ChinaRiders Forums - New SSR XF250 Owner in the Columbia River Gorge

Howdy all,

Interesting sight, lots of good information, positive attitudes, what more could a guy want?

A month ago I had never heard of a Chinese motorcycle. Just bought a new 2013 SSR XF250 from Gresham Power Sports outside Portland, OR for $2,200. Seems well built, if a little rough here and there. The 2015 units are selling for $3k and I didn’t see any bargains on used Japanese bikes on CL. I like the fat tire look.

I've been riding since 1970 from mini-bikes to street bikes and back to enduros. I've had more time away from riding than doing it due to life and stuff. Last bike was a Honda NX-250 I never fully loved and gave away 10 years ago in favor of a Miata that my dog could ride along in. Well, my dog is getting old and I have the itch to ride a bit again and I was vacillating between street dressing a ttr125 or maybe going with a TW200 or something else low power in keeping with my ability. Truth is, I'm getting a bit too old (56) and lazy for hardship or injury, but I miss the adventure of poking around woods and fire roads. I live in southern Washington just on the Columbia River and need to have a street legal ride to cruise the National Forest roads.

So, long story long, I stumbled across this rather heavy (328 lbs.) dual sport and hope it can handle the bit of highway, gravel roads, and the trails I hope I will be exploring – ie: I really hope it doesn’t just take up space in my already overcrowded garage. I’m still breaking it in, but think it will be a reasonable compromise. For highway, it’s a tiny bit wimpy and the dual sport knobbies are a kinda bumpy. For offroad it feels mighty heavy and far from flickable, but that might be my risk-adverse old body/mind at the helm. It seems to push gravel in the turns, but maybe all bikes do and I just forgot. That's all to say, I think it's about right. Time will tell.

I have some questions I’ll offer later as to tweaks and maintenance. I’m glad to join your CB ranks. Thank you for the info I have already gleaned from your site.

Jim