Yamaha wanted to extend the success of their singles and developed 600, 400, and more rarely 250 variants. Though references to US imports are hard to find, this excellent example has an MPH speedometer.
1987 Yamaha SRX250 for sale on eBay
Even though there were similar Yamaha 250 singles, the SRX engine was its own animal with 10-to-1 compression and a four-valve head. Its 32 hp were more than the dirtbike and quad engines, if not more than enough. Just about all the double downtube frame is visible, in red on the 80’s-era sports livery. Even though it’s lightly built with a single front disc and economical with the drum rear brake, the sporting intent is evidenced by the staggered 16-inch front / 18-inch wheels. A small frame-mounted fairing is accompanied by a chin scoop which hides the exhaust.
Evidently tucked away in Vermont garage for a while, this SRX has amassed 15,641 miles but looks like less. Brake fluid has bubbled the paint on the reservoir and the owner’s keyring has scored the triple tree, but otherwise it looks a few years old and not 35. Thinking the seat has been recovered but only because it looks that good. Noted from the eBay auction –
This bike is very rare. This bike was only made for one year. This bike is in great condition for a 1987. See pictures, they will tell the story. Last fall I put on a new Petcock, rebuilt the carb, and disc brake caliper. Last week I had a professional mechanic tune it up and install a new Yuasa battery. The tank was sealed years ago. Everything works on the bike, lights, blinkers, horn. The speedometer is slightly foggy which I don’t understand because it’s always been kept in a heated cellar or heated garage.
Maybe not the thumpiest single out there, The SRX250 was more of a domestic market sport style for Yamaha fans who needed a 250. For RSBFS readers, maybe a good starter or pit bike with impeccable taste. Plenty of bids but hoping the reserve isn’t out of this world.
-donn
If this was near the West coast I totally would have bought it. Doesn’t have the rare solo seat, nor the rare original belly pan. Looks like it’s in great shape otherwise and should be bullet-proof reliability. Mine was super fun around town. On the highways it was not fun.
Go find ye a gokart track. Tons of fun! Drum brake?! Please.. i only have the brain power to use that when I manage to ride off the track into the grass. Works fine for that.
I recently restored one for my friend Tracy. She bought it new in 1987 when we were dating. She still has it after all these years. She was thinking of finally letting it go and I talked her out of selling it. I reasoned it would not bring enough money to replace the hole in her soul if she let it go…
Brings a smile to my face. My wife bought one when we were still dating in ’97 or so. it was barely running but we limped it to my dad’s house, where I did a quick carb clean and we were off to the races!
She barely rode it and it sat in our basement for 14 years (!) before we passed it on to her dad, who used it as a local bike for a while. It had less than 4,000 miles on it but, unfortunately, some idiot (ahem) had dropped a wheel and tire combo on the gas tank back in ’99 so it wasn’t as clean as this one. I never did find a replacement. Eventually sold to a young guy in Long Island looking for a city bike.
To the best of my recollection, the fastest I ever saw was an indicated 90mph. Flat out on the tank. left hand on the fork tube, pinky holding the throttle open. 🙂