Just purchased a TT-250 and looking for opinions on hauling, and mods

[tt250vabeach]

Hey everyone just wanted to say thanks for having me in this great community.

I've been riding for about 10 years and I'm super happy I found this forum to point me in the direction of the TT-250

I just purchased a TT-250 in Orange from CSC on friday, and I'm very eagerly awaiting a shipping update. In the meantime to prepare I have some questions for all of y'all.

I have a pickup truck I'd love to be able to haul my new bike around in, but I can't decide what would be easier. I only have a 5.5ft bed, so I'm wondering if I should buy a ramp, and ramp it up into the bed for tie down, or simply buy a hitch carrier, and carry it tied down on the hitch carrier. I'm thinking being able to put it up on the hitch carrier myself would be easier, and give me access to my bed for camping supplies and other stuff. What do you guys do? How about a dirt bike stand? Are these things easy enough to get onto a dirt bike stand?

In terms of mods, I've been reading hundreds of pages on these forums but I have some questions on what you guys have found best. I've decided I'm going to keep on my history of using 15w-40 rotella t. But I see a lot about changing out the spark plug immediately, I'm not opposed, what do you guys recommend?

Carb and exhaust. I'm going to wait to purchase to see how I like her stock, but I imagine I'll ultimately decide to change. I've seen a lot about CRF230 exhausts on ebay, but I've seen a lot of discussion on carbs too. Mikuni clones, 26mm, 30mm etc. What do you guys recommend? I plan to do probably 70% on road, 30% offroad, little to no interstate riding.

I saw somebody on facebook that recommended this rejet kit + carb jets, but are the jets in the stock carb fixed, or would this work? Do ya'll have any advice on this exhaust?

https://carcustomonline.com/direct-bolt-on-polished-stainless-steel-performance-exhaust-for-the-csc-tt250-enduro-dual-sport-bike/

Chain, I see a lot of recommendations, but I imagine the best time to change the chain unless I have stretching problems is when I decide on how I want to regear the sprockets.

Tubes, do you guys recommend immediately changing them out? if so, what brand tubes do you guys use?

Fork + brake oil, I figure I'll end up changing but first I'll wait and see how she does.

I'm not sure I'm missing anything else super important I want to get done sooner than later, but if you guys notice anything I'm missing let me know.

[Biker_Andy]

Honestly compared to most Chinese machines the stock TT250 is totally fine for 70/30 riding at 50mph or less all day long. If your wanting 60-70mph then exhaust and carb is needed. Fork oil is only necessary if your really pushing it off road. I'm still running stock tubes on original tires, spark plugs and fork oil. I do recommend changing the chain relatively soon, mine took my case cover and swingarm out when it pulled apart. Stock one just stretches and stretches until it eventually fails.

[tt250vabeach]

Honestly compared to most Chinese machines the stock TT250 is totally fine for 70/30 riding at 50mph or less all day long. If your wanting 60-70mph then exhaust and carb is needed. Fork oil is only necessary if your really pushing it off road. I'm still running stock tubes on original tires, spark plugs and fork oil. I do recommend changing the chain relatively soon, mine took my case cover and swingarm out when it pulled apart. Stock one just stretches and stretches until it eventually fails.

Thanks for the advice. I imagine I'm going to have to change gearing / carb at some point only cause we have a lot of roads / city streets are up to 55mph surprisingly. But I'll see how she does after some break in before I start ordering stuff for that.

[Biker_Andy]

Yeah I recommend going to either the 47 or 45 rear sprocket when you do replace the chain. She can go 55mph stock once broken in and has loosened up but it's near it's limit and screaming.

[mtiberio]

do nothing for 1000 miles.

Loading and unloading from trucks beds? I have seen a lot of damage over the years. If you have a place where you can get the rear wheels into a dip like a swale or gutter, and take advantage of some natural offset then it can be done safer. But solo on the flat? I do not load into pickup beds. I ordered my 2nd TT250 last week, waiting on the delivery now. I have a van and an enclosed trailer, but I'm also looking at a hitch carrier which will hold the bike at the back of the van like this:
https://www.discountramps.com/motorcycle/carriers/p/VH-55/

[Larky]

If I had to transport my bike, I’d choose a utility trailer. Depending on where you live that might not be an option for you. A Trailer close to the ground so loading is a little easier and you can use it for a lot of other hauling on the off season.

[TheChairman]

Seconded on the do nothing for 1000 miles. You'll want to leave it alone for at least the break-in period. For warranty purposes, and for break-in purposes.

What I have seen so far with my TT is that these engines actually need a proper "old school" break in. CSC says the oil that comes in the bike is fine. Change it anyway as soon as you get it. Then change it again at 75-100 miles. You'll see what I mean. My oil looked like diluted anti-seez. Compression will come up substantially and shifting will get much, much smoother as all of the rough patches wear off of the internal transmission parts. Piston rings seat somewhat quickly and bearings will polish the same. It's the gears and mechanisms in the transmission that need the most care during break in.

The factory chain comes coated in nasty, sticky grease. If you plan to do any off-road riding, wash that junk off and use a proper chain lube.

[mtiberio]

No harm in adjusting the valves at first oil change.

[2LZ]

I'd change the oil out immediately. It's only a quart. Cheap insurance. I know that CSC is supposed to import their bikes with better oil, but how much control do they really have on Zong's day to day operations? I'd say none.
Other than that, leave it stock into it's broke in and do the valve adjust as mtiberio suggests. These bikes really bloom in the first 500 miles, then decide what mods will match your riding style/area.
Regarding the carb, the stock carb, at least on our TT250, was a much nicer piece than my other CG motored bikes. I'd suggest getting the jetting kits from NZB and use the stock carb.

[franque]

No harm in adjusting the valves at first oil change.

Uh, if the engine is warm, then the clearances won't be correct, and oil should be changed on a warm engine. The engine needs to be cold to do that (let it sit overnight).

[paulsstag]

Hey everyone just wanted to say thanks for having me in this great community.

I've been riding for about 10 years and I'm super happy I found this forum to point me in the direction of the TT-250

I just purchased a TT-250 in Orange from CSC on friday, and I'm very eagerly awaiting a shipping update. In the meantime to prepare I have some questions for all of y'all.

I have a pickup truck I'd love to be able to haul my new bike around in, but I can't decide what would be easier. I only have a 5.5ft bed, so I'm wondering if I should buy a ramp, and ramp it up into the bed for tie down, or simply buy a hitch carrier, and carry it tied down on the hitch carrier. I'm thinking being able to put it up on the hitch carrier myself would be easier, and give me access to my bed for camping supplies and other stuff. What do you guys do? How about a dirt bike stand? Are these things easy enough to get onto a dirt bike stand?

In terms of mods, I've been reading hundreds of pages on these forums but I have some questions on what you guys have found best. I've decided I'm going to keep on my history of using 15w-40 rotella t. But I see a lot about changing out the spark plug immediately, I'm not opposed, what do you guys recommend?

Carb and exhaust. I'm going to wait to purchase to see how I like her stock, but I imagine I'll ultimately decide to change. I've seen a lot about CRF230 exhausts on ebay, but I've seen a lot of discussion on carbs too. Mikuni clones, 26mm, 30mm etc. What do you guys recommend? I plan to do probably 70% on road, 30% offroad, little to no interstate riding.

I saw somebody on facebook that recommended this rejet kit + carb jets, but are the jets in the stock carb fixed, or would this work? Do ya'll have any advice on this exhaust?

https://carcustomonline.com/direct-bolt-on-polished-stainless-steel-performance-exhaust-for-the-csc-tt250-enduro-dual-sport-bike/

Chain, I see a lot of recommendations, but I imagine the best time to change the chain unless I have stretching problems is when I decide on how I want to regear the sprockets.

Tubes, do you guys recommend immediately changing them out? if so, what brand tubes do you guys use?

Fork + brake oil, I figure I'll end up changing but first I'll wait and see how she does.

I'm not sure I'm missing anything else super important I want to get done sooner than later, but if you guys notice anything I'm missing let me know.

The problem with the pick up trucks over the last decade or two is that they just get higher and higher even in 2WD trim not to mention 4WD.

Years ago it used to be easy to put a bike in the back of a full size truck now a days you are risking life a limb to get it in and out of the truck.

I have used a motorcycle carrier on a few occasions but they have draw backs too.

First is they tend to rock back and forth on the hitch mount so i address that with extra tie downs but a secondary pin system would make it stop rocking and if i was to carry a bike again i would come up with a way to do that.

The bikes wheels stick out past the width of the truck unless you have a dually and may obscure the tail lights of the truck ?

You can not open the tail gate while the bike is back there.

I would consider a bike trailer or a small utility trailer if posible for the low loading height

[Jpman3]

Small trailer is ideal. 2 things will happen, you will use it more than you think and unless you hide it everyone and their mother will want to borrow it. Change the oil before you even start it as noted earlier, it is cheap piece of mind. Ditto on the ride it till 500 to 1000 miles, you will feel a difference although carb jetting may need to be done first. Then break out the plastic and start modding!

[Megadan]

Check/set the valve adjustment before first start, set to .07mm per CSC instructions under their tutorials. By around the 500 mile mark, check them again.

[oincman]

I have a lifted 09 Tacoma. Ramps are fine for a small kids light bike by yourself. A Hawk or similar is difficult even with two.

I have a hitch mount as well. However, the truck is pretty high and even with the hitch mount it's hard to get up on it because the loading ramp is too short.

Got a motorcycle carrier then with a tilt bed. Laughable to get bikes on it (too much tilt then slams down). So I put down boards in between the rails (to walk bikes up), then took my Harbor Freight ramps and notched them to fit in the ends of the trailer. Now I have a nice long easy way to get even a big bike on the trailer. Problem solved.

Look on FB, people are always selling small trailers. I paid $350 for mine

[mtiberio]

Uh, if the engine is warm, then the clearances won't be correct, and oil should be changed on a warm engine. The engine needs to be cold to do that (let it sit overnight).

Overnight is overkill. Coll to the touch is good enough. Since we are talking first service, by the time you change oil and clean screen, fill with oil. And then remove saddle, sidecovers, tank, air injector, carbon canister. And maybe re-jet the carb. Then the valves will be plenty cool..Or pretty much anytime before that.

[franque]

'Overkill' in this case will actually just ensure accuracy. The engine is a big hunk of metal, and while the outside light be cool, the inside is likely still warm. It's more for consistency with thermal expansion than anything else.

[Ina Ditch]

Hey everyone just wanted to say thanks for having me in this great community.

I've been riding for about 10 years and I'm super happy I found this forum to point me in the direction of the TT-250

I just purchased a TT-250 in Orange from CSC on friday, and I'm very eagerly awaiting a shipping update. In the meantime to prepare I have some questions for all of y'all.

I have a pickup truck I'd love to be able to haul my new bike around in, but I can't decide what would be easier. I only have a 5.5ft bed, so I'm wondering if I should buy a ramp, and ramp it up into the bed for tie down, or simply buy a hitch carrier, and carry it tied down on the hitch carrier. I'm thinking being able to put it up on the hitch carrier myself would be easier, and give me access to my bed for camping supplies and other stuff. What do you guys do? How about a dirt bike stand? Are these things easy enough to get onto a dirt bike stand?

In terms of mods, I've been reading hundreds of pages on these forums but I have some questions on what you guys have found best. I've decided I'm going to keep on my history of using 15w-40 rotella t. But I see a lot about changing out the spark plug immediately, I'm not opposed, what do you guys recommend?

Carb and exhaust. I'm going to wait to purchase to see how I like her stock, but I imagine I'll ultimately decide to change. I've seen a lot about CRF230 exhausts on ebay, but I've seen a lot of discussion on carbs too. Mikuni clones, 26mm, 30mm etc. What do you guys recommend? I plan to do probably 70% on road, 30% offroad, little to no interstate riding.

I saw somebody on facebook that recommended this rejet kit + carb jets, but are the jets in the stock carb fixed, or would this work? Do ya'll have any advice on this exhaust?

https://carcustomonline.com/direct-bolt-on-polished-stainless-steel-performance-exhaust-for-the-csc-tt250-enduro-dual-sport-bike/

Chain, I see a lot of recommendations, but I imagine the best time to change the chain unless I have stretching problems is when I decide on how I want to regear the sprockets.

Tubes, do you guys recommend immediately changing them out? if so, what brand tubes do you guys use?

Fork + brake oil, I figure I'll end up changing but first I'll wait and see how she does.

I'm not sure I'm missing anything else super important I want to get done sooner than later, but if you guys notice anything I'm missing let me know.
I will be going with a hitch carrier, I still wince thinking of a time I was loading my VTX on the back of the truck and because of how steep it was the street tires wanted to slip so I had to take a pretty good run at it. ended up hitting the bed wall at the cab knocking the sliding back glass out of the frame and nearly throwing myself off the bike. even worse I had a audience>:(

[Jritter54]

I just bought 2 brand new TT250’s as well. They arrived last week. One for me and one for my wife. I have ridden most of my life and I have to say I’m very happy with the performance just the way it is. From what I’ve heard it only gets better after break in. I’m 6’2” 220lbs and it seems to be plenty powerful for me. Then again I’m in my 40’s and not a super thrill seeker but still I suggest you just ride it a while and see how you like it before considering upgrades. As for hauling it I live in the middle of nowhere so I just ride it where I wanna go but I’ve had to load bikes in a pickup before and it’s not fun. I’d definitely go with the trailer if you can afford it.

[duck9191]

I have that car custom exhaust on my storm. It's the same as the eBay ones but they speced it with the header plate drilled at the correct stud spacing so you don't have to enlarge the holes. They do include jets, a 112 and 115 primary, 40 pilot and a extended at screw that will fit the stock carb. I didn't use them because I have a pz30 so I can't speak to there quality.

Whatever you do don't but the spark arrestor they sell, it's useless in a legal sense. The arrestor nor car is stamped with an approval number so good chance the authorities will still cite you.