Motorcycles

Touring Kit and Safety Features

• right side foot break (so you find it when you need it!)
• left side gear shift!
• front disk brakes
• leather saddlebag
• touring bars, touring grips, large mirrors
• loud horn
• crashbar
• 2008/2009 electric-start models w/o surcharge
• single spring leather saddles (your co-rider will be gratefull!)
• rear gas shocks standard

Technical Specifications

• 500cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled four-stroke engine
• 35 NM torque at 3,000 rpm
• front disk break
• points ignition, single carburetor
• 12V electrical system, alternator
• 16 KW/22 HP at 5,500 rpm
• (theoretical) max. speed 125 km/h (better don´t try)
• New! 5 speed gearbox and left foot gear change, first gear down!
• Kickstart, optional electric start!
• Right side footbreak! Safety first!
• 760mm seat height, 710mm on request!
• Dry weight 168 kg, max. load 170 kg

China - Tibet: YAMAHA YBR 250cc

"...this bike is almost certainly the best road-going legal 250cc bike in China..." (Quote MyChinaMoto)

"The power delivery from the 21bhp, 249cc single-cylinder engine is smooth and easy to get along with. The YBR250 is one of the easiest machines you’ll find to ride anywhere. It has a very natural, spacious riding position and all the controls are light and simple to use, from the clutch to the throttle to the gears. There’s a good view from the mirrors, the steering is light enough to let the YBR250 nip in and out of town traffic, and the seat is low enough for shorter riders to get both feet down on the floor at junctions." (Quote MCN www.motorcyclenews.com)

Technical Specifications

• 249cc single-cylinder, air cooled 4-stroke engine
• 16 KW/21 HP
• Electric starter
• 19.2 L (5.07 US gal) fuel tank capacity
• 12V Electrical system
• Fuel Injection AISAN 1100-87F70/1
• Constant mesh 5-speed transmission, left foot operation
• Transistorized coil ignition (digital)
• Seat height 805 mm (31.7 in)
• Dry weight 135.0 kg (298 lb) dry weight, 167 kg (368 b) max. load

Kyrgyzstan: YAMAHA XT 600E

The Yamaha XT600E is about as straightforward, reliable and solid as an old school trail bike gets. The Yamaha XT600E was the last of a long line of 4-valve air-cooled Yamaha singles, starting off with the original, much-loved XT500 of the mid-70s.

This is a true trailie: decent off-round and straightforward and un-fussy on. Don’t expect any frills or motorway plushness. But you won’t find a more honest workhorse than the Yamaha XT600E

Technical Specifications

• 595cc single cylinder, air cooled 4-stroke, SOHC
• 33 KW/45 BHP
• E-Start
• 19.2 L fuel capacity
• Electric system 12V
• 28mm Y26PV carburator
• 5-gear transmission,
• Transistor ignition (digital)
• Saddle hight 855 mm
• dry wieight 156.0 kg , 180 kg max. load

Burma, Thailand & Vietnam: HONDA CRF 250cc

I am predicting Honda has a winner here and will be surprised if they don’t sell like crazy. Classed against the KLX250s, it is easy to see that the CRF250L is an all-new design that was built to be a dual-sport equally comfortable on the street as on easy trails and backroads.

The pros of theCRF250L far outnumber the cons and it beckons scores of new and experienced riders into the world of dual-sporting. On the trail the KLX250s was the clear favorite with a more responsive motor, superior suspension and a thinner, more dirt-focused feel, but when competing for the fat part of the market the CRF250L is more likely be competing against Yamaha’s fuel injectedXT250 (review www.adventuremotorcycle.com)