Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

• cost-cutting designs such as a drum rear brake, a single-over head-cam motor, scaled-down suspension components and no hand guards. Simply put, the TIR225 is ba ically an off-road version of the treet-legal XT225. When Yamaha introduced Its new TIRs to the motorcycling pres (Yamaha also brought along its full line of. entry-level off-road bikes, including the PW50, PW80, RTlOO and TW200), they also invited the editors' spouses and kids to come along and experience, firsthand, the meaning of pIa y-riding on the TIRs. And that's exactly what we did for two days at the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area in San Diego County. My wife, Theresa, played hooky (and she's a teacher, of all things) to join uS and immediately gravitated toward the TIR225. After all, she already has an XT225 of her own, and she felt right at home on the TTR - and, of course, I could never get her off the thing the whole two days. She likes the TIR for the same reasons she likes the XT225, first and foremost being the electric starter, as well as the fact she can touch the. ground with both feet (she tops out at 5 feet 4 inches). The only difference she could feel between her bike and the TTR was the TTR's front suspension, which she said worked a little better in the whoops. Why? Probably because it didn't have the extra weight up front of the XT's headlight and speedometer assembly. Overall, she was very happy and content on the TIR225, just like she is on the XT. The only time she wasn't happy on the bike was when she was actually off the bike, trying to pick it up after "tipping over." (She doesn't go fast enough to call them "crashes" yet.) She simply does not have the strength to get the bike upright again, but then again, I nearly don't, either. The TTR225 isn't exactly light, as it weighs in at well over 270 pounds with a full tank of gas. So [ can't blame her when I look back and see her standing next to the bike, waiting to be rescued. This is when I come to .appreciate the electric starters on both bikes. You might say we stop a lot on our rides. Despite the TTR's weight, Theresa enjoyed riding the 225 very much. I, on the other hand, spent most of my time on the TTR250, and I enjoyed it, too. It's the perfect bike to be on while riding with a less-experienced rider such as my wife..You can plonk around on it, pull wheelies, explode berms, climb hills and jump off rocks and things all day long without getting (Above left) The TTR2SO's DOHC motor produces decent power and camurets well. (Above right) A more simple SOHC four-stroke motor powers the TTR225. (Left) The ignition switch is hidden behind the steering stem on both bikes. (Below) Cartridge forks support the 250's front end. bored. And, of course, you can turn it off at any time without worrying about having to kick-start a hot motor. Simply put,. I had no problems keeping myself entertained while riding with my wife. When speeds did pick up, however, the TTR250 held up quite well, but things got a little sketchy when blazing into a section of rolling whoops, as the 270-plus pound bike will develop a couple of heart-stopping swaps if you let it. The overall ride is pure plush, which is fine for casual trail- and play-riding but not so great for hard-core pounding. Same story with the motor: In stock condition, the TTR250 does, in fact, carburet extremely well, and it produces good power for casual trail-riding and even for some aggressive enduro-type riding. But for serious competition use, the TTR250 will require the usual hopup mods. No big deal, though. I still enjoyed the TIR's excellent bottom end and smooth power delivery. This, combined with the TTR's cushy suspension and solid handling, reduced the fatigue factor greatly, making it possible to ride the bike all day without getting tired. To me, that's what play-riding is all about. As far as family entertainment goes, Yamaha hit the nail on the head with 1999 Yamaha TTR225 1999 Yamaha TTR250 Specifications Specifications EngIne type the off-road-only TTR225 and 250. Now the entire family can go play-riding together - Dad on the TTR250, Mom on the TTR225, and little Johnny and Mary on the PWs. (Or will little Johnny actually be teaching Dad how to do nac-nacs over a road-jump on his YZ80?) Anyway, thanks, Yamaha, for taking play-riding so seriously. _ Engine type Air-cooled. 4·stroke SOHC. single DI8place_nt 223cc Bore x stroke 70 x 58mm Compression I'IItIo 9.5; 1 Certouretor . . . Mikuni BST34 Elec:trte-I .. CDI. 12-volt. 7-amp hour battery T ...n.ml••ion .... 6-speed, constant-mesh PrIInl11'Y NductIon I'IltIo 73122 (3.318) S'CO...... ry reduction ratio 45/15 (3.000l F...me . . . Semi-double cradle Su.pen.lon Front Conventional-type fork, wi 7-way rebound·damping adj. Rear. . . . . . . . . . .. Single shock, w/rebound-damping adj. W....I _ _I Front. . . . . . . . . . Rear. . . . . . . . . . . • . a....... Front Rear . . 9.0 in. 7.6 in. 220mm disc _..•................... Drum n .... Front 80/100-21-;n. Dunlop Rear. . . ... 100/1 00-1 B-;n. Dunlop OIA I.ngth 81.5 in. 01 A width. . . . • . . . . . . . . .. 32.3 in. OIA height. . 33.7 In. Wh_lba 53.14 in. Ground cIea nce (mIn.) 11.3 in. Fuel capeclty .. 2.6 gal. wi 0.5 gal. reserve Dry weight (claimed) 259 Ibs. MSRP $3299 Warranty _ 30-day Air-cooled. 4-stroke DOHC. single Displacement 249cc Bore x stroke , .73 x 59.6mm Compression ratio 10.2;1 Cartouretor Teikei Y30P/30 Electrical . CDI, 12-voit 6.5-amp hour battery T... n.mi.slon .... 6-speed, constant-mesh Primary reduction ratio 72/24 (3.083) Secondary reduction ratio 52/13 (4.000> F me Semi-double cradle Su.pen.lon Front ..... Conventional-type cartridge fork Rear .. Single-shock, link-type. Bilstein·style shock wi remote reservoir W....ltrav.1 Front R_r nres Front 80/100-21·in. Dunlop Rear... . 100/100-18-ln. Dunlop OIA length 82.5 in. OIA width 32.9 in. 01 A h.ight .....•............ .49.6 in. Seat height 36.0 in. Front ... Disc. w/dual-piston floating caliper Wheelbase 55.3 in: Ground cIea nce (mIn.) 12.0 in. Fuel capacity .. 2.6 gal. wi 0.5 gal. reserve Dry weight (claimed) 249 Ibs. MSRP $4699 Rear ..Disc, w/single-piston floating caliper WarFllnty ................•.....30-day a...kes 11 in. . 11In. -.:: c. < 21

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