Ty 250 Mono

[davidhiggins]

Hi all dont know much about Yamaha ty250 trials bikes could you please let me know which is the best model to buy as an investment and to ride, ty250s, ty250r, pinky or are there any other air cooled models. regards David

[jon v8]

I rode an early Ty250 from 1988-90,it was very secondhand when I bought it.But it was also the easiest to ride,most fun and apart from the mudguards - unbreakable.Not sure about the pinky,I guess they should be better than the earlier ones but I think the early R model with the small tank and alloy kickstart is the best looking.

The time will come when they become expensive too, as they were so reliable lots of them ended up as farm bikes and were/are beaten to death.Cow poo and zero maintenance will see to that.I think they will go the way of Morris Minor vans and pickups - everyone knew how good they were and few were saved,those that are still around are worth a packet.The Ty mono must be just about the best trials bike ever,I am quietly looking for a white R,(dont tell my wife) to ride in the over 50 mono class for in 7 yrs time I reckon they will be the same price as Honda RTL's. I had one of those too,lovely looking,lovely sound - couldnt ride it for anything !

[woody]

Pinky is the best bet as it has a front disc whereas the others have drums, some of which have worn well, some of which haven't. Pinky is also available for cheaper, or at most, as much, as the earlier bikes for some reason.

As for an investment - no idea, it's pot luck as to what something becomes worth. Look at the RTL. Awful to ride, not a patch on the Yam for overall performance but cost 5 times as much to buy until recently, the ridiculous prices of a couple of years ago have disappeared for now.

Any of the Yams are good value and there are still plenty to choose from so if you see a good one, regardless of model, buy it. The differences between the models (about zero in real terms) aren't worth worrying about, disc on the Pinky is the most significant advantage between models. Early S models had a bigger steel tank, plastic tank on R and later bikes looks neater but they can discolour.

Jon V8 - I know of a local dealer (not bikes - just parts supplier) who has a white mono for sale. It's his own bike with a previous 2 owner known history. I haven't seen it for years although I know the previous 2 owners. If you're interested let me know and I'll PM you the contact number.

[jon v8]

Cheers Woody,but an offer was made to me this afternoon that might be worth taking for another project that I have in mind.Its a mid 50's 350 Matchless,partially stripped.Its a road bike but I can put in an offer for whatever bits of it I want as it has no V5 and my neighbour does jumbling.

I've been toying with the idea of building a pre 65 rigid to ride while I'm still strong enough to ride one.(Knackered back and manky right knee permitting ! )

[kuelmuel]

Definately try and get an R, (a pinky is an R technically), My brother has an S and there are several things about it that are quite annoying.

The gear ratio is too low as they use different sprocket sizes to an R.

The forks are too soft, on the R models, they are stiffer.

The rear suspension isn't as nice to use, the R had a better shock.

The tank is too big, the R has a smaller one.

They have a different cylinder head, I don't know if it affects the compression ratio or anything.

We also weighed both of ours, mine is 2kg lighter than my brothers S.

The Rs will be worht more in years to come, as the S models were Japan only I believe, whereas many of the Rs, (mine included), are genuine UK bikes.

If you spend