Tanshanomi's Snap Judgments

Yamaha SR250T

Thu, March 4th, 2010


1980–81 Yamaha SR250T Exciter II
Performancewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The 20 horsepower the little SR puts out is nothing special, but it has a nice flat torque curve.
Handlingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Light and extremely maneuverable, but tiny brakes and a generally insecure feeling at anything beyond a moderate lean make it less fun than it should be.
Lookswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The SR250 is a fairly clean, restrained design with some nice touches. The 'T' model's rear trunk is a funky-cool addition.
Reliabilitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
SR250s make little power, and are therefore flogged mercilessly; they held up better than anybody would expect for an economy 'beginner' model, but finding one that's been properly cared for will be tough nowadays.
Practicalitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The underpowered engine and flyweight chassis limit enjoyable range, but the built-in trunk makes it one of the best vehicles ever for a quick run to 7-Eleven.
Desirabilitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The trunk on the 1980 model (called the 'Exciter II') was permanently bolted on; the next year the Exciter T had a removable trunk and optional quick-change passenger seat, which made it even cooler—although I would have no desire to ever ride an SR250 two-up.
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The rare, trunk-equipped version transformed the basic SR250 from an attractive and competent but ordinary bike into something truly unique.