Serow - Is this a good deal?

[rwa.martin]

I'd be grateful for the team's advice on whether this is a good deal or not.

I've got the chance of a '96 XT225, approx. 16,000 km on the clock for £1600. It's this bike Serow - ebay which the guy bought for his wife but she doesn't like it. It's had the head bearings done and a brake master cylinder fitted subsequent to the ebay sale.

I'm stalling on purchase as I think it's a bit expensive although it's got lots of spares with it. Am I being daft to turn this down or should I look elsewhere? I've a chance for an '07 Serow XT250 import for around the same money.

Your advice and guidance as always will be gratefully received.

Thanks
Rich.

[92kk k100lt 193214]

I can't comment on the price but someone I know over here has one and it's one of the best bikes I have come across. He uses it 'for popping to the shop or town' and for a small amount of offroad.

[picos mestizo]

Seems to have had a lot done to it & a lot of frame ankle wear for 10k miles. :unsure:

[SteveR]

Riding in Northumbria this w/e and I was very impressed at a Serow and it's sheer ability to go places.

No idea or views on price, but I saw this last week when I was sussing a personal import...

This Serow looks a minter?

[Willandkate]

The 250 version is a great little bike. Bit gutless for UK/Euro roads but depends what you're after and you've got to be realistic....

Kate's little one brought her all the way to UK from Oz no problems. She then sold it and the new owner rode it from New York to the west coast then down into central America before shipping it back. Can't say fairer than that!

If you get the 250 version rather than the older 225 you should change the front sprocket to 1 tooth bigger. The standard bike is very low geared and this is a quick n easy fix

Here are a few pics to get you all excited

IMG_2211_2015-06-14.JPG (37.96 KiB) Viewed 1988 times

IMG_5663_2015-06-14.JPG (34.94 KiB) Viewed 1988 times

IMG_6377.JPG (46.67 KiB) Viewed 1988 times

IMG_8276.JPG (49.8 KiB) Viewed 1988 times

[XF650]

Good little bikes, I've got one of the very early ones with kick start only, love it! Just big enough to do what you want it to do but small enough to still feel like a toy that you can have total fun on. Recommended! (thumbs)

The one posted on fleabay now sold, did you get it?

[rwa.martin]

The bike was sold to someone local to me who is now selling it on for a couple of hundred quid more than he paid although he has had the head bearings done and brake cylinder fitted since. I've got the chance to buy it but thought it was a bit dear for a 20 year old bike. (I have no problem with him making a profit on it).

I'm not a green laner (though I do fancy giving it a go) - I'm just after a runabout that is more suited to the narrow yellow roads of Wales rather than the Transalp I had which was a bit too tall and heavy. The Serow allows me to get my feel flat but the post that is running about bike size did get me thinking that I might just need to MTFU and learn to ride properly. With a lighter bike height may be less of a problem and it would open up more possibilities for me.

Rich.

[chipy]

Brilliant bike and the prices seem to be going up (thumbs)

[SteveR]

I'm not a green laner (though I do fancy giving it a go) - I'm just after a runabout that is more suited to the narrow yellow roads of Wales rather than the Transalp I had which was a bit too tall and heavy. The Serow allows me to get my feel flat but the post that is running about bike size did get me thinking that I might just need to MTFU and learn to ride properly. With a lighter bike height may be less of a problem and it would open up more possibilities for me.

Rich.

Like Hen's Teeth usually...

Here!

A bit steeply priced in my opinion, but it is a demand thing, they do
hold their value. Not as crashable as a Serow, but good off road.

[Mike54]

far too expensive. a yam ttr 250 is a far better buy, not to mention significantly younger.