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NOTE: The 250TR has never been imported for sale in North America.
| 2001–10 Kawasaki BJ250TR |
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| Performance |    |
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| The 250TR is a variant of the JDM-only Estrella 250, and shares that bike's motor. It's not a powerhouse, but friendly, and has good output overall for a 250. It shifts nicely and its electronic fuel injection imparts a level of sophistication uncommon on this size bike. |
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| Handling | |
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| The 250 TR is a quality lightweight streetbike that can handle the occasional dirt trail without a problem. Its retro-scrambler persona is not just for image. Light weight and a narrow chassis, along with it's comfortable, flat seat and wide bars are great for the kind of riding a 250 single excels at. The dual-piston front caliper is a nice touch. |
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| Looks | |
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| It looks like an updated, enlarged version of my first bike, a '73 Honda CL125S. It triggers a neural pathway deep in my brain's pleasure center. |
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| Reliability | |
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| The 250 TR and the Estrella it's based on have been for sale forever in Japan, where riders are willing to pay for quality-built lightweight bikes, and expect them to withstand constant use. These are very well made machines. |
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| Practicality | |
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| Lightweight 'street scramblers' are extinct in this country, and few Americans would buy the 250 TR if it were sold here. That's a shame; for most people's needs and riding habits, it would be head and shoulders above the Yamaha XT250 dualsport and the Estralla-inspired Suzuki TU250 streetbike that are sold here. It gets my customary 2-point deduction for not being imported to the U.S, and another point taken off for being a bit too low on power for comfort on U.S. Interstates. |
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| Desirability | |
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| Very few lightweights have the magnetic pull of this bike. I absolutely love it. |
| Overall | |
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| This retro-styled 'street scrambler' is everything we love about vintage bikes and everything we love about modern bikes in one very attractive package. |
