Kawasaki Estrella?

[Itsme]

Hi Thumperteers

I'm doing that dreaming thing that we all do as motorcyclists from time-to-time and considering what I would buy if I were to get rid of the Mighty Midget and Newzuki the Inazuma. I suppose this is because I haven't really ever been comfortable with the Inazuma even though I now have it handling well thanks to getting rid of the original full fairing which it turned out had been misaligned following an off by a previous owner. Also I feel I don't need two bikes and I really like 250 thumpers (I know weird or what). I briefly thought about another Honda SLR 650 as I did like the one I had, but in all honesty I can do the trips I do happily on a 250.

Why not just keep the Mighty Midget I hear you say? Well I might just do that, but it does need a bit of work as although it doesn't smoke since I fitted new rings it does still use a bit more oil than I'd like if I take the revs over 5500 which equates to about 45mph.

So I have been idly looking around and dreaming about 250 thumpers and I came across a Kawasaki Estrella which looked suitably quirky to appeal to my tastes and don't seem to have fallen victim to the 'chop it up and call it a bobber' brigade so are still reasonably priced. As this is an idle dreaming exercise (for now) I have done no research so does anyone know anything about them? How would they measure against the Mighty Midget (GN250) for economy, reliability, spares availability and of course performance?

Go on chaps give a dreamer something to dream about.

Ian

[iansoady]

Looks quite cute but the seat looks terrible! How much do they go for?

[Itsme]

Hi Ian

I know what you mean about the seat! They seem to go for 1500 to 2000 which is about 100 to 200 less than GNs or SRs of similar age and condition.

Ian

I haven't used a pound sign as I can't figure out how to access it on my Chromebook!

[iansoady]

But you can get an XBR for £1,000.......

[Itsme]

Get thee behind me sensible talking man!

You raise a fair point and when I've done dreaming I may indeed examine my options more sensibly.

Ian

[Steve Lake]

yamaha made a very neat looking SRX 250, and you  do see them coming up for sale occasionally, spares may be an issue as i think they are grey imports, never retailed in the uk.

[iansoady]

Here you are Ian: https://www.hjpugh.com/catalogue/lot/32708d70e7d307bbb0d105ea38fd6dca/b331b543c006b10521b2bcea6093a165/2-day-sale-of-vintage-and-classic-motorcycles-projects-lot-896/

But it'll probably be a bit more than £1,000 as it's the rare wire wheel job.

Or this:

https://www.hjpugh.com/catalogue/lot/f72ae893a0b9faa99a26eb8e39b58618/b331b543c006b10521b2bcea6093a165/2-day-sale-of-vintage-and-classic-motorcycles-projects-lot-898/

Or even this:

https://www.hjpugh.com/catalogue/lot/d32048cda8507f61ef4ad2718d9aa3db/b331b543c006b10521b2bcea6093a165/2-day-sale-of-vintage-and-classic-motorcycles-projects-lot-933/

[Moto63]

Ooh.... you are a tease Ian. You’ve got me stroking my chin🤔 looking at that red cb250rs. It’s exactly the model I bought brand new on a W plate. Had miles and miles of fun on that bike.
Now where did put that cheque book🤔😉
Cheers, Michael

[Itsme]

I suspect Ian has got a few of us stroking our chins! I do like XBR 500s and really enjoyed the one I had which was a lovely, low mileage example that had been owned by a family friend. However due to the work I would need to do to make it rideable because of the handlebar position (which I found uncomfortable even in the 90s before most of my shoulder damage) I think an SLR650 would be a better choice for me. I found the one I had was comfortable and fulfilled most of my needs perfectly, makes me wonder why I sold mine!

If I were a sensible man, and I'm not, I think I would sell both my bikes and buy another SLR as it would then do what both Newzuki and the Mighty Midget do, but in one package. I am off to Staithes for a week's holiday tomorrow so let's hope I get hit with a sensible stick whilst I'm there.

Ian

[iansoady]

The VF400 bars I fitted to my XBR have made it quite comfortable even for my ageing and rickety frame.....

[Itsme]

They do indeed look like a great improvement over the standard bars, which even though I love their compact nature were a real torture for me.

The problem I have is that the nerve impingement and muscle tear in my shoulder require a very specific posture if I am to be able to ride a bike without pain and loss of movement. A bike can look perfect and very sit-up-and-beg and can indeed be comfortable when I first ride it. However 10 minutes in and I can't concentrate for the pain and then I have two or three days of severe hand cramp and pain.

It isn't getting old, it is multiple injuries on the same joint over a long time.

Anyway the search continues.

Ian

The sensible option is stop dreaming and just be happy with the Mighy Midget!

[Moto63]

I am off to Staithes for a week's holiday tomorrow

Ian

Lovely part of the world Ian. I/we spend as much time as I/we can around Whitby. I can highly recommend “the fisherman’s wife” chippy in Whitby itself if you fancy some fish n chips. Not as posh as the magpie but equally as good (IMVHO) 🐟🍟
Hopefully the weather is kind to you and hope you have a top week 👍
Cheers, Michael

[iansoady]

Ian, if you were down this way (Redditch) you'd be very welcome to try my XBR for size.

[Itsme]

Michael thank you for the recommendation we will be sure to seek the Fisherman's Wife out.

Ian thank you for the offer I really appreciate it and if I get serious about an XBR I will take you up on it.

Ian

[Moto63]

Hi Ian, the fisherman’s wife chippy is located on the “Khyber pass” road at the far end near the pier if you do fancy checking it out👍
Cheers, Michael