84 honda XR 350 or new TT250?

[elkhunter338]

Locally I just ran across a very nice looking 84 honda XR 350, 12,000 miles, new tags 2/20 expire, looks like ready to ride, new tires. Planning to go look at the bike in person.
If it is in excellent shape, appears to be.

Thoughts should I get a 35 year old Honda or new CSC TT250.
Honda asking $1,350
TT250 cost $2,500

My concern is getting parts for a 35 year old bike. Heck it might run for years with out needing any parts. The Honda is a dual carb engine. Research time on parts and such.

[Landsvw]

Lol that’s a loaded question on the China Riders thread. ;) I guess one thing negative would be no electric start. I had 2 1986 XR600’s with the dual carbs and both ran super well. Can’t beat that Honda quality. I’d say the suspension will be better too. Also, resale value will remain pretty close to the same. Sooo, if the bikes were close to similar in price I’d be tempted with the new one, but since you’re talking more than double in price, not sure I’d jump at that... but I’m cheap and love old bikes too... make sure the XR is easy to start both warm and cold and idles well, etc. When they are tuned they are easy to start. dual carb is actually pretty cool and the bikes run nicely. Parts won’t be hard to source.

Here’s my XR600 thread if you’re at all interested in seeing a basketcase rebuild...

https://advrider.com/f/threads/1986-xr600r-basket-case-hope-to-revive.835547/

[Landsvw]

another thought. Biased, so no haters, ;) but I have owned about 30 motorcycles...Instead of looking at those two extremes, why don’t you do what I’ve done and get what I consider probably one of the best lighter use dual sports I’ve ever ridden. Get yourself a KLX250. Mine is a 2009. Was less than the Chinese bike. Had 1700 miles on it when I got it. Fullly street legal and water cooled. Japanese engineered and built. Best bike I’ve ever had, hands down. Can’t really find a fault with it. I did the carb upgrades to make it not so lean. Has a smallish fuel tank. Other than that, super good bike.

[elkhunter338]

KLX that is Kawasaki correct. New they are running $5k, I have not come across any dual sport 250/350 bikes for less than $3-4k used in my area. If I could find a nice 10 year old KLX 250 for $2k ish, I think that would be a no brainer.

[Landsvw]

Here’s one in Portland. Got on clist 9 hours ago... sorry, looks like 4 days... but evidently updated 9 hours ago?

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/mcy/d/portland-2007-kawasaki-klx250s-dual/6787286634.html

[Landsvw]

Offer him 2500$ :)

[elkhunter338]

I think I answered my own question on the Honda, it's too old and just too many parts are no longer available. I can't find a front master cylinder and brake hoses are expensive. and various other parts. Engine clutch parts are only partially available. Now if I could get this bike for $500, I would risk it. For $1,200 more I can get a brand new CSC, I know it's a china vs. japan. If CSC is around in 10 yrs and doing well I bet I can still get parts for tt250.
Keep looking for used until I get my endorsement then time is up and CSC will get an order.

[pete]

XR350 with only 12,000 on it..
it's a no brainer... Honda..

or a klx if the prise is right


.

[Megadan]

I think I answered my own question on the Honda, it's too old and just too many parts are no longer available. I can't find a front master cylinder and brake hoses are expensive. and various other parts. Engine clutch parts are only partially available. Now if I could get this bike for $500, I would risk it. For $1,200 more I can get a brand new CSC, I know it's a china vs. japan. If CSC is around in 10 yrs and doing well I bet I can still get parts for tt250.
Keep looking for used until I get my endorsement then time is up and CSC will get an order.

I have a lot of experience with classic Honda motorcycles. The parts are out there, but you end up at the mercy of NOS parts sellers, who then charge a premium on said parts. I have paid silly amounts of money for parts that on any normal bike would be cheap. Plus you sometimes have to search high and low to even find a seller with one. The XR350 actually still has a lot of parts availability for the general chassis, suspension, etc. It's the engine parts that can be a little annoying to find, and when needed can put the bike down for weeks or months sometimes.

The XR350, to me, would be a good second bike for tinkering and fun. If you want something to pull more regular duty, then definitely spring for something newer.

[NzBrakelathes]

I think the $1000 price difference could very well see you right
The Honda would be a better bike if we compared New to new
A chinese bike New is already an old bike based on the general quality imo and Zongshen make a decent bike but I’d say it’s a close call which to take

[Landsvw]

Ya and part of the problem is, the 2400$ bike becomes about an 800$ bike right after it leaves the seller... no offense to the bike itself but resale value is pretty low because it’s ‘chinese’ motorcycle.

It’s all a kind of fun game, and regardless of what you get, you’ll have a motorcycle. And that’s the best part of all! And, you can customize it, and make it your own.

Keep us posted!

[ChipToothy]

If it is in good shape then the Honda, in 10 years it will still be as resellable as today if not more so. Just my opinion. Which one do you like better is the real question.

[culcune]

I would get the CSC in a few scenarios. I used to work 16.x miles to work when I lived in southern AZ and rode to work and back year round because the weather allowed me to (the weather would be downright COLD in the middle of winter, but dry, so I often rethought 'What the H$#% am I doing?!' the half hour ride to work in the morning, but that is another discussion). I had a TMEC 200 enduro I bought for $800 used which I rode for 2 years, putting 12k miles or so on the bike, and then replaced it with a brand new TMEC 200 which I paid $1k (I met and made friends with the TMEC distributor who gave me a great deal) and rode for another 2 years, which I finally replaced with a 151cc TGB scooter to ride out the last year and a half working there.

Thinking back, and if I choose to move back to southern AZ and work the same or even different job, I would actually pay the premium for a CSC bike--the small displacement Chinese bikes are perfect commuters for what I needed it for. One of my coworkers bought a used 1990s Kawasaki cruiser (cannot recall what it was) to commute on which only lasted him about 8 months before something catastrophic occurred with the engine and he was quoted something like $800. Needless to say, being a state job, he transferred and I only saw him a time or two a year at conferences in Phoenix, and he never did fix his bike.

In my situation, I would consider most any Chinese enduro, being fairly ignorant of bike mechanics, but knowing I would get any help I needed and based on my experiences with the two enduros I owned and commuted on. I did not mention, the new bike was involved in a fairly big accident a few months after buying it in which I was injured for a month; it should have been totaled but I rode it damaged for the next year and a half, lol. Knowing now what I know, again, if I was to go back to that same job (for personal reasons I just might do so), I would not hesitate to buy a higher quality Chinese bike for the commute.

But, as you can see, that is my particular experience, and it is a fairly narrow circumstance. Knowing now what I know, I probably would keep my bike running longer, so could justify paying a 'premium' price for a CSC. But, also knowing what I know, I would probably lean towards a Pitster Pro at around the same price, such as the one member PaiN has. After all, there is a lot of desert around So. AZ, and one needs a more off-road suited bike...

[Weldangrind]

Locally I just ran across a very nice looking 84 honda XR 350, 12,000 miles, new tags 2/20 expire, looks like ready to ride, new tires. Planning to go look at the bike in person.
If it is in excellent shape, appears to be.

Thoughts should I get a 35 year old Honda or new CSC TT250.
Honda asking $1,350
TT250 cost $2,500

My concern is getting parts for a 35 year old bike. Heck it might run for years with out needing any parts. The Honda is a dual carb engine. Research time on parts and such.

Man, that is a tough call; I want both of 'em! Would you be using a bike on the road? If so, can an XR350 be registered for road use in your area? We're not allowed to do that anymore where I live.

[Megadan]

Man, that is a tough call; I want both of 'em! Would you be using a bike on the road? If so, can an XR350 be registered for road use in your area? We're not allowed to do that anymore where I live.

It has tags already, so yes.

That would be a tough call for me too. I also would want both. The XR would definitely be more of a weekend bike than a main commuter though. In fact, it is starting to get to the age where a clean stock example will start being worth more every year.

[OneLeggedRider]

I had the XR 350 when I was a young man and hands down it was the best 4 stroke dirt bike I've ever owned. Powerful and lightweight and caused excessive grinning lol. That being said, parts availability will definitely be an issue. I have a '94 FourTrax and it's sometimes difficult to find parts for it. So buy the new bike and PM me the link for the XR.. :hehe:

[Bruces]

I would already be enjoying the Xr ,the 250 is just adequate in power ,any increase is a bonus and the 350 already has it .I have never had a single issue finding a Honda part ,even for very rare Honda’s .

[david3921]

Hmmm..seeing how "new" Chinese bikes are based on old Honda technology, couldn't you get parts for the Honda that are...chinese? ;).

[Megadan]

I have never had a single issue finding a Honda part ,even for very rare Honda’s .

I have a challenge for you then. Find me some 4cyl Goldwing main or rod bearings. ;)

You won't find any. Hardly a rare Honda either, yet because of age and time the supply has more or less dried up. Even the guys that specialize in NOS parts for them are at the point that they have had to contact aftermarket companies to have them made, which is stupid expensive.

Eventually, no matter what the bike is, the parts just stop existing. In fact, the less rare the bike is, the harder the parts are to find due to the higher demand on them. In my experience, once a bike reaches 40 years of age, that is when the parts hunting becomes a bit more involved.

Hmmm..seeing how "new" Chinese bikes are based on old Honda technology, couldn't you get parts for the Honda that are...chinese? ;).

A possibility, but that would really depend on the part in question.

[Bruces]

I have a challenge for you then. Find me some 4cyl Goldwing main or rod bearings. ;)

You won't find any. Hardly a rare Honda either, yet because of age and time the supply has more or less dried up. Even the guys that specialize in NOS parts for them are at the point that they have had to contact aftermarket companies to have them made, which is stupid expensive.

Eventually, no matter what the bike is, the parts just stop existing. In fact, the less rare the bike is, the harder the parts are to find due to the higher demand on them. In my experience, once a bike reaches 40 years of age, that is when the parts hunting becomes a bit more involved.



A possibility, but that would really depend on the part in question.

http://www.wingovations.com/crankshaft-bearing-kits-all/4593202522

Not a problem .I have a few goldwing friends and they would have some on the shelf but they are hoarders .

[Landsvw]

This is a good thread. One thing I know is, keep looking for and trying bikes until you find the one that is best for you. Keep it, and get some more. They don’t take up too much space in the garage.

[Bruces]

I guess the winginnovations place is sold out ,but there are currently some of the German ones on eBay for $39.00 each .

[dh]

I think you are on the right track. When I started riding about 10+ years ago my first bike was a 20+ year old low mileage Honda Xl 185 and after that a low mileage XL 600. These were great bikes but parts were expensive and sometimes hard to find. Both bikes gave me issues with stators and Cdi's which were not cheap to replace.

My SSR Xf-250 is 5 years old, has 20,000 miles on it and always starts right up. Used dual sports are overpriced down here in Southern CA as well and I don't regret going for the chinabike one bit.

I think I answered my own question on the Honda, it's too old and just too many parts are no longer available. I can't find a front master cylinder and brake hoses are expensive. and various other parts. Engine clutch parts are only partially available. Now if I could get this bike for $500, I would risk it. For $1,200 more I can get a brand new CSC, I know it's a china vs. japan. If CSC is around in 10 yrs and doing well I bet I can still get parts for tt250.
Keep looking for used until I get my endorsement then time is up and CSC will get an order.

[Megadan]

http://www.wingovations.com/crankshaft-bearing-kits-all/4593202522

Not a problem .I have a few goldwing friends and they would have some on the shelf but they are hoarders .

I knew you would post that link. Did you read the very bottom before you posted that? "As yet, no conrod bearings for the GL1100 and no bearings for the GL1200 are available."

I had quite a few conversations with John (the owner of Wingovations), both phone and e-mail when restoring my bike. The bearings described in that link never really came to fruition. The German ones do exist, but they require machining of the crankshaft essentially out of spec in order to run them. That is the main reason the whole deal fell through in the end. It's an option, but not a good one. John is still looking for a solution.

Nice try though.

[Weldangrind]

It has tags already, so yes.

"Tags" means different things in different locations. We're required to have tags on off-road equipment in BC, but they aren't allowed on the road. I read the part about tags in the first post and I was asking elkhunter338 for clarity.

[Megadan]

"Tags" means different things in different locations. We're required to have tags on off-road equipment in BC, but they aren't allowed on the road. I read the part about tags in the first post and I was asking elkhunter338 for clarity.

Gotcha. Here in the states, "tags" generally means it has a license plate with it's registration. It can vary a little by state, but it is generally true for most States.

[Weldangrind]

That's exactly what it means in my Province; my quads both have registration and license plates, but they are not allowed on the road. Like in the US, our rules vary from Province to Province.

[Megadan]

That's exactly what it means in my Province; my quads both have registration and license plates, but they are not allowed on the road. Like in the US, our rules vary from Province to Province.

I am not used to the idea of license plates for off road vehicles. Here in Nebraska, you simply title it as an off road vehicle, but there is no registration or license plate since it is not a road vehicle. Not that it matters much, because you can almost register anything for the road here as long as it has a headlight, tail light/brake light, and one mirror. Everything else is an optional extra.

[upgasgas1224]

if your into a bit more modern electrical capabilities id go with the tt250 i have a thread on a stereo add on and plan to load up the bike with a phone charger a light bar and mabye frame lighting just because it has a 300watt stator so... why not for a tinkering person. the honda wouldnt be a bad choice for haveing slightly better power rateings but overall my tt has served me well and if i had to do it over again i would. plus being on a tight budget as a young guy replacement parts are cheap and the warrenty is outstanding. as a added bonus to me mabye not to some is if you want to get the most out of the experience of owning a motorcycle theres a wide range of upgrades performance wise that many users on this site have done to the tt250 aka hawk oid bikes and building somthing up like that is as much of a thrill as riding it almost.

[elkhunter338]

That's exactly what it means in my Province; my quads both have registration and license plates, but they are not allowed on the road. Like in the US, our rules vary from Province to Province.

Ok in Oregon tags does refer to DMV registration (street legal); you also have to buy a offroad sticker to operate the motorcycle off road (were it's legal).

So in my case I need both, offroad sticker is $10 and anything essential can get an off road sticker. The DMV issued tags is a different story, thus you need a street legal bike.

I need the street legal bike to ride forest service roads, generally closed to offroad vehicles.
Then I need offroad sticker to operate the bike in OHV area's.

[elkhunter338]

Parts price for older Japaneses bike are expensive, just found a 86 Yamaha 350 for $1500. Was suppose to go look at the bike tonight, less than 3k miles. I decided not to, parts prices are horrible for that bike, and some parts are not available, plus 33 year old gaskets, rubber, and such. New carbs. $500.
I priced parts for the tt250 almost everything $50 or less. New starter $45, new throttle or clutch cable $9.
I don't need the 20+hp of a 350 bike, for what I am going to use the bike for I plan to get the smaller front sprocket and gear the TT250 down for back woods trail riding. I plan to trailer the bike to the area I plan to ride.
In the process of building a 20' toy hauler to camp in and be able to haul 2 or 3 motorcycles in the trailer.

[JerryHawk250]

Parts price for older Japaneses bike are expensive, just found a 86 Yamaha 350 for $1500. Was suppose to go look at the bike tonight, less than 3k miles. I decided not to, parts prices are horrible for that bike, and some parts are not available, plus 33 year old gaskets, rubber, and such. New carbs. $500.
I priced parts for the tt250 almost everything $50 or less. New starter $45, new throttle or clutch cable $9.
I don't need the 20+hp of a 350 bike, for what I am going to use the bike for I plan to get the smaller front sprocket and gear the TT250 down for back woods trail riding. I plan to trailer the bike to the area I plan to ride.
In the process of building a 20' toy hauler to camp in and be able to haul 2 or 3 motorcycles in the trailer.
I think you made a wise choice. I've been down that road with the old bikes and finding parts. Ain't worth it. :ohno: I'm more than happy with my Hawk and the TT250 is a better quality bike plus the excellent service you will get from CSC.

Now start another thread on the 20' toy hauler conversion. :)

[Megadan]

I agree, the TT250 is the right choice for what you want. Besides, if you really do want 20hp, then you can do some upgrades and come pretty close with the CG250 engine.

As far as gearing it down with the front sprocket, go for the stock Hawk gearing and put a 15 front sprocket on. That will definitely do the trick for good off road gearing.

[Weldangrind]

Ok in Oregon tags does refer to DMV registration (street legal); you also have to buy a offroad sticker to operate the motorcycle off road (were it's legal).

So in my case I need both, offroad sticker is $10 and anything essential can get an off road sticker. The DMV issued tags is a different story, thus you need a street legal bike.

I need the street legal bike to ride forest service roads, generally closed to offroad vehicles.
Then I need offroad sticker to operate the bike in OHV area's.

We've only had registration of off-road vehicles for a few years in BC. Before that, there were no titles or tags for off-road stuff, and theft was a real problem. Since off-road registration is now mandatory in BC, it makes it difficult for a thief to steal your quad and resell it. Alberta has had off-road registration in place since the early '80's. I'm not sure about the other Provinces.

I'm familiar with the Oregon off-road sticker; there's one on my quad right now. I'm hoping to bring it back to Sand Lake in May.

[Landsvw]

Here’s one if you’re still looking...

https://oregoncoast.craigslist.org/mcy/d/north-bend-2009-kawasaki-klx-super/6792644254.html

[Landsvw]

And another, which is exactly my bike except the color...

https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/mcy/d/portland-2010-klx-250sf-dual-sport/6788490120.html

Edit: looks like it sold.

[Landsvw]

This one has 800 miles on it...

https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/mcy/d/portland-kawasaki-klx-250-like-new/6796913352.html

[Landsvw]

It’s starting to be the season of bike selling evidently... will be until the rains stop. :)

[Landsvw]

This is still out there too...

https://oregoncoast.craigslist.org/snw/d/north-bend-brand-new-hawk-250-enduro/6781494088.html

[culcune]

This is still out there too...

https://oregoncoast.craigslist.org/snw/d/north-bend-brand-new-hawk-250-enduro/6781494088.html

This one might be the one for someone Brand new, assembled, and $1200 before negotiation!!

[elkhunter338]

Hmm drive an 8 hour round trip to look at a bike that is $1,100 more than the TT 250. It is a Kawasaki, Is a Kawasaki as good as a honda or suzuki? Seems like the KLX bikes loose their value quicker?
I will be in Portland in the future, I will search before I go to see if there are any really good deals. Then I would have to haul a trailer to bring the bike back. I think I am just going to go with the tt250. I would prefer air cooled motor.
That KLX 250 looks taller than the tt250. tt250 seat is 34"; klx seat is 35", ground clearance is 11.5 vs. 11.2.
TT250 gas tank is .9 gallons larger. Cheaper parts.

[Landsvw]

I’d say in general, Honda probably holds its value the best but after that, the other big three are right there. KLR650 bikes seem to lose their value since there are so many of them, but the KLX stays high value. It’s a very modern design compared to the KLR. Water cooled - It’s pretty sweet. And the engine is much quieter too. But heck, I’d buy a Chinese bike too (have already had one) and delivered to your door; so go for it! Just throwing out some options if you’re wanting something between 2500-3000$. Btw the last link is a brand new Hawk in Coos Bay. Might be able to talk him down and pay for your trip. But there’s some concern that Hawks can’t be registered here in Oregon... so check carefully before purchase.