Dirtybits.com ... Jeffs TM250E ..whats it really like ?
I first got the idea to buy a TM250E when a friend of mine turned up at the
garage I
worked at on the smaller 125cc version, uttered those immortal words
"that's the quickest 125 I've ever ridden on the road" it's got shit-loads of
torque and
handles a dream off-road too. Well that got me thinking and wondering what the
250
might be like? so there and then I decided to keep an eye out for a nice used
TM250E .
Well that was 3 years ago needless to say I didn't get one but instead plumped
for a
Kawasaki kdx200, which I rode for about a year. Great little bike but I just
wanted that
extra grunt, so the lure for a 250 continued. The idea was to sell my beloved
gsxr750 and
buy either a KX250 or a TM250, but where to start , I hate looking for new bikes,
its such
a chore and you never know what you're going to end up with.
Well sometimes lady luck shines on you and at my last meeting of the year at
Tidworth, she
was shining very brightly. The DB team, were parked next to guy, who when my
back was
turned wheeled out this lovely 250E , well Greg R was quick to dive in, asking
all sorts of
stupid questions and must have sounded really keen, when the owner suddenly
asked him if
he wanted to buy it ! Greg not wanting to be asked twice, grabed my attention
and said
"errr Jeff come n look at your new bike" .. not sure what he was going on about
I turned round
to spot this ex-works TM250 gleaming in the morning sun, with my name on it
!
Turns out it had been Rob Sartins bike and was now owned & ridden by Steve King.
Steve was
jumping ship to Yamaha so the bike was up for grabs. Few moments to sweet talk
the wife and the
deal was done, result !
So from here onward's I'll try to bring you news of what its like to own,
run and most likely swear
at what is a great Italian enduro bike. Plus add some links to web-sites and
helpful dealers.
Wiring
When I first got the bike I had to sort out the wiring for the lights as it
had rarely been used on the road
and Steve was kind enough to put the lights back on, lets just say Steve's is
a plumber so I came to the
conclusion to rip out all the wiring and start again while I was doing that
I also fitted a switch for the head
lights, brake light switch to the front brake and a horn, it was now ready for
the road.
Jetting
WOW! Sh*t a brick this is quick but it fouled plugs about 1 every 10 miles so
a quick phone call to Nigel
at In-Chains in Ringwood (Hants) and he said the pilot jet was probably too
big. They are jetted with a
#42 pilot jet and what I needed was a #40, so a quick swipe of the credit card
and one was on its way,
well bugger me he was only right and the bike now runs clean and foul free !
More to follow soon folks … page two jump from here ... hang-on its a quick ride !
All best Jeff E