Here in the US, 250cc machines are often derided as “learner bikes” or intended as budget commuter machines, but in other markets the 250cc class was extremely competitive, and the little bikes featured cutting-edge technology matched with razor-sharp handling. The highly-strung two-strokes made surprising power, but accessing their full potential required skill as, in spite of various midrange-plumping “power valves” fitted to improve flexibility, the bikes needed regular trips to the redline and constant dancing on the shift lever to maintain momentum. Today’s Featured Listing first-generation Yamaha TZR250 is a very rare sight in North America. Some, like this one, were imported for sale when new to Canada, but they were never sold new in the US, where emissions laws effectively killed off road-going two-stroke motorcycles. It’s a shame those same laws didn’t do anything about leaf-blowers…
Depending on the market, these first-generation TZRs are known as either 1KT or 2MA, with the 1KT bikes sold in Japan and the 2MA bikes intended for the UK and elsewhere. Those 2MA bikes would have been in a different state of tune, with more power: 50hp vs the 45hp of the Japanese bikes, owing to regulations limiting power output in their home market. The engine was a compact parallel-twin with a bore and stroke of 56.4 x 50mm and a pair of 28mm flat-slide carburetors that fed fuel/air mixture into the crank cases. Yamaha’s YPVS or “Yamaha Power Valve System” helped improve the naturally weedy midrange of a two-stroke and improve flexibility, and a six-speed gearbox helped riders keep the little engine “on the boil.” That engine and transmission were hung from Yamaha’s signature Deltabox beam frame and 17″ wheels were fitted front and rear. A single brake disc featured up front, but that and the matching rear disc brake were more than enough to slow the 282lb dry machine.
When it was new, the TZR250 was the most powerful bike in its class, although it was also expensive. Suspension front and rear were adjustable for preload only, meaning there was room for improvement if you wanted to go racing, but the setup was plenty for road riding. However, it was the overall package that worked so well, and the engine was considered very tractable and relatively flexible for such a small displacement machine. Today’s Featured Listing was originally sold new in Canada and has had just a couple owners since then. It’s been carefully maintained mechanically and cosmetically and, while not 100% original, appears to be in beautiful, ready-to-ride condition.
YAMAHA TZR 250 1987
PRICE UPDATE $10,000.00 US
Odometer 20,415 km
VIN #JYA2ME004HA000126
Seller:
My 1987 Yamaha TZR 250 is a super clean, very well maintained motorcycle with low kilometres (km). It was sold new in Calgary, Alberta, Canada by the local Walt Healy Yamaha dealer; was first registered in Calgary in 1990 and has resided in Calgary since then. I am the third owner and refurbished the motorcycle in 2020:
- Cylinders rebored to 2nd (second) oversize.
- Front and rear tires are older and one size overstock.
- Original paint except:
- The winglets are after-market and were professionally painted,
- The body work was professionally clear-coated, and
- The exhaust was professionally ceramic-coated.
- There is a small blemish on the seat but is small, approximately 2 mm.
The price includes extra news parts including clutch discs, complete set of decals, windshield, and ignition lock and keys.
You will not find a better one.
Contact: Ole Christensen, mobile +1 (403) 554-3014 (Calgary, Alberta)
Unless you’re looking for a bike that’s absolutely a museum-piece collectible with original air in its original tires and original fuel turned to original varnish in its original fuel lines, this really is an extremely nice bike, and one that appears to be sensibly and conservatively modified and updated. To me, bikes make little sense when tucked away unseen in a garage, and this bike appears beautiful and ready for the road. All of the quarter-liter sportbikes have been increasing in value over the past decade or so, now that they’re legal to import into North America, but it seems like Yamaha TZRs have lagged a bit behind the refined and sophisticated Honda NSRs, the wild and woolly [and very rare] Kawasaki KRs, and the rough-and-ready Suzuki RGVs. If you dreamed of these when you were younger, reading about them in the British motorcycling magazines, now’s the time to grab one: they aren’t getting any cheaper.
-tad
Price update: $10,000
