Of the plethora of loud, high-strung Japanese two strokes that have come of age to be street registered in this country over the last couple years, the Yamaha TZR250 tends to enjoy a reputation as one of the friendliest and sweet-handling bikes of the bunch. They don’t come with the same banshee wail as a Suzuki RGV250, and they’re not the whole package like the Honda NSR250, but they fit a Goldilocks role, with comfy ergos, semi-friendly power delivery and Yamaha’s famous handling.
1991 Yamaha TZR250 for sale on eBay
In bottled-up street performance trim, the TZRs won’t set your pants on fire, but aftermarket exhausts, computers and jet kits are getting easier and easier to come by. There are myriad importers kicking around these days who will gladly sell you a pile of go bits if your two stroke isn’t buzzy enough.
This 1991 Yamaha TZR250 is in typical shape for a recently-imported grey-market machine that has had almost 28 birthdays. It has a few minor dents and a cracked tail fairing, as well as some spots of corrosion. Those would need to be addressed along with the paint on the wheels for this one to be called perfect, but it’s in very nice shape as-is for a rider. The seller says he never cleaned the carbs and the tires are old, so either get prepared to do that yourself of budget the repair into the purchase.
From the eBay listing:
This is an EXTREMELY RARE 2 stroke motorcycle that was not available in the US due to EPA regulations. This bike was originally a Japanese Domestic bike that was imported to the US and has a clean Florida title. This bike was ahead of it’s time in both technology & appearance. This is essentially early 90’s race technology. This is a NO RESERVE Auction and the bike will go to the winning bidder!
Mileage is 11747km which equates to 7129 miles
Recent service includes:
– Brake Fluid Flush (front & rear)
– Coolant Flush
– New Yamaha OEM petcock
– New UNI filter
– New Battery
– New RectifierBike runs, but carbs were not yet cleaned/tuned. The bike has 2 small dings in the tank, which could be fixed by paintless dent repair, and a crack in the plastic. See pics. Bike has some minor oxidation here and there from being in Japan.
Bike will need tires. I do have a new set of Dunlop Sportmax tires I was going to install, if I kept it. I didn’t mount them, because people are usually very picky about their tires. The winning bidder has the option to add the tires in for the price I paid for them, if they choose, but they DO NOT come with the listing.
Why am I selling? I just bought a few of these Japanese imports & chose to keep a Honda NSR instead. What can I say? I’m a Honda Guy… I prefer to Ride Red.
Please keep in mind, I have this motorcycle for sale locally, so reserve the right to end the auction at any time, for any reason. If you would like to personally inspect, please feel free to make arrangements.
Though it most likely needs the carbs looked at, it’s wearing a host of new parts and looks like it was pretty well kept in its previous life. It’s listed on a no-reserve auction, with a starting bid just below $7,000.
I spoke with this seller on another 2 stroke he has for sale (Honda NSR250). He’s a Honest all around Good Guy and likes his Hondas!
I look forward to doing business with him in the future.
This is a common bike in Japan. It’s rare in the US but it’s among the most mundane of 2 strokes ever built. Limited production for it means it was limited to precisely how many Yamaha could sell. It looks good for its age and in better condition than other 250s that are generally considered to be consumable cheap beaters there.
Henway, True, I believe this to be a “R” model. There were more “R” base models made by each brand than SE’s, SP’s and in Yamaha’s case SPR’s.
There is a museum quality, 9.99 point, 100% OEM Stock 1991 TZR250SP available for 18K in NY. Beautiful example of the ’91 SP and it’s tough to find a stock one today, let alone a museum quality one. 1991 being the first year for the “only 500 unit” production run of the SP’s I believe.
That’s an R model there was many of them made from 91 thru 94. Yamaha also made the RS models which were which are just R models with adjustable suspension components at first with later years included the dry clutch from 92 thru 94. then you have the limited SP runs of 500 units per year.
Some porting of the R cylinders to SP spec and a zeel tronic cdi and some pipes would make it rip like any other derestricted 250. Porting not absolutely necessary but it helps. They all have similar bottom ends and the only one of the 250’s. You could bolt on the earlier 90’s TZ 250 top ends carbs if you really wanted too since the early 90’s tz250 has same to similar bottom ends.
It’s also one of the lightest of the 250’s and handles great really like my spr.
eBay shows sold for $6,888.
dc