xr200 or xr250

[El'Capitan]

Im looking at getting a trail bike, im 5'11 and almost 180lbs. Would either of those bikes have enough power to haul me around through any mild/moderate trails? and does anyone know a ballpark top speed for one?

[oldskool83]

ive had 5 XR200's, 1 1987 and 4 1985's. the 84-85 motors make lil more power but parts are dual carbs are a pain to work on and get. i was only 5'6" 120lbs so a 200 fit me fine, it moved but didnt feel like it was going fast. it was my 1st 4 stroke comming back to riding off 2 strokes....i fell in love because it climbed big hills but was heavy. a xr250 is taller but even heavier. i really like the xr200's because they are cheap tons of parts on ebay and if you get like a 2002 you can get 84-91 long travel forks and mono shock off ebay for pretty cheap and bolt them right on the short travel 92-02 bike. if i got another bike it id prob go with a xr200 if i didnt have much cash, if not a crf230f since its like a new xr200 but the older xr suspenion is better.

[peeweesp]

it probobly would but maybe you should take a look at the xr400

[TrikeKid]

The 250 or the 400 would be the way to go IMO.

[Dusty]

I have an 1987 xr 200 and i love it....there awesome trail bikes as well as good jumpers.....

[the great gazoo]

I had an '83 XR200 twin shock that I rode mostly on tight twisting deer trails(I'm 5'11"/175), and after riding a DR350 which is twice as heavy, the 200 was a pleasure to ride! I remember equating it to a "bmx bike w/ a motor", it was soooo light- it would climb any hill I pointed it at & didn't do too bad over the smaller jumps.
I always wanted to try out one of the later RFVC XR200R's w/ the twin carbs, to see how much more power they made.........

[cr480r]

it probobly would but maybe you should take a look at the xr400

I agree... the 400's are still very tame... The 200's(or 250's) arent near enough power for a guy your size... that lives in oregon...

[Kilborg]

I'm 5'7 170 and ride a Xr600. The power is great, very tractable. Bike is a touch too tall for me but its still at stock stance. Just don't try jumping it. Doesn't have the suspension. While you can bomb through rough stuff, the suspension is simply too soft and bottoms with maybe only 5 foot of air.

I would be looking for atleast an older xr350. Anything above that is just a bigger better version. The 200 is a great trailbike and very small, but almost too small. The 250 a bit bigger...But neither really have the power to do much outside of hairy stupid trails.

[rot box]

I'm also 5'11" and I couldn't see myself on a 200 unless I was putting around a farm yard, or maybe riding around the campground...

I'd really look into the 400's or mabey an older 500. These have got to be some of the most forgiving/ reliable bikes on the planet. They are really a great entry level bike that can be fairly competitive offroad, and have a ton of aftermarket support.

Skill wise I think that you'd outgrow the 200 or 250 way too fast, and be wishing for something bigger IMO

[Kilborg]

My father had a '84 500 that was an awesome bike...I remember riding it when i was maybe 10 years old (push it down the hill and hop on). That's what inspired me to get the 600.

The 400 may be a slightly better choice as the parts are just easier to come by...It was an immensly popular choice.

Either way, any XR is a great bike. If your a more experienced rider thats 5'7 or bigger, look to atleast a 400. Anything bigger is just extra gravy. I love my 600 and ride it every night, even over the brand new trx450r in the garage.

[jason 32]

250 for sure-- if not a 350-400 ect....