TY250 trials bike - any opinions?

[Sean]

I am negotiating to buy an '82 Yamaha TY250 trials bike, probably
at $700 Canadian.

Assuming the bike is in reasonable shape, is this a good price?
Was this a good bike, and is there anything in particular I should
look out for?

Any help appreciated,
Sean Q

[Wudsracer]

Yes.

Jim

Post by Sean
I am negotiating to buy an '82 Yamaha TY250 trials bike, probably
at $700 Canadian.
Assuming the bike is in reasonable shape, is this a good price?
Was this a good bike, and is there anything in particular I should
look out for?
Any help appreciated,
Sean Q

[FiftyPlus]

Would that be :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamaha-TY250-1982-Yamaha-TY250-Trials-Motorcycle-Trial-Trail-Bike_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6718QQitemZ4601075388QQrdZ1

85 was the year they first imported the mono-shock to the US so check
the year. I owned an 86 350 & competed on it. They where phenominal
bikes in thier day, so much better than everything else that they where
known as 'cheater' bikes. You won't be competitive on it against
modern bikes. It would be an excellent vintage ride or trail bike.
They are very forgiving bikes and I used mine as a 'learner' bike for
new riders. They where very popular and like most jap bikes fairly
bulletproof. The plastic on my gas tank is deteriorating and flaking
apart. Like any 20+ year old bike not all parts are still available
and some that are may be VERY expensive, I tried to buy a replacement
gas cap & it was like $75 ! Ebay is pretty thin on parts for them too.
Are there extra cost because it's coming from Canada ?

[FiftyPlus]

Ooops the link got truncated. Its ebay item # 4601075388 .

[SloCalSpode]

$700 Canadian for a TY250 in good shape is a very good price.
I have been told that the TY175 was a better trials bike than
the TY250. The price seems to reflect this as they most often
command a greater investment.
Since you are in Canada. I doubt it makes a difference, but,
an 1982 in ineligiable for AHRMA competition.
See:
http://www.ahrma.org/rulebook/sec13.htm
look for Modern Classic.
For a fun putter and Novice through Sportsman class Trials
bike. It would serve you well.
I started Trials on a 1973 TL125 competing against the modern
bikes as a Novice. At that level. I doubt it made much difference.
I learned a lot of things like weight transfer, clutch and throttle
control. Brakes?? What brakes...
I'd say go for it. When you are done. It will make a nice winter
project bike to rebuild.
B&J racing: http://www.bjracing.com/
And Speed and Sport: http://www.speedandsport.com/
have parts for this bike.
Enjoy.
SloCalSpode

[Sean]

Thanks for the comments -- I should have mentioned that the bike
isn't meant for competition, just some novice level rock climbing
and general trail use in steep mountainous terrain.

Another question, about tires: why do trials bikes have such small
and closely spaced tire knobs? For trail riding would I get a better
grip with big coarse knobs like an enduro or motocross?

Sean

[PlowBoy]

Bout Trials tires,

You might gues this, if not see this
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=25140322355139958&q=trials

A trials bike is in it's elements at less than 5mph, the tires are designed
to work best at what trials is. So if you are going to go fast, you will
want "go fast" tires.

BTW since trials is about turning a bike, you need to know that the geometry
of a trials bike, especially the rake of the front forks, can be wicked to
ride above 30 mph, I mean it aint built like a dualsport.

Good luck. I think you can buy about a 95 gasgas for near that same amount
of money (well within 30%) I assume, have one helluva bike to learn trials
on.

Post by Sean
Thanks for the comments -- I should have mentioned that the bike
isn't meant for competition, just some novice level rock climbing
and general trail use in steep mountainous terrain.
Another question, about tires: why do trials bikes have such small
and closely spaced tire knobs? For trail riding would I get a better
grip with big coarse knobs like an enduro or motocross?
Sean

[Sean]

Post by PlowBoy
A trials bike is in it's elements at less than 5mph, the tires are designed
to work best at what trials is. So if you are going to go fast, you will
want "go fast" tires.

Thanks for the clues -- I expect the trail riding will be fairly
slow. Not enduro speeds, anyway. I used to have a TY175 and found
it was underpowered (compared to the 250's) for steep terrain.

Post by PlowBoy
Good luck. I think you can buy about a 95 gasgas for near that same amount
of money (well within 30%) I assume, have one helluva bike to learn trials
on.

What's a "gasgas"? Something to do with the Rolling Stones?
("I'm Jumping Jack Flash, it's a ...")

Sean

[Dean H.]

Post by Sean
What's a "gasgas"? Something to do with the Rolling Stones?
("I'm Jumping Jack Flash, it's a ...")
Sean

It is the Ferrari of off-road and trials motorcycles.
You deserve one, or two.

-Dean
2001 Gas Gas xc300

[john]

eBay # 4601277165

they make other styles bikes as well

trials bikes are for climbing up rock you can't walk up
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcdirt/trailrider/trials.html
http://r2wtrials.com/html_files/media.html

trail bikes are for putting down a trail looking at stuff
http://www.halseytrails.com/brdatvtrails.htm

Post by Sean

Post by PlowBoy
A trials bike is in it's elements at less than 5mph, the tires are designed
to work best at what trials is. So if you are going to go fast, you will
want "go fast" tires.

Thanks for the clues -- I expect the trail riding will be fairly
slow. Not enduro speeds, anyway. I used to have a TY175 and found
it was underpowered (compared to the 250's) for steep terrain.

Post by PlowBoy
Good luck. I think you can buy about a 95 gasgas for near that same amount
of money (well within 30%) I assume, have one helluva bike to learn trials
on.

What's a "gasgas"? Something to do with the Rolling Stones?
("I'm Jumping Jack Flash, it's a ...")
Sean

[Hustlin' Hank]

I don't know how yours compares to the 74 TY250 I had. The 74's biggest
problem was the skid plate. It was fiberglass and was easily broken.

I won the 1975 Little Burr (B-250 class) Enduro (250 mile) riding a
Suzuki RL-250 Trails bike. I replaced the tires with knobbies, replaced
and raised the front fender, put on a bigger tank and change the
sprocket gearing. It was flawless.

Sounds like a great price.

Hank