount forum for retailers offering to help you save money! Mototips Discounts

09-01-2007, 05:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
wr250f95 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 7,657	ya i love mine also, its old and slow, but i still love it. __________________ "LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE SAFELY IN A WELL PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT, SHOUTING'...HOLY S**T... WHAT A RIDE!" this, is why I ride.

09-01-2007, 05:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
wr250f95 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 7,657	what size was yours? what year? __________________ "LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE SAFELY IN A WELL PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT, SHOUTING'...HOLY S**T... WHAT A RIDE!" this, is why I ride.

09-01-2007, 06:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
JThompson Administrator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bellingham WA Posts: 4,819	Rode me a 1988 XR 80 __________________ Tired of ads? Become a member for an almost ad free site! Also we give away monthly prizes just for posting! Register today! Looking for places to ride! Want to review a riding area? Check them out! PRE-ORDER MOTOTIPS Stickers now. Help keep mototips running! Get your order in today! Buy NOW! Special Discounts for members only! Check out our new discount forum for retailers offering to help you save money! Mototips Discounts

09-12-2007, 10:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Java C Rider Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 20	The first bike I ever owned was a 1971 XR 75. Rode for many years before being stolen. As time went by, I really missed the freedom of blazing trails in the middle of nowhere. Wanted another bike and considered the CR family, but did not want the hassle of a 2 stroke so I stuck with the always reliable XR, but this time went up to the 96 250. Absolute bullet proof tank. She was a solid performer and always kept up with the bigger faster bikes. Oh, how I miss her. Had to sell her when I wanted to buy a house. However, she ended up at a good home with a good friend of mine that used her to teach his own teenage sons how to ride. Well, now it is time to pick up another bike, looks like CRF is my next beauty!

09-12-2007, 10:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
wr250f95 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 7,657	have you considered the brp? __________________ "LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE SAFELY IN A WELL PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT, SHOUTING'...HOLY S**T... WHAT A RIDE!" this, is why I ride.

09-13-2007, 08:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
wr250f95 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 7,657	big red pig xr650r I would try to find a used xr for what your doing, I love mine even though its just a back up bike for my wr. __________________ "LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE SAFELY IN A WELL PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT, SHOUTING'...HOLY S**T... WHAT A RIDE!" this, is why I ride.

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